"Demons were part of that thing. But a particularly special part."
After saying this, Carlos reined in his aura. The light in his eyes completely faded, and he returned to his previous relaxed and easygoing manner.
The First Prince raised his bottle toward Ian with a smile. "Sorry, I must have frightened you just now—ordinary people wouldn't be frightened by me, actually. But because you're so strong among your peers, and a prophet with such sensitive psychic power, you sensed things you shouldn't have sensed... My mistake. I'll punish myself with half a bottle."
And with that, he really did gulp down half the bottle in one go—Ian seriously suspected he had merely found an excuse to drink.
"Ah. Seeing you reminds me of my younger brother. He was just like you: cautious and careful, unable to let go when he ought to."
Setting down the bottle, Carlos glanced at Ian and clicked his tongue. "At a time like this, shouldn't you be sharply criticizing me for just wanting to drink? You haven't revealed the slightest crack in your expression, not a trace of emotion leaking out, but do you think I can't guess what someone like you is thinking?"
"Brothers need to communicate like this to deepen their bond... and so do we." He shook his head in clear displeasure. "Just don't learn from Mikael. Even if a person like him succeeds in the future, he'll only become a second grandfather."
"That's rather rebellious," Ian could not help remarking. "No wonder Prince Mikael had no desire to discuss you when he spoke with me."
"I'm saying my brother shouldn't repeat the same mistakes and walk our grandfather's old road. What's rebellious about that?" Carlos gave Ian a rather strange look, then shook his head. "You outsiders are always calling