Even if they were only half-siblings– these weren’t words that should be said about someone who shared the same blood. However, he could not allow his anger to show.
Renner had said this:
My elder brother will try to anger you so he can hold you in contempt. He’s most likely looking for an excuse to separate us. Climb, never let him see you weak.
That sad expression— his master who was not accepted even by her own family, Climb remembered the day when he swore that at least he would never betray her.
“But I wasn’t referring specifically to Renner though? That must be what you really think… well, let’s stop stating the obvious. But treasure… was it? Is she really proposing her ideas thinking that they would work? It looks to me like she already knows that they won’t, but still acts on them.”
There was no way that was true. Just how could it? It was the ugly jealousy of a man who could only think in those terms.
“I do not think that that is the case.”
“Fufufufufu. As expected, it seems you don’t see her as a monster. Is it because you are blind? Or perhaps she’s being clever? … Shouldn’t I be suspicious?”
“Not at all. I firmly believe that Renner-sama is the Kingdom’s treasure.”
Because he was the one who watched her the closest, he was assured that everything she did was righteous.
“Really, that’s interesting. Then can you deliver a message to that monster for me? … Although your brother only thinks of you as a political tool, if you cooperate with me, I can rid you of your right of succession and grant you territory.”
Climb felt his displeasure rising.
“... Jokes should be kept in moderation. I did not expect for you to say such words. I will pretend that I never heard them.”
“Fufufufufufu. A pity. Let’s go, Marquis Raeven.”
The man who was searchingly watching the two in silence nodded his head.
Not much was known about Marquis Raeven. Although he had drawn a clear line between Climb and himself, his eyes were slightly different than the other nobles. Renner also did not give any specific instructions on how to treat Raeven.
“Ah, I almost forgot. Marquis Raeven also shares my opinion and thinks of her as a monster. No, you could say that we are in complete agreement on this matter.”
“—Your Highness.”
“Just one more word, Marquis Raeven. Listen, Climb. If you were a bigot then I wouldn’t have even bothered to say anything. But… I’m giving you a warning since she could be tricking you. She’s a monster.”
“Your Highness, though it may be presumptuous of me, allow me a question. What part of Renner-sama do you feel that she is a monster? There is no one else who cares more about the Kingdom and its people.”
“… Almost all of her efforts end up as nothing. Her actions are too pointless. At the beginning, I thought that maybe it was because her preparations were lacking. Then, the idea came up during a conversation with the Marquis here. What if everything was calculated? That would tie all of the loose ends together. If that were true… it would mean that a girl who lives half her life inside a palace and has almost no connections to the nobles is controlling them as she sees fit. … What do you call that if not a monster?”
“It’s a simple misunderstanding. Renner-sama is not that type of person.”
Climb was certain.
Those tears were not lies. That girl called Renner was selfless and kind. He, whose life was saved by her, knew this for a fact.
But his words did not reach the prince. He showed a bitter smile and walked away from Climb, with Marquis Raeven following behind him.
Climb muttered in the empty hallway.
“Renner-sama is the most benevolent person in the world. My existence is proof. If…”
He swallowed those last words. Even so, they continued in his heart.
If Renner-sama ruled the Kingdom, it would become a great nation that stood by its people.
Of course, considering the line of succession, it was an impossible wish.
Regardless, Climb could not give it up.
Lower Fire Month (9th Month), Day 3, 8:11
At last, Climb arrived in front of the room in the palace that he frequented the most often.
Having checked his surroundings several times over, he boldly turned the doorknob.
Not knocking was absurd, but this was what his master wished for. She refused to listen no matter how much Climb opposed it.
In the end, Climb was the one who relented. It couldn’t be helped that a girl’s tears put him at a disadvantage. Although with that said, he managed to establish a few conditions. No matter what she said, he could not enter without knocking in the presence of the King.
It was also true that entering without knocking was a source of great stress for Climb. Needless to say, every time he opened the door, Climb felt that there was no way that something like this would be permitted.
As he was about to fling the door open, his hands stopped at the sound of a heated discussion that was flowing through the small crack.