A Secret Excursion
The next morning. It was time for the regular council meeting, but I did not attend. Just as I had requested yesterday, Pehart had not yet announced my bridal training. Seeing that I had failed to show up for the meeting, both the King and Carmel would undoubtedly feel at ease.
I summoned the maid who assisted with my dressing and ordered her to bring a commoner's outfit and a hooded cloak. "Ah... Yes, I will prepare them at once!"
It was not particularly unusual for Princess Sera to go on inspection tours. Even without the King's explicit orders, I had often ventured into the capital to observe the lives of the common folk. Dressed not as a princess but as an ordinary noble lady, I draped a hooded shawl over my shoulders. This should be enough to make me look like a nobleman's daughter out for a casual stroll while concealing her identity. Of course, my face, if nothing else, had to be hidden as much as possible—especially my striking features and lovely golden hair, which never failed to draw people's eyes.
Once I was finished dressing, another maid inquired, "If you are going on an inspection, how shall we arrange your escort?"
"One is more than enough. Please summon Filgret."
The maid bowed and left the room. In the generally peaceful capital of Lurie, situations requiring an escort rarely arose. And with Commander Filgret by my side, there was absolutely nothing to worry about.
Upon entering my chambers, Filgret immediately dropped to one knee. "I have answered your summons, Princess Sera. I understand you intend to conduct an inspection? This appears to be an unscheduled excursion."
"Yes. I believe it is necessary to gauge the public sentiment before His Majesty's wedding. Commander Filgret, would you be able to escort me? If you have other pressing duties, I can ask another knight..."
"Negative, Your Highness. No duty is more paramount to me than ensuring your safety. I shall gladly accompany you."
"Fufut, wonderful. Please prepare yourself and meet me at the West Gate."
"Understood." Filgret bowed politely and withdrew. After letting some time pass, I made my way to the West Gate.
Filgret was already waiting, fully prepared. He had already changed into attire suitable for a covert mission. Beneath his plain civilian clothes, he wore a layer of chainmail, and a wide-brimmed hat cast a shadow over half his face.
"Shall we go, then? From now on, please address me simply as 'My Lady.' And I shall call you 'Mister.'"
"As you wish, My Lady."
Unlike yesterday's dreary, persistent rain, the weather today was exceptionally fine. Bathed in the brilliant sunlight, Filgret and I descended the palace steps and blended into the bustling crowds.
"Where is our destination, My Lady?"
"Shall we start where the crowds gather? Let's see... Let us head to the park first."
"Understood." As I walked ahead with brisk, lively steps, Filgret followed closely behind, his eyes scanning our surroundings like a hawk. To break even a fraction of this iron-willed man's intense focus, I would need to wear him down a little.
For several hours, we wandered through parks, streets, restaurants, and academies. I listened to the chatter of the citizens and occasionally struck up conversations myself. Up to this point, it looked exactly like any of my usual inspection tours. However, my true purpose for coming out today was, of course, entirely different.
"It seems everyone is highly anticipating the upcoming royal wedding."
"Indeed, that is only natural, My Lady. Any subject of the Rustier Kingdom is bound to be deeply invested in such an event." I could sense Filgret's tone softening slightly, though he likely didn't realize it himself.
"But it feels as though we have only met citizens of the middle and upper classes so far. This time... I think we should head to Tenorich."
"Tenorich, My Lady?"
"Yes." Even in a capital that appeared so peaceful and beautiful, slums still existed. A dark underbelly where criminals, vagrants, beggars, prostitutes, and shamans gathered—that was Tenorich.
Filgret, of course, raised no objections. His duty was solely to protect me to the best of his ability, no matter where I chose to go. Deciding my path was not his place.
The alleyway leading into Tenorich felt bleak and desolate from the very entrance. It was quite impressive how it managed to exude such a chilling atmosphere despite the beautiful weather. I stepped inside without hesitation. Several men leaning against a filthy wall watched my approach intently. Filgret's eyes flashed sharply as he monitored their every movement in return.
Right on cue, I thought as the thugs appeared. I strode boldly into their territory. The men reacted immediately. A portly, bald man blocked my path and sneered, "Well, well, what brings a noble lady to a filthy place like this?"
"Hello there. Isn't the weather absolutely lovely today?"
A burst of raucous laughter erupted among the men. They were truly a crude bunch, utterly divorced from polite conversation. "Yeah, I guess it is. So what of it?"
