Chapter 14 Part 1

“…Good day, my lady.”

“It’s been a while. I didn’t expect Sir Grey to visit in person.”

Sitting across from Canerva Grey in the drawing room, I felt more curiosity than awkwardness. I had intended for him to deliver my letter, but to think he would come to the estate himself? I had assumed, as always, that he would contact me through Tornado. Canerva Grey’s unexpected visit left me bewildered.

“In truth, I did receive the letter you sent…”

“…?”

“But it seemed like something that should be delivered directly to His Highness rather than myself. Am I correct?”

“Yes, that’s right. Sending a letter directly to Ten felt too conspicuous. Though, to be fair, I’ve already drawn plenty of attention to myself. Given that I recently stirred up quite the commotion in the social world.”

It seemed news had already reached him as Canerva Grey nodded slightly, with a tinge of understanding and perhaps a hint of apology in his expression.

“I’ve been so focused on my own affairs that I’ve been rude to you, my lady. How have you been? I heard you were poisoned.”

“It wasn’t serious enough to cause concern. I recovered quickly, and the poisoning wasn’t that severe.”

“That’s a relief,” Canerva Grey replied, though he couldn’t completely mask the hesitation lingering on his face. It seemed he realized that his unease was apparent, as he rubbed his face a few times with one hand, though it did little to hide his expression.”

“…Is there an issue, perhaps?”

“To be honest, I’m not sure if I should even be sharing this with you, my lady. While I am someone who has sworn loyalty to His Highness, the prince hasn’t shared much with me either.”

I leaned forward slightly, signaling my willingness to listen. Canerva glanced cautiously around the drawing room.

“Will you promise to keep this confidential?”

“I can assure you. It’s just the two of us here, and if you wish, I will keep this a secret no matter what.”

Canerva’s expression relaxed slightly, and he lowered his voice as he began to speak.

“To tell the truth, this delegation was formed to protect and assist His Highness. The reason why the delegation’s members weren’t disclosed until arriving in the Rohan Empire was precisely for that purpose. We knew full well that if word got out that His Highness was moving with the delegation, many would try to target him.”

“…”

“Endeavor is currently in turmoil from an extended battle for the throne. Before His Highness could secure his position, the second prince died suddenly, leaving no time to prepare. His Highness has been forced to spend each day surrounded by noble conspiracies aiming to claim the throne. Each morning, he opens his eyes grateful to still be alive.”

I bit down on my lip, making sure not to let Canerva Gray notice. I could fully understand the story he was trying to convey. After all, I had anticipated this outcome myself. Even so, I believed that going there would bring happiness to Ten. No matter what hardships he endured, he was the protagonist, the one destined to shine brighter than anyone else.

Yet, the heroine, who was once so kind and radiant, ended up imprisoned after attempting to poison me. And those who once seemed willing to sacrifice everything for her turned out to be nothing more than pawns, ensnared by her charms and unaware of their own feelings. This place was no longer the world of a novel, and its characters were no longer destined to experience only beauty and joy. The same was true for me. This world had become my reality.

“Just when it seemed that His Highness was finally being recognized as a prince and securing his position, the Emperor never once acknowledged him,’ Canerva continued. ‘From a few days before the second prince’s death, His Majesty locked himself in his chambers, refusing to see anyone. Since then, he has not appeared in any official capacity.”

“…”

“Occasionally, His Majesty sends out documents regarding important state matters, but aside from those, no one has seen him in person—except the chamberlain. At least, until recently.”

I listened silently, taking in every word. I had a duty to understand what kind of impact I had had on him, the aftermath of my own actions.

“Unable to bear it any longer, His Highness personally sought an audience with His Majesty. Since the chamberlain refused him during the day, he resorted to visiting the Emperor’s chambers late at night, under the cover of darkness. After that meeting with His Majesty, His Highness organized this delegation and came here.”

“…What has Ten been doing since he came here?”

“Most of his actions revolved around you, my lady. Attending the parties you attended, visiting the orphanage you established, things like that.”

