[Vol. 7] Chapter 226: The Fallen Lion
“Uh... no, really, I was just lucky...”
Even someone like Carinvega, who had developed a pretty thick skin over the years, couldn’t help but feel a little overwhelmed after Xiluo’s long and dramatic praise. She tried to tell the truth, but her brother immediately dismissed it as an excuse, shaking his head with a wry smile.
“Once or twice, sure, you could call it luck. But things like that kept happening, both in public and behind the scenes, again and again. Do you really think I and everyone else in the world are blind and deaf?”
“To be honest, I don’t really understand why you're still pretending to be clueless and weak, hiding your true self and your real abilities. But since this is the path the [Empire’s Two-Colored Lotus] has chosen, then there must be some deep reason behind it, something I just can’t grasp. I may be a prince, but I’m still just a regular person. I can’t and won’t try to fully understand your way of thinking… It’s too terrifying.”
Xiluo let out a deep sigh. The way he looked at the girl was filled with weariness and admiration, mixed with a hint of fear and respect… and other complicated feelings that couldn’t quite be put into words.
“Carinvega, I lost. I tried, I really did, but I’m not as capable as you, or as Father. In the cruel Frederick royal family, ending up like this is only natural. I came to see you today, even if it’s a little shameless, because there are still a few things I never really understood. And I think... you’re probably the only one in this world who can give me an answer.”
“Ending up like this...? What do you mean?”
The princess's pupils tightened slightly, as if she was starting to realize something. She no longer pretended to be calm and wise. She quickly stood up, her voice urgent.
“Brother, explain yourself! What’s going on?!”
“......”
Xiluo looked up in surprise at his sister’s worried expression. He furrowed his brows like he was deep in thought, but soon relaxed, as if he’d given up trying to make sense of things. He nodded slowly.
“Don’t worry. That moment hasn’t come yet. We don’t need to cross that line right now. And I’m not here to force your real intentions out of you… I just have a few small questions.”
“First of all, I want to know, who exactly is that woman named Violet? I know she has connections in many countries, and in a situation like hers, it’s normal for some to come to her defense. But you... you were the last person I expected to publicly support her.”
“She… what made her worth it? Worth dropping your act, even damaging the image you’ve built up for years, just to get close to her? Does she really have that kind of power or value? Just because of some unproven ‘Transcendent-level’ strength and a so-called honorary professor title? You had never even met her before, right?”
“Ha…”
Seeing that Xiluo was set on his ideas and showed no sign of backing down, Carinvega, though eager to figure out what was going on, could only patiently sit back down, follow his lead, and carefully consider her response.
“I don’t actually know if Miss Violet has reached the so-called ‘Transcendent Realm.’ As for why I did what I did, it’s simple. Brother, your actions at that time were too extreme. That situation benefited no one. I was there representing the Empire on a diplomatic mission to Sainz. I couldn’t just sit back and watch something so reckless happen. I did it for your sake… and also to avoid shaming Father.”
She meant every word. But as soon as she finished, the princess felt a little uneasy, worried that such a simple, straightforward answer might disappoint him. Yet to her surprise, Xiluo looked stunned for a moment, and then his eyes slowly widened in disbelief. His pupils trembled.
“Father…? Y-You already knew at that time that the old man had his eyes on her? He wouldn’t tell anyone something like that. Don’t tell me… is the Director of the Intelligence Bureau working for you? Hold on… You actually tried to protect me…? Why would you do that?”
“Uh… even if you ask me why… Aren’t we siblings? Do I need a reason to protect my own family?”
“……”
The red-haired young man stared blankly at her for a long time. Then, suddenly, he leaned back on the sofa, his body trembling slightly.
“Hahahah… Hahahahahahahaha!!!”
He covered his face with one hand, laughing and crying at the same time, like someone who had completely lost it. He mumbled to himself like he wasn’t even fully present anymore.
“Siblings… family… Hahahahaha, what a joke, ‘sibling’ and ‘family’, if that’s what you really believe, then I’ve lost completely! Hahahahaha… So, from the very beginning, you never saw me as a rival. You didn’t even… even see Father that way… Hahahaha! We’re all fools!”
“Carinvega Frederick… is there anything in this world that you can’t do? And if even someone like you is afraid of something… then what kind of terrifying thing could that be? Hahahahahaha!!!”
“Brother…”
Carinvega watched her brother, helpless. He looked completely unhinged, muttering nonsense. She had wanted to comfort him or explain a little more. But in the next moment, Xiluo suddenly sat upright. His expression went blank, and he wiped away every trace of emotion on his face like flipping a switch. Calm and sharp once more, he said in a low voice.
“Thank you for helping me see the truth, little sister. Even though I don’t agree with your way of doing things, maybe you’re the one who’s actually right. A ruler who’s completely lost their humanity… probably could never truly lead a country to greatness. I’m sorry for always thinking you were a monster. Maybe people like us are the ones who’ve really gone astray…”
“Now, for the second question. There are some strange things happening in this city that I still can’t understand. Can you tell me why you had people set those things up? If this was just about the conflict between you and me, it seems like overkill. Don’t tell me… you’re planning something more in Sainz?”
“Huh?”
If Xiluo’s first question had at least made some sense, this second one completely confused the imperial princess. She didn’t even know how to make up an excuse.
After thinking for a while, she gritted her teeth and decided to stop pretending. She spoke honestly.
“But, brother, I didn’t have anyone set up anything in the city. You know how Father insisted I lead the team to win the tournament. I’ve been busy with all the things related to that. I haven’t had time to do anything else…”
“It wasn’t you? But based on the reports we received, it clearly looked like—…”
Xiluo tilted his head, confused, but then suddenly seemed to realize something. He nodded thoughtfully.
“I see… In that case, those strange events make more sense now. A little mouse darting between two lions… Heh. You're still the same as always, spoiling the people close to you. I should’ve guessed. Unlike Father, who’s always cold and rational, you actually care about emotions…”
“I want to warn you that those things can be dangerous, that being careless might backfire. But since this is a decision made by Carinvega Frederick, I’m sure even that kind of power is just a toy in your hands. If you’ve got the skill and confidence to handle it, then go ahead, be as willful as you like.”
Xiluo gave a faint smile, and for the first time, showed the gentle look of an older brother admiring his brilliant younger sister.
“Or maybe… even this little act of your underling was all part of your plan? Just another step in a bigger strategy that leads to something even farther down the road?”
“Ah, no need to explain it to me. I'm guessing this is top-secret stuff.”