Chapter 280
“So you’re saying you’re just going to let it go like this?”
No matter how she looked at it, something felt off. Dehart agreed with Sebelia’s suspicion. Rosalyn’s ‘detention’ was a golden opportunity for the Third Prince.
When news spread that Duke Inverness had appeared in the opposite box at the theater on the night of Rosalyn’s visit—and that an attempt was made on her life, with the Duke himself taking the culprit rather than turning her over to the authorities—there was plenty there to exaggerate and twist for their own benefit.
The Third Prince’s faction should have seized the chance to smear the Duke’s name, but instead, they just let it slip away. That could only mean Rosalyn had intervened on their behalf.
If the Third Prince’s letter was genuine, it would mean she sided with them.
Claude spoke in a grave tone.
“Maybe this whole situation wasn’t really what she wanted from the beginning. Come to think of it, she’s hardly in a position to voice her own wishes freely.”
“You mean the whole succession fight might not have been Lady Rosalyn’s own intention?”
It wasn’t so far-fetched. After all, she’d been attacked while moving in secret to find her parents’ keepsakes, trying to avoid Hares’s watchful eyes.
If the Third Prince had been someone she could truly rely on, she would have asked him for help…..
The fact that she acted alone suggested that those around her—at least in her current circle—didn’t allow her to openly express her longing for her parents.
“Haa…”
She felt uneasy. Maybe it was because it reminded her of her own childhood, never allowed to grieve openly for her own mother. She couldn’t stop thinking about the look Rosalyn gave before she left.
This time, I had no choice but to let her go. But next time, I won’t let her slip away so easily.
There had to be a reason Rosalyn needed to go back—perhaps someone precious to her was being held as leverage.
“Dehart, do you know anything about Lady Rosalyn’s life in the Valerie territory? Maybe there’s a clue as to why she absolutely had to return to Prince Hares.”
“If it’s that…”
As the two exchanged tense words, Claude, lost in thought, suddenly snapped his fingers.
“The reception! There’s the Imperial reception, isn’t there?”
“Sorry?”
Sebelia asked, thrown by his outburst. But Claude was already deep in his own thoughts again.
“I think he’s talking about the reception at the Imperial Palace.”
It was Dehart that clarified. He spoke in his calm way, reclining in his chair as he explained.
“It was to welcome a foreign ambassador. The event is for members of the imperial family and their partners… He’s planning to extract Rosalyn there, most likely.”
His voice was composed, but his eyes were fierce, and the way his knuckles bulged as he tapped the desk.
“But that would mean giving up on Nathan Wheddon’s second interrogation.”
“No need. I’ll go alone.”
Claude replied, having returned from his reverie with new confidence.
“Claude, this isn’t some random gallery. The security at the Imperial Palace is on a whole other level.”
Claude just smiled at Sebelia’s concern.
“I’ll ask the Second Prince. If I attend as his partner, it should work out.”
“You’re not really thinking of revealing your identity, are you?”
Sebelia looked at him, hoping he’d deny it. But Claude’s gentle expression gave her no comfort. Her hopes were dashed.
“If it’s to rescue Rosalyn, I’ll do whatever it takes.”
“Oh my god.”
“It’s a risk I’ll have to take if I want to call myself her uncle, don’t you think?”
“Wait. Even if the Prince agrees to your plan, to be his partner you’ll need…”
“That’s nothing to worry about.”
He swept a hand over his face, and for a moment, Sebelia saw the features of a plain woman where the middle-aged man’s face had been.
“I can only hold the female disguise for half a day, but that’ll be enough to rescue Rosalyn.”
Sebelia was left speechless as Claude turned to Dehart.
“I’ll leave convincing the Prince to you.”
“Finally, a request I like.”
Dehart grinned, imagining Shateian’s sour face.
Given his friendship with Balak, Shateian would find it hard to refuse if it was for Sebelia’s sake.
“Then we’ll have to leave the matter of dresses and accessories to His Highness as well. It’s pointless if he doesn’t approve of what we prepare here.”
“Is that really necessary?”
“Come on, Claude. Can you imagine what people would say if the Prince’s partner showed up at the Imperial Palace in ready-made streetwear?”
Before Claude could stammer a reply, someone knocked urgently at the door. It was Eli. He looked anxious and his lips were pale.
“You’re all here.”
“Ah, Sir Eli.”
Sebelia finally managed to greet him. Eli hesitated, clearly anxious. Seeing this, Dehart spoke gently, encouraging him to speak up.
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