How the Sidekick Prince Lives Again Chapter 143

Published at 12th of July 2023 11:48:54 AM

‘Okay…… I’ll discuss this with Prime Minister Elaine. You must have been tired from coming a long way, so go back and rest for today.’

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Tristan signaled the end of their conversation in a weak voice. Unlike before, his shoulders were drooping. He didn’t seem to get out of the shock easily.

Renato tried to say once again that he was fine, but closed his mouth. He didn’t know what to do when others reacted like that. It was unfamiliar that someone felt worried or sorry for him. Renato thought Tristan might have felt more at ease had he been angry.

‘Your Imperial Highness, His Majesty the Empress is looking for you. Please come with his highness the grand prince.’

After Renato bade farewell to Tristan and came out, the chamberlain of the Empress’ Palace was waiting for him. Since he returned to the Imperial Palace after a long time and also had his engagement ceremony, it was proper etiquette to greet Blanche with Khalid, but he honestly did not want to go.

‘Welcome, Your Imperial Highness!’

Marquis Medus was the one who greeted Khalid and Renato when they arrived at the Empress’ Palace. Calling the two to the Empress’ Palace must have been the Marquis’ idea.

‘I am back, Your Majesty. Have you been well?’

‘……Yes.’

Unlike the happy Marquis, Blanche had a sullen face expressing his dismay. He reacted indifferently to Renato’s greeting. Blanche showed no joy or affection for his son whom he only saw after two months.

Having been used to this, Renato didn’t feel sad. He just thought it was fortunate that Blanche wasn’t annoyed. Though, Blanche seemed to have suppressed his temper in front of Khalid.

‘This the first time we have had a relaxed conversation like this, right?’

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Marquis Medus asked Khalid for a handshake in a friendly manner. The two met a few times after Khalid and Renato’s marriage was decided, but they only exchanged greetings briefly because of tight schedules like having to leave for the kingdom for the engagement ceremony.

‘The capital is bustling with stories about Your Imperial Highness and your highness these days.’

‘Is that so?’

‘Yes, everyone I meet asks me about you two. In particular, it’s even more chaotic after the Khan Kingdom’s monarch conferred a medal and an honorary title to our Prince. Haha.’

‘Noonim is deeply grateful about Her Majesty the Queen Consort’s recovery. She even describes His Imperial Highness as a benefactor of the kingdom.’

Khalid was courteous to the Marquis who expressed favor to him. Thanks to that, their conversation went smoothly. It was mainly Marquis Medus asking and Khalid or Renato answering. The Marquis wanted to learn more about what had happened in the kingdom.

As the three continued their conversation, Blanche remained silent with an anguished look. Although he put up with it for Marquis Medus, he seemed dissatisfied with Renato’s rise in reputation and his marriage to Khalid.

‘It’s a pity since I’d like to talk a bit more. I don’t think I can attend today’s dinner, as I have work to do.’

Their conversation with Marquis Medus was interrupted by Caleb, who came saying that an imperial dinner was prepared for Khalid and Renato. The Marquis got up from his seat and saw the two off with immense regret.

‘I wanted to ask Your Imperial Highness about the letter you sent me the other day…… But it might be difficult today.’

Marquis Medus, glancing at Khalid, lowered his voice and whispered to Renato. He wanted to make sure that the medicine that saved Laila was really Snake’s Breath, but he had to be cautious as they were in front of Khalid.

‘It’s been two months since you left, so you should get a checkup. May I visit you tomorrow?’

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‘I have to go to the Khan Kingdom’s diplomatic office tomorrow evening…… I think it’ll be fine before that.’

‘Then I will visit you around lunchtime.’

Marquis Medus made an appointment with Renato using the pretext of a checkup and backed off without regrets. After that, they went to the dinner banquet hall and greeted people.

“……Uhm.”

After pondering what had happened during the day, Renato murmured quietly. He looked around the quiet room with tired eyes. The bedroom where he had returned to after two months remained unchanged.

Was the bedroom this spacious?

Looking at the room immersed in silence, Renato thought. This space was where he had stayed since childhood, but he couldn’t understand why it felt so unfamiliar. It was as if something was missing.

