“I will speak with His Excellency, but I’m not sure if I can offer any help.And even if I help you, I’m not certain it guarantees Growen’s safety.I hope you understand that, as rulers of Growen, we must prioritize the ancient land.”
“I understand and will keep that in mind.”
The purpose of coming here was clear enough to risk one’s life.
It likely meant there was no force in the capital willing to back the prince.
Yet, it was undeniable that this was a reckless choice.
The conversation the two could have was over. The rest would continue at the evening banquet.
“Then, I hope you enjoy a peaceful time until the evening banquet.”
“Thank you. I plan to savor this rare moment of rest.I ate a peach yesterday, and it was sweet and delicious.I’m very much looking forward to the evening banquet.”
Dreion had returned to the playful expression he wore when they first met.
His words, spoken with relaxed shoulders, were sincere.
Unlike the imperial palace, where one had to lie flat and hold their breath,Growen required no such thing.
Perhaps there were even greater difficulties he couldn’t speak of.
Regardless of the outcome, Yerpi Deilang hoped the prince could have a peaceful day here.
And so, the day grew dark.
Having to soothe Dante, who was sulky after leaving a game earlier, made the day pass in a flash.
But one final obstacle remained: the evening banquet with Growen’s temporary guests.
The Seventh Prince Dreion and the priest Ubbus Lucan sat across from Dante.
Dante, glaring at them from beside Yerpi Deilang, let out a loud “Hmph” and tilted his head.
[Growen doesn’t like outsiders.]“Haha, it seems the young lord doesn’t like me very much.”
Despite Dreion’s hearty laughter, Dante’s expression didn’t soften.Raymond Growen stepped in to caution him.
“Dante, even if you don’t like them, these are Growen’s ‘temporary’ guests.Keep that in mind.”
[But…! Oh…?]Dante, about to grumble at Raymond, paused to mull over his words.
He recalled that they weren’t formally invited guests but temporary ones, clinging to Yerpi Deilang’s sympathy.
Catching the emphasis on “temporary,” Dante grinned slyly.
[Fine. They don’t seem like they’ll stay long anyway, so generous me will let it slide.]His tone clearly wished for them to leave Growen quickly.
Ubbus Lucan seemed taken aback by Dante’s attitude, but Dreion remained unfazed.
“The young lord is generous. This prince is touched.”
[Huh? Well… I guess I am kind of like that.]Dante, expecting Dreion to get angry, responded awkwardly to his friendly demeanor.
“Though I’m only staying temporarily, this land is new to me and quite unfamiliar.I hope the generous young lord will help me adjust.”
[W-Well, but you shouldn’t stay long enough to adjust…]Dante hesitated, his voice much softer than before.
Raymond Growen, watching them, shook his head.
Dreion was surprisingly adept at handling children.Yerpi Deilang couldn’t help but smile at the sight.
“Let’s continue with the meal. The food’s getting cold.”
“…Indeed. I hope Growen’s meal suits your taste.”
“It’s excellent. Makes me want to live here forever. Haha, just kidding.”
Dante’s eyes nearly turned triangular again at Dreion’s words as he cut his steak.
Thus, the precarious atmosphere of the evening banquet continued.
Dreion mostly humored Dante.
The mood was the opposite of his earlier conversation with Yerpi Deilang.Perhaps he felt he’d already conveyed everything he needed to say.
After all, anything Yerpi Deilang heard would naturally reach Raymond Growen.
By the end of the meal, Dreion even showed Dante his magic.
“You promised to help me adjust here, didn’t you, young lord?It’s not much, but I think I can show you something interesting.”
[Huh?]Dante, captivated by Dreion’s eloquent speech, blinked.
At that moment, water and fire rose from Dreion’s palm.
The two opposing elements stretched upward, forming dragons in the air.
The dragons intertwined, performing a dynamic show.
