[Albekail] “Video Calls Are Not Possible, Episode 4”

Day 14.

Albert was once again sitting in his office from midnight onward.

Naturally, the communication device didn’t blink.

Albert stared at it and muttered, as if complaining.

"……I told you it was a week, didn't I? You."

For a moment, he wondered if he should drop a bombshell on Henitus himself.

Right, so I’ll award him the medal that Kale Henitus hated and stick him in this royal castle full of nothing but hassles. I’ll just ignore Kale for over two weeks whenever he tries to ask what on earth is going on.

So, does he act like this too? Kale, staring at the communication terminal on his desk, staying awake until 2 a.m. every night. Kale, looking so forlorn in his pajamas that he risks being caught by his secretary. Kale, rehearsing over and over in front of the mirror, trying to figure out what to say to himself.

Just imagining how delicious it would be, Alber smiled for the first time in a long while as he welcomed the next day.

Days 15 through 17.

Albert felt at peace.

I’m not even sure if “peaceful” is the right word. But it certainly looked peaceful.

On the 17th day, Kora noticed that Albert was no longer staring at the communication device. Even during diplomatic meetings, he did not look at it. He no longer placed it on the dining table either.

Kora couldn’t tell whether this was a sign of relief or a very dangerous sign.

Day 18.

Albert sent an informal letter to the House of Count Henitus.

The content was very short.

- Please provide just one short line regarding Confucius’s well-being.

The reply arrived very quickly.

-The young master is traveling safely.

Albert read that single line over and over until the paper seemed to tear.

I'm safe. I'm traveling.

Those two words didn’t contain the information Albert wanted to know. Where he was, what he was doing, when he would return, why he wasn’t answering, and what had happened to the Tower of Magic.

Albert carefully tucked the letter away in a desk drawer. Then he said something to himself.

"……Looks like he’s still alive."

That was the one thing that gave him some peace of mind.

Day 20. Albert unfolded a blank sheet of paper on his desk and picked up his fountain pen.

And he wrote a single line on that piece of paper.

-Measures I will take if Kale Henitus does not return.

Albert stared intently at the single line he had written. Then, below it, he listed one after another the measures he thought would be most appropriate. It wasn’t until he had written down the thirteenth measure that Albert stopped writing. Realizing he was drafting something akin to a will for the sake of the eldest son of a count, he crumpled the paper into a ball and tossed it into the trash can.

Five minutes later. Albert pulled the piece of paper out of the trash can again.

I unfolded the paper on my desk again. I carefully smoothed out the creases left by where it had been crumpled.

And he put the paper in his desk drawer, next to the letter he had received earlier.

Day 21. 5:47 p.m.

Albert was reviewing the documents for approval in his office, just as he always did.

Somewhat satisfied with his accomplishments, he picked up a fountain pen to sign his name.

That moment.

Ding—

The communicator beeped.

Albert froze in the exact position he had been holding his fountain pen.

And he slowly looked around the communication chamber.

A blue light was flashing rapidly.

Albert jumped to his feet. One step. Two steps. Three steps. He stood in front of the desk.

He recalled in his mind that perfect line he had practiced over and over again in front of the mirror a week ago.

…This week sure dragged on.

But that single line had long since lost its meaning. He hadn’t waited for Kale for just a week. Hadn’t three weeks—far longer than that—already passed?

So, which single line should I choose as the opening line?

For a moment, Albert couldn’t think of a single line.

It felt a little strange to say that three weeks was a long time. After all, three weeks is definitely a long time.

With a gesture that masked his composure, he activated the video call.

Prince Kale Henitus’s face appeared on the screen of the video communicator.

“...?”

Kale was soaked through.

A question burst from his mouth, completely against his will.

"……What’s up? Why do you look like that? You look like a drowned rat."

Albert was surprised by the words that came out of his own mouth.

Considering those three agonizing weeks I’d spent waiting, it was nothing more than a casual, offhand remark.

It’s as if I’m meeting the person I spoke with just yesterday all over again today.

Seeing the corner of Albert’s mouth curl up in a mocking smile, Kale flashed a friendly smile of his own, one that resembled his own.

"……Don’t give me that kind of smile, okay?"

On the screen, Kale immediately flashed his usual smile and leaned back in the wooden chair. That carefree, seemingly lazy demeanor was all too familiar to Albert.

The Crown Prince felt that sense of familiarity quietly take root somewhere deep within his heart.

On the screen, Kale opened her mouth lightly, as she usually did.

"Your Highness, the Star of the Kingdom of Roun, what has become of the House of Sten?"

Albert realized that, in response to that light tone, he was quite naturally preparing his usual reply.

In the space where the three weeks of turmoil had completely vanished, their usual conversation naturally took its place.

"What do you mean? The owner is in the process of changing. Why on earth are you even curious about this?"

The two continued their conversation as if nothing had happened.

After ending the video call, Albert pulled two sheets of paper out of his desk drawer.

One page is a letter received from the Count Henitus family. The other page is a document he wrote himself titled “Measures to Be Taken in the Event That Kale Henitus Does Not Return.”

Albert stared intently at the two sheets of paper.

And he slowly tore both pages apart.

Torn pieces of paper were scattered across the desk.

From outside the office door, Secretary Cora’s very polite voice could be heard.

"……Your Highness. Shall I prepare your tea as usual?"

Albert replied with his usual friendly smile.

"Please."

Outside the door, the sound of the secretary’s footsteps faded into the distance. At the end of those fading footsteps, a small sigh

A sound could be heard. It was a sigh of relief.

Albert gazed once more at the scraps of paper scattered across his desk.

And for three weeks, he laughed as he recalled the things he had done. To him, Kale Henitus was

Realizing just how close and important this person had become to me was incredibly amusing.