That day was particularly unlucky.

To start with, just before leaving for the party, a messenger arrived with an urgent expression.

Ellen accepted what the attendant handed her and unfolded it. Something lengthy was written in the clear handwriting of her favorite, Spaniel Cheshire.

<Ellen. I’m sorry.

Only my father, who has business matters, will attend the party today. We received news that there was a fire in the territory, and the wind is strong, making it difficult to control the flames.

My brother and I plan to leave immediately after finishing this letter. It seems the damage will be significant, so we urgently need to prepare measures for the victims. Of course, the firefighting efforts as well.

But Ellen, I’m worried you might unnecessarily stress about it.

You, who always did well alone, have been curling up as if needing someone’s permission for every word ever since Krembell got involved.

I know it’s because you don’t want to cause trouble for Duke Krembell.

However, what I’m saying is, don’t hold onto it until it festers.

If there are those who ignorantly run their mouths, be sure to remember.

I think it would be quite fun to come up with words that would leave them speechless together.

If possible, it would be nice to hear your tales of bravery when you return.

Then may you be the confident Ellen today as well.

― Your loving Sweeney.>

“…Alright. Let’s depart.”

With a long sigh, she tucked her friend’s letter into her pocket.

In fact, since coming to the capital, there hadn’t been many days when she was particularly lucky.

Especially on days when there was a palace party, where both hostile and friendly people attended indiscriminately.

Being there alone…

Ellen really didn’t want to go to the party.

But parties held at the palace required attendance unless there was a special reason.

Due to that unwritten rule, Ellen forced herself to move her reluctant feet.

Saying she hated parties because she didn’t want to be left alone when she had a husband was quite laughable.

Ellen usually tried to push such thoughts out of her mind, but today she piled them up with a self-mocking face.

Her husband, Gillian, had all but withdrawn from social circles.

He had introduced her to the central nobility once and then left her to handle social circles entirely.

He only attended events he deemed necessary, spoke with a few people, and then left.

Knowing this well, she didn’t expect her husband to return and be with her that day.

Even knowing that, she still disliked such party venues.

“…Oh, alone again today, I see.”

“I told you. Something must be wrong between the couple.”

“Right. The difference in attitude from the beginning to now is so clear. Did she perhaps take a lover at such a young age….”

A lover, seriously. If I were to suspect anyone, shouldn’t it be your beloved Duke, not me?

Such words rose to her throat, but she held them back.

Eventually, she found a suitable moment to leave the party hall alone.

As she sighed hopelessly, a familiar voice called out to her from behind.

“Ah, Lady Krembell. Here you are.”

“Your Highness?”

Despite her efforts to leave unnoticed, the Crown Prince found her.

“How did Your Highness know to come here….”

“Well, it’s the palace, after all.”

Kaiden shrugged his shoulders and approached.

“It seems the party was dull for you.”

“…Oh, not at all. I just came out because the night breeze is pleasantly cool.”

“The breeze is still chilly.”

He chuckled softly, then spoke.

“Instead of being alone… Now that I think about it, you mentioned you like paintings. If you don’t mind, would you care to tour my gallery?”

It was a kind offer.

Anyone with even a slight interest in social circles knew why she was outside alone.

So he had come outside, knowing everything, for her sake.

It was a kindness from another that she hadn’t felt in so long, perhaps one she would have forgotten completely if not for this moment.

“…Yes. Thank you.”

“Haha, I’m already excited thinking about showing off various things.”

He joked.

They walked along the long corridor.

Throughout the walk, an awkward distance lingered between them.

However, Kaiden jovially recounted incidents between him and Gillian from their childhood, and Ellen laughed at stories of her husband she didn’t know.

The Crown Prince’s gallery had many things.

The most noticeable were the paintings his late mother had drawn.

A young prince sitting quite gallantly in a chair, holding a small wooden sword alongside Gillian, who was a head taller than him, both sitting at a desk with their heights nearly matching as they grew.

Ellen couldn’t take her eyes off the images of her husband as a child, whom she hadn’t seen before, and Kaiden approached and spoke.

“You seem to love Gill very much. I feel sorry and grateful.”

“…Why would Your Highness say that?”

“Even though Gill is my cousin, he’s like a brother to me, and family, of course, includes you.”

“…….”

“Since you seem to like the paintings, feel free to visit whenever you think of them. I’m sure my late mother would also like someone visiting often.”

