Guiding the Male Lead out of His Trauma - Chapter 30.2
‘They can’t reveal their true identity in front of us, after all.’
As soon as they arrive at the Bureau, he’ll probably get released using the crown prince’s name.
While one of them lay unconscious and the lackey was being interrogated, the custodian glanced at Acteon’s wrist.
She hadn’t cared at all when I was injured last time, but this time, perhaps because of Acteon’s rank, her colleague who came with her was already tending to his wrist.
“We’ll hear the details at the Bureau. But since this is the third time, don’t expect to be released so easily.”
With this stern warning, she escorted us directly to the Bureau in the next district.
Now it was time to use the second method I’d prepared for Crown Prince Sibellin.
* * *
It took less than two hours to see the results of the unauthorized action Acteon and I had committed.
I heard voices outside, and soon a custodian called for me.
“…I am Count Eshire. I have been sent by His Highness the Crown Prince.”
The Crown Prince had sent one of his close aides to fetch us personally.
Even though we’d committed unauthorized mana use, having captured spies made us model Awakened, so I greeted him with a practiced smile.
“My apologies for meeting you like this. Is His Highness very angry?”
“…His Highness is proud of you both. He was deeply pleased, saying your loyalty to the country runs deep.”
Acteon gave a small, mocking smirk.
It was a shame Count Eshire didn’t notice.
At any rate, it meant he was actually quite displeased with us.
He would have been furious, not happy.
Not bothering to send a carriage and then having to dispatch his own aide in person. There’s no way we wouldn’t get on the crown prince’s nerves.
But what I had planned still wasn’t finished.
As Count Eshire gave us a drawn-out, sarcasm-laced apology, a familiar face appeared outside the temporary holding cell.
Blair looked thoroughly annoyed.
It reminded me of when we first met at the Bureau half a year ago. This time, it seemed he was irritated at having to clean up after the ‘bastard son’ again.
“Young Master. What is all this commotion?”
“Commotion? I simply did what needed to be done.”
“Please don’t say such nonsense. His Grace may have laughed it off, but His Highness surely won’t. Don’t create trouble for the Duchy.”
Acteon shrugged and glanced at me, feigning innocence.
As Acteon brazenly played dumb, Blair paused in exasperation.
Realizing belatedly who Count Eshire was, he bowed his head.
“My apologies. I serve as the chief butler of House Brondearn. The duke asks your pardon for the trouble.”
“Hah, you say you’re sorry, but I heard what you just said. No point pretending otherwise. Still, it wasn’t intentional, and we’ll discuss the details later.”
A flurry of apologies and admonishments went back and forth, without any regard for our wishes.
Count Eshire seemed to have decided to have us released for now.
But knowing the crown prince’s personality, he wouldn’t let us out immediately.
Most likely, the crown prince would postpone the order to come to the palace and keep us here, maybe for a week or two.
‘Still not here. Planning to make a dramatic entrance at the very last minute?’
It’s not like he wouldn’t show up.
The fact that I’d been brought to the Bureau again was a kind of signal in itself.
Once Count Eshire had decided our fate, he threatened us.
“No matter how loyal your actions may have been, unauthorized mana usage is still a violation of His Majesty the King’s orders….”
Just as he spoke, there was a commotion at the entrance to the Bureau.
Unaware that someone else was about to enter, Count Eshire frowned and continued,
“To keep you both under guard for half a month—”
“Count.”
“It’s pointless to try to press charges now. His Highness—”
“Are you referring to my brother when you say ‘His Highness’?”
At the use of a title that shouldn’t be spoken here, Count Eshire couldn’t believe his ears.
Looking back, he saw the notorious royal prince, with his brilliant blond hair handsomely swept back, attended by Blair.
“…Prince Isadore?”
“Oh, why so surprised? It’s not like I came somewhere I shouldn’t.”
“N-No, that’s not it, but what brings Your Highness to the Bureau…?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Must I have a special reason to come here?”
The prince smiled brightly and patted Count Eshire’s shoulder.
“Since you’re so curious, I’ll tell you. I came because a cadet I personally favor was detained. Since I owe that person a debt, I must repay it, mustn’t I?”
Then he turned to look at me.
“Isn’t that right, Cadet Liliope?”
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