"Hmm... I am just a bit curious. Why are you all gathered on the street so early in the day? Do you not have any work to do?"
The men's expressions soured. Fortunately, they possessed just enough intelligence to realize they were being mocked. "Ha! I don't know which noble house you're from, but you've got quite the mouth on you. And what, you only brought a single guard?"
The thugs who had been leaning against the wall began to creep forward, slowly surrounding Filgret and me. Filgret quietly warned me, "My Lady, this is highly dangerous. We must withdraw immediately."
The hulking bald man pulled a wicked-looking knife from his pocket. "Did you think we'd grovel just because you're a noble? We've got nothing left to lose!"
"Yes, you certainly look the part."
The other thugs drew their weapons in unison. Realizing it was already too late to retreat, Filgret quietly placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"We're going to have some fun with you before we sell you to a brothel!" The man lunged at me, knife extended. But Filgret was infinitely faster. The man's right hand, still clutching the knife, was severed cleanly and hit the ground.
"Aaaagh! You—you bastard!" Driven into a frenzy by the sight of blood, the men rushed forward. Shielding me with his back against the chaotic onslaught, Filgret calmly wielded his blade. He was truly an exceptionally loyal knight. It made me feel a touch guilty. But this was the only way. The only way to make this fiercely devoted subordinate avert his eyes from me, even for a brief moment.
Forgive me, Filgret. Apologizing silently, I slipped away from the scene, moving as fast as my legs could carry me.
"A rare guest indeed. What business does a noble lady of Rustier have with a lowly, decrepit shaman like me?" An old man, his face wrinkled to a terrifying degree, greeted me with a sarcastic sneer. Dried herbs hung in abundance from the ceiling and walls. This place, filled with a bitter, nauseating odor, was a juju shop—an establishment that dealt in items used for shamanism and dark magic.
"I came to purchase something."
"Heh, how amusing. But what a shame. I have nothing to sell to the people of Rustier. Especially not to someone hiding their face like that." The old shaman didn't seem to have any intention of dealing with me. Having said his piece, he didn't even spare me another glance, simply continuing to grind herbs in his mortar with a pestle.
I had expected as much. Shamans were an extremely insular group. They refused to trade with anyone who did not belong to their closed society. However, it was not entirely impossible. Hoping my pronunciation would be accurate, I recited the phrase I remembered from the novel.
"Sbar Wiha Tachak Kaha."
The old man's eyes, previously as narrow as buttonholes, widened dramatically. "...Where did you learn that?"
"From one of your kin."
"Ah, yes, of course... No matter how brutal the torture, none of our people would ever betray that oath... Which means your presence here must be to carry out the will of our kin."
I hadn't lied. It was indeed a magical phrase used to seek the cooperation of the Northern tribes. And I had undoubtedly learned it from one of their kin—Carmel. Of course, the old man's subsequent assumption was entirely his own misunderstanding. I had not come here to carry out Carmel's will. Quite the contrary; I was here to bring about her absolute ruin.
The old man set his mortar aside and leaned forward. In a posture far more respectful than before, he asked, "Very well. What is it you require, My Lady?"
"I want a poison that will induce unconsciousness for about three days. It must not be fatal."
"Hmm, that is not difficult to procure. However, during that time, the victim will experience agony akin to a heart attack. Will that suffice?"
I answered without a moment's hesitation. "Yes, that is perfectly fine." To be completely honest, I felt the pain could stand to be even more severe.
"My Lady! My Lady! Where are you?!" When I stepped out of the shop, Filgret was searching for me, his voice echoing frantically throughout Tenorich. The blood splattered across his cloak and clothes did not appear to be his own. Hiding the purchased vial deep within my garments, I stepped forward and waved my hand.
"I—I am over here!"
"My Lady!" Filgret rushed toward me, looking as if his collapsed world had suddenly been restored. This was starting to make me feel even guiltier.
"I am sorry. One of those men kept chasing me... so I had to hide for a moment."
"As expected, this place is far too dangerous. It would be best to depart immediately." There was not a single trace of reproach in Filgret's voice or eyes. He was simply relieved beyond measure that I was safe.
I nodded obediently. "Yes, let us do that." Having accomplished my primary objective, I had no further business here. Under Filgret's excessively overprotective guard, I made my way out of Tenorich.