“…Can I really?”

“There’s no reason you can’t.”

He smiled gently, seeming to pity Ellen’s cautious demeanor, then opened a drawer and brought out a small box.

“Please accept this, madam.”

“Is this the late Empress’s…?”

“Yes. It’s something I inherited, a treasure of the imperial family traditionally gifted to wish for the successor’s well-being.”

“Why would you give me something like this…?”

“Rather than that, it’s just a red ruby ring. It doesn’t suit me, so I can’t even wear it.”

He shrugged nonchalantly.

“Even though you’re not of the imperial family, we’re family, aren’t we? A place to catch your breath on dull and boring party days like today.”

“…….”

“It seems neither you nor others from other families fully realize that.”

His face carried a hint of chill as he smiled.

Thinking back, it seemed to be his true feelings leaking out, unable to be fully suppressed.

“I recommend wearing it properly on your hand, but if it’s uncomfortable, at least wear it around your neck.”

“…Thank you.”

Ellen was deeply grateful for his kindness.

His gesture of warning those who insulted her with feigned indifference, taking on the role of what her duke husband should have done.

“I’ll definitely return it with gratitude later. My father taught me never to forget kindness and resentment.”

“Well, returning it later to my child will suffice.”

“…Ah. I see. Then that messenger will be my child.”

“Haha, that’s nice. The children will be great friends.”

* * *

The red ruby ring from the imperial family she received back then.

And her, pretending not to notice Gillian stabbing him in the back, while having the ring.

As Ellen’s face stiffened with the sudden flood of past memories, Kaiden’s expression also hardened.

“My late mother wore it herself. No one dares to act rashly towards someone holding it, not even His Majesty.”

“…I know.”

“Do you? Then may I take it that you’re accepting it?”

“…….”

Ellen pondered.

There’s no need for unnecessary risks.

But due to the old memories the ring invoked, she realized her heart was already leaning.

‘I’d like to help if possible, but what should I do….’

Wouldn’t this lead to repeating the same mistake as before?

‘But Gillian doesn’t know about our approach yet. It’s true that attacking when he doesn’t know is most effective.’

Ellen weighed the risks and benefits.

‘The Crown Prince seems like the type to take some risks to achieve results… Simply closing my mouth and trying to dissuade him won’t work. It’s better to keep him in sight and move together. It might even help build a bond.’

After a moment of thought, she spoke,

“Alright. I’ll tell you.”

“As expected. I thought you would know more.”

Kaiden smiled contentedly.

“However, this will be the first and last time for such a risky endeavor. Do you understand?”

“If it’s information close to the core, there won’t be a need to do such things to delve further.”

At Ellen’s admonishment, Kaiden responded with an eager attitude, seemingly urging her to share the information quickly.

Finding it annoying, Ellen rolled her eyes and mentioned the place she currently thought was best.

“Go to the Tempt Dock.”

“Tempt? It’s closer than I expected, which surprises me a bit. Then again, Krembell….”

Kaiden stopped mid-sentence.

He seemed flustered, realizing he had unknowingly voiced suspicion about Krembell.

Ellen continued the sentence for him.

“Because the Tempt Canal is used as the main cargo route.”

“…Right.”

“It seems you didn’t expect the Tempt Canal, which borders the capital Istazhan, to be mentioned.”

“It would be a lie to say otherwise.”

Kaiden spoke without hiding his discomfort.

“They say the darkest place is under the lamp. Come to think of it, they built a casino in the capital too….”

“Money generally gathers in the capital. Moreover, the Tempt Canal is both the border of Istazhan and Krembell Territory.”

Then Sir Coenheim Morris, who had been silently listening, asked,

“If it’s the dock… We’ll need to secure the cargo, but if the timing is wrong, it might all be transported away. Do you have any information on that?”

“I mentioned it because today is the day the ship arrives. By now, the cargo should be moving to the warehouse. Transportation will likely start by this evening.”

“The time….”

“Yes. It’s tight. But that makes it a proper surprise attack, doesn’t it?”

Having made up her mind, Ellen didn’t hesitate.

Once decided, do it properly.

Then Sir Cheshire Terriard spoke with a face full of concern.

“Ellen. We need to move immediately to assess the situation. I’m really sorry I can’t take you, but we’ll drop you off at a nearby carriage house….”

“No.”

Ellen shook her head.

“I’ll go with you.”