Chapter 132……………………………………….
“Stakeout?”
At my words, Per tilted his head once again, as if he couldn’t understand.
We hadn’t caused trouble just yesterday or the day before—so why such a strange reaction?
…Now that I think about it, it was mostly dads who got into trouble with me before.
I guess it makes a little more sense now.
“Yeah, a stakeout.”
With my mood suddenly softening, I began to explain step by step.
“Listen, Per. The person who left the handkerchief came in here secretly when no one was around.”
“…Mm.”
“So, if they come again today, wouldn’t they do the same thing—take advantage of the moment when no one’s here?”
“Of course.”
This time, Per nodded slowly.
Even though he usually acted like he didn’t care what anyone said…
Still, he was listening to me so carefully.
Anyway.
“So, we just wait here in hiding until that person enters the bedroom.”
Since they might not come if Nana or I were already in the bedroom.
It’s unavoidable if you want to move around the palace incognito as a criminal, I suppose.
“No, I mean—”
Eventually, Per frowned and asked again.
“It’s not like we’re going to ambush him, so why do we need to hide like this?”
“Huh?”
I mulled over Per’s question and slowly blinked.
“Not going to ambush…?”
“We are going to ambush him.”
“…?”
“I told you, Per. I want to meet Kyle Dad’s dad in person.”
Was he just pretending to listen all this time?
I let out a long sigh and carefully continued explaining.
“See, Per. We wait here in hiding, then ask the person who enters the bedroom to take us to meet Kyle Dad’s dad.”
At the same time, Per let out a long sigh and began repeating after me in a mumbling voice.
“Okay, CC. Listen carefully.”
He even mimicked my tone exactly.
“That person would already be under your parents’ watch because of trespassing here before.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“And they even left a request to meet you.”
“Right.”
“In that situation, if you follow them and disappear from the palace… what do you think your parents will think?”
“…Uh.”
Only then did I understand Per’s point and blinked in shock.
No matter what note I leave behind, in Mom and Dad’s eyes…
‘It’ll look like a kidnapping.’
A child kidnapping in the palace?
And if it’s the daughter of the youngest prince, beloved by the emperor and the grand duke…
‘The whole country would be in an uproar.’
And Kyle Dad’s adoptive father is already charged with inciting anti-state activity.
If he were accused of kidnapping a royal child on top of that…
‘He might really get arrested.’
The conversation I just had with Grandma Margo flashed through my mind.
<Of course, if anyone threatens you, I won’t stay still.>
Grandma Margo wouldn’t stand by, the emperor would do whatever it takes to find me,
and even scarier, Mom and Dad…
“They’d risk their lives just for helping you get there.”
Per muttered in a voice that sounded pitying, as if fueling my imagination.
At the same time, I started feeling immense guilt toward someone whose face I didn’t even know.
Just because of me, they might lose their life.
That can’t happen!
“Besides, the palace maids and guards who couldn’t protect you properly would be scolded too.”
“Y-Yeah… that’s true.”
It could even drag in everyone in the palace, not just them.
“Now you see why I’m stopping you.”
Reading my thoughts, Per met my gaze and asked.
“Mm-hmm, really.”
I held Per’s hand tightly and nodded sincerely.
Thank you for letting me know.
Thank you for stopping me.
I almost ruined the life of someone innocent—or at least, someone who wasn’t guilty enough to die instantly.
“But if we don’t do it this way, Dad would never let me meet him…”
Even if we reached a compromise, it would take time.
And maybe the compromise would include a clause like ‘I don’t get to meet him.’
‘I don’t want to be the only one who doesn’t know about the so-called guardians of the world.’
Mom and Dad don’t know much about them.
Of course, I don’t know much either…
“If you really want to meet him.”
I kept my head down gloomily, when Per spoke quietly.
“You just have to choose a way that doesn’t hurt anyone.”
“A way that doesn’t hurt anyone?”
“Exactly. A way where only you get scolded.”
Only I get scolded?
“…I go find him myself?”
If I could find Kyle Dad’s dad without anyone’s help,
then at least that unknown person wouldn’t be accused anymore, right?
“Exactly.”
Per narrowed his red eyes and smiled slyly.
A mischievous grin.
“Hehe.”
I laughed reflexively along with him, then pressed my lips together as a thought struck me.
Even if I go there on my own, as Per said…
“The palace people would still get scolded badly. For not taking care of me properly…”
“Yeah, well…”
Per shrugged lightly, as if it didn’t matter.
“Things would only be different if it was beyond their control.”
“Beyond their control?”
“If there’s a magician assisting you with more power than your father, what could a mere servant do?”
Again, that characteristic teasing smile spread faintly across Per’s face.
I stared at him, mesmerized, then slowly spoke.
“But Per.”
“Mm?”
“Then it wouldn’t really be a way where only I get scolded.”
You might get scolded worse than me.
Even end up with Mom and Dad’s disfavor.
In the worst case, my guard status might even be revoked…
“It’s fine.”
But Per, calm as ever, narrowed his eyes lightly.
“That’s what friends are for. Friends get scolded together.”
“But…”
“I never planned to let you get scolded alone anyway. It’s not my style.”
Per raised an eyebrow and continued.
“So, do what you want to do.”
“….”
“I told you, I’d be your sword. Well, not this time as a sword.”
His piercing red eyes softened.
“As a kid, you can be the kind of friend who gets into trouble and takes the scolding with you.”
“Per!”
My precious friend!
At that moment, I couldn’t hold back and hugged him tightly.
Per froze awkwardly in place again.
Still the same reaction.
“Thanks for getting into trouble with me, really.”
“It’s nothing.”
“I’ll do my best. I’ll find a way to meet Kyle Dad’s dad!”
With my friend supporting me this much, I have to complete this mission somehow!
Finally letting go of Per, I clenched my fists.
For some reason, my motivation was blazing.
