Chapter 4

Evan’s face turned pale.

“It’s not possible! You haven’t fully recovered yet, where do you think you’re going?”

“Who said I haven’t recovered? Can’t you see I’m fine?”

“Even so, it’s not possible. What if rumors spread that both Your Highnesses are absent?”

Lutz pressed his deeply furrowed brow. He knew that once a decision was made, it was never overturned, yet this troublesome subordinate always objected first.

At times like this, a quiet retort was best.

“Evan Renov.”

“Why, why are you calling me again?”

“Evan Renov.”

“…Yes.”

“I wish my aide was more competent.”

He called his name sternly to point out his incompetence. As expected, Evan lowered his head. However, he couldn’t help but look at his master with a sullen face.

“What do you want me to do?”

“Hinael and I cannot accompany the delegation. But we must not be discovered. We can’t take soldiers everywhere either. What should you do in this situation?”

Evan, tasked with cleaning up the mess again, sighed deeply.

“Haa… We’ll have to pretend we’re with the delegation or make up another excuse. Which do you prefer?”

“The latter would be better. How about saying we went on a trip to accommodate the princess who is unfamiliar with Trycas?”

“A honeymoon… How romantic in times like this.”

Though he sarcastically remarked, Lutz merely raised an eyebrow insolently without kicking him.

Instead, he opened up a path of hardship for those on the side of the Second Prince.

“Today, you leave Dwen with my direct unit and detour west to Tubon.”

The capital of Trycas, Tubon, is located in the northeast. To buy time, it was better to pretend to tour in the opposite direction.

“Then where will you join us? Shouldn’t we inform His Majesty of the schedule in advance?”

“We’ll meet in Hawkwick in three days.”

“And when will we return to the palace? If we delay much beyond the reported date, His Majesty will be furious.”

“Five days later.”

The schedule was tight.

It was questionable whether they could find Hinael and reach Hawkwick in three days. Evan expressed his concern with a skeptical face.

“Are you sure it’s okay?”

“The longer we delay, the more dangerous it is for Hinael. So we must act immediately. Gather the members stationed nearby and secretly investigate the background.”

The secret organization Maon, was formed around Lutz Viant. The elite members of Maon were bonded by blood and loyalty.

They were spread across various fields such as arms dealers, traders, mercenaries, and high-ranking officials, so it wouldn’t be difficult to find them.

“Do you have any suspects in mind?”

“Someone who detests my very existence.”

“Are you referring to the Third Prince, Your Highness?”

“If not him, then someone who has recently grown to loathe my existence.”

“Count Phil…”

“Both are equally foolish, so we’ll catch their trail soon. If we don’t arrive in Hawkwick on the appointed day, leave no later than the next afternoon. That way, we’ll reach the capital on time. Don’t worry, I’ll bring Hinael before returning to the palace.”

Lutz gave instructions as if untangling a mess of threads in his mind.

“Keep a close watch on the maid named Dea. The longer it takes, the more she’ll lose her composure and act out.”

Once again, a heavy sigh escaped Evan’s lips.

No matter how much he tried to dissuade him, he wouldn’t listen, and speaking with such confidence, it didn’t seem like he would fail.

However, he was worried that Lutz might impulsively capture and punish the culprits.

Evan spoke gently, as if soothing a child.

“Don’t vent your anger impulsively.”

“We’ll see.”

“Just make sure there are no repercussions. If you leave the Third Prince or the Count paralyzed, it will cause a big problem.”

“Is the Viscount here yet?”

Always avoiding the issue.

Every time this happened, Evan’s insides burned with anxiety.

Soon after, Viscount Ted entered discreetly.

Upon hearing the situation, the Viscount was initially shocked but soon became outraged at the crime occurring in his own territory.

“Which scoundrel dared to kidnap the Princess, Your Highness?”

“Considering they left the mansion unnoticed, it’s likely premeditated and infiltrated.”

“I will immediately investigate the list of employees.”

“Check everyone, from newly hired staff to outsiders coming and going.”

“Of course, Your Highness… The responsibility for not managing properly is great. I am truly ashamed.”

