Don’t Concern Yourself With That Book

“I really like him. He looks just like him.”

He was an existence Rex was pulled towards like it was fate. That was the kind of person Fleon was to Rex

Rex had been watching Fleon from the sidelines for a long time. To him, the prince looked like a baby wolf and yet not at the same time.

Yet, no matter how much he tried to hold himself back, he could not just stand by and watch him. He could not even count on his fingers how many times he had been kicked by him.

“Rex.”

The boy was honest.

“I won’t say I miss my brother any more.”

He was arrogant and proud. He could not set boundaries and hence had grown immensely attached to those he cared about.

“For mother’s sake.”

The empty hole in Fleon’s heart was filled by Dane and Ashley. Only then did he come back alive. He was once again running amok just like any other in his age.

This was all thanks to his younger sister.

From Rex’s standpoint, Fleon had loved and cherished the world he had built around his two younger siblings and his one knight.

“You. You’re keeping your promise, aren’t you?”

“What?”

Rex looked into the distance.

Fleon shoot a look at his deputy knight.

“Your promise not to appear in front of Ashley.”

“Don’t worry, I’m trying my best.”

“Alright.”

Rex tilted his head.

“I really have no idea why you keep that promise so diligently.”

Fleon’s eyes sank.

“… She doesn’t even have her own lady-in-waiting or an escort.”

No, there was one but he did not belong solely to her.

‘Because Ray is the only guy the emperor sent to protect the three of us.’

In fact, Fleon did not need an escort. Because he had received one from Vulcanus. So, it was almost rare for him to spend time alone with Ray.

“Are you trying to say that because I, a templar, is next to you, you feel dejected?”

“…That’s right.”

Rex tilted his head.

‘Well, I didn’t think he was the type to feel depressed over something like that.’

Rex remembered Fleon’s first encounter with Ashley. The young girl who just listened quietly while blinking at Fleon’s words was no pushover.

Everyone thought the princess was too young to understand Fleon but he could tell from her keen eyes. It looked like Fleon’s words did not mean much to the princess.

“Damn. Why doesn’t His Majesty give her anything?”

However, even if bring this fact to his master’s attention, it would not work on him when he only saw her as his loyal puppy or an easy pushover.

“By the way, my prince, did the princess say anything about wanting a lady-in-waiting, escort or anything like that?”

Rex was an adult. So, he could see a little further in the future than him.

“I’m not sure but isn’t she 17 now? Usually, ladies at her age are never honest about what they want.”

A long time ago, the girl who stayed next door had her ruby powder stolen. She had cried so hard she unleashed the powerful ‘Give it, give it back!’ tantrum attack.

Anyway, that was not important.

“If she doesn’t say anything herself, she should be satisfied with what she has now.”

Fleon went silent for a moment.

“… What do you know?”

Fleon frowned.

“That’s what she wants. Maybe she just hasn’t said yet.”

Feeling that it was unjust, Rex shook his head.

“I have some keen senses of my own.”

Rex flexed his stomach, hoping he would not get kicked.

“How noisy. Just keep protecting as you are now. Keep it up.”

Then, he got angry at the maid who entered the parlour shortly after.

“Who says you could enter?”

The young maid fell on her face trembling as he spoke.

Watching, Rex scratched his cheek.

He agonised over it for a moment before keeping his mouth shut.

“I’m not trying to lecture you but how long are you going to act coy…”

“Coy?”

Fleon replied, unsatisfied.

“I’m talking about the commoner, my prince.”

Rex quickly sent the servant who was trembling under his terrifying gaze.

“Actually, my prince, it doesn’t look like you hate commoners. It looks more like you find them disgusting.”

Then how was he able to endure it in the princess’ palace?

Rex poured the tea directly into the teacups before placing the plates on the table neatly. This was all supposed to be a maid’s work but Fleon would not have it.

A long time ago, Fleon had a lady-in-waiting too. However, she was fired after making a slip of tongue.

Since then, such menial tasks were carried out by Ray.

Fleon hated the nobles. Because they would sneer coldly and make fun of him.

However, he hated commoners too.

Rex blinked his eyes slowly like a cow.

“I hope you could be more honest and just say that you almost died at the hands of one.”

He had never been this firm in the beginning. His master used to be a warm person and once cherished his palace maids. However, the disastrous consequences of the betrayal he faced had changed him.

‘Was it poison?’

