The Unwanted Prince Chooses to Live Happily at the Cute Maid's Hometown - Chapter 11

The atmosphere in the office had significantly mellowed.

Edwin, now fully aware of how little he knew about his sons, took a deep breath and spoke quietly.

“Lano, Nox was doing something I had no knowledge of. He said I could ask you.”

With a calm gaze, he inquired, “Tell me. I want to know.”

Lano hesitated. He had witnessed what kind of treatment his twin brother had endured and how much he had suffered, but it was difficult for him to talk about it now.

“Please, tell me. I want to know,” Edwin urged.

Edwin stood up and resettled on the sofa in the reception area. He motioned for Lano to sit as well.

Lano gathered his resolve and took a seat across from his father.

“Nox was studying magic, using the books in the library.”

“Magic? Did he have talent for it?”

Lano nodded. “While I don’t know what he was doing while I was at school, based on his actions in the labyrinth, I believe he had already gained experience as a mage.”

His brother had effortlessly delivered a fatal blow to the thrashing giant snake that had given them so much trouble even as a group of four. Despite being the closest person to Nox since birth, he felt that Nox was now like a distant figure.

“That arrow he shot had his magical power imbued in it. Otherwise, a regular arrow wouldn’t have penetrated so deeply.”

Lano smiled faintly. “It was a perfectly aimed shot. It felt like he was supporting me from behind, providing me with the reassurance that I had an ally.”

“Is that so…” Edwin muttered.

Edwin was not skilled in magic himself, and he had assumed that both his sons were the same. He had thought that if they were already deemed “unfortunate children” and lacked talent in both swordsmanship and magic, then the heir should be the one with exceptional sword skills, which Lano possessed.

“So, he truly is Iris’s son…”

“What happened to Mother?”

“Ah, I haven’t talked about that at all.” Edwin was deeply aware of his own inadequacies. He knew that losing Iris had been difficult, not only for him but also for his sons.

“Your mother, Iris, was considered the greatest magician in the royal palace at that time.”

“Really? So, Nox takes after Mother, then?”

Lano smiled happily, and it had been a while since Edwin had seen that expression on his face.

“I’ve only seen Nox use magic a few times, but it was beautiful. He would conjure fire and water orbs and juggle them, or change the shape of clouds on top of the eastern hill. On hot days, he would dig a hole and relax underground.”

“What?” 

As Lano shared his memories of their past, Edwin suddenly became serious.

“That hole… After that, he secretly turned it into a hideout where he stored things he bought in town. But judging from his recent behavior, he might have cleaned it up already… Father?”

With pride in his voice, Lano continued, rapidly recounting the story. It wasn’t until he noticed his father’s expression that he became aware of it.

“Simultaneously conjuring fire and water orbs… Changing cloud formations implies wind magic and altering terrain is earth magic?”

Edwin muttered to himself.

“What age was he then? Anything else you can tell me?”

“Well… It was around when he was about ten years old, before Nana came here. And… I think when he secretly went out, he used to hide his presence. I could somehow sense Nox, so when we passed each other, I’d think, ‘He just went by.'”

Lano, unable to do anything to stop his brother’s escape, thought that this was the least he could do to atone for his inability to help.

“And there was a large bed in the secret hideout that was too big for one person to carry, so he might have a magic storage. I envy him.”

Lano only had knowledge of basic life magic, so he had no idea how impressive that was. But Edwin understood. His years of education as a member of the royal family, his knowledge as a leader of the knights, and his dedication to learning in order to marry the greatest court magician in the country had made him acutely aware of what an extraordinary talent he had missed.

“Lano, you said you could sense Nox! Bring him back immediately! I’ll do whatever Nox says, whether it’s replacing the servants or executing anyone. If my retirement is what he desires, I’ll transfer the title tomorrow!”

“Father?”

It was said that no matter how much one trained, a mage could only master up to two of the four basic attributes. And even that took decades of practice.

“At the age of ten, he mastered all four attributes with such power and precision, and even handled advanced non-attribute and spatial magic! Damn it, I’m such a fool!”

Edwin ran his well-groomed silver-streaked hair through his fingers in frustration.

“Yes, you’re a complete fool. And I won’t bring him back. Nox-sama belongs to me.”

Suddenly, a calm voice sounded, and a cup of steaming tea was placed gently in front of Edwin.

“Nana!”

“Ah, the regret of a detestable stranger, the kind that cannot be undone, is the most amusing thing, don’t you think?”

With precision, another cup of tea was placed in front of Lano.

“You knew, didn’t you? Princess Nana Lika.”

“Of course. I confirmed his current abilities in the labyrinth.”

Nana then turned her gaze towards the disheveled Edwin.

“Edwin-sama, our agreement was that you would engage ‘the one who didn’t inherit Galaxia.’ I expect you to keep your promise.”