How much time has passed since then? On the surface, everything seemed to be returning to its rightful place.
“Count Lenz has been stripped of all his property and sentenced to death.”
“Really? The grand duke will be troubled for a while then. Count Lenz’s family was the main source of income for the Benio family.”
As I sat across from Francis, browsing through the state reports, I silently thought to myself. My scary but admirable child.
Redian, who hadn’t even officially ascended to the throne yet, had managed to tackle issues that even the emperor dared not touch. The chosen one protected and loved by the goddess. That alone made it impossible for anyone to question his legitimacy.
“It’s pretty clear that Vallentin will be the next king.”
News of Vallentin’s achievements was reaching us every other day after he returned to his homeland. This time, he wouldn’t be known as a patricide but as the victor in the succession battle, placing him above the crown prince. That’s how to put it simply.
D-10 days.
My steps were light as I left. It wasn’t the first or second time I had run away, so it wasn’t difficult. Maybe it was from the seventh time I was possessed? I had prepared a dummy account the moment I opened my eyes, staying calm.
“Francis, why aren’t you attending the meeting and staying here instead?”
“Because you’re here, Princess.” Francis, who was working, answered naturally.
By ‘here,’ we meant Redian’s office. I was spending the whole day here, eating and relaxing under Redian’s watchful eye—or rather, his attention.
“Ah, to be precise, His Royal Highness ordered me to protect you here, Princess!”
“Aren’t you my personal knight? Now, it seems like you follow Redian’s orders more.”
My teasing words made Francis lift his head.
“Princess, you’ve never really considered us as your personal knights, have you?” he said with a fleeting smile. “So, I must follow His Royal Highness’s orders and protect you.”
Wow, he really was Redian’s right-hand man, as the original story described.
“The meeting should be ending soon. I’ll submit these documents to the palace office.”
Francis organized the pile of documents with a few swift gestures and stood up.
“Please don’t go anywhere and stay here, Princess.” His tone was soft but firm, feigning a request while actually issuing a warning.
“Alright, alright,” I replied indifferently, half-leaning on the wide and comfortable sofa reserved for the crown prince.
After the incident at the magic shop, I was essentially imprisoned without bars, albeit in a facility equivalent to a five-star hotel. And more importantly…
Pronaea.
I should lay low until I leave for good. As long as I have money and stay alive, I can go anywhere.
After Francis left and I was alone, I recalled what I had learned from countless escape attempts.
Even if they’re heretics, people are still people. Erased from the map or not, it was still a land inhabited by people, so there was nothing to fear. Therefore, there were only three things to prepare for from now on.
First, how do I get to Pronaea? There was no way an ordinary human could reach a land erased from the map. In other words, I need a teleportation magic circle to move. The problem was that only wizards or those with divine power could draw a magic circle… They’re all tied to Rixon. Most wizards were affiliated with the imperial family, and the only ones around me with divine power were the royal princess and the high priest.
“I’m heading to the crown prince’s palace to follow your orders, Princess.”
But even in this dire situation, there was one person left.
“You might feel differently, Princess, but I’ve always considered you my master from the beginning.”
A wizard not affiliated with the imperial magic vision, that was Inein. Fortunately, Inein proved to be trustworthy the more I observed him. Unlike the other three, who made a name for themselves in the tragic original story, Inein had no significant role, and now I understand why.
Second, the connection to this place. The answer to whom I should leave as a ‘key’ seemed clear.
“Right. If it’s Inein…”
“Inein?”
But then,
“What about Inein?”
Redian had appeared in front of me. Had he come straight from the meeting? He was in full uniform, followed by his aides.
What’s with those reflexive reactions? The moment they saw me, they immediately turned around and closed the door. Their swift and precise actions were almost like a trained response.
“I was actually thinking of sending Inein to the military command near the border.”
“…The border?”
“Yes.”
