The eyes of Samuel Bolton were fixed on me.
I instinctively knew that he was giving me a warning.
Just then, someone stood in front of me.
“I don’t think it’s polite to stare so intently at the young lady of the Duchy, whether in the public or otherwise.”
Sir Rune continued.
“And as long as His Highness the Second Prince is under the protection of the Miller Dukedom, the Miller Family should be the ones to solve the problem that occurs.”
“This area is under public order.”
“Does the duty of public order also include inspecting the imperial family?”
“. . .”
“If you want, I’ll be happy to inform my master about the dog that has been following us since we left the duchy.”
Sir Rune’s voice turned colder than ever before.
I couldn’t see the other person’s face since he blocked my front, but I could sense that the atmosphere was savage.
I saw the young master who had kicked up a fuss run away in the heat of the moment.
When I glanced sideways, the prince was staring quietly at the ground.
At the place where the blood dripping from the young master’s hand had left dark traces.
“I think it’s better to leave. There are too many eyes watching.”
I nodded to Sir Rune.
At least, the soldiers and Young Duke Bolton who had been watching us didn’t look as though they would come any closer.
Before the curious eyes could focus on the prince, I quickly made him board the carriage.
I was planning to do a few more things, but I couldn’t enter another store right now.
“Is he always that kind of person?”
I couldn’t believe that the fall of the imperial family’s authority was more important than the opinion of the second prince.
Sir Rune lightly nodded.
“He is extremely principled. Although they portray it as loyalty, it would be right to say that they don’t like to disturb the “order” they set up.”
The prince next to me slowly let out his breath.
Only then I realized that he had been holding in his breath.
His body slightly moved while holding the book in his arms.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
Even though his stiff body did not seem to be completely relaxed, he seemed to be more in comfort at least with the disappearance of Young Duke Bolton from his sight.
As we got off from the carriage, Rany, who had come out first, approached me.
“I heard there’s a big disturbance in the street.”
Well.
The news was fast.
I couldn’t believe the speed of the news reaching Rany’s ears was much faster than our carriage.
“Are you okay?”
I nodded to her question.
The prince, who had been silent since the encounter with Young Duke Bolton, all but erased his presence and stood quietly next to me.
Rany stared at the prince with a complicated expression and then called someone who was coming over from afar.
“Benji, come here.”
It had been a long time since I saw him.
The boy, who was surrounded with a mature aura but couldn’t hide his youth, greeted us politely.
“Hello, Sister Marianne.”
“Mhm, long time no see.”
Rany waved her hand and spoke to Benji as if she was irritated.
“I have something to talk about with Marianne, so I’m sorry but can you . . .”
Rany stared at the prince.
“Can you . . .”
Her eyes turned sharp.
The prince slightly raised his head and met Rany’s eyes.
It was widely known that the second prince was staying in the Miller mansion, but it was bad if the prince, who stayed next to his teacher because of his unstable health, was found out to be going out for personal purposes.
Therefore, there was no need to inform the prince’s visit in front of the guild’s people.
Rany, who couldn’t find the appropriate name, asked Benji a favor while omitting the subject.
“Please accompany him. I have some business with Marianne.”
“Accompany this fellow?”
While pointing to the boy who looked like his age, Benji asked.
“Yeah.”
It would be normal to ask who and why, but Benji came closer to the prince without saying anything and reached out his hand.
“I am Benjamin Rocke. I will bring you to the living room.”
“. . .”
The prince looked up at me and then followed him.
Then, I asked Sir Rune who still stayed next to me.
“Shouldn’t you follow the prince?”
“Me?”
“For now, the prince’s safety is more . . .”
“My Lady, if by any chance His Highness and you were to be drowning in the water at the same time and I lost you while I was saving His Highness . . . what do you think Orion will do to me?”
Orion’s face naturally appeared in my mind.
Erm.
“I know how to swim.”
The smile on Sir Rune’s face grew.
I knew he wasn’t being literal, but it would be troublesome if he kept staying next to me.
Rany, who had been listening to our conversation, spoke curtly.
“We won’t get attacked here, and if something happens, I will protect Marianne first. You better follow that small prince.”
“Hm.”
“I don’t think listening to ladies’ talk is in the knight’s manner code.”
“Oh, are you going to have ladies’ talk?”
He laughed faintly. Then, he nodded and disappeared to where Benji and the prince went.
After leading me to a room, Rany closed the door tightly and opened her mouth.
“Zen escaped.”
“Huh?”
“I hid him in my room and even left some people to watch over him, but he escaped. I have no idea where that bastard went when he is sick like that.”
“Erm . . .”
I, who had been with him almost the entire night, slightly avoided her gaze.
It seemed like after Zenin disappeared from my room, he didn’t return here.
He might have returned to the magic tower.