28.
“My priority is escorting Her Highness, so I shall take my leave now.”
Everyone held their breath at the cold glint in the young Duke’s eyes as he glanced back. The gentle expression he had worn moments ago was gone, replaced by a chilling, expressionless mask.
“You will certainly need to explain why this situation occurred. I am leaving a few Abridon knights behind, so do not even think about running away.”
The sheer pressure radiating from a mere seventeen-year-old boy made their knees weak.
“Nasar, wait a moment.”
“Yes.”
As soon as the Princess stepped in, the young Duke’s face returned to its gentle demeanor as if nothing had happened. The Princess stood before the officer of the public security bureau who had been bickering with her until just before Nasar arrived.
“Come.”
A thin, pale arm was extended.
“Y-yes…?”
The man, who had gone pale at the sight of the Princess, stammered. Not just the chief, but all the officers were reminded that this woman was still, indeed, a Princess.
“You said you’d break my arms and legs if I were proven to be a fake Princess. I’m giving you a special opportunity, so do as you said.”
“I, how could I ever dare to…”
“Why, can’t you? Then you lied to me earlier.”
“Th-that’s not it… I was mistaken at the time…”
The man, babbling incoherently, prostrated himself and pressed his forehead to the floor.
“I have committed a mortal sin against Her Highness! Please, spare my life, just spare the lives of my family!”
Without realizing it, the man, having committed a crime that could lead to the eradication of his entire clan, begged for mercy.
“It is all my fault as the person in charge! Please, kill me instead!”
“Please, kill us!”
As the chief prostrated, the other officers hurriedly followed suit.
“Whether I am a fake Princess or not, it is a crime to privately punish a prisoner who has not yet stood trial. Not only did you fail to stop your colleague’s crime, but you joined in and stood by as bystanders. Do you still call yourselves security officers who protect Belerov?”
Faced with such fundamental reprimands, no one could muster a single word in defense. The Princess, after glaring at them, walked over to the bars of the detention cell. It was the section right next to the cell where she had been held.
“You.”
At the Princess’s gesture, the group of prisoners split into two in an instant. The person hiding behind them was revealed. It was the man who had spewed the most vulgar insults at Philomel.
“I’m a bitch worse than any of you?”
Unlike the officer, the man could not even make a coherent sound and only trembled.
‘Not even worth talking to.’
Philomel looked down at the man. It was a truly pathetic sight. He had been so proud to spit out words that dishonored others, yet he couldn’t even manage a plea for forgiveness. Disgusted at the sight, she turned toward the hallway to leave.
As the Princess’s figure disappeared, those who had tried to let out a sigh of relief froze once again.
“…”
It was because killing intent was oozing from the sword-wielding young Duke. He stared into the cell with the expression of one who had nearly lost his sanity.
“Hiiieee!”
The prisoner, encountering that killing intent, went into a fit and eventually frothed at the mouth. They had heard rumors that the young heir of Abridon was a genius, but to reach this level at barely twenty years of age—the chief of the security bureau was struck with genuine admiration, even amidst the chaos. It would be impossible to stop him even if all the officers present swarmed him at once.
Everyone expected the man to die soon.
*Clack, clack.*
Perhaps because everyone was holding their breath, the sound of the Princess’s footsteps echoed clearly through the hallway. The young Duke put his sword back into its scabbard with a hand where the tendons stood out, then turned his gaze elsewhere.
He then asked the officer who had mentioned the Princess’s arms and legs.
“What is your name?”
“…Ian Solbridge.”
“I will remember it. The same goes for everyone else here. I will be back soon, so it would be best if you didn’t try to run.”
“…”
“No, actually, I hope you do try to run. I am not as merciful as she is.”
With that final remark, the young Duke strode out into the hallway. Only the stunned people were left in the place where a storm had just swept through. Everyone sensed it. The moment they tried to run, they would meet a fate worse than death.
***
“Your Highness. It is not that way.”
Nasar stopped Philomel as she tried to head in a different direction outside the security bureau. She had tried to slip away during the commotion, but as expected, it was impossible.