That had also been Rex’s opportunity to leave the blessed lands of Vulcanus and come to the Imperial Palace.

Fleon was a man of immense pride. Even though he hated nobles, Fleon knew he belonged here.

Then, he almost lost his life to the servant he was affectionate towards. His experiences continued to shape the morals that governed Fleon.

“You don’t have to show affection to those lowly things.”

To him, commoners were ungrateful and only cared about climbing the social ladder.

“You’re going to hurt your huge nose.”

“Are you cursing me?”

“I always am inwardly.”

Rex did not want him to be like that but as a man who lived longer than him, he would faithfully advise his master.

“If you know, you’ll only regret it.”

1. 1. The Founding Festival I

Castor was involved with a total of three women in his life.

The first one was my wonderful lady-in-waiting, the pitiful Rebecca Eileen Von Aventa.

The second was Princess Neferti Hator Ahaziah sent from one of the desert nations. The princess was sent by La Feta, the desert kingdom, as a symbol of friendship and as Castor’s fiancee.

However, she died less than a year after their engagement.

The last one was Rusbella.

‘… I remember something very important happened during the Founding Festival.’

And it was not just some vague gut feeling.

Soon, the desert princess would arrive in the Empire.

It was not long till the plot of the original novel began.

I had no plans on changing the course of the story and bringing a happy ending to the princess.

As I scrutinised the parchment on which I had written out what I remembered of the plot, I lost myself in agony.

Castor’s fiancee, Ahaziah, was only described to have passed away in an incident in <The Light of Rusbella>. Her death was later used as a plot device to garner sympathy for Castor.

‘The time difference between the arrival of his fiancee and Rusbella is about a year.’

That meant that Rusbella, who was currently busy dating in the academy, would arrive here soon.

‘If I’m not wrong, she’ll be arriving next year.’

However, it was not accurate to say that Rusbella would only arrive here after a year. There would be a chance meeting between the main characters where neither side knew of each other’s identity.

In the <Light of Rusbella>, Castor had already met Rusbella during the Founding Festival. I did not know I could display my uselessly good memory in such a way.

“… So that means the Founding Festival will be important ?”

This was when Castor and Rusbella would have their real first meeting.

“The Founding Festival this year…”

Tap tap.

My fingers tapped on the desk.

I discovered a hole I could dig into. I was a butterfly. The wings of a butterfly are useless immediately after the butterfly hatches from their cocoon.

However, it had the capability of one day creating a typhoon across the sea.

The sky was brightening. After knocking, someone entered my room.

“Rebecca.”

“… Have you awoken?”

I smiled brightly.

“I woke up early. What’s wrong?”

“… Ah, I’ll be visiting my parents for a while.”

Rebecca’s mother, the duchess, was sick and needed care. I quickly nodded my head. It was only natural for her to go.

“Take care!”

Rebecca’s expression darkened. Her dark eyes were filled with concern.

“Don’t worry. We still have two months until the Founding Festival.”

She only stiffened even more as I tried to console her.

The more I exclaimed bravely, the stranger her face became.

‘Is this the extent to which she trusted me?’

I had done everything Rebecca had asked me to do. My dancing skills were improving day by day to the point it was worth watching me dance to some extent now.

‘It’s all because Rebecca’s standards are too high.’

Honestly, who cared how well I danced? Of course, the nobles would be watching carefully. By the way, I did not personally care if I was a bad dancer.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

I felt a little disappointed knowing that I would not be hearing her greetings and stiff voice for a while.

***

“Brother, what would be a good reply to a love letter?”

“A love letter?”

The young boys of all walks of life were anxiously searching for me. And it was evident from all these letters.

“Ah, to be exact, they’re requesting to be my patronus?”

“Get rid of them.”

“That’s a little…”

It was not a bad thing to get so many requests but it did not feel very good either. Perhaps it was because of the meaning behind the dance, there were many nobles lining up at the chance to be my patronus because they wanted to stand out.

“Right, we’ll have to decide on your patronus soon.”

“That’s not going to be simple given how strict Rebecca is.”

If we choose randomly, she would deem my partner unworthy based on her standards like some psychic. Be it his status, his skills or his face.

“Uh… I might dance alone at this rate.”

“Hmph, stop exaggerating.”

Fleon poked my head as if he found it amusing.

“If you can’t find one, you can do it with me or that guy, Dane.”

“… But neither of you have powers, brother.”

“What?!”