Chapter 219
Chapter 219
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 219
Chapter Title: The Queen's Temptation
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"Your Highness, the Grand Duke has confirmed that the 2nd Prince's playmate has no connection whatsoever to the Grand Duke's residence."
"I see."
"Yes. And upon checking, he said he'd already taken back the magic beast the child had been carrying around."
"Then that thing is utterly useless after all."
Helia smiled with satisfaction. It seemed there would be no backlash even if she dealt with it.
"Your Highness."
At that moment, one of the knights stepped forward. It was the one she had ordered to observe the prince.
"Judging from the prince's actions, it appears the playmate was indeed hiding in that box. He chased young master Aiden away and searched the playroom."
Helia tilted her head slightly in puzzlement at the knight's report.
"Then where did that child disappear to?"
"...That's... um..."
"There were three maids at the doors, and you can't reach the terrace without crossing the room."
"......"
"He called for the child, but there was no response, so it's certain the child slipped out of the room somehow..."
Helia muttered to herself before looking up at the knights with a beaming smile.
"How is it that you all failed to notice?"
"......"
"Isn't it just... so strange?"
The surrounding escort knights gulped dryly in unison. Her crimson eyes curved into alluring yet deeply unsettling arcs.
"I don't know what trick was used, but we can't allow our prince to associate with such lowly trash."
Not when gaining something to rely on might make him slip from her grasp.
"...What should we do?"
"Hm."
Commissioning the guild would be too easy to trace. Those money-grubbing types could turn their blades on her if the other side offered a fortune.
'I need a pawn I can use and discard cleanly...'
After a brief moment of thought, Helia recalled one person and smiled brightly.
"Just in time. There's a mongrel bastard I need to put down soon anyway."
It had ended inconclusively last time, but this time would be different.
"Haah..."
Sergio let out a deep sigh. Immediately, a feeble voice came from behind him.
"Am I heavy?"
"...No, sir."
Sergio readjusted the child slowly sliding down his back with a bounce. He couldn't help but sigh again.
"You're sighing too openly."
"As if I wouldn't sigh right now... No, never mind."
"If it's too much, you can set me down and call another attendant."
"I said it's fine!"
I'll carry you myself! Sergio snapped irritably before resuming his silent steps.
'That's why they assigned an attendant...'
'Carry him.'
'......'
He still couldn't believe it when he'd been ordered to piggyback out of nowhere.
Honestly, it barely qualified as attendant duty. Wasn't it just lugging around a kid? Of course, that didn't make it easy...
Sergio glanced down at his legs in renewed wonder. Not long ago, he could barely walk without a cane, yet here he was carrying a child on his back. It felt surreal.
Come to think of it, he hadn't even thanked the young master for fixing his legs...
"Um... young master."
"What, going to ditch me?"
"......"
"A man who wavers like that is useless. And we have to cherish the kids."
Such words were followed by a hand tapping his head.
"...I shouldn't have said anything..."
As he lamented, the small body leaning against his back trembled with a soft chuckle.
"Put me down when Vernus Palace comes into view. The kid will be startled seeing this."
"...Yes, sir."
'They finally came over to Tarandrus after all.'
Evan recalled Sergio, who had returned with Nihil and formally paid his respects, before flopping onto the bed. The high-quality bedding in this palace room—one of the finest—cushioned his hefty frame without so much as a bounce.
The Allie Baron's house, with the kingdom's largest trading company; the Brigide Marquis house, kin to the prime minister; the venerable Tarandrus Count house; and finally, the Francesca Marquis house of spirit mages.
None were families to trifle with. He never imagined such noble houses gathering around the prince, who had been ignored at best and lacked any real support.
Evan felt a strangely novel mix of emotions. He knew exactly who was behind it all.
"......"
Ever since that lynx showed up, everything felt like it was falling back into place. The rights the prince deserved... and his own position too.
Thud.
"...?"
Then, a faint noise came from the terrace. It was an ordinary sound anywhere else, but it oddly prickled at him. Evan tensed and approached the terrace.
Whoosh—flutter!
He yanked the curtains open roughly, and a single bird took flight. Evan watched it go before stepping out onto the terrace. There lay a red rose he had never seen before.
"......"
How likely was it for a red rose—not found in Vernus Garden—to fly up to the fourth-floor terrace of his room?
Evan ground the rose underfoot with all his might, twisting it viciously. A red stain marred the pristine terrace floor, but he didn't care. No, he welcomed it. Now he would leave at least this trace of her.
Evan quickly changed and prepared to head out. It wouldn't take long.
Just before placing a foot on the terrace railing, Evan twisted to survey his bedroom. It was vast and luxurious, far beyond what a mere commoner knight deserved.
'An undeserved room.'
He had sensed it. The day he'd have to vacate it wasn't far off.
Pulling his mask up to his eyes, Evan released his bloodlust to ward off any watchers before leaping down.