“I have arranged a carriage. We unfortunately all arrived on horseback… It is a common hire carriage so it may be uncomfortable, but you will be able to rest comfortably once we reach Sangen.”
“I don’t mind staying here tonight.”
“That will not do. There is no place in Angelium suitable for serving Your Highness. Let us head to the hotel in Sangen.”
Nasar said, glaring at the security bureau building. He looked like he truly wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.
“Please, board.”
As the carriage arrived, he escorted her with great formality. Passersby stopped and watched them. Nasar in his uniform and the elite Abridon knights were far too conspicuous.
‘There’s absolutely no atmosphere that would allow me to suggest staying here longer.’
Her luggage left at the lodging weighed on her mind. Above all else, the *Princess Ellensia* book was there. If she went to pack her things, the book would end up in Nasar’s hands. He would hand over Philomel’s belongings to the Imperial family according to proper procedure, and if others were to confirm the contents of the book…
‘It’s a nightmare.’
The book contained truths she absolutely had to hide. That the fake Princess who pretended to be a good-natured person was actually a villainess who deserved to be executed.
‘For now, let’s give up on the book.’
If she could successfully win Nasar over, she could come back for it later. First, she needed to talk to Nasar alone, away from prying eyes.
Philomel called out to Nasar, who was giving instructions to a knight who had brought the horses.
“Nasar.”
“Yes.”
“You should ride too, Nasar.”
“…You mean in the carriage with you?”
“Yes. I have something to tell you.”
Nasar handed his horse back to the knight and boarded the carriage after Philomel. He had a strange expression on his face, looking both nervous and delighted. Inside the moving carriage, the two remained silent for a while. A warm sensation touched Philomel’s cheek as she sat lost in thought.
“Your cheek… is swollen.”
Nasar touched the reddened skin cautiously.
“Were you struck?”
His gaze as he looked at her seemed to have sharpened.
“I fell.”
“…I see.”
It was a bruise that anyone could see came from a blow, but Philomel’s pride wouldn’t allow her to explain the humiliating details. Having experienced it, she found being slapped to be incredibly disgraceful.
“This is an ointment made by my family’s mage.”
Nasar pulled a flat medicine container from his inner pocket.
“It is one I use, and it is quite effective. If it isn’t a deep wound, it heals quickly.”
As a knight who wielded a sword, Nasar often suffered small injuries himself.
“I suppose you would not want me to apply it for you…”
“I’ll apply it myself.”
“Yes. Here it is.”
She received the container. To him, it was a trivial kindness extended to his fiancée, but to Philomel, it felt burdensome. Philomel opened the lid and applied the green ointment, which smelled strongly of herbs, to her cheek. The heat in her skin certainly subsided.
Nasar smiled softly.
“It will leave no trace soon.”
“…Thank you.”
However, Philomel could not follow his smile with an easy heart. Her head ached because she didn’t know how to resolve this situation. Nasar was under a massive misunderstanding. Or perhaps he was just an overly rigid person. Common sense dictated that the Emperor would not have ordered a search for Philomel out of a father’s desire to find his lost daughter. The reason he hadn’t exposed her as a fake at this point was likely because he figured there was no rush to announce it until everything was confirmed after catching her. Although, using his misunderstanding to scare the people who annoyed her had been somewhat satisfying.
‘What do I do? How can I escape this situation?’
No matter how much she racked her brain, no clever solution came to mind. Nasar was different from the security officers. He was not a man to be fooled by an impromptu lie.
…At this point, it was do or die.
“Your Highness, is something bothering yo—”
“Nasar! I have a favor to ask!”
Philomel preempted him before he could finish.
“Please, just pretend you never saw me today!”
“Pardon? That is…”
“I beg of you!”
She lunged toward him and grabbed his lapels, clinging to him.
“W-wait a moment! It’s dangerous to stand up suddenly. And… you’re too close!”
Nasar scrambled in panic as Philomel’s face was suddenly thrust right in front of his. Fearing she would fall in the swaying carriage, he grabbed her waist. As a result, she ended up being pulled deep into his arms.