They Say an Age Gap Like This Doesn’t Even Need Matching - Chapter 45

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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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At Rick’s words, Kei observed the Crown Prince more intently.
With his head slightly bowed as he listened to the Pope’s words, the Crown Prince’s bearing was impeccably composed.
“It is an honor to meet Your Holiness again in this manner.”
The Crown Prince spoke in a low, gentle voice.
“On behalf of Cradian, I extend my warmest welcome. Your journey from afar must have been arduous.”
Pope Karteus smiled.
“Thank you for the welcome. Cradian’s banquet is truly magnificent.”
“Upon hearing of Your Holiness’s visit, we took great care in our preparations. I sincerely hope it meets with your approval.”
The Crown Prince’s response flowed without hesitation.
Measured and respectful.
Yet Kei perceived that the smile had been crafted through countless rehearsals.
It was nothing more, nothing less than formal courtesy.
“Was your journey comfortable?”
The Crown Prince asked.
“The distance from the Holy Kingdom to here must be considerable.”
“With the Goddess’s blessing, even a rocky path becomes pleasant.”
Karteus answered calmly.
Yet his gaze searched the Crown Prince’s face as if probing for something.
As though he were trying to confirm something specific.
The Crown Prince was doing the same.
He sought to discern what purpose had brought Karteus to the Cradian Palace.
“I am curious about Your Holiness’s purpose in coming to Cradian.”
“Does the clergy not move with a single purpose? To convey the Goddess’s will.”
Karteus answered with a smile.
“And for myself personally, it is also to meet with an old friend.”
The Crown Prince’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
But he quickly composed his expression and resumed his mask of courtesy.
“Then I must ensure you have time to spend with your friend.”
“There is no need for concern. We have already met.”
“…I see. How fortunate.”
The Crown Prince’s smile deepened.
“During Your Holiness’s stay in Cradian, we shall provide every convenience. Should you find anything lacking, please speak freely.”
“Your sentiment alone is sufficient.”
The Pope nodded.
Only after concluding the conversation did a genuine smile finally grace the Crown Prince’s face.
Confirming that the Empire’s high nobles were approaching the Pope in succession, the Crown Prince turned his body with ease.
Moving with the grace of music flowing through the banquet hall, the Crown Prince swept his gaze across the hall one final time.
Unable to find what he sought, the Crown Prince walked toward the banquet hall’s exit without hesitation.
The surrounding nobles hastily cleared a path.
None dared to detain him.
There was no way to hold onto this atmosphere.
Rick murmured quietly.
“Looks like he’s leaving?”
Kei didn’t answer.
He simply watched that retreating figure.
The appearance was unmistakably similar to Mikhail’s. It wouldn’t be strange to say they were the same person.
But.
That attitude and gaze.
The habit of turning away without hesitation when losing interest in someone, even mid-conversation.
Kei’s eyes narrowed.
It was a sight he’d seen before somewhere.
Long ago, from someone who looked down on people with an expression of annoyance.
“…Surely not.”
Kei murmured very softly.
But the words that followed never left his lips.
The Banquet Hall door closed, and the Crown Prince’s figure disappeared completely.
Kei stared at that door for a long moment.
As if verifying the truth of the clue he’d just discovered.
***
As the Banquet Hall door closed, the sound of music faded into the distance.
The Crown Prince didn’t stop walking.
The gentle smile he’d maintained until moments ago had already vanished.
Boredom was written plainly across his face.
“Tedious as always.”
His voice was so low that no one could hear it.
Inside the Banquet Hall, laughter and music still echoed together.
But to him, it was nothing but irritating noise.
Iserna had not appeared at the banquet.
He already knew he had no interest in such gatherings.
So then, what was he doing right now, and where?
The Separate Palace?
Or perhaps….
As he strode forward, those passing through the corridor hastily stepped aside.
The Crown Prince didn’t even glance at them.
Formal smiles and courteous words were only necessary inside the Banquet Hall.
“The Pope, then.”
He murmured.
The conversation from moments ago came to mind.
The Holy Kingdom’s new Pope, Karteus.
On the surface, he appeared to be a gentle and benevolent old man.
‘There’s no way that could be true.’
The Crown Prince knew exactly what kind of person he was.
“Troublesome presences keep multiplying.”
The Pope was observing him intently.
His gaze pierced through the superficial pleasantries, seeking to uncover what he concealed.
It was only for a brief moment, but he hadn’t missed it.
And there was one more.
A red-haired man disguised as a steward, observing him.
“An expedition member.”
He murmured softly.
Though he’d never seen the face before, he wasn’t deceived.
Those who emerged from the Black Rift always bore distinctive traces that lingered.
‘It would be difficult to recognize unless one had experienced the same hell.’
The Crown Prince let out a quiet laugh.
Until now, he had been acting.
He mimicked the image of a benevolent and sincere Crown Prince that the Imperial nobles expected.
It wasn’t particularly difficult.
He had observed an exemplary ruler beloved by all people from close proximity for a long time.
But lately, everything was becoming tedious.
The Crown Princess and the Emperor alike had begun acting arbitrarily, intoxicated by their own desires.
Dealing with foolish nobles, spending time on matters of no interest—none of it suited his nature.
He had endured and shown tolerance to these insignificant things for one sole purpose, yet how consistently foolish humans proved to be.
‘Once I have her in my grasp.’
The cool night air seeped in gently.
The sound of music from the Banquet Hall drifted faintly from afar.
As he stepped onto the path leading toward the Tower, the surroundings grew quiet.
Only a few torches swayed in the wind.
The Crown Prince glanced up at the sky for a moment.
Starlight scattered dimly across it.
It was then that the memory of beautiful movements freely cutting through the heavens came to mind.
At the end of his gaze, which had been following the trajectory of a falling star, a figure stood as if by fate itself.
“Ser.”
His eyes curved into a crescent shape.
Indeed, she and he were bound by such a deep connection.
He formed a soft smile that Iserna would appreciate.
Once again, it was an imitation of that ruler from the past.
He and Iserna were… in a special relationship.
“Your Highness, what a pleasant encounter here.”
He gazed intently at her face as she offered her greeting.
Despite meeting him in this secluded place, she showed no sign of surprise.
His eyes sparkled with unmistakable delight.
“To think I would encounter Ser Brin in such a place at this hour.”
Only after speaking did I realize the excitement coursing through me.
My voice had risen slightly higher than usual.
‘Am I truly so elated?’
Like an inexperienced boy, I found myself moved by this chance encounter.
Of course, I would have been pleased to discover her in the Banquet Hall as well.
But a meeting like this… felt different.
Our conversation that followed flowed as naturally as between lovers who had only just begun to grow close.
She wore the simple maid’s dress that belied her radiant beauty, adorned with the earrings I had gifted her.
“Because Your Highness gave it to me.”
The words fell from her lips with deliberate sweetness.
Though I knew I should not be swayed, I could not conceal my joy.
An impulse seized me to tear away those drab, ill-fitting scraps of cloth and drape her in the finest treasures instead.

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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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