I paused for a moment before asking myself why. If I’ve decided on Inein as the key, having Inein and Redian far apart might not be a bad idea. Besides, with Inein’s personality, he might prefer living peacefully at the border over serving a temperamental superior in the palace.
“Yes. So he could do as he pleases.”
“Even though you said you would take him as your fiancé.”
“Fiancé? What fiancé?” I answered indifferently, and Redian gave a slight smile.
“So why were you thinking about Inein when you were alone?” His voice was calm, almost too soft. “If Inein goes to the border, he’ll be far from you, Master. You might never see each other again.”
Redian’s forearms, as he took off his own coat, showed tense veins. Technically, as his subject, I should be doing that for him. The crown prince was always assisted by his aides or attendants, even when holding a pen. This was a society based on social rank, after all.
“It doesn’t matter. He’s no longer my personal knight but your subordinate. I don’t need to worry about him.” I crossed my arms and half-lay back on the sofa. “And the fiancé thing was just a joke. Sure, Inein is handsome, but he’s not really my type.”
“…Ah.” Redian nodded. He seemed pleased with my answer, his face showing a hint of satisfaction.
“Then why did you bring up Inein’s name?”
As expected, his tenacious nature wasn’t going anywhere.
“Your Royal Highness’s coronation is coming soon, right? I recommended Francis and Inein as your closest aides.”
Living with Redian seemed to have further sharpened my quick-wittedness.
“I was wondering if I should ask Bergman to prepare the uniform for that day.”
“I see.”
After tidying up his coat, Redian unbuttoned a few of his shirt buttons, as if he felt stifled, and walked toward me. “I’m tired, Master.”
I naturally embraced Redian as he nestled into me. To think he had just annihilated a prestigious count’s family and now sought comfort in my arms…
“Don’t you need to leave soon? Francis told me you have back-to-back schedules.”
“Just let me stay like this for a moment.”
Of course, it wasn’t that I was hugging Redian; rather, he was clinging to my waist.
“You smell good, Master.” Redian’s voice was drowsy as if he were truly exhausted. His long lashes cast shadows over his sharp eyes, now heavy with sleepiness.
“I haven’t been wearing perfume lately.”
Scent was an important trigger for memories. So, I had to be careful not to leave any trace of perfume before leaving the capital.
“I prefer it when you don’t,” Redian mumbled after a long pause, his voice hoarse. “That way, I can only smell the scent I left on you.”
“…”
My hand, which had been stroking his hair, momentarily paused. Recently, the things he said had been getting more and more cryptic.
“By the way, Rere.”
“…”
But, as always, I spoke casually.
Now, the third thing.
“You know the Minerva Foundation is doing really well, right?”
It was time to lay down the final groundwork.
“They’re submitting business proposals to open branches in various regions.”
“…”
“I’ve sent Aeron to some places, but the contract for the Benega region is so important…”
There was no response from Redian, who seemed to be drifting off.
“I’m thinking I’ll have to go to Benega myself. Maybe for about 2 weeks?”
In reality, I would be going to Pronaea, not Benega. It would take only an instant for me to get there via the teleportation magic circle, but in real time, it would take about five days. Then, I’d need a week to settle in. Two weeks should be enough to hide my tracks thoroughly.
“It could take longer once I get there, but I’ll try not to be too late coming back.”
It was then.
“Master.” Redian slowly opened his eyes, having apparently been listening to everything I said.
“…Hmm?”
Our gazes met at a very close distance. The blue in his eyes deepened enough for me to notice.
“You heard what I said, right?” I asked again, organizing my thoughts.
Will he ask why it’ll take two weeks? Maybe he’ll just tell me to go ahead. Thousands of possible scenarios flashed through my mind, depending on his response.
“The ring?”
“What?”
Redian didn’t answer my question. Instead,
“What ring?”
“The binding one.” Gripping my hand, he quietly stared at me. “Where did you put it?”
All he did was smile, a scenario I never expected.
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