Chapter 103
“The First Prince will definitely not let this end here. I’m still perfectly alive, even though I’m an obstacle to him ascending the throne.”
Ailen’s expression darkened rapidly. Riheart noticed and gently took her hand.
In the meantime, Ludwig agreed flatly.
“Brother Abelio will attack Brother Riheart one way or another.”
“Yes. And to do that, he won’t care about the means or the method.”
His voice was so calm that it was hard to believe he was the one being threatened.
Riheart slowly exhaled and continued.
“In my opinion, he’ll make his move at the memorial ceremony in Pamila Village.”
“The memorial ceremony, you say?”
Ludwig hesitated.
The Pamila Village memorial ceremony was an important event in the Kainz Empire.
Eight years ago, a terrible incident occurred in Pamila Village. A madman appeared in a crowded plaza with a bomb strapped to his body.
Several people tried to persuade him peacefully in order to stop him somehow, but it was useless. The bomb exploded, and as a result, many of those in the plaza were injured or killed.
People named that tragic day the ‘Pamila Bomb Terror Incident,’ and every year a memorial ceremony was held at the very place where the incident had occurred.
The Emperor, who also deeply regretted the incident, attended the memorial ceremony in Pamila Village every year.
In other words, it was no different from an official gathering where both the Emperor and commoners would all be present.
And Abelio intended to make a move there?
“No matter who he is, would Brother Abelio really cause trouble in such a crowded place?”
Ludwig asked, half worried and half doubtful, but Riheart was certain.
“Precisely because it’s such a place, he will act. It’s one of the few occasions when I show myself outside.”
Lost in thought, Ludwig nodded.
Riheart had a good reputation among the nobles. Thanks to Olden, his abilities had been recognized.
Since it would be difficult to bring him down in terms of status, Abelio would surely choose the method of eliminating Riheart altogether.
However, Riheart rarely showed himself outside. He spent most of his time within the Olden estate, only occasionally participating in important matters.
Therefore, for an event like the memorial ceremony—where he would have to be away from the estate for a long time—Abelio would surely make a move.
“Then my role will be to monitor Brother Abelio and see if there’s anything suspicious in Pamila Village.”
“And I will find a way to stop the First Prince based on the information you provide.”
Ludwig nodded gravely. Ailen looked back and forth between him and Riheart with darkened eyes.
Though they spoke lightly, it was a matter where lives were at stake. If anything went wrong, they might be the ones who would suffer the consequences.
Feeling uneasy for some reason, Ailen said to Ludwig,
“You must be careful.”
Ludwig paused, then soon drew a gentle smile.
“Yes. I will be careful.”
Ailen blinked in slight surprise. Was he someone who could smile like that?
In any case, it looked better than his usual expressionless face, so she smiled as well.
“Ahem!”
At that moment, Riheart cleared his throat and stood up. Ailen and Ludwig, wearing puzzled expressions, rose as well.
Riheart pushed Ludwig’s back toward the door.
“Our conversation is over, so you should leave now. If you’re away from the palace too long, Brother will grow suspicious.”
“Ah, yes. But—”
“If you go down to the first floor, the knight who brought you here will be waiting. Tell him and return secretly to the Imperial Palace.”
With Riheart urging him on, Ludwig hurriedly pulled his hood over his head.
Stepping outside, he saw Riheart’s smiling eyes, which somehow carried a sharp edge.
“I’ll contact you again.”
Bang!
The door shut loudly. Startled, Ailen looked at it, then said to Riheart,
“Riheart, even so, couldn’t you at least have treated him to something before sending him off?”
“Ailen.”
She flinched. There was a trace of dissatisfaction in Riheart’s gaze as he looked at her.
“W-Why?”
“Earlier it was merely a wish, but now I’ll ask honestly.”
“What is it?”
“Please do not smile at other men besides me.”
“What?”
Ailen’s eyes widened at the unexpected request.
After a moment of surprise, she burst into laughter.
“Don’t tell me you were jealous of His Highness the Third Prince?”
Seeing that he did not answer, it seemed she had hit the mark.
After laughing for a while, Ailen made an awkward expression.
“I’ll try, but it might be difficult. I’m in business, after all. I can’t treat customers coldly.”
“…Ailen is truly honest. At times like this, aren’t you supposed to at least say you won’t do it?”
“I can’t make promises I can’t keep.”
Riheart’s brows narrowed slightly. He seemed sulky.
Ailen let out another soft laugh and placed her hand on his cheek.
“Since I’m being honest, I’ll be even more honest.”
“…What is it?”
“I love you.”
