“They’ll be drafting additional troops soon. Among them, I need a few of my people planted. Let me know if you find anyone suitable.”

“What kind of person are you looking for, Your Highness?”

“An assassin. Someone skilled enough to kill Derek Sylvester without raising any suspicion.”

“…Yes, Your Highness.”

The steward quietly left the study after those words. Once he was gone, the silence in the room deepened even further. Left alone, Alburn let out a bitter laugh.

This was the first time he had openly said he wanted Derek Sylvester dead. Voicing it aloud made him realize just how deeply he felt betrayed, but there was no taking it back now.

He had observed Derek’s personality closely over the years. At first, he had admired Derek’s steadfast and unyielding character, a man who seemed uninterested in the petty squabbles of the nobility. 

But now, that very trait grated on him, constantly stirring his irritation.

If Derek had been even slightly more flexible, Alburn thought, perhaps he wouldn’t have grown so cold toward him. Even now, a small part of him still wished Derek would stand by his side.

“If only he’d kneel and beg me now… But he’s too far gone. What a shame.”

Yet Alburn knew better. Derek wasn’t the kind of man to reverse a decision once made. The problem was that Alburn had realized this too late.

His thoughts drifted to Etia, whom he had seen during the Night of Prayer. Though she had been with Dahlia, his gaze had been drawn solely to her.

“What is it about her…”

The memory of her face brought a flash of anger to his previously impassive expression. Alburn still blamed Etia. In his mind, the reason Derek couldn’t be his was entirely because of her.

“Maybe it’s her I should kill…”

His tangled thoughts inevitably led him to that conclusion. If Etia were gone, a new opportunity might arise. Perhaps it was time to change his plans.

Alburn smiled, unaware of just how twisted his thoughts had become. Why had he wasted time playing childish games of manipulation? 

He could have ended this long ago. Sitting at his desk, lost in thought, Alburn remained in his study for a long time.

That night, Alburn slept soundly, feeling oddly satisfied.

* * *

“It’s been a while, Mieva.”

“Thank you for inviting me, Madam.”

“Please, call me Etia.”

After her conversation with Dahlia continued to weigh on her mind, Etia decided to invite Mieva to the Duke’s manor. Mieva’s cheerful and kind demeanor helped lift Etia’s spirits, even if only a little.

“I saw you at the temple the other day, but I didn’t get a chance to say hello. I’m sorry.”

“There’s no need to apologize. There were so many people there that I could barely keep track of anything. When I was living in Baron Caltana’s territory, I often went to the market and mingled with commoners during festivals. But in the capital, I’ve grown so accustomed to noble life that being among commoners felt strange.”

“You spent a lot of time with commoners? Didn’t your parents disapprove?”

“They didn’t like it, but there wasn’t much they could do. Our territory is so small that there aren’t any other nobles living there. At most, there are a few retired aristocrats who’ve moved to the countryside, but none of them are my age.”

“That’s fascinating.”

“What’s fascinating is life in the capital. There’s always something new for people to gossip about, and the rumors spread so quickly it’s almost frightening. I’d like to return to the countryside, but my parents won’t allow it. They insist I must marry in the capital. Marriage, marriage—it’s all they ever talk about.”

Mieva seemed to have a lot on her mind and spoke freely, forgetting that she was a guest. 

Normally, Etia would have grown tired of such chatter, but she found herself drawn to Mieva’s stories. For the first time in a while, she felt her worries momentarily fade.

“Oh dear, I’ve been rambling on about myself after being invited here. I’m so sorry…”

“No, I enjoyed listening. It’s rare for me to meet someone who shares similar thoughts.”

“Isn’t it? I’ve been told I’m strange so many times, but I think I’m perfectly normal. Just because I’m different from others doesn’t mean I’m strange. If anything, isn’t it more boring to be the same as everyone else?”

“Haha, you’re absolutely right.”

“But are you really alright? When you invited me, I worried something might have happened. I’ve also been feeling guilty about Lady Servan. I wonder if I spoke out of turn back then.”

“No, you helped me. In fact, I wanted to ask you for a favor.”

“A favor?”

But as Etia prepared to explain her request, she grew nervous again. She tried to maintain the composure of a Duchess, but her hands trembled slightly.

“It’s nothing too serious. I was wondering if you could befriend my sister, Dahlia.”

“I’m already friends with her, though we’re not particularly close.”

“I’d like you to stay by her side. I don’t know when I’ll have to return to Sylvester, and I’m worried about her, especially after everything with the Crown Prince.”

“Are you asking me to keep an eye on her and report anything related to the Crown Prince?”

“…Yes.”

When Mieva saw through her intentions, Etia could only smile bitterly. She hated the idea of using someone to spy on another, but it was the only option she had.

