The Forest Race Clonne

Chapter 14

“But it’s a fact that my brother was born before me. He was born in March.”

“Yes, if he was conceived in the summer, the dates roughly match. But that means, Sei, your birthdate is the issue here.”

I was conceived earlier, yet born later. Being born half a year past the due date is rare. Although some pregnancies last longer, this was excessively overdue. Naturally, this conclusion was inevitable.

“Sei, isn’t it possible that you are also the legitimate son of the Count of Lavant?”

“…But…”

“It’s possible Aunt conceived before the wedding. But what if she had a miscarriage? She could have become pregnant with you afterward.”

“That is not… possible. That cannot be.”

“Why do you think it’s not? Both the Count of Lavant and Dewey Lavant have black hair just like you. Black hair isn’t extremely rare, but it’s not very common either.”

“…My mother told me directly before she passed away. She said my biological father was someone else.”

“Hm, I hate to say this, but I heard Aunt’s mental state wasn’t stable towards the end. Couldn’t she have mistaken you for the child she miscarried?”

I couldn’t rebut that statement. It was true that my mother’s mind was clouded towards the end. The day before she died, she was unusually clear-headed, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t exhibiting strange behavior. She could have been mistaken.

“Even so, I don’t think so. Besides having black hair, my appearance doesn’t resemble theirs at all. I don’t resemble my mother either.”

“That can’t be a conclusive factor. Sometimes people just don’t look like their parents. Even the First Imperial Prince looks nothing like his parents. I have friends who don’t resemble their parents at all.”

“But…”

“And you know our grandfather’s nature well. If you were truly an illegitimate child, he would never have taken you into the family. What does it mean that he did?”

His words were not incorrect, so I quietly closed my mouth. I felt the strength slowly drain from my shoulders.

In truth, I had unresolved questions as well. I had heard that rumors about my mother’s affair had spread through the social circles. It was a sensational topic that a noblewoman had fallen in love with a commoner mercenary and even planned an elopement.

Yet no one ever questioned that the child she conceived before the wedding wasn’t the Count’s. Not the Count of Lavant himself, nor the current Countess and her son Dewey, who had every reason to distrust me. Not even in the gossip that circulated among the public. It was as if this single fact was beyond doubt.

‘Of course. The date of my birth is fourteen months after the wedding.’

But is that really it? Does that mean the Count of Lavant is indeed my biological father?

I slowly rubbed my mouth. I had never doubted the premise that I wasn’t of the Lavant bloodline. But now, I was utterly confused. It felt like everything that made up who I was was being shaken to its core.

“Sei, so you’re…”

“…No, Lord Camille. It’s still too soon to make any hasty conclusions. Even if it’s true, it doesn’t change much.”

“How can you say it doesn’t change anything? If you are the Count’s legitimate son, the legitimacy is yours.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at those words. Camille’s eyes widened.

“What does legitimacy even mean? It would just mean that I was abandoned by my real father.”

“Sei…”

“Should I beg for my rightful place? Should I demand recognition and love because my mother’s status was higher? Wouldn’t it be better if I were not related at all?”

“….”

“Lord Camille. I hate that idea.”

Whether it was shock, despair, or even anger, I couldn’t define the emotions swirling in my mind. I just laughed emptily.

“I hate the idea that he could be my father.”

It was a new juncture.

* * *

The next day, I went to work without having slept a single wink. The fatigue seemed to cloud my mind, making the morning paperwork impossible to focus on. As I rubbed my throbbing head, someone placed an iced coffee in front of me. It was Camille.

“Take a break while working. You look really tired.”

“…I’m fine.”

“Fine? Look in the mirror first before you say that. Do you know how pale you look right now?”

He continued to fuss, asking if I had eaten properly and if I had slept at all. His unchanged demeanor and ordinary concern brought me a sense of relief.

“…Lord Camille, about yesterday…”

“I’m sorry about yesterday.”

“….”

“I didn’t consider your feelings and wasn’t thoughtful. I reflected a lot after going home.”

“…You didn’t do anything wrong, Lord Camille.”

“I simply thought you inheriting the Lavant family would be a form of revenge against them. But I understand now that you don’t want to be involved at all. Honestly, I would’ve felt the same way. I’m sorry. This topic itself must be uncomfortable.”

“It’s alright. I know you said it with my best interests in mind. Realistically, it makes sense. I was the one acting like a child.”

Camille’s eyes flickered. He seemed to recognize the resignation disguised as calm in my words. I gave a bitter smile as I saw his face, looking as though he might cry at any moment.

