The Crown Prince picked up the skewer pushed forward by the old man and took a big bite, chewing while speaking.

“They better catch the culprit soon.”

“That would be nice, but I heard some say that the officials are covering it up.”

“If that’s true, isn’t it a big problem? Why are you still here after hearing such things?”

“Well, I can’t help it when I think of my grandchild. You should finish up quickly and head home.”

“…I should. Thanks for the meal, old man.”

He finished the remaining skewers on the spot and returned to Ellen, who was waiting for him.

“You’re quite skilled. I was surprised at how natural you were.”

“You know how to make a high-class remark about how often I escape.”

“That’s how I learned.”

As Ellen chuckled, he shrugged his shoulders.

He lightly nodded forward and said,

“Let’s walk a bit. Let’s change our location.”

Following the Crown Prince’s lead, they soon arrived at the fountain in the central square.

There, small children were giggling and splashing water.

“I’d like to sit here for a while. What do you think?”

“Sounds good. The breeze is nice too.”

With Ellen’s approval, Kaiden led her to a nearby bench.

A lively street.

The faint sound of people’s conversations came and went.

Using the chatter of people as background noise, they shared stories quietly.

Even after making such a big decision, you look healthy, Your Highness, and it’s a relief you’re safe despite having no money, why bring that up all of a sudden…

Their light-hearted conversation soon dwindled, and the Crown Prince silently looked ahead.

At the end of his gaze was the bustling activity of people ending their day.

Perhaps his ears were capturing their stories.

His profile, observing his people with a serious expression, stirred something in a corner of her heart.

For instance, ‘He was too precious a person to have lost his life to a mere usurper,’ a sorrow that had passed.

But was such regret even appropriate for her?

She was the one who left him to die by a traitor’s sword, and she was the one who ultimately held a knife to his throat.

With such thoughts, the sun gradually set, and the clock hands pointed to the time Ellen had been waiting for.

Ellen asked,

“The capital’s security situation. It must be a significant concern for you.”

“Well, it would be a lie to say otherwise. But I’m grateful to have identified the problem now.”

A textbook response.

Ellen smiled gently and said,

“Would you like to visit a place I know from now on? I assure you it will ease Your Highness’s concerns.”

“Are we going to a theater?”

The man’s face was innocent.

Perhaps this man likes theater performances.

Ellen tucked that thought away in her mind.

“It’s not a theater, but it might be seen as something similar.”

“Alright. Now it’s my turn to accompany you. Let’s go.”

“Then let me guide you.”

Her smiling lips formed a graceful curve.

There was no hint of doubt in him.

It wasn’t that she didn’t feel guilty.

But there was too much she knew and too much she couldn’t give up to hesitate over it.

This time, it was Ellen’s turn to lead him.

* * *

The carriage moved on as the evening glow faded.

After passing a few blocks, they arrived at an alley, and Ellen instructed the coachman to stop.

“Here, ma’am?”

The coachman asked with a puzzled look.

Instead of answering, Ellen took something out of her pocket and tossed it to the coachman.

“Keep this as collateral. If you wait well here, I’ll give you the other piece too.”

It was a small sapphire earring.

The coachman, realizing what had been thrown to him, quickly changed his expression and said,

“Of course! Please be careful.”

Receiving the coachman’s obsequious farewell, they walked into the alley.

Though it was the same city as during the day, the night street gave a subtly different feeling.

People weren’t unfriendly, but they weren’t as amiable as before. Unexpected harsh words could be heard, and it seemed necessary to find out who was responsible for environmental beautification and hold them accountable.

The Crown Prince, who had been surveying the unfamiliar surroundings, spoke in a hesitant voice.

“…The atmosphere here is quite different.”

“Is that so? But if you watch for a moment, you’ll get used to it soon.”

Ellen just gave a faint smile.

It must have been a bit confusing for him.

He might be blaming himself, wondering where this place is, after mentioning a place that’s similar to a theater.

