Not far from the palace, the 4th floor of a simple brown building reminiscent of row houses that are being built in the capital these days.
“Ah, brother! You are back.”
“okay.”
When Alexei opened the door and entered, his sister greeted him with a bright smile. It was a simple house that was never seen as the home of a corps commander.
However, that was only an impression at first glance, in reality it was not at all. All the furniture that filled the room was handmade by artisans, and the residents downstairs were all Alexei’s attendants. In terms of maintenance cost, it was actually several times as much as the villa where the crown prince stayed.
“It is also comfortable at home. I am tired of needlessly large places.”
Alexei sat down in his chair as if tired. Although he is reputed to be frugal in the world, it was just that Alexei did not like spacious mansions. For him, who is always wary of his surroundings, places that are out of sight at once would cause stress.
“You worked hard. Shall I bring you some tea?”
“Please.”
Alexey’s younger sister, Iris, quickly served warm tea as if it had been prepared in advance, and sat down on a nearby chair. Although she was a young girl who was almost 7 years older than Alexei and had not yet had a coming-of-age ceremony, she spoke and behaved like a lady. In addition, the smooth black hair, which is rare in Iron Blood, added a unique nobility.
“You become more beautiful every day, my sister.”
“Thanks to my older brother’s guidance.”
It was the result of a bridal class she started at the age of 10. Alexei raised his younger sister as an ideal woman who thinks for herself. It was for his own peace and fellowship.
“… … Iris.”
“yes?”
After sipping tea and staring at Iris, Alexei opened his mouth. Iris tilted her head in puzzlement at the unusually serious tone.
“Have you ever met the crown prince? I went to the royal palace.”
“Oh, that can’t be! I’ve never seen one! I’ve never been to a royal palace!”
Embarrassed by the sudden question, Iris hurriedly denied it. Alexei sighed in relief at Iris’ reaction.
“yes? It can’t be either.”
Iris doesn’t go out except for a walk around the house unless she gives her permission. Even that, it was impossible to visit the royal villa because he always had an attendant with him. Also, Mikhail had been imprisoned just two days ago. there is no way we can meet
‘You were too conscious of Mikhail’s provocation. It’s not like me.’
“Come to think of it, he said he came to see the Crown Prince today. How was it?”
“hmm. What should I do… … .”
To Iris’s question, Alexei blurted out his answer.
“I felt like an actor in a play.”
And answered honestly.
There was a strange sense of heterogeneity in Mikhail that seemed to be acting exaggeratedly somewhere. Not only that, but it was as if he was ‘already aware of the other person’s behavior through the script’. It’s hard to explain in detail, but Alexei felt that way.
“You must have been a handsome man. I want to see you too.”
“Well, I’m more handsome.”
“Whoops. Don’t tell anyone else that.”
Iris’ innocent reaction made Alexei stop thinking deeply and take it as a joke. And for a while, we talked about this and that. These were ordinary stories that a normal brother and sister would share.
“… … Iris, I want to think alone for a while. Brother is fine, so you can rest in your room.”
But the conversation didn’t last very long.
“Ah, I didn’t notice. Excuse me then.”
“You don’t have to feel sorry. I have something to think about now.”
Alexei smiled at Iris, who stood up as if feeling apologetic. And as soon as he was left alone, his expression immediately turned cold.
‘… … I’m passing my sister over as the emperor’s concubine?’
Even though he thought he was too conscious of Mikhail’s provocation, the more he talked with his sister, the more the words stuck in his head.
‘That’s absurd. but… … .’
On the way to the commander of the corps, I have experienced all insults called insults. However, only Mikhail’s words kept coming to mind.
‘It’s very annoying to say I’ve never thought of it.’
The reason was simple. Because it was something I really thought about.
Even though he was his only precious blood relative, on the other hand, he was unbearably displeased because he felt that his true intentions, which he was trying to use strategically for his own power, had been exposed. The fact that he had been avoiding without being aware of it was openly pointed out by the person who became the crown prince. At that time, Alexei failed to manage his expression for the first time since becoming a corps commander.
‘That’s really annoying!’
The more he thought about it, the more angry he slammed the table. I’ve been through so many sh*tty things on my way to this point, but none of them felt trivial compared to what happened today. It was such an unpleasant thing.
‘… … no. I’m interpreting it too deeply. It must have been something an immature kid said just to make me feel bad.’
Taking a deep breath, Alexei let go of his anger. Gradually, my mind cooled down.
‘Maybe the crown prince wants Iris?’
The moment I thought I had almost calmed down, I suddenly had a strange idea. It was an idea that maybe he showed his interest in Iris in a crooked way.
‘Thinking of it like that makes the crown prince look a little cute. but… … .’
Alexei imagined sending Iris to the crown prince.
‘I’m not lucky, so even if I die, I won’t give it to you.’