Lutz patted the bewildered Viscount’s shoulder and dismissed him with a cold tone contrary to his warm touch.

“I’ll give you one hour. Find out if it was an inside job before this sand runs out.”

“One—one hour?”

Lutz put on a new shirt and brought a sandglass, placing it loudly on the desk.

“Precious time is slipping away, right, Viscount Ted?”

The combination of his kind voice and serene smile was so chilling that the Viscount hurriedly stood up and ran out, slamming the door.

Both here and there were unusually noisy today. Lutz pulled at his ears to relieve the ringing and looked at Evan.

“Explain the situation to the delegation and prepare to leave.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll be waiting in the nearby forest, so identify the kidnapper and send the information.”

“This journey is truly arduous. If you knew how much sweat I’ve shed on this trip, you’ll have to reward me generously upon returning to the palace.”

“How materialistic.”

“If you neglect me, Your Highness…”

‘I’ll call you a materialist.’ He was about to whine but closed his mouth. His master was smiling playfully.

For some reason, he didn’t feel like talking to him.

Evan secretly suppressed his anger and began his mission.

* * *

When only a pinch of sand was left, the door suddenly opened.

“Your Highness!”

The Viscount ran in, panting as if he was out of breath, and glanced at the hourglass. He sighed in relief as the last few grains of sand fell and immediately reported.

“The newly hired stable hand has disappeared without a trace. They said no one left the castle gates overnight, so he must have taken Her Highness the Princess and escaped through the forest.”

“How long has he been employed?”

“Not even a fortnight.”

A fortnight would be when the delegation arrived in Sarr. The routes they traveled and the places they stayed were also shared with Sarr.

It could be assumed that not only Third Prince Kailo but also Sarr was involved.

“Any peculiarities?”

“He occasionally mixed in a southern Trycas accent while speaking, and his height… would be about this much shorter than Your Highness.”

The viscount spread his thumb and index finger to indicate a gap of a few finger widths.

Although slightly shorter than Lutz, he was still tall.

The viscount continued to list other notable features such as his appearance and movements.

Lutz drew his sword. The viscount recoiled in fear, taking a step back.

As Lutz adjusted the angle, the blade glinted in the sunlight.

“What are you so afraid of?”

“I-I-I thought you were unhappy with my answer…”

“I’m just checking before departure. I won’t cut you down, so come closer.”

Even without taking any particular action, the viscount trembled like a herbivore before a lion. Seeing this pitiful display, a faint smile spread across Lutz’s face, making the viscount realize they were on the same side.

The viscount quickly approached and spoke.

“Is there anything else you need?”

“Inform my aide of what you just reported and have them track down the information.”

“Understood.”

“I’m leaving now. Where should I exit?”

“There’s a gate to the north that’s been closed for a long time and is unguarded.”

“I need to leave unnoticed by the delegation, so can you bring my horse there?”

Despite the tense atmosphere, the viscount was moved that Lutz’s last question wasn’t a command. It was worth having served with Prince Viant on the battlefield.

The viscount answered confidently, promising to carry out the order and bowed.

“I’ll clear the corridors on the first and second floors and the area around the right entrance for a while. Please move through there.”

“Got it.”

As soon as he was alone, Lutz’s expression changed drastically. He wasn’t sure who was behind this, but they had definitely crossed the line.

He didn’t have strong feelings for Hinael, but she was, after all, his property.

A wife who belongs to her husband. That was another name for Hinael.

‘I can’t tolerate anyone touching what’s mine.’

Lutz recalled his resolve from the past.

When he was young, after his mother passed away, the new Empress entered the palace with two boys.

They were the current Crown Prince and the Third Prince. It was proof that the Emperor had been involved with another woman while the former Empress was still alive.

One day, Kailo stole Lutz’s favorite wooden sword. When he went to retrieve it, it was already broken in half.

So, Lutz struck Kailo’s head with the remaining half, making him bleed.

‘If you’ve repeated that behavior again, this time I’ll smash your head and cut off the hand that stole.’

Lutz sheathed his sword and tightened his boot laces.

* * *