Irwin was frantically curious about what kind of relationship the two had, why and how they met, and what type of conversation they were having.
He wanted to know what the man meant to Cassia.
He wanted to know how did she know the man.
And what is the relationship between the two of them…?
This time wandering the streets, he grew more anxious. It felt like he was moving tens of thousands of miles further away from her, every second.
‘Should I go back to the gallery…?’
In the end, it was the moment when he was suffering from a sense of shame as he had come up with such an absurd idea. Someone stopped in front of him.
Adolf slowly raised his head to the shoes that stopped with the view that the cape’s hood had obscured.
Adolf’s eyes narrowed when he saw the owner of the shoes.
“It’s been a while, Prince Adolf.”
Count Allison stood still in front of him.
‘…Have you already left the store?’
Adolf endured the almost obvious question. He suddenly looked around and realized that the sun was setting in the sky.
Count Allison didn’t come out soon, and Irwin had been on the road too long, overthinking.
‘…Wow, what is it really?’
Adolf was very shocked by this.
He let out a faint laugh.
In the next moment, he slowly raised his head toward Michael and opened his mouth.
“It’s been a while, Count Allison.”
Contrary to the moments he had spent under the name of ‘Irwin’, his voice was quite sweet. His voice as Adolf was undeniably deep, and the dignity of a young prince.
“I was quite surprised, Your Highness.”
Michael answered.
“You left the Imperial Palace on the pretext of a trip. I knew you would be somewhere, but I didn’t know you would be here.”
“It hasn’t been long since I left the empire. I’ve been wandering around places so that they can’t track me.”
Adolf answered.
He asked in a calm voice.
“Are my father and brothers doing well?”
“Are you asking me that now?”
Michael asked, seemingly dumbfounded by his words.
Having been in all kinds of mischievous accidents since he was young, Adolf suddenly disappeared a few years after coming of age, saying he would go on a trip. Having hidden somewhere under the pretext of travelling, he did not return to the Imperial Palace for several years.
“Your Majesty has already officially declared your disappearance, so I think you know what it is like. Other His Highnesses are equally concerned.”
“…I see. What about mother?”
“She seems to be doing better than Your Majesty.”
“As expected of my mother.”
A small smile appeared on Adolf’s lips.
It was a sincere and warm smile.
“If you see her later, tell my mother that I am sorry. No one else, only my mother.”
“…How long are you going to be so immature?”
Michael asked, and Adolf grinned.
He said, looking at the scenery of waving ricefields.
“Count Allison, as you may have been through, there are some people who don’t like aristocratic life at all.”
“I just happen to be such a person.”
It was a voice that couldn’t tell if it was a joke or the truth.
Adolf continued.
“I am personally very happy with my wandering life, Count Allison.”
“But you should never forget that Your Highness is the prince of this country.”
Michael answered.
“Your Majesty has a lot of worries, so even if you see your father someday, you should get rid of your wandering life and return to the Imperial Palace.”
“Are you convincing me?”
“You are kindly admonishing you.”
“I see…”
Adolf nodded his head.
He bowed his head and fell into thought.
How much time has passed?
Adolf raised his head.
“But what should I do? I don’t want to,” he smiled.
Adolf shrugged his shoulders, wrapped in a black cloak.
“Sorry, but I plan to stay here a little longer.”
Michael narrowed his eyes.
“…Is it because of that woman?”
“What kind of relationship do you have with that woman?”
A sharp current flowed.
There was a strange silence between them, who only asked each other questions.
The darkening sky, the last glow of the sunset, announced that the day was going down.
In the meantime, Michael looked at Adolph with an interesting and wary look.
Then he grinned.
He slowly folded his arms and asked Adolf.
“Well, why are you curious?”
“I’ve listened to your admonition, so I think I can ask you a question like at least.
Adolf grinned.
“Tell me your relationship with her, Count Allison.”
It was a question, but it was a tone with dignity, close to a command given as a prince. Michael answered.