That evening, Jenkins finally exploded, overturning the dinner table as he shouted at Harvey.

“Bring Evelyn here! Find her! If she refuses, drag her back! I want to ask her directly what’s keeping her so busy that she can’t come see me!”

Max, the guard knight, looked tense, but Harvey stepped forward, seemingly having waited for this moment.

“Master Jenkins, I’ve already looked into Lady Evelyn’s situation.”

Jenkins’ expression softened at Harvey’s words. He sat back comfortably and tilted his chin.

“…Well, what is she doing?”

“About that…”

“Is she begging around? Or perhaps fighting with thugs?”

That was typically what Evelyn did. Though not officially responsible for local security, her sense of justice drove her to stop troublemakers. 

Also, having suffered numerous pay cuts, she sometimes obtained food from locals, who were always generous to Evelyn since she voluntarily maintained order.

Harvey swallowed hard. Now that the moment came to speak, he feared Jenkins’ reaction.

“Master Jenkins, Lady Evelyn…”

“Yes. Tell me.”

“She returned to her homeland.”

The room fell silent. Even Max, the guard knight, was startled by this news. They all knew how Jenkins had pursued Evelyn. It was just a week ago that Evelyn had confirmed her feelings and body to Jenkins, saying she liked him.

Fast-moving lovers might be planning their future by now. Even if not moving quickly, suddenly disappearing wasn’t something people in love did.

Jenkins typically lost interest in women after sleeping with them. Many women had criticized him for this, but this time, he was the one being thoroughly rejected.

“Ha… Ha.”

Jenkins’ incredulous laughter echoed through the room. Hearing this laugh, Harvey felt somewhat relieved. He had expected a fiery outburst, but Jenkins seemed not too angry since he was laughing. However, Max, the guard knight, frowned deeply.

He gestured with his chin for Harvey to leave the room. It was a signal that he should step out, but Harvey shrugged. He couldn’t understand why he should leave when the atmosphere didn’t seem bad. Suddenly, a dish flew past Harvey’s head, hitting the wall and shattering with a crash.

Fragments cut Harvey’s forehead, causing blood to trickle down. Jenkins’ blue eyes were cold enough to emit frost.

“When did she return to her homeland?”

“A-a week ago…”

Harvey didn’t even think to lie. Jenkins was barely containing his anger. He wanted to draw his sword and cut off Harvey’s head right then.

“…A week means she would have arrived home by now.”

“Y-yes, that’s… right.”

Harvey trembled like an aspen leaf. He had forgotten due to Jenkins’ recent foolish behavior around Evelyn, but Jenkins had a very fierce temperament. Since coming here, Jenkins had been smiling foolishly and his personality had seemed more relaxed, causing Harvey to let his guard down.

Jenkins poured himself a drink and took a sip.

“So she left immediately after sleeping with me… Ha…”

“…”

“Harvey.”

“Y-yes!”

“Evelyn is a woman who slept with me. Why didn’t you track her? Why did you leave her alone?”

Harvey’s eyes widened. He fell to his knees and prostrated himself on the floor.

“Y-Your Highness…!”

“Shouldn’t you call me Master Jenkins? It would be troublesome if my identity were revealed at the border.”

“M-Master Jenkins! I, I made a poor judgment as your attendant…”

“Any woman who sleeps with me could potentially carry my child. And I didn’t use protection with Evelyn. So you should have managed this aspect. Even if I didn’t openly discuss the intimacy, you should have kept track of Evelyn’s whereabouts.”

Only one attendant and a guard knight had accompanied Jenkins to the border. Though there were hidden knights, they didn’t show themselves ordinarily. So all responsibility fell on Harvey. He felt wronged but had no choice. Having followed Jenkins here, he had to take full responsibility.

Jenkins abruptly stood up.

“Not many people know Evelyn’s face. Harvey, find her and bring her back.”

“…Pardon?”

“I’m telling you to disguise yourself as a merchant.”

“Ah…”

“Fortunately, the Astian supervisor is someone who can be bribed. Do well. Max and I will return to the Peshar Empire.”

“…Understood.”

Harvey couldn’t go to the Peshar Empire with them. Since losing track of Evelyn was his responsibility, bringing her back was also his duty. Jenkins looked around the messy room.

“…I’ve lost interest in this place now.”

Jenkins felt foolish for having waited a week for Evelyn. She had already fled far from him.

‘Have I been abandoned?’

Just as he had abandoned women, Evelyn had abandoned him. However, Evelyn had overlooked one fact: Jenkins had power and status. If he wanted to find someone, no one could escape his grasp.

Even in an enemy country, he could search thoroughly if needed.

“Harvey. No matter how much money it takes, bring Evelyn to me. How dare she sleep with me and then discard me?”

Making him all excited and then leaving after sleeping with him once.

Jenkins’ entire body burned with rage. In this state, he felt capable of anything. He could disguise himself as a merchant and enter the Astia Empire, but he had a better idea. He said to Max, his guard knight:

“Prepare the horses. We’ll return to the Peshar Empire at top speed.”

“I’ll prepare immediately.”

Max went outside. Harvey looked dejected but soon regained his spirit. With determined eyes, he said to Jenkins:

“I will definitely bring Lady Evelyn back!”

“Good.”

Though Evelyn had left of her own accord, Harvey spoke, suggesting she had been captured by someone.

Jenkins was the heir to the imperial throne, and Harvey, as his personal attendant, had the duty to monitor women who slept with him. Harvey reflected on how he had ignored this duty due to personal feelings.

Soon Jenkins silently leaped onto the horse Max had brought. Now that the moment to leave had come, he found it difficult to go. However, he was determined to make an effort to meet Evelyn again, even if that wasn’t what she wanted.

‘You made me like this, Evelyn.’

Hoping she wouldn’t resent him, Jenkins gripped the reins.

* * *

On the way to the Astia Imperial Palace, they rode in a carriage. Being a princess, Evelyn couldn’t simply ride a horse. She sat in the carriage seat wearing casual clothes. Across from her, Andrew watched her, dressed in a handsome suit.

“…It would have been nice if you wore a dress.”

“Not really. Too much trouble.”

“Hmm…”

Evelyn’s clothes were the type commoners would wear. After washing them several times during their journey from the border, they looked even more shabby. Evelyn stretched her shoulders.

“Hector probably wouldn’t like me dressing up either.”

“…That might be true.”

Andrew always spoke vaguely about Hector. He seemed to be hiding something, but Evelyn wasn’t particularly interested.

As they approached the Astia Imperial Palace, Andrew’s physical contact decreased. He seemed somewhat tense. The palace gates opened, and the carriage entered smoothly.

The carriage stopped at the entrance to the hall, and the door opened. Outside the carriage, the imperial guards and the Emperor had already come out to greet someone. She knew who it was without looking. Andrew exited first and greeted the Emperor.

“I greet the Sun of Astia, His Imperial Majesty.”

“You’ve worked hard, Andrew.”