The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away - Chapter 120.2
“Leslun.”
However, the Crown Prince intentionally cut him off.
“Do you think I would ask for something?”
The Crown Prince spoke as if he already knew what had happened in the Empire.
‘What if, instead of asking for that herb, the Crown Prince set conditions?’
That was the question Leslun had asked Kailos before they parted.
‘If he sets conditions… then I’ll plant that herb in the Empire and grow more of it.’
Kailos had said it was fine to accept any condition. He had added one more thing:
‘But he probably won’t. If he does, I can just exploit his weakness.’
It seemed a little underhanded, but the bottom line was that any condition would be acceptable.
Yet the Crown Prince interrupted Leslun.
That won’t do…
“Don’t request it. Just buy it yourself.”
At first, Leslun didn’t immediately understand, but then he realized. There was a way to avoid setting conditions or indebting himself to the Crown Prince.
“For reference, there’s nothing this market doesn’t have.”
The Crown Prince offered to personally guide him and gladly led the way.
Leslun followed the Crown Prince to the market.
“I really enjoyed wandering through the Empire’s market with you back then.”
Disguised as Prince Tarensiu, he surprisingly seemed very interested in the market.
At the time, Leslun had thought he was simply an unusual person, but now, standing at the entrance of what was said to be Vancor’s finest market, he had to rethink that impression.
“I really feel where I am now.”
The scenery was that fresh.
The clothing was different, the goods were different, yet the lively sounds and the children happily running around were the same as in the Empire.
“Here, you eat this.”
With his face still wrapped in cloth, the Crown Prince encouraged Leslun to try various foods. He seemed reluctant to show his face in public.
Leslun tasted the foods he suggested. Everything was delicious. When he gave his honest reaction, the Crown Prince smiled.
“I knew you’d like it.”
“If you dry fruit like meat, it can be eaten for a long time.”
Leslun smiled at the sweetness in his mouth. Then he realized this was no time to get distracted and panicked.
I need to find the herb, and here I am gawking at snacks.
“You can start searching now. You can eat as you go.”
The Crown Prince calmly smoothed Leslun’s back. It was a gentle touch.
Leslun followed the Crown Prince with snacks in hand. Even knowing the situation was serious, he didn’t want to waste what he was eating.
***
When Kailos returned to the Imperial City, he sensed the atmosphere was unusual.
The guards moved as usual, but the tension in their faces and their glances, filled with concern, could not be hidden.
Kailos entered the Crown Prince’s palace as if nothing had happened.
When he entered his office, Robin approached with documents in hand, as if waiting.
“I’ve been waiting. Here’s what happened last night in the castle.”
His voice sounded lower and urgent than usual.
Robin neatly laid out the documents so that Kailos could quickly grasp the key points. It was a skill honed over years of service, but today his hands moved especially fast.
Kailos picked up each document without showing much expression. His eyes followed the words, then immediately moved to the next document.
He did not reread anything, yet his gaze was sharp, as if he would not miss a single line.
“They released Count Maven without charges, so we could not recapture him.”
The prison doors had already been opened. Without Kailos present, there was nothing Robin could do. Moreover, since the Empress personally went to meet Count Maven, it was even more impossible.
Rumors that the Emperor had collapsed had spread instantly. Robin could do nothing about that either. Interfering in the affairs of the royal family could cost him his life.
Kailos lifted his gaze from the documents briefly and let out a low chuckle.
“The Empress’s actions are ridiculously shallow.”
It was a plan to remove him and seize control of the Imperial City.
Yet Kailos showed no tension. Instead, he bared his teeth in a smile, as if steeling himself to oppose the Empress.
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