Even If You Tear Me Apart - Chapter 13
The chapters are split like this so that the TL can update more consistently over time (✿ ＞◡❛)
“Will you be alright?”
The first to voice concern when Ezekiel said he would join Étienne on summer vacation was Palsgrave Robert, the count palatine.
“What wouldn’t be alright? It’s not as if my brother is trying to harm me.”
Just returned to his palace, Ezekiel replied lightly as he changed clothes. Palsgrave Robert sighed.
“If Prince Étienne were that kind of person, I wouldn’t be worried. I would’ve stopped you immediately.”
He was a trusted aide assigned by the Emperor to accompany Ezekiel until he chose a temple.
Despite being in his thirties, his hair was already streaked with gray—a testament to the hardships of life in the imperial palace.
And having served at the court for over ten years after being appointed count palatine at a young age, he was especially sensitive to others’ hostility.
What worried him most was Étienne’s jealousy.
Jealousy.
The Emperor doted on Ezekiel.
After losing his first son, it was natural that the two sons born afterward would be cherished, but the attention Ezekiel received was excessive.
And for good reason. Ezekiel was an extraordinarily exceptional prince.
In terms of appearance, Étienne wasn’t lacking either. But Ezekiel was a strikingly handsome man, the spitting image of the famously beautiful Empress.
And that wasn’t all. From a young age, he had excelled in both academics and martial arts.
“Your Majesty! Please allow Prince Ezekiel’s sword defend the empire!”
“The empire’s peace isn’t kept by the sword! Please, let me serve Prince Ezekiel instead!”
The story of the Commander of the Imperial Knights and the Minister of Foreign Affairs fighting over who would mentor the five-year-old Ezekiel was well known.
Ezekiel thought it was simply a typical, overly dramatic display of flattery directed at a young prince, but it seemed the Emperor had taken it quite differently.
The Emperor openly favored Ezekiel. So much so, there were even stories that the late Empress had once asked, “Étienne will be Crown Prince, so please share your love equally between our sons.”
So if Étienne felt jealous of his younger brother, a mere year his junior, it may have been only natural.
Of course, Étienne handled that jealousy in the most princely way—by suppressing it and treating Ezekiel with affection.
Had he not, their relationship wouldn’t be as harmonious as it was now.
Still, there were times when that jealousy leaked through, revealing its thorns. Small things, petty if listed one by one, but enough to make the recipient wonder, Is this just my imagination?
Naturally, Palsgrave Robert knew all about those incidents Ezekiel had experienced. He was the count palatine, after all.
“Do you truly have to go?”
“Wouldn’t it be stranger to refuse when His Majesty has already given permission?”
Ezekiel smiled and lightly tapped Palsgrave Robert’s arm.
“It’ll be fine.”
But Palsgrave Robert sighed again.
“Yes, of course. Just like when Princess Geneviève got hurt.”
“Robert.”
Ezekiel’s expression hardened. Robert apologized belatedly.
“My apologies.”
Not long ago, Étienne had made a passing jab, something almost like a prank.
It wasn’t even something worth calling a provocation, just something Ezekiel could have ignored. Ezekiel knew his brother sometimes crossed the line with his mischief.
And he also knew that it wasn’t truly his brother’s fault. If anyone was to blame, it was their father.
Had things passed without issue, people would’ve merely said, ‘Ah, Prince Étienne’s in a playful mood again.’
But by pure misfortune, nine-year-old Princess Geneviève had gotten caught up in it.
As a result, she injured her finger—the fourth finger on her left hand.
And because it happened to be the ring finger, there were now endless rumors that the maids were anxiously praying the injury wouldn’t leave a scar.
“I was merely concerned.”
“I’m already eighteen, Robert. You worry too much.” And Ezekiel added curtly, “He sometimes plays pranks that go too far, but that’s all. Don’t worry excessively over such things. Sometimes, Robert, your concern is too much.”
“But still…”
