The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away

One did not need to look to know who was watching. The Crown Prince’s gaze was heavy, and in Robin’s eyes there was a faint curiosity.

“We have identified the one who laced the drink with drugs.”

To speak of it in front of the very person involved. Leslun’s heart pounded, but since it was his own matter, he forced his mind to concentrate all the more.

There had been someone he somewhat suspected—Cal Byweiner, who had approached him and exchanged greetings at that time.

“It was Jack, the eldest son of Baron Carlson. He slipped the drug into the wine while Aide Leslun briefly looked away.”

Hearing a different name instead of Cal’s, Leslun was momentarily taken aback. The culprit was not the one he had thought, yet at the same time, it meant they had grasped exactly when the drug had been added.

It must have been when Cal distracted him that the drug was slipped in secretly. Which meant Cal had been an accomplice.

While calmly sorting through his thoughts, Leslun refrained from voicing them aloud.

“In my present mood, I would have him seized and thrown straight into prison, but…”

Kailos tapped his fingertips lightly on the emblem embedded in the table.

“…he is a student at the Academy, so we must leave him to the dean.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Perhaps because he had anticipated this, Robin immediately set aside the report. At the same time, Kailos gave his next order.

“For the time being, remove Leslun from his duties.”

One might expect surprise, yet Robin did not show much agitation as he turned to Kailos.

Of course, having served him since childhood, Robin was not the sort to submit meekly like Leslun.

“Please state the reason.”

Especially now, when no outsiders were present—Robin spoke his thoughts freely.

“Leslun will be busy preparing for enrollment.”

Robin did not immediately understand. Not that Leslun wasn’t busy—he knew better than anyone how diligently he was preparing for classes.

“Is there something else he needs to prepare?”

Even if classes were to begin today, all had already been arranged without issue. Kailos shook his head.

“His body is frail enough as it is. If he keeps working, he may collapse. So he should rest well. And though it looks like everything is ready, in truth it is not.”

At the words that Leslun needed rest, Robin did not argue further. But the latter remark was quite puzzling.

Had they not made preparations together, sparing time even amid busyness?

“Tsk. To think I must explain this as well…”

Kailos picked up the pen lying before him, as though wondering if Leslun might need something to write with, and held it up for Robin to see.

“This is what he would have prepared, is it not?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“And that is precisely the problem. Even in something as small as a writing instrument, dignity is required.”

Kailos clicked his tongue.

“What fine writing could possibly be done with such a quill pen? At the very least, it should be a pen tipped with lapis lazuli. Ah, and the ink must be made with pigments extracted from the Alkahern Mountains.”

Robin blinked.

Even among the high nobility, those supplies were considered items of honor. Price aside, their supply was so scarce they were produced only in limited numbers.

“Also, prepare an adjustable reading stand, and have the leather binders matched in different colors for each subject. I will personally emboss the titles in gold leaf.”

“Your Highness will do it yourself?”

At Robin’s question, Kailos smiled faintly.

“Is there anyone with finer handwriting than mine? In any case, see that everything is prepared anew.”

“Then, if I may assist—”

“And also have separate sets of clothes tailored for him to wear during classes. They must be comfortable, yet maintain dignity—so that anyone who sees will recognize him as befitting one who attends the Crown Prince.”

As the words spilled out one after another, Robin found his mouth falling open before he realized it.

Were these truly items meant for someone serving the Crown Prince?

Wondering if he alone failed to understand the situation, Robin glanced toward Leslun. He too ought to be flustered—yet his face was flushed red.

Had the effects of the drug still not worn off?

“There is no need to trouble yourself so much on my account.”

Perhaps fearing that at this rate things would proceed exactly as the Crown Prince decreed, Leslun carefully interjected. Yet even as he did, he lowered his head toward Kailos.

“I am truly grateful for Your Highness’s consideration.”

Robin looked at Kailos. Though the Crown Prince received Leslun’s thanks as though it were nothing, there was affection at the root of it.

“What difficulty is there in this?”

Kailos answered lightly, as if it were no trouble at all. And indeed, he was right—the difficulty fell to Robin.

“Do not feel burdened. Speak at ease. All of this is because Leslun is my…”

Trailing off, Kailos averted his gaze. He even cleared his throat. He was, without a doubt, embarrassed.