BRCPT Chapter 22

Etern’s face turned bright red in an instant. Her lips, which had been slightly parted in surprise, pressed together stubbornly.

She didn’t know the exact reason, but she could tell that Ziggkart was testing her patience—poking at her little by little, as if waiting to see when she would finally get angry.

‘Such a troublemaker.’

Etern widened her eyes and let out a sharp breath before speaking in a deliberately mature tone.

"That may be true. But just because you're useless, I won’t kill you."

Ziggkart narrowed his eyes. He seemed disappointed that his provocation hadn’t worked. At the same time, he also looked somewhat relieved—like a mischievous child who had been caught but wasn’t punished too harshly.

‘This kid seriously needs proper emotional education.’

"Do you understand? You shouldn't say things like killing people so carelessly. Now, answer me if you understand."

"……."

"Answer me?"

Ziggkart scrunched his delicate nose and deliberately put on a sulky expression. He pouted his lips and puffed out his cheeks like a blowfish. Seeing this, Etern crossed her arms in exasperation.

"What kind of face is that?"

"A face that says I don’t want to listen to you."

Muttering under his breath, Ziggkart let out a small ‘puff’ sound from his lips and slowly deflated his puffed cheeks. The wrinkles that had formed between his brows smoothed out, but the slight sulkiness still lingered on his face.

Look at him being so stubborn just because I told him not to talk about killing people so casually!

"So, are you not going to answer me?"

Ziggkart hesitated for a moment, glancing at Etern before asking in return.

"Do you think life is precious?"

"You might as well ask if cream castella is really delicious. At least that's a question worth pondering."

"What? Why are you suddenly talking about cream castella?"

Etern shook her head in disbelief and let out a deep sigh, as if to make a point.

"This is why kids are so difficult."

At that, Ziggkart's eyebrows shot up.

"We’re the same age."

"I'm saying the way you think is childish. Now, listen carefully. Cream castella is delicious. It’s so delicious that I could eat it as a snack every single day."

"That’s just your opinion…"

Before Ziggkart could finish, Etern firmly placed her palm over his mouth. He widened his eyes in surprise and tried to shake his head, but Etern held her ground and continued.

"That’s why, when someone asks if cream castella is delicious, the only correct answer is ‘Of course, it is.’ Got it? Now, when someone asks, ‘Is human life precious?’"

"……."

"You don’t even need to think about it! It’s obviously precious! So instead of asking an obvious question like that, you might as well ask whether cream castella is delicious."

Etern, who had spoken in a rush like a sudden downpour, made a motion of wiping sweat from her forehead before removing her hand from Ziggkart’s mouth.

"Do you understand now?"

"I understand that you’re just a kid who likes things like cream castella."

"You little—!"

Etern clenched her small fists and shook them in frustration.

"If you keep talking like that, you’ll get scolded. A human life is obviously precious, and just because someone seems useless, that doesn’t mean they should be killed! You have to remember that!"

"Why?"

"Why? You’re going to be a Grand Duke, aren’t you? Do you want the people of the Randster Grand Duchy to live in constant fear, trembling all the time?"

At that moment, a strange and brief silence fell between them.

It was the kind of stillness that couldn’t be easily explained—one that sent a chilling sensation down Etern’s spine, warning her on an instinctive level.

Just as she was about to comment on it, Ziggkart suddenly let out a quiet chuckle. With the sound of his laughter, the eerie atmosphere that had wrapped around them like a cold mist vanished, as if blown away by the wind.

"Why are you worried about my country’s people? You’re such a strange one."

"As if you’re any less strange."

Etern pouted and playfully nudged Ziggkart’s shoulder.

"From now on, don’t say things like that, okay?"

"If you let me try that delicious cream castella you love so much, I’ll think about it."

At his response, Etern’s eyes widened in surprise before she burst into laughter.

"That’s easy! Alright, then let’s go back and ask Dora for some snacks."

‘I'll just feed him lots of sweets and soften him up a little.’

That was Etern’s plan.

‘After all, having more scary people around isn’t a good thing. I’ll just consider this as an investment for my future and take good care of him for now.’

***

The very next day, Ziggkart became completely absorbed in preparing medicine for Empress Meikellen.

He locked himself away in the room that had been arranged for him, refusing to let anyone inside. He also rarely stepped out himself.

Hearing about this, Etern was slightly taken aback.

"The young lord is really working that hard?"

Lance, who had just sneaked out to deliver a progress report, nodded.

"Yes, Your Highness. Except for mealtimes or short tea breaks, he doesn’t meet with anyone."

"I see… Thanks for letting me know, Lance."

"It is my duty, after all."

Lance’s cheeks turned red with pride at the young princess’s praise.

After sending him away, Etern pushed the book she had been reading aside and rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought.

Dora, noticing Etern’s serious expression, looked at her curiously.

"Your Highness, is something bothering you?"

"Mm… No, it’s nothing. But, Dora, don’t you think it’s a little strange?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean the young lord."

Even as they spoke, Dora’s hands continued moving as she embroidered. But at Etern’s words, her needle suddenly stopped in midair.

However, it didn’t seem like she fully understood Etern’s concern.

Etern slumped back into her chair, sinking into the cushions, and muttered,

"I thought about it all night. It’s really nice that the young lord is doing so much for my mother. I’m grateful for it, but… I just don’t understand why he’s working this hard."

"Your Highness, is that what’s been troubling you? More importantly, please sit up straight. You’ll hurt yourself like that."

Instead of fixing her posture, Etern jutted out her lower lip and looked at Dora.

"Do you know why he’s doing it?"

"Well…"

Dora hesitated for a moment, resuming her embroidery before responding.

"It probably isn’t just his own decision."

"Then? You think his grand duchy is involved?"

"Isn’t that obvious? How could someone so young be making all these choices on his own?"

Of course, if they were to really question it, there were quite a few things that didn’t have clear explanations.

Even Dora, who spoke so confidently, had an uncertain look on her face.

Etern tapped the floor with her toes before suddenly standing up.

Ziggkart had told everyone to stay out of his room, but surely, he wouldn’t stop her.