The Wind Calms the Fire - Chapter 5

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 5
“Ah… I was told I’m allowed to take a walk.”
‘I didn’t sense her approach.’
It was strange.
Normally, after an episode, his senses grew sharper.
Carrion relaxed the tension between his brows.
“It’s rather early, though.”
“I tend to wake early anyway.”
Without another word, Carrion turned and walked away, with Lea hurrying to follow in his wake.
“Your Highness!”
Just as she was nearly catching up to him, he stopped and turned around so suddenly that they nearly collided.
Carrion quickly caught Lea’s wrist as she stumbled backward.
Once she’d regained her balance, an awkward silence settled between them for a moment.
Carrion released her wrist and asked, “I’ve heard Zephiros has two princesses. Which one are you?”
“I’m the only princess of Zephiros.”
“That’s not what I understand.”
“Now I am.”
Carrion’s information about the Zephiros Kingdom was several years old.
‘What happened in the meantime?’
“I require a solitary walk at the moment. I would appreciate it if you would step aside.”
“… Of course. I won’t disturb you.”
After she left the Inner Courtyard, Carrion turned back.
He gazed down at his own hand, opening and closing his fingers.
What had that sensation been?
When he’d grasped her wrist, a cool, refreshing energy had enveloped his entire body, and his breathing had eased—was that merely an illusion?
Carrion suppressed the urge to chase after Lea and grasp her wrist again to test the sensation.
* * *
The Diplomatic Delegation from the Zephiros Kingdom had arrived at Foema’s Echo Fortress, one of the garrisons in the Northeast District of the Empire.
They entered the fortress quietly, accompanied by the Commander-in-Chief’s Personal Guard, who had come out to see them off from a distance.
Only a few members of the delegation were escorted to the residence to meet Lea.
“Princess!”
“Penny!”
The two women embraced each other, sharing in the joy of reunion.
“You’ve been through so much, Penny. This is your first time leaving the kingdom and traveling so far, isn’t it?”
“My hardship is nothing to worry about! You’re the one experiencing this for the first time, aren’t you?”
“Right? Yes… I am, too.”
“You’re alright, aren’t you? You didn’t encounter any trouble on the way here?”
“I’m in perfect health and have been doing well here. I left a letter saying there was nothing for me to worry about.”
“A single letter doesn’t solve everything. I was beside myself the entire journey here.”
Lea soothed Penny’s complaints and turned her head toward Kasim.
Looking at him, as if he’d aged ten years in the interim, Lea felt a pang of guilt.
Kasim let out a deep sigh and spoke.
“I can only give thanks to the heavens that you’ve arrived safely, Princess. If the sight of me displeases you, I beg you to ask His Majesty to remove me from service. Rather than commit the disloyalty of failing to protect you, I would prefer to step down in disgrace.”
“Don’t say such things. You are the sword and shield of our royal house and our kingdom. How much I trust and rely on you. It’s because I trusted you that I took this action in the first place.”
“At least you’re aware that you’ve overstepped. That is some consolation.”
Lea smiled brightly and linked her arm through Kasim’s, as she had done in her childhood.
Kasim tried to maintain his stern composure, but his expression had already softened.
“Princess, have you successfully resolved the important matter that required you to arrive at Foema first?”
“Ah, well…”
Lea laughed awkwardly and replied, “It’s still in progress. I’m sorry. For acting so selfishly.”
“His Majesty has entrusted this entire diplomatic mission entirely to you. We are merely here to follow your lead.”
Without Lea, the Zephiros Kingdom would have fallen into ruin.
Thus, Kasim harbored no resentment toward Lea being the chief envoy of the delegation whose mission held the kingdom’s fate in the balance.
“Kasim, I need your help with something.”
“You need only speak.”
“Arrange an audience with Prince Carrion and secure a time slot. But I will go to that meeting alone.”
* * *
Carrion proceeded to the Conference Room, accompanied by only three of his closest attendants.

A diplomatic delegation from Zephiros had requested an audience, so he had to meet with them at least once.
But today would be the first and last time.
“Once the audience is finished, assign a few soldiers to escort the entire delegation back to the capital.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The moment Carrion stepped through the conference room door, he stopped short.
Whisper—
A soft breeze brushed across his face and passed.
He felt a sense of déjà vu.
He was certain he’d experienced something like this recently.
Just as before, he turned his head in the direction of the wind.
In that instant, Carrion’s brow twitched.
