The Unemployed Prince Covets My Nephew - Chapter 11
“Recently, we have been secretly investigating the disappearance of children from slums and orphanages. And now, Count Roman, you say. If that’s the case, your little one seems to be involved in a more serious issue than expected.”
While illegal slave markets had been a problem before, the number of children disappearing from the streets without a trace had increased alarmingly in recent months.
However, since the missing children were from slums or orphanages, which no one really cared about, it hadn’t become a major issue.
It wasn’t even a matter worth investigating publicly, making it difficult to grasp the extent of the damage.
Axel had deemed this issue troubling and had ordered a secret investigation.
Of course, he planned to hand over this matter to Anais since he renounced his position as a prince.
“But as I mentioned before, we checked Count Roman’s mansion and all his properties in the capital, but found nothing.”
“Nothing would be found without a surprise raid. It’s not off the investigation list yet.”
Without solid evidence or decisive circumstances, they couldn’t search a noble’s mansion. Since they always gave prior notice, it was natural that nothing was found.
Hailey, who had been listening quietly, added her thoughts.
“Have you looked into the head servant? Even my father found him somewhat difficult. It always seemed strange to me….”
“The head servant, you say. Now that you mention it, I heard that the head servant’s attitude was very insolent when we visited Count Roman’s mansion. He acted as if he didn’t know who he was dealing with.”
“Did you follow up on that?”
“After that, there was His Highness’s birthday banquet, and due to the incident that day… Ahem. Anyway, we didn’t dig deeper.”
“If they are selling the child, we need to catch them before they leave Zenovia.”
At Axel’s words, Hailey grabbed Khalid’s sleeve tightly.
“Before they leave Zenovia? What do you mean by that?”
“Since His Majesty ascended the throne, surveillance has been active, and illegal slave markets rarely open in Zenovia. The problem is abroad. Once they leave Zenovia, tracking them becomes difficult….”
At that moment, a voice she had heard earlier flashed through Hailey’s mind.
‘…Departure time is… After that, you can relax…’
Was the ‘departure’ in that conversation referring to a ship carrying the children?
Hailey grew increasingly anxious.
She should have listened more closely to that conversation in the hallway. She wished she had heard more details.
If it was indeed a ship carrying the children, it wouldn’t depart during the day.
That meant there wasn’t much time. If the departure was tonight, only a few hours remained!
“…Departure.”
“What?”
“They said they’re departing. I didn’t hear the exact time, but the servant told my mother that once they depart, it would be safe.”
Axel quickly organized the gathered information in his mind.
The direction was set. He knew what to instruct from now on.
But there was something more important first.
‘Time is of the essence. What are you doing?’
Hailey was impatiently tapping her feet. Khalid was also waiting for Axel’s orders, but his master was rummaging through the desk drawers, muttering, ‘It was here somewhere.’
‘What is he looking for?’
Axel pulled something out from deep within the drawer and approached Hailey. He suddenly grabbed Hailey’s hand.
Grabbing a lady’s hand without asking wasn’t a gentlemanly act, but both Khalid and Hailey watched in confusion.
Axel hastily pulled off the glove from Hailey’s right hand and slipped something onto her bare finger.
Khalid was shocked when he saw what it was.
‘The highest quality blue sapphire ring that the Queen gave to the Prince as soon as he became an adult. He kept it stashed away like that? No, that’s not the point. Why now?’
It was a ring that the Queen had personally given to the Prince to give to his future bride.
He hadn’t given it to his long-time fiancée, Lady Brahe, and had kept it for nearly nine years.
‘What kind of prince puts a ring on so unromantically and carelessly!’
Khalid silently mouthed ‘Oh my God’ and kept his mouth shut.
“This is a token of marriage. It’s a ring given by my mother, so there’s no more certain proof.”
“What?!”
“And this will serve as your dowry.”
‘This’ referred to the goatskin glove Axel had taken from Hailey. He said he would use it as a dowry.
Khalid finally understood Axel’s intention. He was already thinking about how much trouble this would cause with the King and how to deal with it.
Hailey looked bewilderedly at the overly extravagant ring on her finger and the glove Axel had crumpled into his pocket, then turned to Khalid and asked,
“Is this possible?”
Khalid shook his head instead of answering.
Axel gently grasped Hailey’s chin with his fingertips, turning her head to face him.
Looking down at Hailey, who blinked in confusion, he suddenly pressed his lips to her cheek.
“What is this…!”
“It’s a kiss of love. Part of the wedding ceremony. Don’t you know that?”
“Ha!”
A shocked Hailey pushed against Axel’s chest with both hands.
But only her head moved back, as Axel’s overly solid body didn’t budge.
The event happened so quickly that Khalid didn’t have time to turn his head.
Khalid knew the prince was naturally shameless, but he didn’t realize it was to this extent. He stifled a laugh.
“Khalid will be our witness. The rest will be handled in a simplified manner. From now on, our marriage is established. The marriage contract will be drawn up later, given the circumstances.”
“Could you explain why you’re doing this?”
Hailey asked, annoyed by the lingering heat on her cheek where Axel had kissed.
“What I mean is, I am still a prince of this country, and you have become the princess. Now, your child can also be claimed as my adopted son.”
Khalid finally understood that this crazy prince’s impromptu wedding was a way to escalate the situation.
“So, from now on, this matter can be considered an affront to me as a prince, an insult to the royal family, and a charge of rebellion.”
Hailey clenched her fists tightly.
This was what she wanted. Hailey chose to marry this crazy prince because she knew she couldn’t do it on her own.
Hailey also knew. Even if children were murdered, if they weren’t from high-ranking noble families, there would be no proper punishment.
In the worst-case scenario, if something happened to Theo, Hailey might have just been filled with rage, shedding tears alone in a hell without Theo.
Hailey thought.
‘I will find Theo.’
Axel was known as the ‘Black Lion of the Battlefield.’ His nickname came from his resemblance to a giant black lion that never let go once it bit down until its prey stopped breathing.
There’s nothing more cruel than a long-starved, hungry predator.
‘That man will show those people hell.’
Axel’s eyes gleamed with the excitement of finding prey after a long time.
“Khalid, send the Royal Knights to the baron’s estate immediately. Arrest all the servants and interrogate them until they talk, and if necessary, permit torture. Only release those who provide useful information.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Leak the news that a noble child has been kidnapped. It will help create a favorable atmosphere for us by escalating the situation.”
Even without his status as a prince, Axel was unmatched in swordsmanship and an exceptional aura user, having long since taken control of the knight order.
“Surround Count Roman’s mansion. Also, inform His Majesty of the situation and block all passages in the capital. Lock the gates of the royal palace so that no one can leave except those who have received my orders.”
“The nobles will strongly oppose this since the ball is still in full swing.”
“Anyone with complaints will deal with me directly.”
“…”
Nobles who knew Axel’s temperament wouldn’t dare make a sound at the mention of the prince’s name.
Listening to Axel and Khalid’s conversation, Hailey seemed to remember something and raised her hand.
Axel nodded at her.
“Well, I don’t know if it’s related, but when Count Roman’s servant visited last time, he spoke to my father in a foreign language.”
“Is there a foreign language your father can speak?”
“He can speak a bit of Vasa’s language. My father stayed in Vasa for about a year for business.”
As soon as the Kingdom of Vasa was mentioned, Axel and Khalid exchanged glances.