“The chances of that are extremely low. The priests examined him thoroughly and found nothing unusual.”
Berens stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“Most likely, the abilities faded as their blood became diluted over generations. There hasn't been a Primitive Sorcerer born in [N O V E L I G H T] House Siorcan since the powerful mind-reader who appeared eighty years ago.”
After speaking so definitively, he suddenly seemed to remember something.
While rubbing his chin, he added,
“Come to think of it, I have heard rumors that the former Empress possessed the gift of prophecy...”
“My brother's mother?”
Asros asked in surprise.
Berens paused as though considering something, then shook his head.
“It was probably nothing more than a rumor spread by people who wanted to elevate her to a near-divine status. The Crown Prince and the First Imperial Princess are perfectly ordinary, aren't they?”
Then he smiled gently.
“Perhaps the abilities of the Khan people have vanished completely.”
The reassuring tone irritated Asros slightly.
Why should he feel relieved that the Khan people had lost the abilities they had inherited for generations?
He had no intention of opposing his brother.
That meant the Siorcan clan was not his enemy either.
Still, he kept his mouth shut.
Anything he said would probably be dismissed as childish whining.
“It seems the ceremony is nearly finished. We should return now.”
Seeing the people seated in the place of honor gradually leaving the cloister, Berens rested a hand lightly on Asros's back.
Asros immediately followed him out of the chapel.
He had no desire to encounter the half-siblings who regarded him as a thorn in their side.
They avoided the crowded main entrance used by the mourners and exited through the rear gardens instead.
Unfortunately, a group of nobles had gathered there as well, chatting amongst themselves.
The moment Asros spotted several of Gareth's most fanatical followers among them, he frowned deeply.
They would never dare harm an Imperial Prince.
Still, there was no reason to deliberately look at faces he found unpleasant.
Grabbing Berens by the hand, he turned toward a narrow path covered in deep shadows.
Then a familiar name reached his ears.
“What do you think the chances are that Talia Roem Gwirta will recover?”
“Who knows? They say she was found practically half-dead. Even for the elves, completely healing her would be difficult.”
Asros's eyes widened.
He looked up at Berens.
“Is that true?”
Berens hesitated briefly, as though considering something, then slowly nodded.
Asros's face immediately became serious.
He had heard that his sister's condition was poor.
But he had never imagined she had been injured badly enough for rumors like that to spread.
He demanded,
“Why didn't anyone tell me my sister was hurt?”
“Because it was not something Your Highness needed to know.”
“She is my sister! Of course someone should have told me!”
His voice rose sharply.
The noisy garden instantly fell silent, as though cold water had been poured over it.
Turning around, Asros finally noticed the nobles staring at him before hastily bowing and offering their greetings.
His expression darkened.
Not wanting to deal with them, he left the garden with the longest strides he could manage.
Berens followed silently behind him before eventually sighing.
“Your Highness, that lady hates you. No matter how much concern you show, it will not be returned.”
Asros stopped abruptly and shot him a glare.
Logically, he knew Berens was right.
Talia Roem Gwirta disliked him.
Hadn't she said so herself?
And yet he refused to accept it so easily.
“Maybe... maybe she regrets saying that to me. Maybe that day she was simply upset and said something harsher than she meant. People do that sometimes, don't they?”
“......”
“If I go visit her, maybe she'll apologize to me.”
The words had come out impulsively.
Yet the idea sounded surprisingly convincing.
Without waiting for Berens's response, Asros immediately changed direction and headed for the detached palace.
Along the way, he gathered an armful of the prettiest flowers he could find in the garden as a gift.
She'll be surprised when I show up, won't she?
Maybe she'll even feel a little affection for such a kind younger brother.
Filled with anticipation, Asros crossed the vast grounds without stopping.
Eventually, beyond a garden overgrown with flowers and greenery, a gray stone building of rough and unadorned design came into view.