The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away

Kailos waved his hand carelessly. Leslun, who had been bowing his head, rose to his feet. The timing must have been uncanny, for Kailos’s body leaned forward as if to look at him more closely.

“Do you hide eyes even in your hair?”

It was a question of how he had managed to rise without looking. Leslun glanced toward Aide Robin. Robin gave him a look, signaling that it was fine to answer.

“I saw Your Highness’s hand reflected in the glass and stood up.”

At Leslun’s reply, Kailos immediately turned his head toward the glass podium. The podium rose to about waist height, and yet he had used it like that.

“The more I see, the more I like it.”

So this was why not even the smallest thing could be overlooked. Because he was curious what answer might come out of Leslun’s mouth.

“With that kind of perception, endure well.”

His tone was one of deep satisfaction. Leslun accepted the praise with a calm face. What troubled him more was the sense that the conversation might end like this.

He still had not heard anything about the safety of his family. Since the Crown Prince was pleased with his reply, he needed to receive something in return.

“Now that I think of it, I did have a deal with you.”

Before Leslun could ask, Kailos brought it up first.

“I’m still considering it.”

At Kailos’s indifferent response, Leslun felt his heart drop like a stone.

“Whether I’ll simply bring them back alive, or provide a splendid carriage for them.”

Seeing the faint smile at his lips, Leslun clung desperately to his crumbling composure.

What if the Crown Prince only intervened after something had already happened to his family?

Leslun forced himself to swallow the countless words he wanted to say. For now, he could not push recklessly—he had to wait and watch the situation.

If only he would pose a question again like last time—that would be best. Otherwise, it was better to wait for a similar opening.

When Leslun shifted aside like a shadow, Aide Robin stepped to the center and held up a board with documents mounted on it.

“I will go over today’s schedule. A luncheon has been arranged with Count Maven, to discuss the final matters regarding the establishment of the Academy. In the evening, there will be a patronage banquet.”

While Robin recited the Crown Prince’s schedule, Leslun quietly scanned the surroundings.
Two knights guarded the doors. Four knights stood farther inside. Five attendants moved about to serve, and six maids as well.

They moved silently, but every one of them was there for the Crown Prince.
And yet nowhere did he see other aides like himself. Even Count Camilo had three aides. Shouldn’t the Crown Prince have even more?

As the schedule briefing went on, Kailos’s gaze remained fixed on only one person.

“Ahem. If you review the separate documents prepared before the luncheon, they will be of great help for today’s discussions.”

Robin cleared his throat, trying to redirect the Crown Prince’s attention, realizing Kailos wasn’t listening. It didn’t work.

“Your Highness?”

“I said, I’m curious.”

“Ah—there are two candidates recommended for the position of dean. One of them is…”

Robin immediately answered the words Kailos had let slip, but it was obvious from context that it wasn’t the right response. He was looking at Aide Leslun while speaking—could he truly be curious about something like the dean?

Reading the mischief in the Crown Prince’s expression, Robin let out a sigh. Clearly, he had no intention of just leaving Leslun alone.

Kailos rose from his seat and slowly descended the steps. As Robin moved to his right side, Leslun was about to discreetly move to his left when Kailos suddenly turned toward him and raised a finger.

“There’s no need for you to follow me.”

“Understood.”

Leslun immediately stepped back a pace, but Kailos still did not turn away.

“That doesn’t mean you’re to stand idle. I’ll give you a task.”

Kailos shifted the finger he had raised to the side and flicked it lightly. A knight who understood the signal at once hurried away, and Robin frowned.

“Your Highness…”

“We’ll have to grow familiar sooner or later—why put it off?”

Cutting him off in advance, Kailos left Robin with no room to object. He wasn’t wrong that they would be seeing each other often from now on—but his intent to trouble him was equally obvious.

Before long, a knight approached carefully, carrying a cage supported on a cushion. His very movements made it seem as though he didn’t even want to touch the thing. There was undisguised bewilderment in his eyes.

Leslun’s eyes lit up as he looked at the cage. At last, the problem he had been waiting for appeared before him.