I quietly lowered my gaze. I couldn’t bring myself to meet Canerva’s eyes. Even though I knew he wasn’t blaming me, the instinctive shame was undeniable.

“Oh, but he’s also done a few things that even I can’t quite understand.”

“What kind of things?”

“He requested to meet the Royal Mages of the Rohan Empire. Once, an older gentleman visited Dorothea Palace, had an audience with His Highness, and left. Later, His Highness told me that man was a Royal Mage.”

He was meeting with mages? Why would Ten need to meet with mages? After meeting with the Emperor of Endeavor, forming a diplomatic delegation, and coming to Rohan, why would he go out of his way to seek out mages?

“Then where is Ten now?”

“Well, these days, he leaves the palace early in the morning and returns late in the evening. During those hours, we have no way of contacting him. That’s why I came to you, my lady. I thought perhaps you could help us understand His Highness’s actions.”

His voice carried a tone of earnestness, almost pleading. He genuinely hoped I could explain or perhaps even stop Ten’s puzzling behavior. Of course, from his perspective, being in a foreign land with no one to confide in must have been incredibly frustrating. Given the circumstances of recent events, he likely believed I was on Ten’s side, which is why he felt comfortable confiding in me.

I nodded, signaling my willingness to help.

“Once your entry pass is issued, I’ll head to the palace to meet Ten. Please let him know I’ll be coming this evening and ask him to make time for me.”

“Understood, my lady. I’ll leave it in your hands.”

Looking at Canerva Gray’s earnest expression and noticing the slight weight loss on his face, I could sense the stress he’d been enduring. To reassure him, I gave a firm nod, signaling that I’d do my best.

***

“Where is Ten right now?”

“He’s waiting for you in the drawing room, my lady.”

When I arrived at the palace at the agreed time, it was Canerva Gray who greeted me. Without realizing it, I had assumed Ten himself would be there to meet me. The moment I saw Canerva Gray, it felt as though my heart dropped to the floor. Perhaps, deep down, I was afraid that Ten had grown tired of my stubbornness and unpredictability.

“His Highness did intend to greet you personally, but I stopped him. There are too many eyes on you already…”

Trailing off, Canerva hesitated, mumbling his words. When we first met, he had given off the impression of being an unyielding, impenetrable figure. However, now that we had become somewhat familiar, he seemed more like a nagging adjutant. And perhaps that wasn’t far from the truth.

“He… doesn’t look his best right now.”

“What do you mean? Has something happened to him?”

  “It seems His Highness hasn’t been eating properly while outside the palace. If the nobles of Endeavor were to see him, they might mistakenly think that the prince has been starved in Rohan.”

“…He’s lost that much weight?”

Hearing this from Canerva, who served Ten most closely, only made me more concerned. But still—so thin that others might assume he’s been starved? What exactly had Ten been doing outside to end up like this?!

“Currently, there’s no one attending to him in the palace. Everyone has been sent away on tasks far from here, ensuring that no one knows of the two of you meeting.”

I barely registered Canerva’s cheerful comments as I was too preoccupied imagining a gaunt and starving Ten. My mind was racing with how to give him a piece of my mind—no, several pieces—once we met. With renewed determination, I stormed forward, my steps sharp and purposeful.

But just as the corridor leading to the drawing room came into view, Canerva called out to stop me.

“Apologies, my lady, but I must take my leave here. There’s an urgent matter I need to return to.”

“I thought you would join the conversation. Wouldn’t it be better if you were present to help convince Ten?”

“Ah, of course, that is important. However, His Highness assigned me a separate task, and I must see it through.”

Well, loyalty requires not only the ability to guide one’s lord along the right path but also the competence to fulfill their orders. Reluctantly, I let him go and continued down the familiar corridor until I finally stood before the drawing room door.

When I open this door, he’ll be there. The maid who should’ve been guarding the drawing room wasn’t in sight, giving me a chance to wait until my trembling hands calmed down, stealing a few moments to steady myself.