Short Story II — Sedition

Side Story II — Sedition

Magyan Tahlan and Magyan Sunae, prince and princess, born from the same mother. The two siblings had reunited in a far-off land and, after witnessing a battle between two great Immortals and reuniting with Sansui, the two of them now met without any others present. They weren’t hiding anything, they just wanted to confirm what they had to do as royals who had left their homeland behind.

“Sunae, your man really has grown.”

Tahlan made certain to refer to Saiga as Sunae’s man. It was his way of being thoughtful for his sister.

“I’m sure you saw it as well, but... In the final part of our battle with Fukei, he pushed you and the others away, while he pulled Ran and I forward. He behaved admirably.”

When Tahlan spoke of Saiga’s growth, he wasn’t just praising Saiga’s increased strength. Saiga hadn’t given an inch despite facing off against a powerful and invincible Immortal. Even when it appeared there was no chance of victory, Saiga tried to fulfill his role to the last. That was something that Tahlan could do nothing but praise without reservation.

“Honestly, I had my reservations at first, but... Now I’m sure Father will accept him.”

“P-Please tell that to Saiga himself! I’m sure he’d be happy to hear that!”

“Of course, I intend to tell him later. But...he only managed to accomplish all of this because you were by his side.”

Saiga had lost to Sansui three separate times. Despite witnessing his humiliating defeats, Sunae stayed by his side. Of course, Saiga’s growth was because he hadn’t broken or given up after those losses, but even then, Sunae had kept her word as well. Tahlan was certain that Sunae’s companionship had helped Saiga grow into the man he’d become.

“And I’m the same... I was able to meet a lovely woman.”

“I-Indeed?”

Tahlan’s expression took on one of contentment, as though he’d finally found his home, even as Sunae felt the urge to object. After all, Tahlan’s partner was Douve Sepaeda. Even Sunae, who had been raised as royalty, couldn’t help but find Douve unpleasant.

Meanwhile, Tahlan was the best man in three kingdoms. Even putting aside her bias as his younger sister, Sunae was certain that he was the best man in the world. After all, many princesses had sought Tahlan’s hand in marriage. It was objective proof of his qualities.

“To not understand her charm... You’re still a child, Sunae.”

“I-I don’t think that’s the issue...”

If growing older was what made one appreciate Douve’s charms, then Sunae was perfectly content being a child.

“Heh... I’m sure Father would understand.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. But...I’m concerned about Mother.”

The reason the siblings from the Magyan royal family could travel abroad was that they had many half-siblings. Sunae had a claim to the throne, but she wasn’t considered to be a promising candidate. Everyone had been certain that the king would come from among the other half-siblings.

That was why there was no issue for the kingdom if the two of them weren’t present. But for their mother, it was an enormous issue. After all, Tahlan and Sunae were the only children that their mother had. That Sunae had decided not to contest the throne meant that their mother had no hope of fulfilling her ambition to be the mother of the next ruler.

“...My apologies, Big Brother. I shouldn’t have left the kingdom.”

“No point in apologizing to me. Besides, I left the kingdom just as you did. We’re each just as guilty of wandering off, despite being royals.”

While they spoke rather formally to one another, it was still a friendly, affectionate conversation between siblings. Because they were close, the siblings wanted their family to celebrate the fact that they’d found marriage partners.

“Well then, shall we go home and be the subject of lectures together? Let us return to our beloved Magyan, taking our partners with us.”

But even they couldn’t imagine what was brewing in their homeland.

“You haven’t found Tahlan yet?”

“My apologies. It seems he has traveled to a far-off country...”

“Spare me your excuses. Time is running short.”

Magyan Sukrin, the First Queen of the Magyan Kingdom. She was the mother of Sunae and Tahlan and the most powerful of Magyan Khan’s wives. Her eyes were bloodshot as she looked harshly down upon her subordinate.

“If we don’t hurry...they’ll end up choosing the next king.”

Although she had received the king’s favor and love, she had lost her chance to become the mother of the next king. Driven by a sense of panic, she stated something that was completely out of line.

“Just where are you, Tahlan...? You should be the man who becomes the next king of this country...”

Even if he was the oldest, without the Royal Presence, Tahlan had no claim to the throne. And yet, Sukrin still spoke as though he could become king. That meant... That meant that she had no intention of obeying the law of succession.

“I’ll find you, whatever it takes...!”