CHAPTER 79………………
The one who took off the mask and wig to reveal their true face was… not a count’s daughter.
Not even a woman.
It was a middle-aged man with a mustache.
It felt like being hit over the head.
“……Chief of Police?”
“Yes, Lady.”
The chief kicked away the trailing hem of the elaborate dress tangled around his feet and greeted everyone.
“It’s me, everyone. Indeed, me.”
Everyone was too stunned to react, until someone finally asked:
“Chief! What on earth are you doing right now?”
“An undercover operation.”
The Chief of Police replied.
“His Highness the Second Prince raised suspicions about the reason Prince Istan gave for entering the Empire. So, we immediately began an investigation. To fool the prince’s eyes, I disguised myself as a count’s daughter—meeting His Highness, receiving orders, and reporting back. And now, the final investigation results are in……”
He pulled out a bundle of documents from his handbag.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, and Your Highness the Second Prince. With the Tower’s cooperation, we contacted the royal family of Naephlicia. The words of Prince Istan were all complete lies.”
“So he did not come to the Empire for business?”
At Aldensis’s question, the chief nodded.
“Correct. Because it’s a small kingdom overseas, news reaches our Empire late. He was said to be ‘popular, wealthy, uninterested in the throne, and living in style, enjoying business and travel.’ That was his public image…….”
The chief shook his head bitterly.
“But in truth, it was recently uncovered that he used his unusual supernatural ability to run a massive scam. A marriage fraud against no fewer than ten women.”
Everyone was shocked.
“Over ten women?”
“That’s right. Noble ladies, temple priestesses, a famous stage actress, even the wife of a high-ranking official—too many for the royal family to cover up. When talk of deposition arose, the prince fled overnight.”
“My god……”
People looked over Aldensis’s shoulder at the communication records, aghast.
“To think His Highness the Second Prince was the first to raise suspicion! How did you know?”
“I’m surprised none of you noticed!”
Zikren sneered.
“The moment I saw him, he grated on my nerves! And yet, just because he had a handsome face and a smooth tongue, you all fell head over heels…….”
He shot me a sharp look as he continued.
“Had I warned you to beware of him, you would’ve said I was slandering him out of jealousy. That I shouldn’t speak ill without proof. So I went to the Chief and demanded an investigation above all else. But even I didn’t expect it to be this bad! Toying with more than ten women? He’s nothing but trash!”
His golden eyes blazed, and red dragon energy seethed around his clenched fist.
“Well said, Zikren.”
Aldensis joined in, his voice dripping with contempt.
“No wonder. When I visited the descendants of his people living in Santilican, the prince’s attitude was deeply disappointing. He came unprepared, hardly looked at the people welcoming him. Now it’s clear—that’s all he is as a man.”
Recalling the incident, a cold fury glinted in his blue eyes. He looked around at everyone and declared:
“To commit such shameless crimes in his own country, then cross into our Empire to launder his past! As Crown Prince of the Empire, I cannot forgive him! He must be caught and brought to rightful judgment!”
“Your words are just, Your Highness!”
Duke Canel agreed fervently.
“That wretch never even had the right to set foot on Imperial soil! Since this happened under my watch, I must see to it that he pays the price!”
His face flushed red with anger—closer to bloodlust than passion. He turned to Aldensis.
“Your Highness! Where did he flee?”
“He escaped my pursuit and ran toward that lake just now.”
“Perfect.”
The duke smirked.
“At that very lake, the sacred ship is moored. The protective force of my house’s ancestral spirits is strongest there. Anyone trying to depart without the lord’s permission becomes enchanted, loses their senses, and drifts aimlessly.”
Emphasizing again that none could leave without facing his trial, he scanned the lake’s surface.
“No drifters for now. Which means that greenhouse over there is the only hiding place.”
In the garden, which touched the lake directly, stood a small glass greenhouse—ideal for hiding.
“I’ll smash him to bits!”
Zikren charged forward.
“Calm down. You can’t finish him off alone.”
Aldensis leapt lightly ahead, overtaking his brother.
“Leave me my share too, Your Highness!”
The duke also dashed after them, bursting with surprising vigor.
The killing intent radiating from the three made the garden’s flowers and trees seem to freeze. Whatever awaited them inside would be pulverized.