And with an expression of infinite displeasure, he denied the sight he remembered.
If that happens, there will definitely be more benefits than losses, but I honestly didn’t want to let it go. It was almost the first emotional judgment for Alexei.
“Um, brother… … ? What’s up? You have a very scary face.”
“ah… … . no. are you okay. I’m sorry if I startled you.”
Alexei shook his head when Iris, who opened the door and entered again, asked worriedly. And he reflected on himself saying that he thought it was useless. There are a lot of things to think about before that.
“There was something I forgot to deliver, brother.”
“what? Is it a telegram? … … Prince’s? did you send it already? Or is it a late reply?”
Alexei received a telegram from Iris. It was a telegram embellished with the encrypted text that he had handed over to Mikhail during their meeting today.
Alexei interpreted the telegram. And his expression distorted.
“Mustafa… … ? damn it What the hell are you thinking!”
“Oh, brother?”
“How much do you know!”
And he hit the desk, forgetting that Iris was by his side.
“I sent the telegram you wrote down.”
“Good work, Katyusha.”
In the office of the detached palace, I spread out on the marble desk and said thank you to Katyusha, who had sent the telegram. Katyusha replied that it was no big deal and worried that my posture was not good for my back.
“Because marble is cool. It feels good when you do this.”
“Is that so. If the young master likes you, that’s fine.”
In my mind, I want to keep lying down, but somehow I felt embarrassed and got up.
“Does Katyusha know about Amerin?”
Then I asked Katyusha to check how far my memory would be correct.
“If the Amerians… … Are they the people who strongly resisted during the great advance?”
“that’s right. I know you well. So how did it go?”
At my question, Katyusha paused for a moment.
“As the resistance was fierce, the suppression had to be strong, so I know that it was a nation that was forced to completely annihilate.”
And he answered with a sentence defending Sangvis as much as possible. I chuckled.
“In reality, it was close to a massacre.”
“… … I agree. However, it was unavoidable for the iron-blooded, glorious advance.”
Katyusha’s resolute tone was a little funny.
“Are you trying to teach me now?”
“I am sorry if you made me feel offended. However, those who called it a massacre suffered bad things… … . I apologize for my presumptuous words.”
“I’m kidding. Stop being fascinated by the resolute tone that is not like Katyusha. I know you said it out of concern for me, and I hope you will feel free to talk about it in the future.”
“… … All right.”
I was a little embarrassed by the time difference because I thought I had replied too sharply without thinking about it. Is there any influence due to Mikhail’s original personality? Looking back, it seems that Alexei was also more aggressive than necessary. Well, it’s better than being nice and getting caught, but… … . A little disturbing.
“Anyway, let’s get back to the topic of the Amer people. What if the Amer were actually alive?”
“yes?”
Katyusha was puzzled by my question.
“It’s also in the military.”
“… … I do not know. what it means I think it’s a strange thing.”
Katyusha was perplexed as if he did not understand the intention of my question.
‘indeed. Even inside Sangvis Sangvis, is this much known?’
Apparently, Katyusha didn’t seem to know the truth about the annihilation of the Amerians. If even Katyusha didn’t know it, it would mean that there were probably few people in Sangvis Sangvis that knew the truth.
‘Anyway, I’m sure Alexei, the corps commander, knows.’
And Alexei, who knows the truth, would never want to send it to me.
“Katyusha. Send me one more telegram. I wrote it down beforehand.”
I handed Katyusha the paper on the desk. It was a telegram written in advance. The content is ‘rejection is refusal. If you don’t let Mustafa go, I’ll understand that you won’t cooperate.’ Although appropriately tampered with ciphertext.
“Is this a corrected telegram?”
“No, it’s a telegram I wrote with the intention of getting it to arrive in the middle of writing a reply from there.”
Katyusha didn’t seem to understand, but I got it, and left the office to send a telegram. When I came back behind my back, I asked for a cup of coffee.
‘… … Maybe I’m being too rude to Alexei.’
And the time difference made me a little anxious.
Even if you say, “What if it’s rude, isn’t Alexei in a position where he can do something?” Wouldn’t it be bad if I did this wrong? I get very anxious after sending it.
‘Well, it will work somehow!’
Already sent. I can’t help but regret it I decided to stop thinking.
The telegram that answered the telegram sent in advance rather than the reply did not come.
“I am Mustafa, belonging to the 3rd Iron Blood Knights.”
It was Mustafa himself who came.
“About the swordsman’s case, yes.”
An exotic swordsman with brown eyes and dark skin in a good physique——.
“Excuse me, but I want to decline.”
He directly expressed his intention of refusal.
‘I see, you’re going to come out like this… … .’
Of course, this kind of situation was well anticipated and prepared.
“Let’s hear why, Amerin.”
If it doesn’t work out, you can kill it.