Chapter 190 - Another Investigation

"Is it merely a grudge?"

Because if that's how it is, then he personally would have a word with her.

"It's still difficult to say. The jealousy between girls is indeed something frightening. However, she won't be able to go near a recently reawakened Goddess, who's still in the middle of trying to regain control of her powers unless she wishes to die. Well, if she is as foolish as the rumors say then she may just go ahead and do it. But the control of the household will certainly fall in her hands before long," Hibiki trailed off and handed him a sheet of paper, " And the other matter you asked of me, has been done already...though it took much longer to acquire this information than the rest. It's done, see for yourself."

Allen bent down to take a look at the doc.u.ment in his hands, causing his eyes to widen, recognition filled his eyes instantly, " This is...".

"Indeed, I was surprised, too, since I had caught a glimpse of him with her. But there's no mistaking it."

The other favor he asked of Lord Hibiki was to look deeply into Lyn's families history and search for him. The missing Prince, the one who was said to have gone missing after taking on a serious job. Despite being a young boy, he had skills that far surpassed that of grown-ups, which is why they sent him to front lines. The man would have to be around 26 years old, a few years older than him... He didn't think that it would be this man.

Allen placed his hand on to his face as if to hide his shock. " ...I found it strange when I was reintroduced to the first Prince when I grew older. But I didn't think, that they'd actually do something as stupid as replacing him by the most talented in the branch family."

Hibiki shook his head, "Prince Andrew is the legit era; he isn't from a branch family."

"The man I met, though.."

"Twin brothers born at the same time."

Twins? Allen frowned, this was more complicated than he thought. He clenched his fist; he did suspect that something was off. And his brother did tell him to be aware of Lyn's family. But he didn't think that the news would be something like this.

"Why would they dispose of him? Was he not capable?"

"No, I heard some odd rumors about him abusing his sister."

Allen's blood turned cold then; he recalled something. Can't be..

"We can take action against them; there is evidence. Queen Orthez tried to burry the matter, but people talk."

Taking action against them, it was something he had wanted to do. Especially when he saw fiance covered in wounds and injuries all the time, it had pained him seeing her in that condition and knowing that there was only little he could do to help her. Not taking this opportunity would be stupid and foolish; he probably won't get another chance for now at least.

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40XX

"I see."

She's always been that kind of person  after all , so it should not surprise him. But he has to admit that he was amazed that she's able to laugh and smile despite all that's going on, "  … Does he hit you often?" Allen asked.

"Brother? Yes, he does. But this time around I supposes it was more of a just reason.  After all , I did almost kill people; it's natural for him."

At that comment, his eyes widened " Yesterday, on my way back I was surrounded you see and it seemed as though they weren't under the empire jurisdiction. Yet they were after me and called me 'Princess.' When I heard that I knew that brother must have got others mad again. Though he told me that whenever those situations happen, I ought to pretend to be feeble and allow them to capture me and wait for him to come, that's what I'd usually do, however. … as of late I haven't been able to sit still."

So that's what happened.

Indeed, doing something like that is undoubtedly bad even though it was the other party who started it. " … why did you wait until your brother found you? Could you not have called me?" Allen mutters the last line in a whisper, yet the girl hears him.

"That's true. I could have done that, but I really haven't been able to act like myself lately and." When he heard the girl's voice quiver, Allen pulled the curtain seeing his fiancé in the usual garments. But something was wrong; the young girl was covered in injuries.

She's...

"No, don't look at me, I don't want you to see me like this."

---

Present

That girl, despite all that, has happened, still saw that man as her brother. Due to her young age at the time it's natural, she wouldn't remember her other brother.

"Prince Allen?" Hibiki called out.

"There is no need for you to do so at least for now," Allen said. As the words escaped his lips, it didn't take long for regret to wash over him. Even though he just said that he's going to contradict himself, quickly? But he supposed that is also something that cannot be helped.

Hibiki must have noticed since he sighs, " I see. Prince Allen, the time you take to change your mind. I'll warn you; there is no guarantee the evidence will be safe by the time you decide to take precautions."

Allen knew fully well what he meant by that. As they are having this conversation now, there is no guarantee that nobody is eavesdropping. It is a dangerous job, and he was well aware of what the consequences would be.

"Even with that knowledge in mind, you won't change your mind?"

"I will not."

"I understand," Hibiki nodded, "then onto the next topic. You wish to know the location of the Zana tablet?"

"Yes, I've already dropped a hint to my companions. However, their actions must be restricted."

"For yourself?"

Allen quickly summarized what was going on with the Snow Kingdom. Hibiki frowned and sighed, "Prince Allen, pardon me for saying so, but you are a fool."

"I am aware of that."

"There is a reason why I do not submit to them; those people are troublesome opponents. Fortunately, you came to me for this matter and not some other lord."

"Does everybody in the area obey them?" Allen asked.

"Naturally, you hardly find anybody amongst the elite who hold a grudge against the royal family. However," Hibiki tapped his fingers against the desk. "For a while, the King has made no appearances, and the Knights are the ones passing orders."

"Are you saying it is a conspiracy?"

"It's hard to tell, why would they need the tablet? They must be up to something."