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Family. It was a simple word, yet also one that had no place in my life. To be more precise, it had always been more of a shackle, a brand that brought more pain than any sense of belonging.

To me, family meant an emotionless, mechanical father, a mother who prioritized the Asilon family over the Empire or even the Imperial family, and an older brother who, by virtue of being the firstborn, enjoyed privileges far beyond his actual abilities or character. Even if I tried, I couldn’t feel any familial affection. I was too far removed from the line of succession to matter, and those who were supposed to be my family never cared for me.

But everything changed when the power struggle centered around my older brother, the 2nd Prince, took an unexpected turn. The 1st Prince, backed by the legendary Invincible Duke who had become a war hero by quelling the unrest in the North, rose to prominence. The 2nd Prince who had nothing to his name but his status as the eldest son fell from power, and the 1st Prince, who had suffered under the 2nd Prince’s faction, sought his revenge.

“Whose child are you, really? Are you also that cursed woman Selreden’s son?”

As the purge loomed, my mother and brother reached out to me, trying to pull me into their sinking ship. I was beyond shocked—it was absurd. The battle was already lost; what could a mere 3rd Prince possibly do? Maybe I would have risked my life to help them If I had grown up loved. But to me, they were my family only in name.

So they lashed out at me in anger, accusing me of being a concubine’s child. If only that had been true, then perhaps I wouldn’t have had to worry about being killed.

“Your decision to remain silent and not stand by the 2nd Prince was a wise one, Your Highness.”

Fortunately, turning my back on my so-called family and staying silent paid off. The Executive Manager, who led the purge on behalf of my half-brother, the new Crown Prince, came to me after dealing with my mother and brother. He spared my life on the condition that I stayed quiet.

I was relieved to be alive, but at the same time, I felt a deep sorrow. The very family that barely acknowledged me had nearly cost me my life. I lived in constant fear, wondering when my half-brother might turn on me.

For me, family had always been a heavy chain and an indelible scar.

“We’re the only brothers left now. It feels strange, doesn’t it? There’s just the two of us, and yet we’ve been so distant.”

Until the Crown Prince said this out of the blue, that was exactly how I had felt.

It felt strange. When I attended this year’s New Year’s Ball and was officially reinstated as a member of the imperial family, I thought that was the end of it. I assumed the Crown Prince had only acknowledged me to the extent that I no longer posed a threat to his position and to maintain the harmony of the imperial family for the sake of the Empire.

But being personally summoned for a private conversation was different. He could have easily treated me as just another prince, but he called me his brother.

It was as though he truly saw me as family, as though he wanted to mend our strained relationship.

“Your Highness, you are the future emperor and the shining sun of the Empire. Knowing your devotion to the Empire, how could I possibly bring up brotherly affection and hold you back?”

My hair might have gone white, but the words of deference came as naturally as breathing. It was the instinct I had honed from a lifetime of watching my surroundings. Was this all a trap? Would treating him as a brother instead of the Crown Prince give him a reason to eliminate me?

“Don’t speak like that. Even Emperor Amanca built this Empire with the help of his brothers. If someone like him couldn’t stand alone, then how could I possibly think to do so?”

The Crown Prince gently shook his head while speaking softly. His tone was so warm that it felt foreign. Had he always been capable of such kindness?

“Your Highness and Young Master, please have some tea as you talk.”

“Thank you, Crown Princess.”

“Th-thank you, Your Highness.”

Caught off guard, I fumbled for a response as the Crown Princess herself brought us tea. And not only that, she addressed me not as a prince, but as ‘Young Master,’ just as the Crown Prince had called me his brother.

The series of unexpected events left my head spinning. Was this really happening? Or was I dreaming?

“The Crown Princess has been skilled in the art of tea since her academy days. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.”

“Yes… I’ll drink it gratefully.”

The Crown Prince took a sip first, speaking quietly as he did.

First…

He took the first sip. Was he proving to me that there was no poison in it?

“How has life at the academy been?”

“Thanks to His Majesty’s grace and the Empire’s influence, I was able to enjoy my time there without any discomfort.”

“That’s a relief.”

It was an instinctive response to his sudden question. Yet, I felt like I was sitting on pins and needles the moment he brought up the Academy. Of all topics, why was he bringing up the Academy?

Is this an interrogation?

Cold sweat began to form. If he was going to question me about the academy, there was a lot to be concerned about. My friendships with foreign royalties, my interactions with the children of the border families’ children, and even the fact that I unknowingly shared a club with the Mage Duchess’s only disciple—any one of these could be enough to arouse suspicion.

“Apparently, the Mage Duchess is going to be a guest lecturer at the Academy this year. It should be a valuable experience for you.”

“…Sorry?”

My mind went blank, and before I knew it, I had committed the grave sin of questioning the Crown Prince directly.

