The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away

Leslun spoke to ease the tense atmosphere. Otherwise, it felt like his pride would keep him standing there. Fortunately, Kailos understood what he meant.

“If you’re suffocating because of me, that’s different. Take my hand.”

Kailos tried to stay connected to Leslun somehow as they slipped out from the narrow gap. Since Leslun was following his lead, Prince Tarensiu came out last.

“It doesn’t seem like we’ve been caught… I’ll go out first to check. Please wait here for a moment.”

Even if they were discovered, he thought it would be better for him to be caught than the prince or the crown prince.

While Leslun carefully opened the door to look around, Kailos leaned toward Tarensiu and whispered so only he could hear.

“Return to your kingdom quickly.”

“I will. And…”

Prince Tarensiu murmured words that no one else could hear.

“I’ll take him with me.”

The voice was so quiet that Kailos couldn’t make it out. He turned to say something, but Leslun came back in.

“There’s no one outside.”

As soon as Leslun said it was safe to come out, Kailos reacted first. As he passed by Tarensiu, he muttered,

“Go, and don’t come back again. Crown Prince.”

A quiet remark.

The meaningful tone made Tarensiu stop. He didn’t know how long Kailos had known his true identity, but he realized he had been outplayed and let out a faint sigh.

“If we’re discovered, I’ll be the one caught, so don’t go out alone.”

“But if I step forward—”

“Whether the crown prince or his aide is caught, everyone will know who gave the order.”

Leslun closed his mouth, knowing there was nothing he could say.

“What if I take full responsibility?”

“No one would believe it.”

Even if Leslun truly acted alone, the matter would still affect the crown prince.

“Then I’ll be careful.”

Kailos stopped walking and turned back to Leslun.

“You’re not saying you won’t do it.”

“Just in case…”

He said it because it seemed better to leave his answer vague rather than change his words later depending on the situation. Kailos chuckled softly and ruffled his hair.

“Using your head like that is kind of cute.”

Leslun touched his disheveled hair and looked at Kailos’s back as he walked ahead.

They had come to find weapons, but Kailos kept making it hard to stay focused.

“This isn’t the time for that…”

As Prince Tarensiu passed by and murmured, Leslun bit his lip to clear his mind, then quickly followed after them.

At the end of the hallway, hurried footsteps approached.

When Kailos and Tarensiu both reached for their weapons, a familiar voice called out from the shadows.

“Your Highness!”

It was Lady Miroi and Aide Robin. Both of them, still catching their breath, hurried over.

“So this is where you were.”

Robin spoke quietly.

“We’ve found something strange.”

“Something strange?”

Kailos frowned.

“Yes. Please come with us.”

At Robin’s words, Miroi nodded. The atmosphere changed completely.

***

“Please, look at this.”

It was an ordinary picture frame.

“What’s strange about it?”

At Kailos’s question, Robin pointed between the frame and the wall.

“If you look closely here, it’s slightly lifted.”

All the other frames were perfectly normal. As Kailos examined the suspicious frame with a serious expression, Robin stepped forward.

“I’ll take it down.”

“Wait.”

Kailos turned to face Prince Tarensiu, who had been silently watching.

“Are you satisfied now? Go back.”

He spoke plainly, making it clear that they could no longer work together. Perhaps this had been his intention from the start.

Prince Tarensiu showed no surprise, as if he had expected it. He gave a small nod and turned away.

As his figure grew distant, Robin asked,

“Is it all right to just let him go? Shouldn’t we ask him to keep this a secret?”

“He won’t say anything.”

Kailos replied without hesitation, fully confident.

“That way, we’ll each have one of the other’s secrets.”

A secret. Leslun couldn’t easily shake off the weight of that word.

“Now, take it down.”

Robin, wearing white gloves, carefully grasped the corner of the frame and lifted it off the wall. Aside from the marks where it had hung, there was only a small hole.

At first glance, it looked like an ordinary wall, yet Leslun couldn’t tear his eyes away from it.