The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away - Chapter 8.2
The Empress spoke as if stepping in on behalf of the Duke, but—clack—the sound of a teacup being set down cut cleanly through the conversation.
“There is no need for that.”
The one who interrupted was Kailos. Still wearing his ever-present smile, he fixed his gaze squarely on the Duke.
“I saw to it myself.”
The Empress’s eyes narrowed sharply for an instant before returning to normal. Kailos’s intrusion irritated her, but what unsettled her more was not knowing what he might say next.
“I heard there was a young man who aided her when she was alone. She asked me to look after him, and I happened to have brought him along.”
Kailos recounted the incident of that day briefly, but in a way that cast himself in a favorable light.
When Lady Miroi had nearly been abducted, a young man had stepped in to help her, and she had asked Kailos to help that youth in return. That the young man was Leslun, and that he had been caught and thrown into prison, was a detail that needed no mention.
Duke Delta, as if swallowing back a sound of admiration, straightened his posture.
“So that is what happened. I was in the duchy at the time and could not hear the details. To think you were personally entreated, Your Highness—I must offer my belated thanks.”
“It was nothing so difficult.”
The Empress pressed her lips together tightly. Brian, seated at her side, cast a wary glance—but the balance was already tipping in one direction.
“To meet the Crown Prince—when no such arrangement had ever been made—at such a place… Lady Miroi’s luck is extraordinary indeed.”
The Empress’s barbed words, unwilling to acknowledge the situation, only deepened Kailos’s triumphant smile.
“Indeed. It’s almost as if the world itself chose me, guiding me straight to her. Don’t you think so?”
It was plain to everyone present who had emerged the victor in this exchange.
***
After the Empress and the Duke had left, silence filled the reception room.
Alone, Kailos leaned back against the chair, his gaze drifting toward the ceiling. The tea on the table was cooling, but in his mind he was leisurely retracing the conversation that had just taken place.
The soft click of the gilded door closing broke the stillness. Sensing Robin, his aide, approaching, Kailos murmured to himself:
“Not bad.”
Realizing the words were meant for him, Robin bowed silently. Kailos’s eyes gleamed with a faint excitement as he went on:
“Who would’ve thought that letting Miroi go free would yield far more than keeping her in hand.”
It was a glimpse into calculations he revealed to no one. Yet his tone remained calm, even a little detached.
“If I had claimed to rescue her myself, it would only have raised suspicion. But for the Crown Prince to ‘happen’ to be there—who could doubt such a story?”
Robin nodded carefully.
“Indeed, Your Highness. It was not you, but the Count who moved the pieces.”
Count Camilo’s role had not been merely to abduct the young lady. He had been bait as well—a pretext for Kailos to pay him a visit.
“Exactly. And yet…”
Kailos turned his gaze toward the window, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
“That boy was bolder than I expected.”
“You mean Leslun.”
“First volunteering to play the part of a kidnapper… and then even giving up the secret passage.”
Was it guilt over abducting Lady Miroi? Whatever the reason, Kailos had simply watched Leslun’s movements without interfering.
Truthfully, when Leslun had disrupted his plans by releasing her, Kailos had been irritated enough to consider killing him outright. But now, that was no longer the case.
“Without dirtying my own hands, I gained both the Duke’s trust and the Empress’s weakness. All wrapped up neatly, no less.”
A quiet laugh slipped from Kailos, like the aftertaste of unexpected success.
“It seems he was right. I ought to be the one offering thanks.”
“What will you do with him, then?” Robin asked.
“Hmm… he does seem like quite a promising find. But I’m still not entirely sure.”
Robin knew the remark wasn’t idle interest—it came from layered judgment. At times like these, his duty was simply to let the Crown Prince act on instinct.
“For now, it’s time to watch. Bring him too close too soon, and who knows—he could turn out to be a sharp blade… or just a piece of rusted scrap. But…”
Kailos broke off, smiling to himself.
“He’s worth keeping close enough to observe. Take Leslun in as an aide.”
As for Leslun’s plea about helping his parents—Kailos gave no instructions. That matter had already been addressed separately.
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