[Wow! Is this magic too?!]Dante’s eyes widened as if they’d pop out. The vibrant elemental display was like fireworks.
Nothing captivated a child’s heart like magic—flashy, eye-catching, and undeniably cool.
Having perfectly won Dante over, Dreion grinned.
“Of course. I hear the magic in my land differs slightly from Growen’s at its core.But my magic belongs to no world. I’ve trained it in my own unique way.”
[You learned magic on your own? That’s amazing!]As Dante sent admiring glances, Dreion’s aide, silently eating beside him, looked uneasy.
“Your Highness, such words…”
Ubbus Lucan seemed displeased with Dreion revealing his abilities, but Dreion laughed and patted his aide’s shoulder.
“What’s the harm? This isn’t the treacherous imperial palace; it’s Growen.I want to be at ease while I’m here. Places where I can be honest are rare.”
“Sigh, I give up. Do as you please.”
“What, you think I don’t know you’re worried about me? Don’t sulk so obviously.”
“Sulk?! What kind of expression is that…!”
Ubbus, about to stand in a huff, noticed Growen’s masters and sat back down.
As Ubbus sighed deeply and shook his head, Dreion spoke.
“Why don’t Growen’s heir try learning it too?”
[Can I learn it too?]Dante’s ears perked up at Dreion’s words.
It was only natural for a child to be interested—most kids dreamed of being a mage or a swordsman.
But unlike swordsmanship, magic was a realm of special talent.
It wasn’t something everyone could learn just because they wanted to.
“From what I see, the young lord seems to have magical talent. Has no one told you?”
Dreion had taught magic to the poor, helping their talents bloom, so his eye was likely accurate.But Raymond Growen intervened.
“Dante is a special child. It’s best not to touch his magic until it stabilizes.”
“Oh, I spoke out of turn.”
Unaware of Dante’s situation, Dreion quickly corrected himself.Yerpi Deilang watched Dante with concern, worried he might be deeply disappointed by Raymond’s caution.
As she feared, Dante looked disheartened but recovered quickly.
[One day, I’ll learn magic too!]Dante seemed satisfied knowing he had magical talent, and Yerpi was relieved he wasn’t too disappointed.
‘Maybe one day Dante will be able to use magic.’
After discussing with Raymond, they had decided to tell Dante at this banquet that they’d all head to the land of winter.
Yerpi hoped they’d uncover Dante’s secret there.
[By the way, you said the imperial palace was dangerous. What did you mean?]Dante, who had been listening intently to Dreion, now looked worried, perhaps concerned by the mention of danger.
Though he’d initially been hostile, Dante’s kind nature made him soften quickly.
Finding Dante’s sincerity adorable, Dreion suppressed a laugh.
He barely maintained a neutral expression, but his face looked odd from holding back laughter.
“It’s like that. If people knew I was a mage, many would try to kill me.That’s why I came to seek help from Growen’s great masters.”
[I didn’t know…]Dante’s eyes trembled, shocked, as if he thought he’d been rude to a guest fleeing danger.
Seeing Dante getting too caught up, Raymond Growen intervened.
“We’re heading to the winter lands soon. So, I’d appreciate it if you’d leave before then.You won’t gain anything from Growen’s land, Your Highness.”
My Step-brother Is Obsessed With Me (Female-dominant)
A gentle female protagonist vs pitiful in the early stage, and a sick male protagonist in the later stage
Cheng Songer transmigrated into the body of a vicious cannon fodder female supporting character with the same name as her in a female-dominant novel.
In the original story, the cannon fodder female supporting character was inhumane, committing domestic violence, gambling excessively, being lustful, and even wanting to sell her stepbrother to a brothel for money.
As luck would have it, she just happened to transmigrate at this time.
Seeing Cheng Qingzhi biting his lip, enduring the tears in his eyes, looking pitiful, her heart softened.
She stuffed the money back into the Madam’s hand and reached out to him.
“Brother, come home with me.”