Standing where his gaze fell was the princess of Zephiros.
She rose from where she had been sitting alone at the table.
“Your Highness. The King of Zephiros has entrusted me with everything regarding this diplomatic mission. I am the delegation.”
Carrion regarded her with an irritated expression, then walked forward and took the seat directly across from her.
Cedric, his adjutant, Orbin, his intelligence officer, and Luke, the commander of his personal guard, positioned themselves at appropriate intervals behind him.
“I have only one thing to say to the head of the Zephiros delegation: I shall provide you with an escort to ensure your safe arrival at the Imperial Capital.”
“Will Your Highness be accompanying us?”
“I will not be accompanying you.”
Carrion answered swiftly. He did not want to give that princess any opening.
“So when you say you will have no involvement in Zephiros Kingdom’s journey to present its flag to His Imperial Majesty, you mean it sincerely?”
“I made my position clear to the princess, and I have no intention of changing it.”
“Zephiros Kingdom has symbolic significance. Our becoming a tributary state marks the completion of a glorious great empire. If Your Highness were to serve as mediator, it would become a great achievement for you. Surely you understand that.”
“I made myself clear. Achieving merit holds no interest for me.”
“Speak plainly. Do you mean that rather than marry me, you would abandon your chance at glory?”
Carrion flinched at the force in Lea’s voice.
Yet.
He had no desire to achieve merit.
He did not wish to catch the Emperor’s eye or draw his attention.
Carrion felt no attachment even to his position as Commander-in-Chief of the Northeast District.
He had accepted the post only because he knew that anyone with nothing to grasp would be rushed upon and torn at from all sides.
He was one of five imperial princes with no clear succession assured—that was all it meant.
He needed only to answer “yes” to her question.
It was the cleanest way to end this tiresome exchange of wills.
Yet the words caught in his throat.
The memory of that moment in the Inner Courtyard at dawn would not leave him.
What was that strange sensation?
If he touched her arm again, would he understand?
“…… It has nothing to do with marriage.”
Lea thought his words contradicted themselves.
‘Is it really just that he doesn’t care about merit? He claims to have no interest in power, yet his words and actions don’t match. He’d be good at it anyway.’
Ten years from now, in the future she knew, the Northeast District of the Empire was managed with stability, unlike the Southwest Region where multiple rebellions had erupted.
In the Northeast, the Commander-in-Chief was the object of reverence, regardless of the disparaging rumors that circulated outside.
That was why Enoch, once he became Emperor, had him killed.
The Commander-in-Chief’s renown had begun to pose a threat to the Emperor’s authority.
“You simply have no desire to achieve merit…… It’s reckless and selfish.”
Hah.
The three men standing behind the prince drew in sharp breaths without meaning to.
“It’s an achievement the imperial prince could grasp if he merely reached out his hand, and yet you refuse it? Does it make your pride stronger? Is it just self-satisfaction?”
“Princess.”
“If I join hands with another prince, whatever advantage falls to him becomes a loss for Your Highness. You’re not the only one losing—those who serve you lose as well. Someone of the Commander-in-Chief’s stature doesn’t stand alone, does he? You must think of the community of fate that shares your path.”
Carrion spoke in a cold tone.
“The princess fears nothing.”
“Those who stand above others have been taught that three things are worst. First is the coward. Second is one who refuses wise counsel.”
Bang!
Carrion struck the table with his palm and rose to his feet.
As he turned to leave the conference room, Cedric hastily followed him out.
Orbin watched their figures disappear and reflected.
‘Remarkable. For His Highness to respond with such emotion.’
Lea exhaled deeply and pressed her forehead with both hands.
Strands of disheveled hair slipped through her fingers.
‘Sigh. I came to persuade him, and all I’ve done is make him angrier.’
“May I ask a question?”
Lea lifted her head, turning her gaze toward the unusually broad-shouldered man.
Luke asked flatly.
“These three worst things you mentioned—what’s the third one?”
“Ah… well. I just said what came to mind. I suppose I should think of one more…”
Orbin’s expression shifted to disbelief before he couldn’t help himself, letting out a stifled laugh.
“May I ask something too? Does Carrion have someone special?”
“No such thing.”
Luke answered bluntly, and Orbin started to mouth something at him but simply pressed his lips shut instead.
“Ah! Then perhaps you like men?”
“Absolutely not!”
Orbin answered with sudden gravity.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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