An Artificial Vitality

“What is it that you wish to caution me about?”

Agniele would be waiting for him. Since that fact weighed on his mind, Ensi brought up the topic the Crown Prince desired right away.

Looking at the situation, it seemed the Crown Prince intended to take over the black market that Lady Natalia originally managed as soon as the appointment ceremony ended. Therefore, wasn’t he calling him, who could be considered a middle manager, to poke around here and there.

Tapping the armrest rhythmically, Ensi rolled his eyes and looked at the Crown Prince.

“Do you know? People like you are the most difficult to handle.”

He did not covet power, nor did he have strong material greed. After the aggressively expanding merchant group found its proper orbit, he reduced the businesses one by one, so that said everything.

He didn’t seem to have a particular obsession with fame either. Perhaps because he had a lot of money, he did not spare sponsorship for art or music, but he wasn’t interested in art either. Since he didn’t even care about the results.

Seeing him invest in rare herbs or renowned doctors made one look in to see if he was interested in medicine, but in the end, the conclusion came out that it was merely part of an activity to hold onto his own life thread.

Donating a large amount to the temple was also not because he was a devout person. It was nothing more than paying to receive the help of a healing priest whenever necessary.

The reason he paid attention to the environment of orphans, vagrants, and abused children was also simple. It was because he raised talented people with his own hands to expand the influence of the merchant group, goodness.

There was not a single thing he did because he wanted it himself. He merely performed it because it was helpful to him, and because doing so could be utilized in some way in the future.

What was certain was that he had a strong attachment to the things he possessed. Because there was only that one thing, the Crown Prince felt at a loss the more he came to know the person named Ensius.

“The only thing you demand is to reject the marriage proposal thrust by the Count, so if you marry the one you wish, there is no longer any reward the Imperial Family can give.”

“Since the master of Ravian seems quite satisfied with his work, it will run without problems in the future as well.”

“Merely for the single reason that he wishes it?”

“Yes.”

“Then it means if the master of Ravian changes his mind, a problem will arise.”

“Therefore, give him the reward the child wants, not what I wish.”

If one wanted to find fault, what couldn’t they do. Ensi maintained a nonchalant attitude instead of soothing the Prince who did not easily withdraw his suspicion.

Because there was no way things would go wrong due to his intervention.

“I will ask only one thing.”

At the words implying the end of the audience, Ensi turned his head and looked at the Crown Prince. The Prince tilted his head to the side without avoiding the eyes that met him straight on.

“Do you really have nothing, absolutely nothing, that you wish for?”

Can a human being truly be like that. The Prince believed that a human being whose every desire was castrated could not exist.

At the question of the Crown Prince, who had a persistent side, Ensi lamented inwardly. It seemed it would be difficult to pass over even this question roughly.

Did Lady Natalia not convey any words? Perhaps she remained silent, judging that figuring out what kind of person he was belonged entirely to the Crown Prince’s portion. It was an action she was fully capable of doing.

Whatever it was, he wanted to return to Agniele’s side soon. Ensi decided not to drag out the answer unnecessarily.

“I wish for stability.”

“Stability?”

“I want power and money to the extent that someone will not touch me for amusement.”

“……You wish for something quite difficult?”

What Ensi spoke of were things that were not easy to achieve once one grasped something more prominent than others in their hands. At Ensi’s audacious words, the Prince let out a hollow laugh.

Was it a joke, but even when examining Ensi, he was steadfast. He showed not a single point of shaking, as if it were his pure sincerity.

“You really wish for a difficult thing.”

“Can you fulfill it for me?”

“Well, there is no reason for the Imperial Family to touch you.”

However, there was no reason to get involved in the matter of other people attacking. Since it was an answer he had guessed inwardly, Ensi nodded his head without saying much.

“Since the words you have to say also seem finished, I shall leave now.”

“Will the matters for you to frequent the Imperial Palace become many?”

Ensi, who was about to raise his body, flinched. Frequent the Imperial Palace, really. Since it was a phrase that gave him goosebumps just thinking about it, Ensi smiled with his eyes and answered firmly.

“No. Until the day I close my eyes, there will be no such matter.”

“Definite, indeed.”

“Humans are not animals that change so easily, are they.”

“That is enough then.”

The Crown Prince, who grasped the direction to move forward, laughed without lingering attachment.

“Ah, even so.”

Even though he quickly raised his body to go see Agniele at the signal that he would let him go nicely now. Ensi almost burst out in anger for a moment when the Crown Prince caught him again, but he barely endured it.

The opponent was the Crown Prince, a person of power who could crush the merchant group at any time.

Chewing over those similar words, Ensi quickly composed his expression. The Crown Prince also read the fierce aura Ensi emitted for an instant. But the Crown Prince did not care about this at all and continued the remaining words.

“Whenever a marriage partner you want appears, speak at any time. Since I will help with a willing heart.”