His golden eyes trembled fiercely. Ailen smiled brightly and added playfully,
“Well, you already knew that.”
“I did, but it’s always good to hear those words.”
“Is that so? Then once more… I love you, Riheart.”
Unable to hold back any longer, Riheart pulled her into his arms and kissed her here and there on her face. After quietly accepting it for a while, Ailen eventually buried her face in his chest as if telling him to stop.
Yet her face was still full of smiles.
After remaining in his embrace for a moment, Ailen asked softly,
“Riheart, this matter… it will end safely, right?”
“Of course. I will make sure it does.”
Ailen nodded.
It wasn’t something that could be accomplished by Riheart’s efforts alone. She and Ludwig also had to carry out their roles without mistakes.
No matter what.
❧ ❧ ❧
From that day on, Ailen tried to live as normally as possible. It would be troublesome if Abelio noticed anything because of suspicious behavior.
Of course, she did not forget to make the magic tool Riheart had requested together with Heinell.
What Riheart had asked for was a small video-recording magic tool. Just like at the previous hunting competition, it was to capture evidence of Abelio’s movements. The magic tool was currently in Ludwig’s possession.
Ludwig, too, was doing his part.
At the Imperial Palace, he secretly monitored Abelio’s palace and also stationed watchers in Pamila Village through trusted subordinates.
Even after doing all that, he felt uneasy.
‘Why is he staying still?’
Ludwig glared sharply at the First Prince’s palace.
Abelio was suspiciously quiet. So quiet that it was hard to believe he was plotting anything at all.
Even from the subordinate he had sent to Pamila Village, there was no particular news.
And the memorial ceremony was only three days away.
‘Was it merely Brother Riheart’s speculation that he would make a move at the memorial ceremony?’
With a complicated heart, Ludwig stepped away from the window overlooking the First Prince’s palace. Just then, his aide entered.
“Your Highness, it is about time to depart.”
“…Very well.”
After casting one last glance at the First Prince’s palace beyond the window, he followed his aide.
Today was the day they would depart for Pamila Village.
Meanwhile, Riheart and Ailen at the Olden estate were also moving busily. They, too, were heading to Pamila Village.
Especially Ailen, who managed the internal affairs of the Olden household, had to make thorough preparations so that the servants could properly maintain the estate while she and Riheart were away.
“Then please take good care of the estate while we’re gone.”
“Leave it to us!”
Amid the maids’ send-off, Ailen and Riheart boarded the carriage.
And beside her sat Adrian.
“I’m so happy to go out with you again, Noona!”
“Me too.”
Though Ailen agreed with Adrian, she felt worried inside. There was no way to know what might happen in Pamila Village.
But leaving Adrian alone at the estate also felt uneasy. If there was danger anyway, she thought it better to keep him by her side, and so she brought him along.
“Noona, how long will it take to reach Pamila Village?”
“Let’s see. Probably half a day.”
“Eeh… That’s too long!”
Adrian grumbled, but Ailen merely smiled quietly. Then she glanced at Riheart.
He was staring out the window with a pensive expression. It seemed Abelio’s silence was bothering him.
“Riheart.”
“Yes, Ailen.”
“Why don’t you get some rest for now?”
When Riheart’s eyebrow twitched, Ailen continued,
“You’ll be busy once we arrive. Wouldn’t it be better to rest a little now?”
Riheart understood the meaning behind her words.
As long as Abelio remained silent, they would be busy during the day preparing for the memorial ceremony and at night trying to uncover his intentions. She meant that he should rest in advance.
Seeing her worry about him, Riheart let out a small chuckle.
“That would be wise.”
“Noona, I’m sleepy too.”
Adrian said as he gently rested his head on her lap. Ailen stroked his hair and deliberately said brightly,
“Then shall we all get some rest before we reach Pamila Village?”
“That would be wise.”
Riheart closed his eyes first. Soon Adrian, too, rested comfortably with his head on her lap.
After looking between the two of them, Ailen smiled and leaned back against the carriage wall. Before long, she gave in to the drowsiness washing over her.
The carriage was enveloped in silence. The only sounds were the breathing of the three of them.
Amid that quiet, Riheart slowly opened his eyes. He looked at Ailen and Adrian, asleep across from him, then turned his gaze out the window.
‘Strange.’
There was no way Abelio would let such a good opportunity slip by. He would surely attempt something, yet he barely left his palace. He was completely quiet.
‘And it seems Ludwig hasn’t discovered anything suspicious either.’
Riheart’s eyes gleamed sharply.
‘What exactly are you plotting?’
