Over here, Oliver-sama!

The knight who was escorting Rishe led Oliver, the Crown Princes squire, into the reception room.

How is Rishe-sama doing?

She looked pale and had difficulty sitting up. Shes now being cared for by my counterpart, Kamil.

Who else knows about this?

At Rishe-samas behest, I sent Elise, her handmaid, ahead of you. No one else knows about it.

Well done. Thats good.

Oliver and the others have received orders from their master for some time now.

In the event that an unprecedented situation concerning Rishe occurred, they have to handle it confidentially with a small group of people and be careful not to spread it within the imperial castle.

Perhaps the order wasnt only to protect the Crown Princess from disparaging gossip.

As I recall, His Highness Theodore made contact with Rishe-sama. Jeez

He must covertly carry Rishe out and call a trustworthy doctor. With that math in his head, Oliver jumped into the reception room.

Rishe-sama, how are you feeli?

Oliver was lost for words. Curious, the knight also looked into the room, then his eyes widened.

The reception room was an empty shell.

Rishe, who was supposed to have collapsed, or Kamil, the knight who had stayed behind, was nowhere to be seen. And Elise, whom he said he sent to the room first, was also gone.

What the heck

Oliver gulped and cleared his throat.

Oh, Oliver-sama!

Report to His Highness. Until further instruction, please keep this situation to yourself.

***

Theodore, the second prince, slipped out of the castle as usual and walked leisurely through the imperial capital at night.

He was wearing a robe and a hood up over his eyes, accompanied by only one escort. At a glance, no one would notice that this boy was royalty.

First off, in this country, only the Emperor appeared before the people publicly. It was fair to say that few people know Theodore as a prince.

Still, he hid his face because the place where he frequented was problematic.

Theodore stepped into a narrow back alley, and steadily went deeper.

That path, where a stocky bodyguard would get cramped, was one that no ordinary citizen strolling down the main street would brave even in the daytime.

The surrounding houses, illuminated by lanterns, were all shabby. Theodore knocked on the door of one of them, the only one with lights on.

After a voice responded inside, the guard proceeded and opened the door.

Theodore entered the building with a flick of his right hand sleeve.

Weve been expecting you, Theodore-sama.

An old man with a bent back bowed deeply.

Theodore smiled, sat down in a chair nearby and smiled cheerfully.

Hey, Dominic, its been three days. Im so glad to hear that Rainas baby is born, thats great news!

And its all thanks to Theodore-samas generous support.

Hahaha, dont be so formal. I and everyone in this favela should help each other out. Theodore said, then cast his eyes down without warning.

Thank you for abducting the future Crown Princess?

As long as Theodore-sama commands it,

The castle was seemingly uneventful and stirring normally. However, that wasnt to say that nothing has changed.

The knights under his brothers direct control, those on guard, his brothers escort, and others on highly visible duties were moving about as usual.

But other knights have disappeared, and those on off-duty didnt seem to be in their quarters either.

Elder brother is now in a panic looking for Rishe with a face that says its nothing on the surface. Ha, thats a good sign.

And how are you going to dispose of that girl? Kill her or enslave her. Well do whatever you wish. Just give us the word and well do the dirty work for you.

Youre reliable and quick to talk, helping me But, well, theres no rush.

Theodore crossed his legs and rested his cheek on his hand.

More importantly, your credit is due on this one. I know it must have been hard for you to move inconspicuously, but youve done a great job capturing Rishe.

Then he turned his attention to the two people standing in the corner of the room.

Elise, Kamil, I owe it to you guys.

If Theodore-sama commands it.

The petite girl and the tall knight both bowed to him.

Then they looked straight at Theodore.