‘But there won’t be anyone inside. The one who just fled was Luelian. A thief of his caliber must’ve found a way out already.’
Thinking so, I followed with the other onlookers, unafraid—certain the place was empty.
But then……
As if mocking my assumption, Zikren shouted:
“There really is someone hiding here!”
What?
I was stunned.
Had Luelian not escaped? Why? He was supposed to be a phantom thief.
‘Wait… could it be……?’
Was the Rosen family’s protective power truly that strong? He couldn’t use divine power now without exposing himself.
‘That must be it. That’s why he couldn’t get out.’
My heart began to pound.
The head of the Holy Order, said to be in seclusion for prayer, hiding at someone else’s party—already a disaster.
‘If he’s exposed and forced into a fight……?’
The little dragon’s vision flashed before me again—Luelian, bloodied and collapsed before Aldensis and Zikren, their hands stained red.
‘No!’
He had risked danger to come here for my sake. He mustn’t suffer harm because of me.
Darkness closed in on my vision.
“Wait!”
I ran forward, shouting desperately.
“……?”
The Crown Prince, his brother, and Duke Canel halted and looked back at me.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
The duke asked. My mind was blank, my heart hammering—I couldn’t think of any excuse.
“My lady! Why is your face so pale?”
“Are you all right?”
Aldensis and Zikren both hurried over, concerned.
“Why, Lady? Do you have some reason we shouldn’t attack here……?”
Answer, quickly! Why can’t I think of anything?!
Sweat poured as I panicked.
Then—
Bang!
The greenhouse door burst open, and someone came out.
The dense topiary shadows obscured the figure, but it was a tall man—dragging something like a long rag sack in one hand.
No, not rags—a person.
When he stepped out of the shadows, everyone froze.
Water-soaked hair that looked reddish-brown, a mud-stained uniform jacket.
“It’s Prince Istan!”
Gasps erupted.
The man, dragging the prince as though he weighed no more than a doll, threw him to the ground and stepped into view.
Who was he?
All eyes lifted to his face—and widened in shock.
“No way…?”
Horror rippled through the crowd.
It was the one person no one expected here—the black-haired leader of the Holy Order.
Aldensis cried out in disbelief.
“Luelian?”
“Your Excellency!”
Everyone instinctively bowed. Yet their faces were blank with shock, as if they’d seen a ghost.
Aldensis asked, baffled:
“How? When did you arrive? Weren’t you supposed to be in prayer?”
“That’s true.”
Luelian answered calmly.
“I should have been. But during prayer, I received an urgent message—from the high priest of Aquess, the god worshiped in Naephlicia, delivered by a white dove wearing a laurel crown.”
He drew out a glowing document and showed it to all.
“As you can see, they asked us to capture the criminal who dishonored their temple’s priestess and fled to the Empire. With divine sanction, I suspended my prayer and traced him here. Just as I arrived, a suspicious figure, soaked to the bone, fled into that greenhouse……”
He glanced at the unconscious prince on the ground.
“And this is the result.”
……Whew.
I finally let out a breath of relief.
So he had an emergency cover story prepared.
‘Slipped out of it again, didn’t he.’
A man unable to bear injustice, who punished criminals without hesitation—that was the image Luelian had cultivated, and it convinced everyone naturally.
Still, better not give them time to overthink.
So I quickly shouted:
“Strange, isn’t it? Even with all this noise, he’s still unconscious? Maybe he’s just pretending?”
Everyone turned toward Prince Istan. I thought that would settle things—but then Duke Canel asked:
“By the way, why did you look so pale earlier? I thought something terrible had happened.”
“Well, that’s……”
“As expected, the Lady’s eyes can’t be fooled.”
Luelian smoothly cut in, faint divine power glowing in his hand.
“I was preparing to interrogate the prince, and the Lady must have subconsciously sensed my aura. Since she’s been avoiding me for failing to submit her Amarantia report, she must have felt uneasy……”
“Yes! That’s it! It just felt ominous and unsettling. Like I shouldn’t get too close.”
I chimed in hastily. Luelian winked at me, then quickly mouthed a silent thank you.
Hmph.
I turned my head away.
What was there to thank me for? I only bought him time because I didn’t want him getting in danger while delivering me information.
‘Honestly, what a ridiculous man.’
