How to Live as the Enemy Prince

He intended to take his anger out on Calian’s attendant.

In that moment, Yan tried to raise his hands to shield himself but stopped himself from doing so. He thought if he tried to block it, Franz’s anger would then be directed at Calian. Which is why Instead of covering his face, Yan closed his eyes.

At the same time, Cailan's arms moved swiftly.

– Tak!

Faster than a blink, Calian put down the glass in his hand and his hand shot out to catch the knife in midair. Franz’s gaze went to the glass of water on the table.

The water remained steady in the glass even though it was quickly put down.

Drip, drip, drip.

Red blood droplets trickled from Calian’s bare palm which was wrapped around the dull blade of the knife.

Upon seeing the scene, Franz couldn’t help but utter,

“What-?”

Yan’s eyes widened as he took in the details one by one: Calian’s back, Calian’s hand, the knife in his hand, the blood flowing down the knife, and Franz’s shocked expression.

He felt a building sense of anxiety, not because Calian caught the knife, but because he feared the situation would soon spiral out of control.

Calian stood up. He took the blood-stained knife and set it quietly in front of Franz. Then he looked at Franz and smiled face to face.

“It’s alright.”

The meaning of those words were ambiguous, 

Don’t worry about my injured hand. It’s okay.

Or

I’ll forgive you for your rudeness.

Or both.

A few drops of blood dripped on to Franz’s clothes.

Calian strode out of the dining hall.

—

By the time Calian had soothed Yan, who was beside himself with worry for the wound on his hand, the afternoon had come around. He made his way to his horse riding lesson and came across Franz, who was mounted on a steed. 

There was another horse – or rather, a small pony, who looked at Calian with round, gentle eyes and huffed in his face curiously.

Calian had not yet said a word. The previous Calian was terrified of the creatures, and when those memories came to mind he pretended to cover his face.

“Does it hurt your pride to ride on it, little brother Calian?”

Franz.

Calian looked towards his voice. Franz was looking down at him, sitting atop a silver-white horse that was clearly of good breeding, and Calian’s brows creased for a moment when he saw it but his expression was wiped clean. 

Franz’s eyes glimpsed the bandages wrapped on Calian’s hand and he laughed. Calian once again furrowed his brows, but he turned his eyes away to avoid further falling for his provocation.

Then a horse caught his eye. It was the second horse Franz brought out with him. Calian examined the horse with interest and immediately admired it.

‘That’s a very good horse.’ 

It was completely black save for its white foreleg, and its mane and tail were well-groomed. Its tightly-knit muscles and sleek body told him that it was a far superior horse than Franz was riding now.

“This horse is stubborn, so I plan to ask my teacher to help me tame it.”

Franz was a wild and violent man who had never known how to ride a horse properly. But Calian could not draw his eyes away from the black horse. After seeing this, Franz addressed him again.

“If you can ride it, I’ll give it to you. If you can’t then apologize to me for what happened at breakfast.”

Yan took a step forward unknowingly, worried that his master would fall off the horse. Franz glared as he caught sight of that annoying attendant again. First the attendant wanted to block the knife throw earlier this morning, and now he wanted to stand in his way again.

He acted like he was Calian’s guardian, instead of his servant.

Calian noticed Franz’s reaction and stepped in front of Yan. He returned Franz’s gaze and answered calmly.

“Alright.”

Calian walked slowly past him towards the horse’s side. The horse had a strong resentment and anger towards people because of Franz’s treatment. The beast showed a firm determination not to give in to the Second Prince.

Calian smiled deeply when he saw such a creature.

Calian’s soft-eyed look changed in a flash. It was a look of murderous spirit, the gaze of a being that had killed many, in order to survive. 

The three-year-old horse, who had grown up in a good environment, could not withstand Calian’s cruel gaze. It was as if the pressure of a thousand glares bore into him instead of a single person’s.

The horse was shaken.

Soon, the horse’s eyes turned as docile as a pony from earlier. Only then did Calian withdraw his pressuring gaze.

In the end, the black horse didn’t refuse Calian’s saddle. Franz was in disbelief, as he thought he knew the horse’s wild personality.

Yan, who knew well that Calian had never practiced horse riding, was thrilled.

‘My prince, that story must’ve worked a miracle on you!’

Yan believed that Calian read the story about the knight, so it was fair to say he didn’t suspect anything.

Calian patted the well-behaved horse on it’s mane.

“Raven. Your name is Raven.”

Perhaps understanding the meaning of his name, Raven neighed at the words of his new master. Grinning, Calian turned his head and looked at Franz.

“Thank you.”

To some extent he was sincere, as it was a good horse. Calian added in jovially,

“Elder brother Franz.”

It was a very pointed remark. Franz’s face hardened.