Counterattack [Interstellar] - Chapter 6

“It is reported that His Highness Allen has completely recovered. Medical authorities have also stated that the minor health episode during His Highness’s youth will have no lasting impact on his future…”

“Admiral Burke Famiga finally broke his silence regarding the recent Guide controversy during an interview yesterday. Although the Admiral did not explicitly state his stance, when asked if the Guides of the Famiga family had already undergone the so-called ‘Allocation System,’ the Admiral stated clearly that such speculations are groundless. He emphasized that every pairing in the Famiga family is based on love at first sight during the matchmaking season, without any external designation. Admiral Burke’s sudden statement, after a long period of silence, naturally leads many to think of Prince Allen, who is about to return to the Home Star. It is well known that the Admiral has always doted on his grandson, Prince Allen. Many wonder if the Prince’s return will help repair the increasingly strained relationship between the Famiga family and the Royal Family…”

“During his tenure as Crown Prince, Prince Allen several times expressed a pro-Guide stance. Is the Royal Family’s recall of Allen at this moment a crisis management tactic, or a genuine attempt to find a more moderate path for handling Guide issues? Regardless, Prince Allen’s return undoubtedly brings a glimmer of new hope to the desperate Guides…”

Allen leaned back in his hover-chair, lazily fiddling with the controls to flip through channels, half-listening to the news reports about himself.

“Your Highness.” Allen’s Master of Ceremonies whispered a reminder. “We will arrive at the Home Star in about ten minutes. Shall I help you change your clothes?”

Allen nodded, turned off the holographic display, and stood up. As the official carefully straightened Allen’s cravat, he whispered, “I just received word… Princess Jane, who was originally supposed to welcome you, has been delayed on Planet Penrose due to some unforeseen circumstances. His Majesty… has sent the Crown Prince instead.”

“Heh…” Allen straightened his own cravat and let out a cold laugh. “What is Aunt Jane doing in a godforsaken place like Penrose? Hasn’t the Emperor forbidden Anthony from appearing in public? Today, he’s certainly giving me a lot of face.”

The official gave a dry laugh. “Supposedly, Prince Adair ran into some trouble on Penrose… but please rest assured, Your Highness, I have confirmed that it is nothing serious.”

Allen gave a mocking smile but said nothing. Before long, the starship arrived safely at the port. Allen adjusted the hair at his temples. The Master of Ceremonies looked at Allen with a satisfied nod but couldn’t help reminding him, “Although the Crown Prince does not know about… your situation, please be extremely careful. There are many people coming to welcome you, and among them are Guides with very keen senses.”

The starship’s hatch slowly opened. Allen nodded noncommittally. The taipan snake that had been coiled around him slowly faded from view, disappearing into his mental space.

At the port, Anthony maintained a steady smile as he waited quietly. The newly appointed Commander of the Paladins, Admiral Matthew, noticed the fatigue behind Anthony’s smile and whispered, “Please be at ease, Your Highness. The reporters allowed in have been carefully screened. I guarantee there will be no repeat of the previous incident. Prince Allen’s return is a good thing; it is only fitting that you welcome him personally.”

Anthony nodded with a smile. “Yes… Allen’s return is something I have always looked forward to…”

Seeing that Anthony had adjusted his mindset, Matthew felt relieved. He smiled and said, “Just enjoy the benefits that Prince Allen’s arrival brings. As for anything else, do not worry. Prince Allen’s personality… haha, pardon me, I can’t help but recall the scene when you sent him to Planet Apollo ten years ago. If Prince Allen flies into a rage because it’s you welcoming him instead of Princess Jane, please do not lose your composure like him. I believe your refinement is far superior to that of the former Crown Prince.”

Hearing this made Anthony feel much better. Indeed, it would be perfect if Allen could be provoked into a public outburst again. Let the people see for themselves which of them truly acts like a Crown Prince.

Soon, Allen’s figure appeared at the hatch. The port erupted with flowers and applause. Anthony looked at Allen and smiled—his expression was seventy percent relief, twenty percent heartache, and ten percent surprise, perfectly portraying the image of an elder brother who had missed his sibling for a long time. Anthony recalled his rehearsed opening lines and stepped forward with a smile. But before he could speak…

“Dear Brother Anthony!”

