Chapter 18
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Goldie sat calmly in his seat. This dog was probably the first animal to ride in a carriage marked with the Imperial family’s crest.
And it wasn’t just any animal, but a hybrid with less than perfect pedigree. But the dog enjoyed that kind of glory without moving an inch, sitting still with an unmoving tail.
More than that, he was laying down with his face in his front paws, yawning of all things. His attitude couldn’t make it more obvious that he couldn’t be less interested in Lexus.
When he was with Valentia, he always acted so cutely towards her, so he wasn’t really sure what the best way to describe this dog would be.
A sensible dog? Or maybe a really arrogant dog?
[Lexus] “There’s not secretly a person inside of you, is there?”
Maybe Goldie could understand him, he wasn’t sure, but the dog turned his head away from him.
Lexus scoffed, completely dumbfounded. He was doing so much for this dog, bringing him in and taking care of him……
[Lexus] “Goldie.”
[Goldie] “. . .”
[Lexus] “Why don’t you answer me?”
Whether it was because he found him annoying or simply didn’t wish to deal with him, the dog turned his entire body away altogether.
Both dog and owner were exactly the same. He was the one taking care of him, but to the dog, his existence was not one that matched with the title of ‘owner’.
[Lexus] “I’m the one taking care of you. Do you have to be like this?”
To be specific, it was actually his chamberlain, Hugo, who took care of him.
[Lexus] “But still, you did a good job for me today.”
Lexus stroked Goldie’s head, but he shook his body like he didn’t like it. Lexus smiled even as he pulled his hand away.
Spending time with Valentia was more fun than he thought it would be.
Everyone was fond of him, so for him, women were easy. He’d never struggled like this before. It was difficult having to deal with a woman that refused to flow in his direction, but that just made him all the more happy whenever she showed an unexpected reaction.
It was like trying to entice an untamed, wild animal. Even the smallest of reactions made him feel good, and was incredibly rewarding.
To be happy sharing a meal with someone who hated him…He never thought he had that kind of side to him.
He was actually excited to think that more unexpected things might happen. He didn’t know if he’d ever meet someone who’d pay for their own meals like that. Of course, that was on the smaller side of the unexpected things that happened, but it was still really refreshing.
Once they arrived at the main gate of the Imperial Prince’s palace, Hugo was waiting.
As Lexus got out of the carriage, Goldie followed him and jumped off, running off to Hugo with his tail slightly wagging. It would appear during the times Lexus was gone, they became quite the pair of friends.
[Lexus] “Give him something good to eat for dinner.”
Today’s most valuable player was Goldie. If it weren’t for him, Valentia would have been cold to Lexus the entire time. Thanks to his contributions, they were able to spend time taking a walk together.
And since he did such a good job today, he left Goldie with Hugo under the orders that he give him something delicious. But Hugo had a grimace on his face.
[Hugo] “Your Highness.”
[Lexus] “Did something happen while I was away?”
[Hugo] “His Highness, the Crown Prince is waiting inside.”
But no one knew what he could’ve come for.
[Lexus] “Alright. You can go.”
There was no need to ask where he was. Lexus would know even if no one told him.
Axion was sitting in the drawing room, leisurely drinking tea while sitting in the exact same position as he was a few days ago. Hearing Lexus entered, his voice perked up.
[Axion] “You’re here.”
[Lexus] “You must have a lot of free time. Why do you keep coming here and drinking tea as you please right when I’m gone?”
[Axion] “Since this concerns my brother, I have to take the time out of my busy schedule to see you.”
[Lexus] “Me? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
[Axion] “They say you got hurt.”
He gestured down to Lexus’ bandaged hand, and Lexus deftly moved his hand to the side, signaling that nothing was wrong.
[Lexus] “It’s nothing. Just a scratch. You know how Hugo fusses over nothing.”
[Axion] “There’s no such thing as nothing when it comes to an injury on the Imperial Prince’s body. How did you get hurt?”
[Lexus] “Is that any of your business?”
If he mentioned how he got hurt, something annoying would happen.
First, he’d be nagged to no end. If things escalated, then he might be forced to drop out of the Academy, or when he left, he might have knights and guards forced on him, following him around without any kind of end. That was something he absolutely did not want.
He wasn’t so weak that he could not protect himself, and when one lives their life surrounded by others, the time spent alone in freedom was incredibly precious.
It wasn’t as though he had no escorts to speak of, but they had established a compromise. Like how he’s allowed to attend the Academy on his own terms.
But if they found that he’d been nearly hit by a carriage, then they’d pin knights on him, forcibly guarding him while stuck to his side like clouds.
Axion set down his tea cup, resting his elbow on the sofa’s armrest, leaning his chin on his hand. He crossed his legs, staring down his brother with a languid gaze that was somehow very heavy.
[Axion] “If you don’t want to say, then that’s fine. By the way, I heard you’re close with the student who hit you. Is that right?”
[Lexus] “Who told you that?”
This was probably why he came here today. If he knew Lexus was almost hit by a carriage, he never would’ve dropped it so easily.
[Axion] “If it’s a rumor about you, it all just comes rushing in, even if I don’t do anything. So is it true?”
[Lexus] “First of all….”
Instead of calling for Hugo, Lexus lifted up the tea cup in front of Axion, realizing it had already long since gone cold.
[Lexus] “Why didn’t you ask him to bring you any tea?”
[Axion] “I don’t want to show others how I nag.”
