Guiding the Male Lead out of His Trauma - Chapter 32.1
The extra needs freedom
As planned, we headed to the palace with Prince Isadore, but the journey was anything but comfortable.
“I was under the great misconception that you two were well-behaved sorts. Since you manifested as an excellent Guide, I thought you’d keep your comrade out of trouble if anything happened.”
“I’m terribly sorry for letting Your Highness down.”
“I can tell you’re not really sorry. And as for you, Cadet Acteon. Even if Cadet Liliope is your senior, shouldn’t you have stopped her if she tried to pull something reckless?”
“Senior didn’t act impulsively or without thinking. I could tell she’d been planning something before you even arrived. She’s not someone who would do anything rash without cause.”
“Hah, honestly… I can’t get through to either of you. It’s like putting two unruly colts together.”
Though Prince Isadore started out intending to scold us, it seemed his enthusiasm quickly faded, and he could only chuckle helplessly. As if finding it absurd, he eventually sighed in exasperation.
Acteon wasn’t the sort whose mood shifted easily, and he usually only showed me a composed, smiling face. But right now, I could tell he didn’t particularly like Prince Isadore.
‘…It wasn’t like they got along badly last time, though.’
He still maintained his usual gentle, refined demeanor, but after leaving the Bureau, he’d grown noticeably quieter. I knew perfectly well why.
Catching my eye, Prince Isadore smiled as if to ask what was wrong.
‘Does he really not know, or is he just pretending?’
I’d called for Prince Isadore to counter the crown prince, but honestly, I didn’t much want to talk to him, either. I’d already realized he wasn’t as careless as he seemed. Someone that “easy” could never have survived so long, walking a tightrope in the political world.
That’s probably why Acteon was ‘observing’ Prince Isadore so closely.
Even as the atmosphere clearly said we were suspicious of him, Prince Isadore feigned aggrievement. Just as he was about to say something, a loud shout came from outside, and the carriage jolted.
Pulling back the curtain, I saw a crowd that was far too large to be called small, gathered in orderly ranks and chanting slogans.
“War! Is burning the continent!”
“Mana stones! Are destroying the world!”
“The cause of Cordon’s plague!”
“Reveal! The! Truth!”
It was a protest, expressing both opposition to the war and grievances against the royal family.
It was something that could have been ignored, but a chill crept down the back of my neck. The very same uncomfortable issue we’d just faced on the way to the Bureau a few hours ago was now right before us again.
The Mana Stone War.
The core force at the center of this disaster, as each nation scrambled to secure this unique resource, was none other than the Manifesters.
While I flinched, unable to hide my dismay, Acteon simply watched them with an expressionless face before glancing at the prince.
“There are more people now than before. Your Highness seems used to this.”
Even though such scrutiny would annoy anyone, Prince Isadore didn’t rebuke Acteon.
“Well, this is the road I use most often, after all. It’s a common sight. Things have been noisy around here lately.”
“Is that all, Your Highness?”
The prince maintained a gentle smile, the way one would toward a distant younger relative, and offered a warning.
“I’m sure you have many questions for me, but right now, you’re not going to get any answers.”
If he’s saying it that directly, it means he won’t show any opening, no matter what we try.
Even though I hadn’t asked him to, Acteon seemed to sense what I was thinking and, like a hound letting go of its catch, backed off.
“I see.”
“I hope you’ll understand.”
But inside, I was still left with lingering doubts. I wanted to ask him, About what? What exactly was I supposed to understand?
That the issues being raised were worthy of real consideration?
‘Or…’
Was he asking us to be tolerant of a royal family that couldn’t even suppress this level of unrest?
This time, I’d tried to use Prince Isadore as a counterweight to the crown prince, but as there was no end to the prince’s ambiguities, it would be difficult to stay on the same side for long.
If only I could be sure there was something useful to be gained from him, I’d have a clearer sense of direction.
‘…Maybe I should look into his background? He’s royalty, so it wouldn’t be easy, but not impossible if you had the right money.’
Suppressing my discomfort, I forced myself to block out the noise outside and focus inward.
Taking advantage of the now-silent interior, the carriage finally entered the lair of the one who had summoned us.
It was my first face-to-face meeting with the crown prince.
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