Chapter 216: Hold Hands When Things Seem Hopeless

If were here then its the same as saying Prince Nico and Lei-sama are here!

B-but

Even if Hans said that to Nicos guards, they probably werent going to leave Nico.

Easter wants to capture either Prince Nico or Lei-sama. Their lives arent in danger right now. Its important to keep these two hidden until Kingdoms army fights back!

But

Even if were both here, itll only give us a small amount of time before the two are caught. If thats the case, then we should be decoys or act like fools.

Hans is right.

Nico is worth a lot. He is the direct heir of Kingdom, but even if Kingdom no longer existed, his large amount of magic can be used in many ways in the future. So, he wont be killed.

Then what about me? When I was a year old and my only worth was the colour of my eyes, people might have thought that it would have been fine for me to be gone from Kingdom, or worse, dead. But now, perhaps people know that I have enough magic power.

That should increase my value and make them want to kidnap me.

And even if its complicated to get here, theyll reach here eventually if they go through all the doors. Its probably only a matter of time before were captured.

Whats the point of having two guards when that happens?

You guys probably shouldnt be here either.

This is our job. We cant leave here unless were ordered to.

For example, Nicos still a small powerless child even if he tells them to leave. They wont leave this door even if Nico or Hans tell them to leave.

Then, act like fools.

Act like fools?

The guards at the door looked like they couldnt understand what Hans had said.

You havent seen Prince Nico or Lei-sama. You can hear that there is a lot of noise in the castle, but you dont know whats going on because you cant leave your station. Pretend you dont know anything even if the Easter soldiers come and ask them who they are and what theyre doing like you would any suspicious person.

Hmm. Its hard to pretend that we dont know theyre here since we know they are.

Do your best. If you cant pretend theyre not here, then leave. Hanss harsh words continued.

Well do our best.

Do your best. Then, Prince Nico and Lei-sama.

Hmm. Be careful.

I will.

Hansh.

Hans reached out as if he was going to hug me for a second but pulled back. I nodded firmly.

Treashure your wife. (Treasure your life)

Yes!

We watched as Hans and the other guard ran off, then entered the barrier room which had been opened for us. Nico looked up at the soldiers and said, You guys treasure your life too. However, I didnt have the right to tell them this, so I didnt know what to say to them.

So, Nicos words were also my words.

Yes. Prince Nicholas and Leila-sama, please be careful.

Then, they closed the door.

The barrier room was as quiet as it had been when we arrived and there was a large pedestal with five magic stones in the middle.

What should we do now? I understand the situation somehow, but I did my best to stay out of Hanss way and tried not to think about it too much. But Otou-sama is far away near Wester, so who the heck will come to save us?

Suddenly, a sense of hopelessness overcame me.

Lei.

Nico squeezed my hand which I had clenched at the side of my body.

Lei I cant hold your hand if you have it clenched like that. See.

Ai.

I relaxed and reconnected my hands with Nicos. We cant go anywhere in this small room.

Were finally in the barrier room, lets take a look at the magic stones.

Nico

Is this the time to be saying that? I looked up at the head-taller Nico accusingly and met his calm eyes.

Let, lets find out what we can do here and what we can use from here first.

Yes, we went here because its hard to find.

Theresh a shecreth bashe here, I muttered, and Nico nodded.

Thats right, we only came here the first time. However, I asked the soldiers to bring lots of things here.

Ai!

We have to check what they brought.

Ai.

I think we should check the waiting room first, but Nico pulled my hand and headed straight to the pedestal.

Why?

Didnt you say that Albans and Lisburn went far away?

Ai. Otou-syama wenth tho Weshther. Oh.

This meant that the two of the Four Marquises havent put any magic into the magic stones for a while.

Of course, if they cant make it back in time then we have His Majesty, father and uncle, so its fine. But

If everyone hash been caught

Then wont the magic stones become empty?

We stopped, and quickly climbed the chair next to the pedestal.

Its thin

Lighth pinw. The magic wiww be gone shoon.

But that doesnt mean that we are going to do anything about it.

Alright. Weve confirmed this. Next is the waiting room.

Ai.

Apparently, the pursuers arent here yet. Nico reached out a little and opened the door while listening to the sounds in the corridor. The room was well-kept, and the door didnt make any sounds when it opened or closed. We closed the door just in case.

There are two beds. One door leads to the washroom, and

Nico put his hand on the other door handle.

It wont open. I guess thats that.

I wish it was a secret escape route.

When we opened the washroom, there were cups and other items for drinking tea. In short, its like a hotel.

The shecreth bashe ish under thhe bed.

I wonder if they actually put stuff in there for us.

We laid down on the carpeted floor and flipped the covers of the bed.

There!

Bag!

Nico quickly dove in and pulled out a large bag. But then he dove in again and pulled out another bag.

Its pretty heavy. Whats in it.

Lethsh woow.

One bag contained a blanket, a lamp, a simple cooking set, and other camping equipment that would never be used in the castle.

I guess they just left the stuff they were told to here.

Whath abouth thhe othher one?

Mm.

The other bag contained just what we needed now.

Bread, shweethsh, (some kind of food I cant decipher), fruithsh.

Theres quite a lot.

There was enough food for all the Four Marquis children to spend the day with Nico, in other words, there was enough food for seven people.

Theresh thwo of ush sho we can eath thhish for thhree daysh if were carefuw. (Theres two of us so we can eat this for three days if were careful)

We wont have to hide for that long, right?

The two toddlers were being realistic, but had become a little more cheerful.