“Ah.”

He’s not here. Renato easily realized why this familiar space felt unfamiliar. His bedroom seemed strange because of Khalid’s absence.

‘See you tomorrow.’

After the dinner, Khalid returned to the diplomatic ambassador’s official residence in the capital. Although their engagement ceremony was held, the Empire’s custom stated that they had to live separately until their marriage, so they could not be together like in the kingdom. Because of that, Renato had to see the man off as he left for the official residence.

‘……Good night.’

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Perhaps leaving Renato at the Imperial Palace bothered him, Khalid hesitated for a bit, then left a good night kiss on his forehead before turning around. Renato stood there until Khalid was completely out of sight before going inside. It was the first night he spent alone in months.

What should I do when I already miss you?

Renato quietly swept across the uselessly spacious bed with his hand. It had only been a few hours since they parted, but he had already missed Khalid.

“Is this called lovesick?”

Renato chuckled at the word suddenly coming to mind, muttering to himself. Humans are said to be animals of adaptation, but he never knew it would be so lonely not to feel any warmth from the sheet that touched his fingertips.

When did I start liking Khalid?

A dark shadow of the night was cast on the violet eyes as he recalled Khalid. The man was also special to Renato in his previous life. Had it not been for Khalid, he would probably have lost his mind, unable to withstand the harsh reality.

After the regression, he thought of proposing to Khalid thanks to his previous life experiences. Renato believed in the man named Khalid he had seen. Although he knew it was a naive thought, he strangely had a vague expectation that the man would help without turning a blind eye.

In fact, Khalid initially showed signs of refusal but eventually took Renato’s hand. Not because of political calculations or other reasons, but only because the man wanted to help him.

“Khalid……”

A voice submerged in longing leaked out from his slightly gaped lips. Having inadvertently called Khalid, Renato smiled bitterly. He couldn’t call the man’s name in front of him, but somehow it came out properly whenever he was alone.

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When he recalled, it was the same in his previous life. He was frustrated and pathetic about himself that he couldn’t even call a name properly. Khalid, who entered a battle that could cost his life, also asked Renato to call him by name the next time they met before departing.

But things were a little different now compared to back then. If he was not used to calling Khalid by name in his previous life, now he couldn’t call it for fear that his feelings would get noticed.

How could Renato not want to call Khalid by name? The man seemed to think that Renato couldn’t call his name comfortably for name calling was unfamiliar and burdensome to him, but it wasn’t the case. It was something he had wished for since his previous life, so he could not hate that at all.

He was just scared. He was afraid that if he said Khalid’s name out loud, emotions would keep coming into his voice, his feelings would involuntarily leak out, and the quick-witted man would surely notice that.

Perhaps it was also the reason in his previous life. At that sudden thought, Renato exclaimed, ‘Ah’. He wasn’t aware of his feelings at the time, but he may have instinctively sensed that he liked Khalid. However, he couldn’t realize that as his subconscious mind blocked it.

At the time, he thought he did not deserve to be happy after ignoring Ludmilla’s will and failing to protect Trudy. Even if he had realized his feelings for Khalid, he would have probably hidden them like now.

Not wanting to ruin his relationship with Khalid just like now, his defense mechanism was perhaps triggered by an unconscious fear that calling the man’s name would change everything.

“What should I do……”

I wish I hadn’t realized. Feeling helpless, Renato groaned painfully and buried his face in the pillow. He had trouble sleeping for about a week after realizing his feelings for Khalid, but as they continued to be together, he could treat the man like he used to. He could manage his facial expressions far better than just after realizing his emotions, and he no longer overreacted much to the man’s touches and words.

But as the days went by, his feelings for Khalid also grew. So he was more anxious. Renato was not confident in hiding his deepened feelings till the end.

“Huu.”

Renato sighed again, closing his eyes and forcing himself to sleep. But unlike his tired body, his mind became clearer. He tossed and turned in the blanket, then exhaled and suddenly raised his body up out of frustration. Soon after, he hugged the other pillow in his arms and lay down again. Tonight seemed unusually long.

Chapter end