The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away - Chapter 15.2
When he began investigating Leslun, he had already tracked down Leslun’s family. And by the time Leslun set the condition of sparing his family, measures had already been taken to place them under surveillance.
He thought at least one useful weakness would come of it. But the anticipation that had once stirred him instantly cooled.
The emotions that had simmered like spite slithered away, only to return in a far more uncomfortable form.
In truth, even when Leslun begged him to save his family, he had not been particularly pleased.
He had to admit it. Ordering Leslun to care for Blue had been a petty act of jealousy.
Kailos could not understand Leslun.
Why was he so desperate to protect his family? Such incomprehensible naivety only rubbed at his nerves.
“Isn’t he too good-natured? Foolish, even.”
Kailos suddenly turned his head toward the direction Leslun had disappeared. A faint thorn glinted at the edge of his gaze.
“That steadfast nature might one day become loyalty to Your Highness.”
Robin tried to add something, but Kailos’s sharp temper did not abate. From the start, it was a meaningless remark.
Even for a Crown Prince, perhaps. It was simply envy—an emptiness born of what he himself did not possess.
“Shall I withdraw the soldiers guarding his family?”
“They’re not guarding, they’re watching.”
At times like this, though Robin felt a pang of guilt toward Leslun, what the Crown Prince desired always came first. In any case, Count Camilo had no idea it was Leslun who had freed Lady Miroi.
In fact, the Count believed Leslun too had been abducted or eliminated.
When she disappeared, Kailos had moved faster than anyone. Even before Miroi’s disappearance was made official, he had added the pretext of tightening inspections on outsiders leaving the Count’s domain.
Everyone took it as the Crown Prince’s routine orders, and Leslun’s name would never have appeared in any report.
“For now, leave it as it is.”
Kailos answered calmly. Robin bowed his head without asking for reasons.
***
“Today, Your Highness must give me an answer.”
The gaze of Count Maven, pressing for a reply, was fixed on the Crown Prince’s elegant fingertips. As before, Kailos had invited him to a luncheon. Staring at the Count, Kailos gave a slight nod to a maid.
The maid approached the Count, lifted the teapot with both hands, and poured tea. The slender stream flowed smoothly into the cup, releasing a delicate fragrance.
Not a drop too much nor too little—her motion was perfect. Yet the corners of Count Maven’s tightly sealed lips quivered faintly.
He already knew the Crown Prince behaved willfully. But today, he seemed especially leisurely. Without a doubt, it was deliberate.
At the previous luncheon, Count Maven had not been pressed, and so he had waited without complaint. But even after the meal ended, even when they moved seats, even when he was offered tea, the Crown Prince had remained consistently unhurried.
“After tea, shall we drink some wine? The blackcurrant aroma is exquisite—you’ll like it, Count.”
After that, he even began rambling that lately his sense of smell had grown sharper and he had gathered many fine collectibles.
“Your Highness.”
Count Maven opened his mouth to cut him off—only to realize he was being too impatient. He pulled himself together belatedly.
“It is still broad daylight.”
“Does that matter? Wine is perfect for such a pleasant atmosphere.”
Just then a servant arrived with wine, explaining where it had been produced. The muscles in Count Maven’s jaw tightened.
Wine or anything else—he had no luxury to enjoy such things now. But being hasty here would only work to his disadvantage.
He waited with patience, even enduring until the servant finally filled the glasses. At that moment, Kailos spoke at last, with a subtle smile.
“Then, shall we begin the real conversation?”
The tone was like praising a dog that had sat obediently before a treat. Count Maven’s grip tightened. The sense of being toyed with left him displeased.
Before a crack could form in the delicate stem he held, he released his strength and asked calmly:
“Between the two candidates, who does Your Highness consider for the position of dean? There will be votes from the others involved, of course, but Your Highness’s opinion will carry the greatest weight. Do not worry about that—just tell me whom you wish.”
To say Kailos’s opinion would be prioritized was no different from saying the Emperor would be told whom the Crown Prince had chosen for dean.
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