The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away

***

After eating the cake, Leslun began to think that perhaps both his own expectations and the rumors circulating might have been wrong.

They had only met half a day ago, yet he wondered if this truly was the same Prince Tarensiu he had heard about. There had been rumors that Prince Tarensiu was a debauched troublemaker, but the man sitting before him now didn’t seem that way at all.

After finishing the cake, Prince Tarensiu suggested they look around the area. Leslun guided him through various places in the city.

Because of the prince’s exotic appearance, people occasionally glanced at him, but there were no major issues. Prince Tarensiu seemed unconcerned by the stares. Whenever something caught his interest, he bought it on the spot. And all of them turned out to be…

“Little cats.”

Cute, charming little things.

“This one.”

Whenever the prince picked up an item from a stall, his guard would immediately pay the merchant. Then Prince Tarensiu would examine it briefly before either tucking it into his arms or handing it to the knight.

It had already happened ten times. He was simply buying whatever caught his eye along the way, but every single item was something adorable.

“Do you like cute things, Your Highness?”

“There are many cats.”

The prince gave an answer that didn’t quite fit the question, while gesturing toward the stall. Indeed, among the animal figurines being sold, there were an unusually high number of cats.

“That’s because felines are the guardian animals of the Delroi Empire.”

There was even a legend that the first emperor was always accompanied by a small cat.

“Because they have stood at the side of emperors for generations, even carrying a single cat figurine is said to bring the blessing of a sacred beast.”

Just possessing one made people feel as though they were being protected, which naturally gave cat figurines a strong presence.

Leslun’s warm gaze swept across the figurines. He thought it might not be a bad idea to buy one if he found one that resembled Blue.

Before long, one caught his eye. Though it was only the size of his thumb joint, the carving was so delicate that even each strand of fur seemed visible.

Leslun asked the merchant how much it cost. Fortunately, it wasn’t expensive. Just then, Prince Tarensiu, who had been watching quietly, spoke.

“We have one too.”

Startled, Leslun, who had been distracted imagining Blue’s reaction, quickly turned his head toward the prince. He immediately understood what the prince meant.

“Yes, that’s right. In the Kingdom of Vancor, the guardian beast is…”

Each country had its own guardian beast. If Leslun remembered correctly, Vancor’s sacred beast was a bird.

Was it an eagle this generation? Or perhaps…

“Up there.”

Prince Tarensiu pointed his finger skyward, and Leslun obediently tilted his head back.

A shadow fell across his face, and he realized it.

A hawk.

But something was strange.

The hawk was drawing closer and closer.

***

Kailos’s index finger tapped his desk in a steady rhythm. The heavy, woody thud echoed continuously, the unique sound of a solid wooden desk.

Listening to it endlessly as he worked through documents, Robin’s brows gradually drew together. He swallowed a sigh with effort.

It was obvious the Crown Prince wasn’t able to concentrate on his work. And moreover, the reason was clear enough…

“If it troubles you that much, Your Highness, then bring him back.”

He meant that Kailos should focus on work instead of being distracted.

Kailos answered with a face that looked drained of energy.

“Do I look like I’m worried about Leslun right now?”

“Even if you were sitting in a speeding carriage, anyone could tell.”

“So you’re saying I’m paying that much attention to Leslun?”

“Not just attention. It seems you’re about ready to devour him whole…”

Robin’s voice trailed off when he felt the sharp, piercing pressure of the prince’s glare stabbing into him. He shut his mouth, though his eyes still protested: It’s not as though I’m wrong, so why look at me like that?

“I chose the wrong aide.”

“I didn’t want to be your aide either. Becoming Your Highness’s friend for no reason… Do you know how suffocating it is, stuck in the Imperial Palace like a bird trapped in a cage?”

“I’m trapped here too. How would I not know?”

Kailos brushed it off as though it were nothing, but his expression quickly grew serious again.

“You’re the one who assigned Aide Leslun as the prince’s guide.”

“I know. Which is exactly why I can’t bring him back.”

The reason Kailos had sent Leslun to the academy was simple.