Anthony’s meticulously prepared opening was instantly wiped from his memory by Allen’s affectionate cry of “Brother Anthony.”

“I have missed you so much.” Allen embraced Anthony and sighed softly. “It’s been ten years. Why haven’t you ever come to Planet Apollo to visit me?”

Anthony stood there, dumbfounded, his mind a complete blank.

Allen’s eyes were filled with nothing but longing and respect for his elder brother. “I know, you are too busy. It doesn’t matter; I am already very happy that you came to welcome me, Brother Anthony.”

Anthony’s mind, which had been blasted into outer space, finally returned. He hurriedly engaged in several rounds of warm pleasantries. Surrounded by generals, the two brothers posed for commemorative photos. Allen’s gaze swept the crowd… Pei Yao was not there.

Allen knit his brows slightly, suppressing the doubt in his heart. He continued to maintain a perfect smile for the photographers to capture this “reunion of brotherhood” that had spanned a decade.

After the official ceremonies concluded, the group boarded a flying saucer sent by the Emperor. Anthony looked at his half-brother, who was now as tall as himself, still somewhat unable to process the change. He laughed and said, “You really have grown up a lot. I heard your health is much better? That’s wonderful.”

“Finished acting yet?” Allen casually tore off his cravat, tossed it on the table, and stood up to rummage through the small liquor cabinet in the lounge. He sneered, “The Emperor’s saucer is free of surveillance. You can drop the act.”

Anthony gave a hollow laugh. “You…”

“What about me?” Allen poured himself a glass of wine, sniffed it, and smiled. “Brother Anthony?”

Anthony laughed several times and shook his head with a sigh. “You really have grown, Allen. Not just physically.”

“Thanks to you.” Allen gracefully raised his glass to Anthony and smiled. “Every day, every minute, and every second on Planet Apollo, I was working hard.”

“Since you don’t want to hide anything, then fine…” Anthony dropped his facade of perfect etiquette and went straight to the point. “Regarding this recent mess, how much did you have a hand in?”

Allen chuckled. “Me? Brother Anthony, I hope you haven’t forgotten that the one who proposed the ‘Allocation System’ was you, not me.”

“Then how did that proposal leak?!” Thinking of the source of his recent misery, Anthony nearly ground his teeth in hatred. “Do you have people in the Parliament? Who is it? Who has been fanning the flames?!”

Allen finished his wine and gave a faint smile. “No comment.”

“You!” Anthony was choked with rage, then took a deep breath. “Allen… I know you hate me, but you are twenty-four years old! You have absolutely no chance of awakening as a Sentinel anymore! Once I have children, His Majesty will immediately strip you of your second-in-line succession rights! What are you tossing about for? Is there any point?!”

Allen retorted sharply, “Anthony, ten years have passed; have you forgotten how you got the position of Crown Prince in the first place?”

Anthony was silenced. Allen set down his wine glass and took out a handkerchief to dab his lips. “If someone born as an illegitimate son can become the Crown Prince, then what else is impossible?”

Anthony struggled to remain calm. After a long silence, he said, “Allen… don’t waste time on impossible things. I promise that I will always guarantee your safety and freedom. You don’t need to attack me out of fear of future persecution. My downfall does you no good. Whether you believe it or not, what I do is entirely for the Empire! The anti-Empire organizations are watching us like tigers; our fratricide is exactly what they want to see! Calm down, alright?!”

Allen raised an eyebrow. “Always guarantee my safety and freedom? Heh… Anthony, saying such things to a poor soul who was under house arrest for ten because of you—doesn’t your face hurt?”

Before Anthony could speak again, Allen continued, “To use your own words: whether you believe it or not, what I do is entirely for myself. Whether or not you are a hypocrite, I am a thoroughbred scoundrel. So don’t try to persuade me with those high-sounding words anymore. I’ll say it one last time: I only care about myself.”

The brothers’ first conversation after their long separation ended in a fallout. Shortly after, the saucer landed at the Evda Palace. Anthony was not granted an audience with Austen and was forced to leave. Allen, however, seemed to turn into a different person again. As he stepped off the saucer, he smiled and nodded frequently to Anthony. It wasn’t until he watched Anthony depart that Allen withdrew his perfect smile and turned to walk into the Evda Palace—the place where he had grown up.