Fortunately, Mieva didn’t seem offended. Instead, she appeared thoughtful, like she was considering the situation seriously. This reassured Etia.

“I’d be happy to help. I’m just worried Lady Valère might not welcome me.”

“She might act prickly, but I think she’d appreciate it deep down. She hasn’t been getting along well with the other noblewomen lately.”

“Because of the Crown Prince? I’ve heard people gossiping that she’s going to be cast aside and that they need to align themselves with the right people.”

“That’s exactly what I’m worried about.”

“I understand. I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you, Mieva.”

Mieva reassured Etia, telling her not to worry and that she could rely on her for such matters. Despite being younger, Mieva’s maturity made Etia feel both grateful and a little embarrassed. 

To show her appreciation, Etia suggested they visit the western tower together, where a child from the Sylvester Territory was learning magic. 

As expected, Mieva’s eyes lit up with excitement, and her joy was contagious.

“Oh, by the way, do you know any priests at the temple?”

“Priests? Hmm… no, I’m not very familiar with the temple. Why do you ask?”

“It’s nothing. I just wanted to look into something.”

As their conversation grew more relaxed, Etia’s thoughts drifted to Derek. 

She couldn’t stop thinking about the tattoo she had seen on his back. Something about it felt significant, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t just an ordinary tattoo.

But with Mieva in front of her, Etia pushed the thought aside. Still, she resolved to visit the temple library soon.

* * *

For several days after meeting Mieva, Etia visited the temple library, but her efforts were fruitless. She found nothing but records on the origins of theology, the history of the temple, and the divine powers of priests. There was no mention of tattoos.

“Maybe it’s just a simple tattoo. Perhaps it’s something symbolic for the knights. Should I ask one of the Sylvester knights?”

Etia couldn’t understand why she felt so uneasy about it. Was it because she and Derek had parted on bad terms? Or was she afraid he was hiding something from her again? 

The uncertainty gnawed at her.

As she prepared to leave the temple empty-handed once more, she unexpectedly ran into her father, Count Neiden.

“Are you here to pray?”

“…Yes. I’m worried about Derek.”

“Before your marriage, you refused to come here no matter how many times I asked. It’s a bit disappointing to see you here now. I suppose a husband matters more than parents.”

“I’m sorry.”

Though their meeting was coincidental, Count Neiden looked pale and weary. He wasn’t thin, but he seemed to have lost weight, and his lack of energy surprised Etia. It was clear that Dahlia’s troubled engagement with the Crown Prince was taking its toll on him.

“How is Dahlia doing?”

“She’s been holed up in her room lately. She won’t come out at all. I’ve never seen her like this.”

“…Is it because of the Crown Prince?”

“You’ve heard, I see.”

Count Neiden, who would have normally been furious at the prospect of the royal engagement falling apart, seemed utterly defeated, sighing heavily. Was it because he favored Dahlia more than her? 

The thought crossed Etia’s mind briefly, but she quickly dismissed it.

“Keep an eye on the Crown Prince.”

“What do you mean? Is there something I should know?”

“It’s nothing. But you need to find out why he’s suddenly trying to break off the engagement. What will happen to Dahlia’s future if it falls through?”

“Ha… you’re right. I’ve already placed someone near him to report back, but they haven’t uncovered anything. The Crown Prince only discusses important matters with his steward. I tried to bribe the steward, but he’s too principled to be swayed.”

It seemed Count Neiden had already exhausted every option, but the Crown Prince’s secrecy left him with nothing to show for it. Etia couldn’t understand why he was going to such lengths, but she felt certain he was plotting something. The feeling unsettled her deeply.

“It’s probably because of Derek.”

“What do you mean? Why would he…?”

Etia spoke impulsively, unable to shake the suspicion that the Crown Prince’s behavior was connected to Derek. His sudden change in attitude, his distance from Dahlia, and his previous attempts to involve Derek in the central court all pointed to something.

But when Count Neiden’s expression darkened at the mention of Derek, Etia hesitated. She wasn’t sure if telling her father was the right decision.

After a moment of deliberation, she sighed and continued.

“The Crown Prince has been asking Derek to join the central court for some time now. I think he wanted someone he could trust, especially since the nobles have been keeping him in check.”

“The Crown Prince? Why would he trust that man of all people?”

“I don’t know. Something must have happened between them. Maybe the Crown Prince found comfort in him. He’s still young, so perhaps he was looking for someone he could rely on.”

However, Etia chose not to reveal the full truth about Derek and the Crown Prince’s shared secret as illegitimate children. It was a deeply personal matter, and she couldn’t predict the consequences of exposing it.

Even so, Count Neiden was shocked by what little she had shared, scolding her for not telling him sooner. His intense reaction left Etia feeling drained, and she hadn’t even begun to explain everything yet.