“I guess I need to re-plan my future.”

“Sei…”

“Ignoring reality doesn’t change it.”

I had originally planned to search for my biological father once I became an adult. Even if it yielded no results, I hoped to find some clues at the very least. I wanted to pursue what my mother, who had always longed for him, couldn’t. But all those plans were now up in the air. I had thought my tedious life in the Security Department was nearing its end, but now I was at a loss.

“Sei! Ah, Lord Rouster, you’re here as well!”

Suddenly, with a loud noise, Roil entered the room, looking somewhat ashen.

“What’s going on, Roil?”

“You and Lord Rouster are being summoned by the Chief of the Security Department.”

“Summoning?”

“The Chief of the Security Department, my grandfather?”

Camille and I exchanged glances. Nodding, Roil swallowed hard.

“He wants both of you to come to the head office immediately.”

* * *

When we arrived at the head office, it wasn’t just the Duke of Rouster there. At least twenty people filled the room. Judging by their cravats, they were all high-ranking officials of the Security Department. While most faces were unfamiliar, a few were recognizable. I exchanged a greeting nod with Count Rael, who looked pleased to see me.

‘Are we being called during an executive meeting?’

The tension in my body eased a bit. It hadn’t been long since rumors about Camille and me being cousins had been quashed. I thought we were called together due to our witness testimonies. I felt more at ease, thinking I just had to repeat the situation I had memorized by now. That was until I saw who was sitting in the center.

“…!”

I involuntarily held my breath. In the central seat, surveying everyone in the room, was someone other than the Duke of Rouster. A young man dressed in a pristine white uniform, draped in a red sash. He was someone no citizen of the empire could fail to recognize.

“Behold, His Highness the Crown Prince, the small sun of the empire!”

Next to me, Camille hurriedly bowed. Following his urgent cue, I also bowed reflexively. Only then did my heart start to race.

Esteban Radris Aslan.

The sole legitimate prince of the current royal family and the heir to the throne.

‘Why is the Crown Prince here?’

For someone of my lowly position in the Security Department, royalty was an existence so distant that meeting one was unimaginable. Seeing such a figure right in front of me was flustering, especially since he seemed to linger his gaze on me more than on Camille.

“Please, both of you come closer. Being summoned to such a setting all of a sudden must have been quite surprising. You haven’t been told the reason yet, have you?”

“I apologize, but no, Your Highness.”

“I will explain now. For now, please take your seats.”

The Crown Prince, likely inheriting the exquisite beauty of his mother, who had been praised as the most beautiful woman on the continent in her youth, possessed a remarkably handsome appearance. The golden curls and blue eyes inherited from the Emperor further highlighted his noble lineage. Even his gentle and courteous manner of speaking did not diminish his dignity.

It was only after we hesitantly took our seats that I noticed the Duke of Rouster seated next to the Crown Prince. Our eyes met, and with a look of dissatisfaction, he spoke.

“These are still inexperienced youths, Your Highness. Perhaps you should reconsider.”

“Experience must be gained to grow. This decision wasn’t made by me alone; it was reached after sufficient discussion. You agreed that they aren’t lacking in qualifications.”

“That is true. However, Your Highness…”

“I understand your concerns. But you’ve always emphasized to me that personal feelings should be set aside in matters of state importance.”

The Crown Prince maintained an ever-present smile. Despite the coaxing tone he used when addressing the Duke, there was no sense of discomfort. It was the first time I had seen someone handle the Head of the Rouster family, who was known to calm even crying children, this easily. The Duke’s demeanor was meek and gentle, showing no signs of displeasure, which was surprising.

However, aside from these facts, the situation itself was increasingly confusing. Just from the brief conversation between the two, it was clear something significant was afoot. It seemed unlikely that we were called merely for our testimonies.

The moment I thought this, my eyes met the Crown Prince’s. I quickly lowered my gaze, and his voice, tinged with amusement, followed.

“Let’s get to the main point. From this moment on, all matters discussed here must be kept to yourselves. You are forbidden to disclose them to anyone, including family.”

Though his voice was gentle, the weight of his words was heavy. The atmosphere among the attendees grew tense. Surveying the room with satisfaction, the Crown Prince nodded to someone nearby.

“Proceed.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

A woman with light brown hair took a deep breath and stood up. She wore a purple cravat alongside the Security Department badge. The color coding, from black, blue, purple, green, to maroon, indicated her as a third-rank agent.