Chapter 51: Who Has Worse Taste?

It was suffocating.
It felt as if chains were wrapped around his entire body and he was being sunk to the bottom of the sea, an overwhelming pressure and the air of absolute dominance that permitted no dissent emanating from the two men.
They were not arguing, yet simply facing one another drained every last bit of oxygen from the room.

Seated on a couch in the small lounge adjoining the king’s office were Sirius and Ciel.
Behind Sirius stood Myme, who had come here after escorting Bernhard and Faustina to the queen.
Leaning against the wall near the entrance was Vered.

There were only four people present.
Everyone else had been dismissed.
So that no one would overhear their conversation.

Sirius’s cold, clear expression and Ciel’s pasted-on smile.
Though they shared the same father’s blood, the difference in their mothers alone made their impressions this different, perhaps because of the rift between them.
Their features were similar, yet.

“Ciel.”

It was Sirius who spoke first.

“You did well rescuing Lady Faustina.”
“Yes.”
“While the royal family and the ducal house were desperately searching, how were you able to find her so easily?”
“I was simply fortunate.”
“……”

Sharpness crept into Sirius’s expression.
The pressure in the air intensified.
Myme behind him broke into a cold sweat, while Vered watched the two intently.

“Do you think such nonsense will pass?”
“If you say so, that is all I can answer.”
“…Then I will be blunt as well.
—This kidnapping, was it not something you orchestrated?”
“……”

Someone wanted to scream internally, “Your Majesty!”
Ciel kept smiling, then deepened it, letting out a calm chuckle.

“Me?
You think I set it up myself and then cleaned up afterward?”
“Kain Fuchs.
Indeed, his plan was flawless.
For seven years he hid his identity, worked in secrecy, and abducted Lady Faustina at the perfect moment.
He left no traces whatsoever.
While the royal family and the ducal house were desperately trying to track his next move, the fact that you alone so easily discovered Lady Faustina’s location and rescued her is itself implausible.”
“It seems I have very capable devotees.
I merely heard a lead from one of them and set my sights on that inn.”

In truth, he had only been able to rescue her because Neige, who somehow already knew Faustina’s whereabouts when Ciel visited the castle, had told him.
He wanted to ask why that child knew about the incident back then and knew where Faustina was, yet felt he should not.

He had expected Sirius to question how the rescue was accomplished so quickly.
Ciel tried to evade with a prepared excuse, but Sirius had not ascended the throne for nothing.
He would not let it go so easily.

Before Sirius could press further, Ciel spoke.

“I have something to say as well, Your Majesty.
Should this kidnapping not have been prevented if the ducal house had properly investigated the backgrounds of their servants?
Given that an Ava fanatic targeting a child who resembled Ava is easily imaginable.”
“…That is true.
However, Kain revealed nothing.
Peeling the disguise off a tanuki wrapped in layers of skins is no simple task.
It seems he even concealed his origins masterfully.”
“……”
“Still, the duke is no fool.
He took every possible precaution around a daughter who resembled Ava and might become crown princess.”
“Then Kain, who deceived everyone for seven years, was simply several steps ahead.
That is all there is to it, is it not?”

The words exchanged by Sirius and Ciel were blades.
Sharpened blades that showed no consideration for the other.
One strike would spill blood and steal words away.
Neither of them possessed a sheath to put those blades away.

More precisely, when the one before them was their half brother, they lost it.

“…So you intend to keep claiming innocence?”
“…If you can show me decisive proof, I will admit it.”
“Ghk—”

Even if Ciel were the mastermind behind the kidnapping, without proof he was merely an uninvolved party.
Sirius twisted his face in frustration, while Ciel wore an ordinary smile.

Myme wiped his face with a handkerchief, sweating profusely.
Vered, the very man who had deceived the ducal house as Kain for seven years and abducted Faustina, muttered “bad taste” in his mind.

“Shall we go, Vered?”

As if the matter were concluded, Ciel turned to him.

“Are you sure?”
“My part is finished.”
“Wait, Ciel.
I am not finished yet!”
“What is it.
You are busy, are you not.
There is no point in busy people talking endlessly.”
“Ciel, you are busy as well.”
“I cut corners and take it easy.”
“That sounds awfully worldly.”
“Say lazy.”
“It’s basically the same.”
“Even similar words differ in nuance.”
“Oh yeah.”

“Ghk—!”

Myme grew anxious as Sirius glared hatefully at the two trading banter.
Having experienced firsthand the troublesome obsession of these half brothers—mainly the elder—he worried things might erupt.

Ignoring Sirius, Ciel rose from the couch, approached the exit, and patted Vered’s head.
Myme wanted to shout, “Don’t provoke His Majesty!”
Whether Ciel did it knowingly or not was unclear.
Vered shot Ciel and Sirius a fed-up look, and mouthed “who cares” to Myme, who was desperately gesturing at him.

Ciel gave Sirius a bow.

“Then, Your Majesty, we shall take our leave.”
“Wait, Ciel.
Listen to me!”

Ciel peeled away the pasted smile and revealed dull, lightless blue eyes.

“…Do not irritate me further.
I am already furious with the duke for breaking the ‘promise from eight years ago.’”
“It is true that the ducal house was at fault in this kidnapping.
But from the outset, the duke desperately searched for that child.
He never treated her lightly.
You know he raised her with care!”
“So?
Of course he did.
What noble would not cherish a daughter chosen to be the crown prince’s fiancée?
That is not what I am talking about.
Shall I spell it out for you?
Here and now.”
“Ghk—”

His irritation grew, his voice gradually dyed with something akin to murderous hatred.
Feeling it reach its peak, Vered called out.

