Cael leaned against the large window frame, chin in hand, and swung his legs while gazing at the lush mountain range. Beneath the child-sized chair for Iyon, short legs swayed gently. Finding fascination in the cloud shapes hanging over the high mountain peaks, a refreshing mountain breeze gently swept through the soft hair.

It had already been a month since Cael arrived in Vashkur. Days passed by leisurely, spending the afternoons with sweet hot cocoa and fresh desserts.

It was peculiar. In the Paradisium Palace, he had spent busy days without a moment’s respite. To follow in the footsteps of his father, the Emperor, he had to learn many things from a young age. However, there was no need for that now.

Cael’s country, Paradisium, had crumbled under the Vashkur Imperial Army.

At least that’s what Cael believed at the time.

He believed that the Paradisium Empire, where he was born and raised, had fallen to Vashkur.

However, in reality, only the power structure had changed slightly, and Paradisium Empire was still thriving.

Of course, he would only learn this much later.

“Have you read all these books?”

At the voice from above, Cael raised his head slightly and nodded.

“Yes.”

Dahan’s face lit up with joy at Cael’s response.

Cael hadn’t been completely idle. Dahan and Vane took turns visiting Cael’s guest room, delivering books for him to read.

“Aren’t there any new books?”

Cael asked, looking at Dahan’s empty hands.

“I’ll bring a new book for you to read later. But more importantly…”

Saying so, Dahan turned around. Naturally, Cael’s head also turned, following Dahan’s gaze.

Dressed in a deep blue uniform adorned with gold embroidery only on the sleeves and collar, Icar was walking towards them.

Cael got up from his chair and greeted Icar respectfully.

“I greet His Imperial Majesty.”

Unlike Dahan, seeing Icar was a rare occurrence for Cael. He had heard from Dahan that Icar was busy due to emptying the palace for the war with Paradisium.

…?

Cael’s gaze, which straightened his bent waist, was drawn to the longsword hanging at Icar’s waist. There was no need to carry a sword inside the palace. Due to strict identity verification, outsiders could only enter the palace after thorough checks.

Thus, Cael looked at the sword with a slightly puzzled expression before raising his gaze. With a slight lift of the corner of his mouth, Icar spoke.

“It seems unnecessary.”

It was better than receiving daily lessons as the heir. However, saying such a thing might make him seem too inexperienced. Unsure of how to respond, Cael hesitated, and in the meantime, Dahan interjected.

“You may not be completely free. Even if you just read the books we bring, the day will pass quickly.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, indeed…”
“You won’t get off for free. Even if you only read the books that I and Vane provide, the day will pass quickly.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, yes…”

Icar asked, and Cael nodded, shaking his head with a hint of pride at having read all the books. Despite secretly wanting praise, Icar casually brought up another matter.

“I’m thinking of going hunting; not sure if you’d be interested.”

In an instant, Cael’s small shoulders stiffened, and a sense of defeat crossed his expression. This was because the stories he had heard from Dahan came to mind.

‘Could it be…?’

Dahan and Vane visited Cael’s guest room on alternate days. Both were extremely busy, but they took a moment to check if Cael was well and engage in brief conversations.

Cael would ask questions about the things he was reading, and Dahan would sincerely provide answers. And Vane mostly instructed Cael to ask Dahan…

Anyway, during one of these visits, Vane shared shocking details about Icar and the two’s childhood. The most surprising thing was that, similar to when the Vashkur emperor expelled the princes and princesses from the palace, Cael’s age was the same.

Considering Vane’s story, it wouldn’t be strange for Cael to be thrown into the mountains, no matter the circumstances.

“Why were you so frightened?”

One of Icar’s eyebrows lifted slightly, and his naturally composed demeanor became even colder. Cael clutched his fear a bit more, shrinking his shoulders.

While observing the two from the side, Dahan whispered something to Icar.

“…?”

Cael’s anxiety intensified just as Icar awkwardly raised the corner of his mouth.

“Alright. You enjoy reading, don’t you? What have you been reading lately?”

Icar’s awkward expression made Cael even more terrified. However, Cael tried to remain composed as he answered.

“I’ve been reading books about Vashkur’s women, history, and culture.”

After finishing his answer, Cael’s adorable forehead furrowed slightly.

‘I must have been too tense. Making a stuttering mistake…’

Although he wasn’t prone to stumbling over words, Cael, for some reason, occasionally made such mistakes only in front of his father, Lucius, the Emperor of Paradisium.

During those times, Cael would receive a severe scolding or reprimand.

He was often compared to his stepbrother, who, despite being younger, spoke more fluently.