Their destination came into view.

They stopped in front of a shabby house.

Knock, knock. Knock. Knock, knock.

When Ellen knocked on the door, a scruffy-looking man came out.

“Who is it?”

“I heard there’s a game.”

Ellen skillfully flicked a gold coin.

The man quickly pocketed it and opened the way for them.

Following Ellen, Kaiden asked in a quiet voice,

“…What is this place?”

“As I mentioned, it’s a place of entertainment that will make you forget your worries.”

Ellen, holding his hand as if to prevent him from stepping back, said,

“Shall we go in?”

Kaiden hesitated for a moment, as if he had something to say.

But soon the door opened.

He saw the scene beyond the door, regardless of his resolution.

Kaiden glanced around a couple of times and muttered with a slightly bewildered face.

“…A pub?”

A well-decorated interior and quite a spacious area.

A place bustling with people talking loudly and overflowing with beer.

After standing there blankly for a moment, he finally seemed to grasp the situation, looking visibly relieved, and spoke,

“You knew about places like these. Come to think of it, I’ve heard about this before. Sir Cheshire…”

“Shh.”

However, his words were interrupted by a slender finger placed on his lips.

“Just keep following me.”

“……?”

Confusion rose in Kaiden’s eyes as his mouth was suddenly sealed.

But without further explanation, Ellen moved forward.

Past the first table, through the central bar, until only a wall with a menu was left.

Then Kaiden, who had been following her as instructed, called out to her with a perplexed face.

“You, what on earth are you—”

“Well then.”

“……?”

Ellen reached out toward the wall.

And as she pushed against it with force, something surprising happened.

Creak.

“……!”

The menu board slid to the side.

“Shall we go in?”

“What is this…”

Kaiden murmured in bewilderment.

What lay before them was a completely new space, utterly different from the pub they had passed through.

Spinning wheels, rolling marbles, dealers conducting games, and people shouting around them.

“Well… That looks easy.”

Even with such things before her, Ellen unhesitatingly headed beyond the wall.

Leaving Kaiden, who was watching in a daze, behind, Ellen walked in, her heels clicking loudly.

This place was where all sorts of illegal activities were conducted away from the eyes of the state.

An illegal gambling den operated by Gillian Krembell.

She could feel his gaze piercing her back.

Ellen glanced back.

Sure enough, he was staring intently at her from a distance.

But it wouldn’t take long for that to turn into anger.

Ellen calmly blended into the crowd.

Soon, following the dealer’s guidance, she began betting as well.

One round. Lost.

Two rounds. Won this time.

After a few more rounds…

“Oh no! This can’t be!”

A man’s cry erupted beside her.

He sat down, staring blankly at the wheel.

Words like ‘debt,’ ‘scam,’ and ‘unbelievable’ seemed to leak out.

The man, sobbing, turned his head toward the dealer as a new game was prepared.

At that moment,

A sinister gleam passed through the eyes of the man sitting in a daze.

He hurriedly got up and lunged at the dealer.

“You bastard, you rigged it! I saw everything!”

But soon, the mercenaries hired for security gathered, and the man who lost his money began to be beaten roughly by them.

The surroundings merely glanced at him without showing further interest.

On the contrary, someone shouted loudly, claiming their concentration was broken, someone clicked their tongue, and another protested, demanding that the man be dragged out immediately.

Ellen just watched the chaos unfold.

‘…Crown Prince?’

She checked on the Crown Prince standing behind her.

Fortunately or not, his face was more hardened than she had anticipated as he watched the man being beaten.

‘Anyway, it was effective. That’s enough.’

Sensing her gaze, his head turned toward Ellen.

Their eyes met.

At that moment, Ellen smiled.

The Crown Prince’s face twisted mercilessly upon seeing her smile.

He began striding toward her.

Not hiding his emotional turmoil, he grabbed Ellen’s shoulder as soon as she was within his reach.

“You, what on earth is this…!”