Axion narrowed his eyes, his blue eyes glimmering brightly.
[Axion] “What are you up to?”
[Lexus] “What do you mean?”
[Axion] “Why are you getting close to that student?”
[Lexus] “What’s wrong? Is it bad that we’re close? Maybe I just want to get along with her because I feel bad about what happened.”
[Axion] “If you were such a commendable man, I wouldn’t have to feel so worried. But I know you can’t be close to any woman without holding any kind of intention.”
Considering he hit the nail on the head, Lexus didn’t think about refuting him. And it was true that he was approaching her with the intention of getting close for the sake of that bet.
But obviously he wasn’t going to mention that. If they heard about the bet, he’d be severely reprimanded and ordered to do some serious self-reflection immediately. And he was getting real tired of all this nagging and interference with his life.
[Lexus] “Seriously, nagging isn’t allowed. Stop worrying about my business and just go get married.”
[Axion] “You know neither of us can get married recklessly.”
Axion relaxed his arms with a sigh. Lexus looked at his older brother, then turned his head away.
Both of them were in a similar situation. That was why, although he was at an age where it would not be strange for him to have a fiancée, Axion was still alone.
[Lexus] “Are you still waiting for your fated one, brother?”
[Axion] “Isn’t it better to wait for destiny than just meeting women for the sake of meeting them like you?”
[Lexus] “Everyone is different.”
[Axion] “You’re a good speaker for someone who doesn’t even believe in love.”
Axion’s voice came out under layers of bitterness and sarcasm.
[Lexus] “Look at me, brother.”
Lexus spread out his arms lightly, calling out to his brother with a theatrical gesture.
As his brother’s gaze reached him, he pulled in his open arms and pressed his hands against his chest. His body was nice enough that, even when doing such a showman-like gesture, he still looked cool. Even if others might cause fits of laughter with that kind of behavior.
[Lexus] “What do you see?”
[Axion] “What am I supposed to be looking at?”
[Lexus] “You’re not half bad yourself……but I’m too good of a piece. We both have wealth, power, and good looks, but unlike you, I don’t have any kind of lofty title or responsibility.”
Though it sounded like he was bragging excessively, he wasn’t technically wrong. The people who followed him around, showering him in attention, were proof enough of his words.
The Crown Prince might have greater power than a mere Prince, but he had more restrictions placed upon him. On the other hand, the Imperial Prince was a part of the Imperial family’s direct line, but he was far more free.
Those who desired power would want the Crown Prince, but no one would disagree that Lexus was also prey that could not be missed.
[Axion] “And?”
[Lexus] “I’m the kind of prey that’s just too delicious. So delicious that it would be impossible to find another like me anywhere else.”
Axion nodded like he was affirming Lexus’ words.
[Axion] “Your point being?”
[Lexus] “What makes you think true love is possible when everyone just wants to eat me up for what they see on the outside?’
[Axion] “Is that all you wanted to say? You should’ve gotten straight to the point.”
[Lexus] “I know I’m trash, and someone has to be willing to love trash for it to be true love.”
[Axion] “Are you being honest right now?”
[Lexus] “I mean every word.”
[Axion] “So if you were someone else, would you love someone like you?”
The question was unexpected, and Lexus was caught off guard. He said nothing at first, but then he gave a vague and empty smile. Axion was expecting an immediate and positive answer, but he wasn’t sure what to do with the total silence he was met with instead.
[Lexus] “Well, there’s always room for improvement, isn’t there?”
After thinking for a while, that was how Lexus answered. Though it was unsure if he understood things well from the start, or if this was a result of self-reflection.
Axion knew Lexus was an attractive man, except for the emotions and feelings he kept on the inside as well as the few he showed on the outside. However, Lexus was also the kind of man who thought it was inappropriate to share deep and intimate feelings with another.
He was attractive and charming, but he was also insincere. He couldn’t possibly expect women to be sincere with him when he was never serious about them from the start. He couldn’t even believe in the idea of affection from the beginning.
After all, it was not possible for him to believe in true love when he could not see a single part of himself worth loving.
[Axion] “You have to become someone that others can love.”
[Lexus] “Oh, so the ending of this conversation was nagging anyway.”
[Axion] “It’s how I show affection.”
Axion stood up from the sofa, putting his hand on Lexus’ head and roughly messing up his hair, causing Lexus to grumble.
[Lexus] “Don’t touch my hair.”
Lexus muttered in displeasure, batting his brother’s hand away.
[Axion] “It’s because you’re so cute.”
[Lexus] “What are you doing this to your younger brother for? Go bother Elizabeth.”
[Axion] “Unlike you, Elizabeth hasn’t done anything nag worthy yet.”
[Lexus] “So you admit you’re nagging me.”
[Axion] “Just listen carefully to my words.”
[Lexus] “Yes, brother, I will definitely keep it in mind.”
Axion sighed at the sight of his brother roughly waving away his warnings again.
[Axion] “If you keep living like this, someday you will get hurt. And it will be painful.”
[Lexus] “Yeah, well, I wish that day would come.”
His younger brother was so prideful and arrogant that he did not even rise from his seat when his elder brother moved to leave. Instead he answered back with a proud and bold voice.
Axion knew if that day ever came, his brother would struggle to handle it, but he left without saying anything more. No matter how much he nagged, it was all useless in the end. This was the kind of problem that his brother would only understand if he experienced it firsthand.
But as his older brother, he prayed that such a day would never come.
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