Leopoldt, one of the queen's escort knights, frowned at the hulking figure who had arrived bundled up tightly. This shadow knight appeared rarely, but he seemed even bulkier each time.
The man rasped in a gravelly, tearing voice.
"I came at Her Highness's summons."
"Wait while I confirm."
Leopoldt knew the matter from Her Highness already, but the man's overwhelming presence had briefly cowed his pride, so he pettily made him wait anyway.
Of course, he couldn't stall too long lest he face repercussions, so he merely pretended to check before leading him deep into the Awtunum reception hall.
"You've come, Sir Nave."
Evan grimaced at the alias. He wasn't sure if her "Nave" meant "knave" as in jack, or his name backward—but either way, it was blatantly mocking.
"...Why did you summon me?"
"Oh my. Straight to business? Must be urgent."
Helia smiled from behind the folding screen before nodding to the other shadow knights nearby.
"But there are too many ears for that."
"Who knows."
Evan, who would normally glance nervously around, smirked coldly instead.
"The same goes for Your Highness, doesn't it?"
"......"
For the first time, a crack appeared on Helia's refined features at the overt sneer. Evan, satisfied at landing a blow on the queen, unwittingly let out a loud laugh.
"I won't accept any more orders to eliminate someone."
"...Everyone, withdraw."
Realizing his attitude had shifted at his firm declaration, the queen promptly cleared the room.
Evan smirked again as he watched the knights vanish one by one. Outwardly, they were gone, but their presences lingered.
'I've gotten a bit stronger.'
Sensing hidden presences meant he was slightly above those knights.
Not an ideal situation, yet he chuckled anyway. It let him keep up the composed act.
"Is there any need to set hounds on me?"
"I suppose you're not worried anymore."
"Worried...? Ah, about my sister?"
Who knew. Seemed worrisome, yet not. As Evan replied ambiguously, the queen's face hardened before she scoffed.
"Sir, you're thoroughly mistaken."
"...?"
"Do you think your only concern is one little sister?"
"...Then there's more?"
Evan tilted his head in genuine confusion before realizing something and chuckling just like the queen had.
"Your Highness, if you think I left his side without any precautions... you'd best rethink that."
"...?"
"You should've checked the apothecary first, not the dimwitted brat."
Evan felt a twinge of guilt toward Rima, whom he'd tasked, but it was unavoidable. The lynx was his joker card to upend everything at the end. He had to hide him until the very last moment.
"......"
The queen seemed to mull his words before hardening her expression and signaling. One presence vanished instantly.
Evan spoke again, brazenly casual.
"Couldn't find anything solid on the apothecary either, I take it?"
"You've grown bold, Sir."
"Thank you for the praise."
He exaggerated a bow at her sarcasm. Outwardly calm, his palms were slick with cold sweat. As suspected, they'd targeted the palace while he was away.
'It'll be fine.'
They wouldn't risk a commotion in the palace, so likely just light orders to grab the prince or lynx.
He didn't know the apothecary's full skill, but basics should hold, and the lynx could handle a shadow knight or two easily.
'...What if he just lets himself get kidnapped?'
The fleeting worry hit him. The lynx's secret hobby was playing kidnap victim. If he meekly went along to extract info, it would be disastrous.
'No, no.'
Evan shook it off. The lynx would notice his absence and never leave the prince alone to get captured. His priority was always the prince.
Then he felt the remaining presences watching. He'd zoned out too long. He considered pressuring them but held back. Better to hide his cards too.
'Three.'
Not certain, excluding stronger ones. Counting the presences, Evan figured it was manageable as he met those crimson eyes again.
'Wonder how long I can keep this mind game up.'
Sure enough, the queen wore her practiced smile once more. Staring at that seasoned smirk, he doubted if his bluff was truly working.
'If I can just extract Aril...'
Just resolve the contract binding Aril. The soft-hearted prince and kid-loving lynx would gladly take her in.
Either way, he couldn't stay by the prince's side. Join the queen or oppose her and get purged. Or straight to execution for royal insult.
But better to vanish quietly than let the prince learn of his betrayal and hurt.
'No, vanishing quietly would be too unfair.'
Evan vowed to blow up the queen's palace before going as he stared at her.
Perhaps sensing his resolve, the queen's voice came softer and more measured than expected.
"Sir Nave, no need to be so guarded. Truth be told, I called you today to offer a chance."
"...?"
"Haven't you suffered enough mentally? If I'd known you'd grow so attached to the 2nd Prince, I wouldn't have used a young knight so cruelly."
"...What are you getting at?"
Evan heightened his wariness. He wouldn't fall for sweet words again.
"No palace is spotless, as you understand."
"......"
"Finish this one mission, and I'll release your contract. How's that?"
"...As I said, I won't eliminate anyone anymore—"
"No."
Helia cut him off with a bright smile.
"I won't order you to kill anything. And we'll swear not to touch the prince or playmate. We can even draw up a contract."
How's that? Interested now?
The serpent offered sweet fruit.