The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away

The stillness of the garden, where the passage of time could not be felt, was broken.

But strangely enough…

There was no sense of displeasure coming from Kailos.

Perhaps it was just Leslun’s imagination. Though Kailos had not yet made his move in earnest, Leslun had expected emotions of hatred, since this was a man who would do anything to prevent being dethroned by his younger brother.

Yet Kailos was indifferent. He even accepted Prince Cassian’s greeting, curtly though it was. For the briefest moment, he even allowed his gaze to rest on the prince.

His expression remained still, his eyes betraying no emotion. At a glance, it seemed only cold, but strangely, something seemed to flicker across it.

Detachment and indifference were alike, but not the same. Leslun clearly sensed the difference.

And at the same time, he suddenly thought—what the Crown Prince wished to show them might not have been this garden, but perhaps…

“Ah, Blue.”

At that moment, Blue, who had been playing somewhere alone, appeared and leapt onto Leslun’s shoulder. The kitten settled itself comfortably on him, gazing steadily in the Crown Prince’s direction.

Watching the kitten stare at Kailos, Leslun spoke.

“…Could it be that Blue also thinks Your Highness is beautiful?”

“What?”

For a moment, the two of them were left speechless, staring at each other.

“…Shall we go, then?”

The Crown Prince gave a faint laugh and addressed Leslun, who quietly agreed.

The gaze that watched the two of them in that moment—only Leslun failed to notice it.

***

The next day.

A splendid carriage stopped before the Empress’s Palace.

The coachman quickly set down the footstool and stepped aside.

Once the knight had surveyed the area, he opened the door and extended a hand. A small hand in a white glove emerged. When the lady, assisted down, raised her head, the face hidden beneath her brim was revealed.

Her wide-brimmed hat cast a shadow, yet even within it her features stood out, smooth as though carved.

Her eyes shone with a transparent blend of ash and pale sea-blue. Long lashes cast shadows, concealing whatever emotions threatened to show beneath. Her small nose and tightly pressed lips were neat and composed, and her golden hair, brushed straight to her ears, completed her air of dignity.

She looked fragile, yet there was a subtle tension in her face. It was not the inborn poise of nobility, but rather the careful silence of someone so cautious that it was impossible to know where truth ended and performance began.

“Her Majesty the Empress Tera awaits you.”

At the words of the maid who had come to greet her, Miroi gave a small nod.

“Let’s go.”

The maid went ahead. Following after, Miroi paused for a brief moment to glance up at the sky before entering the palace.

***

“I summoned you because I heard you had endured a great ordeal.”

Seated with Empress Tera for tea, Lady Miroi set down her teacup.

The thin porcelain cup struck the saucer with a clear sound, and like those ripples, her eyes quivered faintly.

“Thank you for your concern.”

There was a quiet composure in her gaze.

“I hear you kept your composure even in such circumstances. Remarkable, truly. Not just anyone could have managed.”

The Empress spoke on with a subtle smile.

“The Duke’s heart must be deeply troubled. He must not yet have had the time to regain his balance, so I called you out of concern.”

Even with the Empress’s words, half sympathy, half deliberate mention of Duke Delta, Miroi did not show any particular pleasure. That had always been her nature.

“Everyone is curious as to how you managed to escape unharmed that day. It must have been nearly impossible to prepare for such a sudden event…”

At the probing remark, Miroi recalled an image from memory: the back of a certain figure.

A man who appeared in a black robe had skin white as moonlight. With his slender build, he looked as though he could not exert much strength. Even when he took her away, it had been someone else who had actually used force.

Perhaps he had been an aide of some sort. Though his gaze betrayed undisguised fear, he had still freed Miroi from the shackles clasped around her ankles.

The memory of that day remained vivid, as though it had happened only yesterday.

At that time, Miroi had formed a small resolve. Today, she intended to put that resolve into practice for the first time.

She had not expected the awaited invitation to come from this side, but that did not matter.