But he didn’t seem to mind my breach of etiquette and simply nodded.

“It seems that the Mage Duchess cares a great deal for her student. If Lady Louise is graduating this year, then it might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

He calmly sipped his tea, as if it was nothing. His composure was amazing. Was this the level of calm that came with being a Crown Prince? To be able to react so nonchalantly to something so out of the ordinary…

“But this is the first time a Duke will be staying at the Academy, isn’t it? With foreign guests there as well, I worry that the Mage Duchess’s presence might cause some discomfort.”

His words cleared my mind. The sudden mention of the Academy, the Mage Duchess’s visit, and the fact that foreign royalties were currently residing at the Academy—he was concerned that some sort of disturbance might arise.

When I put everything together, leaving aside the talk of brotherhood, the conclusion became obvious. The Crown Prince had restored my imperial status at the New Year’s Ball, and now he was reminding me of the responsibilities that came with it: to ensure that nothing went wrong at the academy.

This is better.

The tension that had gripped me quickly dissipated. This was much better than an inexplicable summons and vague conversation. At least, as the Crown Prince, he was issuing clear instructions to a member of the imperial family.

This was a reasonable meeting and a logical conversation. His initial talk of brotherhood was likely just a formality, meant to encourage me as I stepped into my imperial duties for the first time.

“Rest assured, Your Highness. I may be lacking, but I will do my best as a member of the Livnoman family to ensure that the Mage Duchess and the esteemed guests experience no discomfort.”

“Good. Knowing you’re at the academy puts my mind at ease.”

He nodded, as if he had been waiting for me to say that.

It had been an official conversation, after all.

***I sat back down and sipped the remaining tea after Ainter left.

“Your Highness.”

I turned my head at the Crown Princess’s voice. As soon as I saw the wry smile on her face, my mood soured.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. It’s Ainter I’m more worried about.”

I let out a sigh. I arranged this meeting after much deliberation, but in the end, it felt like we had made no real progress. Maybe a letter would’ve been better than a face-to-face meeting.

“It’s only natural for him to be upset. After all, someone who once sought his life is now pretending to be friendly.”

Another sigh followed. After winning the succession dispute and dealing with Dorgos, I had been so consumed by paranoia that I nearly went after Ainter as well.

I was worried that the remnants of the 2nd prince’s faction might rally around him, the only legitimate heir left at their side, or that he might one day pose a threat to me. Some might call it an overreaction, but the consequences would extend to the Crown Princess and my father-in-law if I acted too leniently. That thought made it impossible to overlook even the smallest chance.

However, no matter how hard I searched, there was never a valid reason to purge Ainter. In the end, I had to settle for stripping him of his imperial privileges. In hindsight, it was fortunate that things ended that way.

“Acting like this just feels hypocritical now.”

“Your Highness.”

My thoughts remained unchanged despite the Crown Princess’s concerned tone.

Yes, it was hypocrisy. I resented my father for not showing familial affection, yet here I was, once trying to kill my own brother and now pretending to play the part of a caring sibling. Wasn’t it all just hypocrisy and pretense?

And this hypocrisy only surfaced now, when my position was secure and the Emperor’s abdication was on the horizon. I had known Ainter was innocent long ago, but I waited until my safety was guaranteed and until I had the luxury of acting generous to extend this false benevolence.

That’s why talking about business is easier.

Ainter had been tense throughout our conversation, but he seemed to relax and started speaking naturally as soon as we shifted to discussing official matters.

The fact that he could only relax when we were talking about duties while any personal conversation between us remained impossible felt bittersweet. But who could I blame? I was the one who made him this way.

“Crown Princess.”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“Do you think it’s too late?”

Though I spoke to the Crown Princess, I was really asking myself that question.

A brother who once tried to kill his own sibling, and a brother who spent his life walking on eggshells around him… perhaps it was too late for us to ever be normal brothers.

“It’s not early, but it’s not too late, either.”

The Crown Princess spoke gently, and I allowed myself a small, quiet smile. Was it really not too late?

“I’m sure Young Master Ainter understands your feelings, Your Highness. Until now, he was kept from engaging in any official duties. But now, he can serve the Empire as a rightful imperial family member. That must mean something to him.”

I nodded absentmindedly. His participation in the New Year’s Ball, followed by the assignment of official duties, was a clear acknowledgment of his status as an imperial family member.

He wasn’t just a prince in name anymore; he had responsibilities, and with them, the recognition he deserved. Ainter wasn’t foolish, so he must have realized that by now.

“Perhaps it’s difficult for him to grasp right away, but eventually, he will understand that what you’ve extended to him is a hand of reconciliation.”

Yes, I certainly hope so.

***What the hell…?

“I’m sorry, but could you please repeat that?”