The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away - Chapter 102.2
***
In the middle of the night, chaos erupted throughout the academy.
News spread quickly that the Imperial Knights had conducted an investigation and taken someone away.
When the sun rose, they would learn who had disappeared, but for now, it was a time to wait in silence. They would only move once they knew what had happened. Otherwise, staying still was the best course of action.
At the center of all the commotion, Kailos stopped just before entering the prison.
Leslun and Robin, who had been following him, also halted and looked toward the Crown Prince.
“I plan to spend quite a bit of time here,” Kailos said calmly.
“In the meantime, Robin, escort Lady Miroi home. As for you, Leslun… see off Prince Tarensiu.”
It was an order issued in the name of the Crown Prince, leaving Leslun unable to object.
“Return first and wait for me, Leslun.”
With those last words, Kailos dismissed his aides and stepped into the prison. The first rays of sunlight shone on his back.
It vanished soon after, when the door closed behind him.
“He doesn’t want us to follow,” Robin said, recognizing the Crown Prince’s intention. He stepped back to act accordingly.
“So you should go too, Leslun.”
Saying that their priority was to carry out the order, Robin gave Leslun a gentle push on the back before disappearing himself.
Left alone, Leslun let out a quiet sigh and turned away.
***
Leslun made his way to the palace where Prince Tarensiu was staying.
When he arrived, the prince appeared as if he had been waiting for him, but Leslun could not speak right away.
The prince’s attire was different from usual.
He normally wore imperial-style clothing prepared by Crown Prince Kailos or garments bearing a faint emblem of the Kingdom of Vancor.
Today, however, his appearance was the same as on the day they first met.
A deep brown coat embroidered with golden patterns, a dark crimson shawl draped over his shoulders, and a slender metallic belt fastened around his waist.
The foreign hues and textures blended with his tanned skin, creating a scene so striking that Leslun could not look away.
“You came at the right time,” the prince said, stepping aside to let him enter.
Leslun bowed politely and went in. Prince Tarensiu glanced around to make sure no one else had followed, then closed the door.
As Leslun approached the table, he noticed a plate of apple mousse.
“I prepared a dessert that goes well with tea,” the prince said.
“Thank you,” Leslun replied.
He took his seat without refusing, and the prince sat across from him.
“The Crown Prince must have sent you,” Tarensiu said.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
His tone carried quiet understanding, as if he already knew everything without needing to ask.
Leslun nodded and reached for the teapot, filling his empty cup with dark, reddish-brown tea. The air filled with a rich, sweet aroma.
“Is it not regretful?”
“It is only natural that Your Highness returns to your homeland, so I understand… but yes, I will miss you,” Leslun said.
It had been too sudden a farewell.
Though their time together was short, the thought that he might never see the prince again weighed heavily on his heart.
“Then why don’t you come with me?”
“…What?”
The proposal was as sudden as the farewell. Leslun blinked and looked straight at him, forgetting his place.
“There, you would not be my aide, but my friend,” said Prince Tarensiu.
He began to describe what kind of future awaited if Leslun followed him.
“I will let you read as many books as you wish. I will grant you a title high enough that you need not work hard, and land as well. If you wish to bring your family, you may.”
It was a generous offer—he would not even have to work and could bring his family.
But that made it all the more puzzling.
“Why would you do that?” Leslun asked.
“That is…”
The prince’s gaze darkened.
“I don’t wish to say.”
It was the same answer as before. Or rather, it seemed he wanted to say something but couldn’t bring himself to.
Was he trying to reveal his true identity? Leslun immediately denied the thought.
There was no reason for the prince to tell him that.
Leslun was the Crown Prince’s aide. If Tarensiu confessed that he was in fact the heir to the throne, it would only put him at risk.
‘If he truly wanted to say something…’
Maybe it wasn’t as the Crown Prince’s aide, but as a fellow student of the academy, that he wished to speak.
“I cannot follow you, Your Highness… but you don’t have to say it,” Leslun said.
“I don’t?”
“Yes. I respect Your Highness’s decision. And…”
Leslun hesitated briefly, then spoke with a steadier voice.
“I understand your feelings too.”
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