If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 268

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

Cain removed the hood from his head, following the Crown Prince’s lead.

“I asked you to come here because I have a particular favor to ask.”

A favor? Cain’s gaze flickered to Christian, who stood behind the prince, before returning to the prince’s face.

“I imagine you were surprised by this sudden summons, and for that I owe you an apology.”

“Not at all, Your Highness. To be called by you is the greatest honor.”

“No need for such formality.”

When Mernich glanced back, Christian gave a subtle nod. It was an indication that the area was secure. Reassured, Mernich pulled down the cloth that had been covering half his face.

What could possibly be so important that the Crown Prince would summon him in person, and to a place like this?

Cain instantly understood that this meeting was not for any trivial matter. Whatever the reason, it had to be something that required absolute secrecy—no one could see them together, and no other ears could overhear.

He ran through a few plausible explanations in his mind, but none seemed to perfectly fit the circumstances.

“I heard you’ve returned to the capital. And that you have a son now? Congratulations.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Cain bowed deeply.

Among the imperial family of Nikephos, Crown Prince Mernich was the one person Cain did not resent. If anything, Cain felt more positively toward him than anyone else. Unlike his father, Mernich was a gentle, peace-loving soul. Some saw him as a naïve prince, too soft to rule an empire built on his father’s sweat and his people’s blood.

But to maintain peace, sometimes you had to defeat those who threatened it. Bloodshed was inevitable. Some critics claimed that a prince who had never risked his life in war or negotiation was too idealistic to put the fate of the empire in his hands. Cain could understand that reasoning.

Still, he believed a person’s nature is almost impossible to change. Unless you face a life-or-death crisis, most people remain who they are—especially someone as mild as Mernich.

“What is the young duke’s name?”

Mernich asked again, referring to Cain’s son. Unlike others—who called the child ‘the young Marquis’—Mernich referred to him as the ‘young duke’. It was a not-so-subtle signal that he knew not only about Cain’s public affairs, but also his private life.

So even the gentle Crown Prince could remind you of his power. The gesture grated on Cain, but he did not let it show. Perhaps Mernich even intended to provoke this discomfort, as part of his calculation.

“We… haven’t named him yet.”

“Not yet? I heard it’s already been a hundred days since the child’s birth and you’ve registered him at the temple.”

“There’s no particular reason for the delay. I suppose I just wanted to be absolutely sure before making a decision. Sometimes I wonder if I’m really worthy to name him, if I’m fit to be his father.”

“You’re right—it isn’t easy to choose a name, especially for your first child. I understand how you feel; I went through the same thing myself.”

“I’m grateful for your understanding, Your Highness.”

With the pleasantries exchanged—updates and well-wishes shared—it was time for the real reason Cain had been summoned. He waited, back straight, for the prince’s next words.

“I brought you here because there’s something I simply couldn’t discuss in the palace.”

“I suspected as much, Your Highness.”

“Much has happened in the capital while you were away.”

As acting commander of the city guard, Cain had heard bits and pieces.

“There have been various changes, but to sum it up: the supply of daily necessities in the capital has drastically decreased.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“If it were just a reduction in goods, it wouldn’t be such a problem.”

“So, you mean it’s not just a simple drop in supply?”

“That’s right. The number of merchant caravans and supply convoys coming into the city hasn’t decreased at all—so why is there a shortage? I had Joseph investigate, and we discovered something important. Most of the caravans entering the city are ‘phantoms’.”

“Are you saying these phantom caravans have been siphoning off supplies from the capital?”

“Exactly.”

“Phantom caravans… If that’s true, this is a serious issue.”

“It is true. We’ve checked, and we have proof—documents I can show you if needed.”

If Mernich was this confident, it had to be real.

“So, do you want me to investigate these phantom caravans?”

As acting captain, Cain would have the authority to conduct such an inquiry. But if that were all, the Crown Prince wouldn’t have gone to such lengths for a secret meeting. Cain waited for Mernich to reveal his true purpose.