In the backyard behind Velicia's royal palace, there was a training ground that only authorized people could use. It had better facilities than any other training ground in the kingdom, but unfortunately it was rarely used.

This is because the king, the owner of the training ground, was constantly busy managing state affairs, and most of his children did not show much interest in martial arts.

A man walked there after a very long time. He was a man with jet-black hair. Even though it was still quite cold, the man dressed in a fairly thin material hung an arrow on the bow he had prepared and pulled the bow towards a distant target.

One two. The number of arrows contained in the quiver gradually decreased.

Every time he pulled the bowstring, the bow was gently bent, and the moment he released the bowstring, a sharp arrow that flew out in a flash was stuck in the center of the target. White breath came out between his lips, but drops of sweat were forming on the straight forehead.

Ping!

An unpredictable arrow flew through the air. Did his arms lose strength after a long period of shooting? Unlike before, the arrow was stuck at a point slightly off the center. The man who saw it looked displeased.

Clap clap clap.

A sudden applause came from behind him. The man who didn't know there was another person in the training ground, turned his body and confirmed the person who was clapping.

That's great.

Unlike the black-haired man, he was a man with dark auburn hair.

I thought you had lost interest in practicing martial arts in recent years. But Bernard, your workmanship is still there.

Brother, you've come?

Bernard lowered the hand holding his bow and bowed silently to his older brother, Crown Prince of Velicia, Siorn. Siorn lightly raised his hand and accepted his greeting.

It's been a long time since I've held a bow. As a member of the royal family, I was forced to learn at least basic martial arts, but that was the end of it. No matter how good the master is, what can they do? I am not good at it.

Siorn approached Bernard and looked at the bow his brother was holding. Hearing this, Bernard held out his bow to him.

Since you're here, would you like to try the bow again?

Don't mind it. I'm going to be humiliated in front of you for nothing.

Siorn smiled softly and declined Bernard's offer. His thin hair fluttered in the wind.

Even if he said it lightly as a joke, Bernard, who knew that it was sincere, did not recommend it any more.

Bernard. Not long ago I met the Queen.

Is that so?

Bernard's voice subsided even more with Siorn's voice. On top of the awkwardness, his expression was also hardened. But Siorn pretended not to see it and continued talking.

She said that you don't see her often, so it's very unfortunate.

I greet her every day.

I know. But she's probably hoping for a private visit, not a formal one.

As you know, the Queen is not a person with a lot of affection.

Siorn spoke as he patted Bernard.

'She has a lot of affection.'

Bernard looked at Siorn and sighed. Who is saying what to whom?

At the same time, he felt strange. No matter how much she is the Queen of this country, she was the mother who gave birth to him. Still, it's hard to see her on his own.

In many ways, this was clearly not a proper family.

Bernard.

Yes, Brother.

It's about time There is talk to find your next marriage partner.

Siorn looked at Bernard's eyes and carefully spoke his words. Next marriage partner. Bernard made a sharp impression on the word, which he did not like at all.

How long has Princess Brimdel passed, should you have already been looking for the next one? If she knew, she would most likely turn around in her grave.

I understand. Because my heirs are precious, everyone is worried about it.

Siorn replied.

I know what you are thinking, but aren't you also a member of this royal family? It is your responsibility and duty to welcome a princess as soon as possible and pass on an heir.

I'm like a stallion sowing seeds.

Bernard spoke openly sarcastically. He felt so upset.

I don't like it, Brother. Besides, Brother is here, so what's the point of having an heir? There is no reason why there should be two suns in the sky.

Bernard.

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Please, just leave me alone. My goal is to live each day like this and go without regrets when the time comes.

Bernard. I still think you, not me, should have taken over.

Siorn quietly but stubbornly expressed his opinion.

There is an important time ahead for Velicia. And depending on how we overcome that time, we may be reborn as a great Empire that commands the western continent, or we may remain as such and disappear like dew in one day.

Like many countries in history.

Bernard. You will be able to lead this Velicia well. If you, not the weak me, rule as the king of this country, then Velicia will surely be able to leap forward into a more developed country.

Even though they had the same father, the two were as different as black and white. Unlike Siorn, who was weak and timid, his younger brother was bold and confident.

The power that holds people together. Didn't they say that those who had that power, could build a country even in a wasteland? Bernard inherited the power from the current king. Siorn was ignorant and jealous of Bernard when he was young, but as he got older, he naturally accepted it.

There were some things that were comparable and some that didn't. A tiger who hides its own teeth and a fox that roars under the generosity of the wild beast. That was exactly what Bernard and him were.

If it's because of me that you are doing this.

Brother always thinks of this foolish little brother too much.

Bernard interrupted Siorn's words and said.

If a fool like me were to become the king of this country, Velicia would be erased from the map of the continent faster than the petals fall. On the other hand, you will be a saint who leads this country to the right path.

And as I said many times, I am not broad-minded enough to put the safety of this country ahead of my own happiness. Unlike Brother, I am a selfish creature to the bone.

Bernard hesitated and patted Siorn's arm. Then, as if reassuring him, he grinned.

So don't worry about me, Brother. I am satisfied with my life now.

He was going back from the training ground. The familiar sound of footsteps followed Bernard's back.

Your Highness. I have something to tell you.

It was Jonathan, one of his escort knights. Bernard stopped and looked at his knight. As a skilled knight, Jonathan didn't show much emotion as usual, but Bernard, who had known him for a long time, could immediately notice. Jonathan was more impatient than usual.

What's going on?

The messenger sent to Philioche has returned.

Philoche?

Bernard's eyes grew serious at that familiar name.

Philioche, the one in Brimdel ?

Yes. The very place where the Brimdel's handmaid said that those who should receive her letter resided.

Jonathan nodded his head in reply.

Bernard naturally remembered the woman who had been parroting the words Philioche, Philioche, Philioche over the past few weeks. She would stand by the window and wait for the news to come until her neck would fall off.

'Did you really send a messenger?'

When she didn't hear anything from him, she would look at him with suspicious eyes.

'Did you send a cow instead of a horse? You said they'd be back in a full moon?'

The wait was getting much longer than she had expected, which made her more and more anxious.

'But now I can say something else.'

Bernard smiled contentedly.

Herietta will be happy to hear this.

Your Highness. I'm sorry, but that's I don't think it's that good.

Jonathan carefully said again. A very dark complexion. Looking back, his face was full of unprecedented worry and concern.

Your Highness, there is something you should know.

The smile on Bernard's face slowly disappeared at Jonathan's words.

Even without anyone telling him, he could instinctively foresee it. Things went wrong. And in a very big way that he didn't expect.

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