Chapter 39
“They say there was a mistress. She disappeared after the Crown Prince’s death.”
Camille looked unfamiliar, as if hearing the story for the first time. It made sense. This was information only someone from Welrod Palace could know. Records about the deceased Crown Prince and Princess were barely touched upon, so there was no way a mere mistress would be documented.
Cyrone’s fingers, tapping on the desk, suddenly stopped.
“She was said to have been pregnant.”
A subtle smile tugged at Cyrone’s lips. Perhaps sensing something in that enigmatic expression, Camille let out a soft sigh.
“…Then, could it be…”
“Find it out.”
Camille nodded resolutely. Eyl, the figure where the Reiffers’ family funneled the largest sum of money into their coffers. This person was said to be the true power manipulating Reiffers. If they could find that individual, they would uncover the mastermind behind the conspiracy to overthrow the imperial family.
“How long do you think it will take?”
Chasing an old snake whose tail was already caught was tedious. But it was a task Cyrone had to carry out. With a bored expression, he crossed his arms and asked.
Camille answered without hesitation.
“It likely won’t take longer than this year.”
It was already early autumn, the wind growing cooler. Cyrone, chewing over her words, leaned back in his chair and slowly closed his eyes.
“True. That old man must have been a bit impatient.”
His vision became consumed by deep darkness, with flickers of color passing through.
No matter how much he pondered, his thoughts always ended with Elia. If the Reiffers family rebelled, Elia would certainly be in danger too.
Cyrone was still debating this part. Should he grant her a new family name? No, it was probably better to have her follow his.
“Wouldn’t it be better for us to make the first move?”
Camille’s question earned a low smile from Cyrone, chin resting on his hand. The smile was colder than any seasonal breeze.
“You can only catch the tail of a fleeing beast. But when the opponent charges first…”
Cyrone tapped his temple lightly with a finger.
“You can smash its head open.”
Indeed, he was skilled at hunting.
* * *
“I want to stop attending to Your Highness and rest now. Please grant me a territory as good as the achievements I’ve made.”
Camille said firmly, standing tall. If not for her intelligence, Cyrone would have already sent her to the farthest lands from the capital. Unaware of Cyrone’s thoughts, Camille suddenly changed her expression and whispered.
“It would be even better if Nielsen came with me.”
Camille laughed softly, a bit shy, letting out a gentle giggle. Just saying Nielsen’s name seemed to make her blush, her cheeks flushing bright red.
Cyrone, gazing down at her quietly, muttered to himself.
“Do people all look like that?”
He wasn’t unaware of Camille’s feelings for Nielsen, but the way her eyes suddenly filled with happiness felt novel. What kind of feeling could that be?
“Your Highness’s eyes are just as intense, if not more so.”
Camille said firmly, shaking her head. Cyrone was praised as a royal talent perfected since birth. Camille knew all too well what kind of look Cyrone gave Elia, and how his composed, cold reason could crumble.
“If I hadn’t crossed the line back then, perhaps the lady wouldn’t have misunderstood so.”
She still couldn’t forget that chaotic day. It might have disappeared from everyone else’s memory, but those two in the room remembered it clearly. Camille had finally failed in her duties as fiance that day.
As Cyrone’s longtime attendant, she had reacted first. After exchanging urgent glances with Captain Farus, Camille rushed forward.
Or rather, she blocked Cyrone, who was rushing to save Elia. Knowing how desperate Cyrone could be, Camille was afraid of him.
“But I have a duty above all to protect Your Highness.”
Fragments had assembled into a massive misunderstanding, and Camille sighed deeply at being at the center of that tragedy.
What would have happened if she hadn’t saved Cyrone that day? Cyrone would have died in Elia’s place. Regret aside, there was no better choice.
“I’d rather die instead of Miss Reiffers.”
Camille wished, if possible, to atone before God in Elia’s place. It would be better to save Cyrone and Elia both. But God seemed unwilling to accept atonement without cause.
“Keep it from Elia.”
Cyrone replied dryly to Camille, who was still talking to herself. Tilting his head, he was deep in thought.
“The lady still doesn’t understand how time turned back, does she?”
Indeed, if Elia knew, she wouldn’t treat Cyrone so coldly.
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