“Ciel.”

“That young lady, could it be that she will remain the prince’s fiancée after all this?”

At Vered’s unexpected question, Ciel’s anger ebbed, and his eyes widened.

“Why do you care about that?”
“……”

Vered touched the left side of his nape with his left hand and brought it to his lips.
Ciel’s eyes trembled slightly.

“I see…”

As if the irritation had vanished, Ciel affixed a normal smile, bowed to Sirius once more, and finally left the room.
Vered moved to follow, but Myme stopped him.

“Wait.
What did you just say to Prince Ciel?”
“I can’t find a reason to tell you, My-My.”
“Who are you calling My-My!”
“Well, Myme-Myme is long, and calling you Snail would be unfair to snails.”
“You just changed the wording, you’re still calling me a snail!”
“Oh, you’re right.
Well, whatever.

See you, My-My, Your Majesty.
Also, King, if you hate him yet cling so stubbornly, of course he dislikes you.
If you pushed him away, then walk that path to the end.”

After delivering one last massive barb, Vered bowed and exited.

Outside the office, Ciel was waiting.
As Ciel began walking, Vered followed slightly behind him.

“What were you talking about?”
“Hm?
That calling him a snail would be unfair to snails.”
“Then you should call him Myme-Myme.”
“That’s long, so My-My works.”
“Still a snail in the end.”
“Yeah.
…Hey, Ciel.”
“Yes?”
“That thing we talked about last night, were you serious?”
“I was.
That is my request of you.”
“A request, huh…”

Vered let out an exasperated sigh at Ciel’s “request.”
Even if Ciel had not come, he had planned to take Faustina to Ciel when the time was right, after killing the real Kain and the others.

As they walked, people bowed their heads whenever Prince Ciel passed.
Their destination was the salon often used by the queen.

Two guards stood watch before the salon.
After confirming who was inside, they opened the door.

“Oh, Priest!”

Inside were Bernhard, being gently scolded by Queen Sierra, Faustina flustered beside him, and Neige watching the two with concern.
Faustina ran happily toward Ciel.

Sierra finished admonishing Bernhard, crouched, stroked his cheek, and spoke a few words.

She then turned to Ciel.

“It has been some time, Prince Ciel.”
“Indeed, Your Majesty.”
“The king is—ah, no need to say it.
Since he is not here, I take it you thoroughly defeated him.”
“Who can say.”

Ciel deliberately played dumb.
Sierra decided to go console Sirius, who was likely sulking in his room by now.

“I will go to His Majesty.
Neige, return to your room.”
“No.
Don’t leave me out!”
“Then take your morning medicine.”
“Ugh.”
“Haha…
It is bitter, that green medicine.”

Faustina remembered taking it herself, a medicine high in nutrition but bitter enough to make even adults grimace.
Neige had skipped it despite needing to take it after breakfast.
Struck at his weak point, he slumped.

“Okaaay…”
“Good.
Lapis, give Neige his medicine.”
“Yes.
Now, Your Highness, let us return to your room.”
“…Okay.”

Prompted by his personal maid Lapis, Neige nodded resignedly.

“See you later, Brother.
Let’s talk lots later.”
“Yeah.”
“Faustina, rest well too.
Let’s talk again when we meet.”
“Yes, Prince Neige.”

For a moment, Bernhard cast a dissatisfied glance at Faustina, but when Sierra called his name, he immediately corrected himself.

“Come with me to His Majesty.”
“Yes…”

Being scolded by one parent after another truly made the stomach feel heavy.

Vered leaned close and whispered to Ciel.
Faustina, looking puzzled, met his eyes.

“Hey.”
“Y-yes?”
“You want the prince to see you off properly, don’t you?”
“Huh?”
“He went with Ciel fully prepared to be scolded by the king and queen.
Of course he wants to escort you all the way to the ducal mansion.”
“Well… yes, but…”

Bernhard looked up at Sierra hesitantly.
Touching her index finger to her cheek, Sierra thought for a moment, then smiled softly.

“His Majesty will be quite dejected after being thoroughly beaten by Prince Ciel.
Have him escort Faustina properly, then be scolded afterward.”
“Y-yes…”

(Better now, when he’s low…) Bernhard thought inwardly.

After entrusting the two to Ciel, Sierra left the salon.

Grateful for the unexpected help, Faustina tugged on the hem of Vered’s clothes.

“Hey, what did you say to the priest earlier?”
“Do I need to tell you?”
“……”

He was right.
There was no need.

Seeing Faustina pout, Vered pulled something from inside his coat and handed it to her.

“Here.”

It was a rhinoceros beetle larva.

“!!!?”

She let out a soundless scream, flung the larva into the air, and clung to Bernhard.
Bernhard caught her, his face flushing bright red.
Faustina, snapping back to herself, felt her own face heat up as well.
Both froze, unsure what to do.

Ciel caught the airborne larva and remarked admiringly, “That’s well made.”

What Vered had given her was a plush toy modeled after a beetle larva.
It was realistic enough to be mistaken for the real thing.

As Bernhard and Faustina stared at each other, frozen, Ciel returned the larva to Vered.

“What are you plotting?” he asked.
“With luck, I’ll get to see something interesting,” Vered replied.

“Bad taste.”

This time, it was Ciel who spoke the words Vered usually used.

Ciel lifted the frozen pair into his arms and left the salon.
Vered followed.

Those they passed stared in shock at the sight of Ciel carrying Bernhard and Faustina.

They returned to the carriage stand and boarded.
Ciel seated Faustina beside himself and Bernhard beside Vered.

“Head for the Vitkenstein Ducal Mansion.”

He ordered the coachman.