How to Live as the Enemy Prince

Regardless of his choice, Silica was the type of woman who just hated Calian’s existence, so no matter what he did, he was bound to stand out in her eyes. And so, like cat fur in one’s eye, he was determined to be as much of an irritant to her as possible.

Oblivious to his thoughts, Yan worriedly watched the prince. Soon Yan’s serious voice caught up with Calian’s playful smile.

“And, your highness, the most important matter of all is your health. If you don’t think you’re able to attend all the events, please don’t try to endure it and tell me right away if you’re tired. You must,”

They were words he added with concern for Calian’s deteriorating health. He wondered if anything would change even if he did tell Yan – but knowing Yan, he would most definitely try to do something about it so that Calian could rest.

“Alright, I will, don’t worry,” Calian clasped Yan’s shoulder in reassurance before looking down at his own arm, then his clothes. The royal ceremonial uniform felt unfamiliar. 

He dressed in a white dress shirt and black pants, a tight black waistcoat with two rows of gold buttons. Added to it was a waist-length jacket with a collar that came halfway up his neck.

And finally, a red cape that came down to his knees. 

The maids fixed the cape over his jacket, and he watched as they joined two golden cords and tassels across it. 

Marilyn gave him a final once over and spoke with a satisfied expression.

“The preparations are complete, Your Highness. It really suits you.”

Calian observed himself in the mirror and nodded lightly. Marilyn’s words were a little dry – but he could tell she was not lying. He did look a bit thin, but other than that the ceremonial outfit fit him well.

Threaded in gold on his jacket was the crest of Kyris. Indeed, it was the first time that he had worn the crest on his person, so he couldn’t pull his eyes away from the mirror.

A five-pointed star and a dragon. ‘It’s strange that the crest of Kyris is not unfamiliar to me now.’ Rather, he was worried that Secretia’s crest would be unfamiliar.

While Calian kept turning to look at the details in the mirror, Yan was pricked with anxiety. He was afraid the prince would break the mirror at any moment, even though Calian did not do such things anymore.

“Your Highness, is there anything you are displeased with?” Yan asked cautiously.

Only then did Calian’s eyes turn away from the mirror. Fortunately, he was not in the state of melancholy that Yan was worried about. No, it was quite the opposite in fact.

Calian replied with a grin, “Just that I’m already really handsome,”

Yan’s expression changed to one of joy.

Calian left the room, and Yan, who had a look of wonder every time he saw this new Calian, quickly followed him. 

—

His small carriage stood waiting in front of Chermil Palace. Judging by the fact that it was a lone carriage, both Randell and Franz must have already left.

‘Randell I understand, but even Franz?’ 

It was unexpected, but even so Calian wasn’t late yet. After the driver confirmed that Calian and Yan were on board, the carriage began to move at a steady pace.

Because of the large number of visitors to the royal palace, there were many carriages streaming in and out of the grounds.

The carriage soon arrived at the Arpia Palace, where the king’s study could be found. The original schedule was to head to the Camila Palace, the king’s residence, but because the festival preparations had gone on for too long, the lengthy formalities were removed and there was only to be a brief greeting at the king’s office. Calian appreciated this development. The most difficult part of the schedule was changed into the simplest.

However, after some time Calian turned to Yan with a puzzled expression.

“Where are they?”

Randell and Franz were nowhere to be seen. Yan’s pupils trembled nervously. He didn’t know either.

Calian gave a rueful smile. “Well, there must be some things you don’t know after all,” 

Yan was at a loss for what to do.

Then, someone approached them. It was the Grand Chamberlain, who managed the royal household and gave the impression of a profound old man with his pure white hair. He bowed politely to Calian.

“Hello, Prince Calian,”

Calian acknowledged him with a light nod.

“Where are my brothers?” he asked.

Then the chamberlain looked up at Calian and replied gently, 

“They have already returned to the Chermil palace. His Majesty the King has said that some urgent work had come up, so the format was changed. For the same reason, today’s lunch was cancelled. I apologize that you weren’t informed in advance.”

What the hell is going on here? Calian replied with a confused look.

“So you mean that he has already met my brothers separately?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

He could hear Yan inhale sharply from behind. He could tell what he was thinking without looking at the face.

‘I didn’t tell you what to do when you meet His Majesty!’ 

Yan was so careful about manners even when Calian already had his separate etiquette classes.

However, the king didn’t have enough time to meet the three princes at once. Calian couldn’t understand it. No matter how one thought of it, seeing the three at once would take less time.

Whatever the reason, he had to follow the king’s wishes, no matter how fickle.

“Then may I go inside now?” Calian asked.

The chamberlain replied with a bow. “Yes, Your Highness. Right away.”

This was the first time he would meet Calian’s father. He never thought such a first meeting would be so difficult.

‘The first meeting will be alone.’

Calian had never thought he would miss Franz and Randell’s presence as much as he did now. All the nervousness that had left him upon hearing that the formalities had been cancelled slipped right back onto his shoulders. 

He secretly took a deep breath as he walked toward his office.

Calian could not find any memories of private meetings with his father. Even when he was Bern, he had never met privately with his own father the King, as they were not on good terms with each other. Chase was the only King he had ever met alone, and those encounters with Chase were brotherly in nature. Nothing like this.

Calian entered the royal office with a serious look on his face.

He was like a swan swimming on a lake. Though calm on the surface, underneath he was as breathless as if he had done five laps on the shores by Chermil Palace. He repeated the words he would say dozens and dozens of times to himself, but they all flew away when his gaze fell upon the King.