Time Healer Ceres

Chapter 25: Aria

“Is he still like that?”

“Yes.”

Crown Prince Aseraian sighed heavily as he stood outside Cheion’s room in the Magic Tower.

Luca, Cheion’s secretary, looked no better.

“What happened that day?”

“I’m not sure. He won’t tell me anything.”

On the day of Prince Alex’s welcome banquet, Aseraian only stopped by briefly before rushing off after news arrived that another victim of a monster attack had been found.

By the time he returned to the Imperial Palace, a rather strange news was waiting for him.

The door of the Imperial carriage Cheion had ridden in was completely destroyed. According to the coachman, the person who had broken it was Grand Duke Persia.

“What happened between you and the Grand Duke?”

Rustle.

“...Cheion?”

As soon as Aseraian heard the story, he went looking for him. But no matter what he asked, Cheion wouldn’t say a word.

With a look of utter confusion on his face, he had simply shut himself away in his room, leaving Aseraian unable to press the matter any further.

Several days had passed since then, and Cheion still hadn’t come out. That was why Aseraian and Luca once again found themselves lingering outside his door.

He’s never been like this before.

Cheion might grumble and complain, but he has never this quiet.

“What about the Grand Duke? Did he say anything?”

“He only sent compensation for the carriage.”

The incident could easily have caused a scandal. After all, an imperial carriage was attacked. And not just any carriage, but one carrying a prince.

Yet, neither Cheion nor Grand Duke Persia offered a single explanation.

“What about his meals?”

At the question, Luca silently pointed off to the side. A tray sat near the door, the food untouched.

“Tsk.”

Aseraian clicked his tongue and knocked. No answer came.

“I’m coming in.”

He opened the door and stepped inside. The room was dark, not a single lamp lit.

“Cheion.”

By the window, where pale moonlight spilled into the room, Cheion sat with his knees drawn up.

“.....”

Even at Aseraian’s call, he didn’t react. His gaze remained fixed outside as though he were lost somewhere far away.

“You should eat something.”

“.....”

“Should I bring you some dessert? Your favorite.”

“...Brother.”

Aseraian’s expression brightened at once.

“Yes? Is there something you want to eat? Just tell me. I’ll get you whatever you want.”

“You see...”

“Hm?”

“I used to like that.”

“Like what?”

A faint smile touched Cheion’s lips.

“Having a brother who put up with all my whining and childish tantrums.”

Maybe that was why he’d become so spoiled. Because no matter what he did, someone was always there to indulge him.

“But...”

The smile faded.

Maybe that was the problem. Maybe all his childishness and self-indulgence had kept anyone from ever seeing him as someone they could rely on.

The memory kept replaying in his mind. Ceres shaking off his hand and reaching for Kainel’s instead, clinging to it as though it were a lifeline.

“...I hate it now.”

The words fell quietly into the darkness. Cheion turned back to the window and fell silent once more.

***

“...Hah.”

A long sigh escaped Ceres as she rolled over in bed.

“Seriously?”

Thinking back to the way she’d collapsed after a single sip of wine, she could only laugh in disbelief.

Why did this body have to be exactly the same?

“It seems finding a body that’s perfectly suited to you takes quite a while.”

“...Is that why?”

A line from Artia’s letter suddenly came to mind. Back then, she didn’t pay much attention to it. But maybe “everything” included her constitution, too.

“Give me a break.”

Did that really have to match as well?

Clicking her tongue, Ceres pushed herself upright. The room was enormous, every piece of furniture luxurious enough to make most nobles jealous.

This was Kainel’s residence. After passing out in the carriage that day, she’d woken up here.

The problem was—

Bang.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Three days after regaining consciousness, she still hadn’t managed to escape.

When she opened the door, she came face-to-face with Kainel, who looked like he was about to come in.

“Home. How many times do I have to tell you? I’m going home.”

“And how many times do I have to tell you that you’re not?”

“I’ve already rested enough. Who spends three days recovering from one sip of wine?”

“You.”

“The kids are waiting for me.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Kainel pulled out a sheet of paper and unfolded it. The handwriting was still clumsy, but familiar.

[Big Sis, don’t worry about us and get lots of rest. Mister said he’ll take good care of you.]

“Julia’s handwriting is getting so much better...”

Wait, that wasn’t the point.

“When did you get that?”

“Get back inside.”

Ignoring her question, Kainel nudged her into the room and set the dishes he was carrying on the table.

That’s another problem.

Why did he insist on bringing her meals himself?

It wasn’t like he didn’t have plenty of servants. What would people think if they saw him acting like this?

“Sit.”

Ceres snorted and dropped into the chair he indicated.

The meal was simple enough. Stew, salad, and bread.

“Can I be honest?”

She tore off a piece of bread and popped it into her mouth.

“Your cook is awful. The bread’s hard, the stew’s bland, and the salad is somehow salty. How do you even make a salad salty?”

“.....”

“I think I finally understand why you’ve barely been eating.”

“Is it really that bad?”

“Well, it’s not inedible...”

Just as she stabbed a piece of salad with her fork, she paused.

“Huh?”

“What is it?”

“Why are you pouting?”

“Pouting?”

Kainel raised an eyebrow.

“Me?”

“Yes, you.”

He’s obviously sulking.

She’d known him for years. Did he really think she couldn’t tell?

The slight downturn at the corner of his eye, and the faint twist of his mouth. That was a sulking face if she’d ever seen one.

“If you don’t like it, don’t eat it.”

“I said it’s edible.”

“.....”

What’s gotten into him?

All she’d done was comment on his cook’s skills. Since when did he care so much about defending the staff?

Honestly, he’s ridiculous.

Ceres tilted her head as she chewed.

“Hm?”

Something hanging around Kainel’s neck suddenly caught her eye.

“That...”

A crude wooden ring dangled from a thin silver chain. It looked strangely familiar.

Then, she remembered.

He still has that?

She’d made the ring herself when they were children.

Her father once enjoyed woodcarving as a hobby. After watching him a few times, she’d carved that little ring while fooling around.

“This?”

Following her gaze, Kainel touched the ring around his neck.

“This is a treasure I kept in the box.”

“The box?”

Surely he didn’t mean...

The box we buried at the Academy?

Could it be that the wooden ring was his treasure?

“Because it was an engagement ring.”

“...What?”

Ceres stared at him.

We were just playing house!

Artia had always loved that sort of thing, so he’d often rope the two of them into it. That ring was one of their props.

Sure, we called it an engagement ring, but that was because you and I always ended up playing husband and wife!

It was all pretend. Just a childhood game.

“Hey, you lunatic.”

“What’s with the name-calling all of a sudden?”

Kainel casually spun the ring between his fingers, seemingly unconcerned. Ceres could only shake her head.

***

“The kitchen... again?”

“Chef...”

“He came by today too?”

“Yes, Chef.”

“Haa...”

Teddy, the imperial head chef currently overseeing the kitchen at the Grand Duke’s residence, stepped inside and immediately stopped in his tracks.

The kitchen looked as though a storm had torn through it.

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