……Aha?

Apparently, the sly price that Lady Natalia put forward, saying she would persuade the Lacius family, seemed to be a proposal the Crown Prince made first.

It must have been a carrot the Crown Prince, who came to inherit the power, wanted to hand over as his own goodwill to Ensi.

Ensi, who also roughly realized the true intent of entrusting the jewel symbolizing the Crown Prince’s authority, curled the corners of his mouth.

“It seems an undeserved goodwill to hand over to the child of a mere nobleman, but—.”

When Ensi purposely trailed off his words long, the Crown Prince’s eyes narrowed.

“I shall willingly accept it.”

Since he had also received Agniele’s permission, there was no reason to hesitate. Ensi, who was planning to hold the engagement right on the day the marriage ban was lifted anyway, accepted the Crown Prince’s proposal willingly.

As it was the day of the appointment ceremony, the Imperial Palace was busy. It was quiet, but a clamor that could not be fully concealed bloomed here and there.

Agniele strolled idly through the garden that was opened for the reason of the appointment ceremony. The sight of nobles and guests from other countries visible whenever he turned his gaze poked at his conscience.

Originally, it was a time when he too should move like them to build friendships, but since he was actually only following behind Ensi’s heels.

It was a situation where he could not help but feel compunction. Of course, it didn’t mean he regretted the choice to be with Ensi, though.

“Iel?”

Turning his gaze toward the direction where the call filled with wonder was heard, Ensi, who had approached before he knew it, was tilting his head and looking at him.

He seemed surprised that he did not perceive the presence even though he came close. Ensi, who strode closer while taking off his gloves, placed his hand on Agniele’s forehead. It was a gesture to check if he was running a fever.

“Do you have a worry perhaps?”

“No. I have no worry. If I have to say, it is a worry because your hands are cold without change.”

Agniele took the gloves held in Ensi’s hand and put them on him himself. The fingertips that turned red in the short interval weighed on his mind. Prying gently, he started talking while massaging the hands so that the blood would circulate.

“Did the audience end well?”

“Yes, it ended without problem.”

“That is a relief then.”

Ending without problem would mean the story flowed in the direction Ensi wanted. Instead of prying into the details, Agniele chose the direction of understanding moderately and passing over it.

If there was a story he also needed to know, wouldn’t Ensi tell him first.

“When would be good for the engagement ceremony?”

“Huh?”

“It seems His Highness the Prince intends to personally grant the authorization.”

Just like right now. The surprise at the sudden topic was brief, and Agniele realized why Ensi had brought up a hypothesis like ‘if we can marry even with the family’s opposition’.

Apparently, there was some kind of transaction that Agniele himself didn’t know about. What did he sacrifice. Was the price Ensi gave truly at an appropriate level.

Apart from the complicated calculation unfolding in his head, Agniele curled the corners of his mouth.

“It would be good to hold it as soon as the marriage ban is lifted.”

“Must you not return to the Academy, Iel?”

“I have no intention of prioritizing the Academy over an important matter like the engagement ceremony.”

It was an expected answer, but it was nice to hear nonetheless. Merely guessing and hearing a certain answer naturally had to have a difference, didn’t it.

Ensi embraced Agniele while showing a satisfied air. Agniele, who hugged the body digging into his embrace with both arms, patted his back familiarly.

“Quitting the Academy seems to have been too hasty a decision.”

“Didn’t you consider it unnecessary for you?”

“My thought on that has no change even now, but it is because it’s a pity.”

Even if Ensi remained here, Agniele had to return to the Academy, so there was no way it wasn’t a pity.

In frank words, Ensi did not want to send Agniele to the Academy. But when he thought of Agniele’s remaining life, he had to send him off nicely.

Because Agniele needed the Academy graduation certificate, even if it weren’t for Ensi. Even if it weren’t for that, he didn’t want to give others a spot where they could find fault with Agniele. It was even more disliked that the cause of that flaw was himself.

“I must procure a mansion in the area near the Academy.”

“A mansion?”

“Since you can go out on weekends. Right?”

Ensi, who extended his arm and cupped Agniele’s cheek, tilted his head. Even though it was a future that hadn’t even arrived yet, Ensi already urged him to come meet him.

Although it was a speech where many things were omitted, Agniele grasped Ensi’s intent without difficulty. Then, instead of saying it was still early to make such a promise, he whispered that he would do so.

Ensi, who laughed softly at the reply that showed not a single point of hesitation, left a brief kiss on Agniele’s cheek.

“Ensi?”

“I endured it because it is outside.”

Ensi stole the lip mark remaining on Agniele’s cheek, who was surprised by the sudden contact, with his thumb. Then, as if to show off, he leaned his cheek against the sturdy shoulder and closed his eyes.

Was it because the greedy gazes directed toward Agniele did not decrease even though he was there. His mood was dirty.