Chapter 152

Chapter 152

At that time, someone knocked on the door. Kairo replied, rubbing his forearm.

Come in.

Its my room! Come on in, Rosaline responded sharply, pushing Kairo away. Kairo smirked and flexed his muscles.

Its shift change time.

The one who entered was Senior Knight Nestor Sihorge. He held a tremendously colorful bouquet, a fruit basket, a cake, and a sandwich basket. Rosaline smiled brightly while Kairo frowned.

Sir Nestor, werent you not exempt from guard duty? I heard His Highness was strongly opposed to it to an unusual extent.

Oh, Sir Pardict sent me. Im the substitute for the third shift! Nestor grinned at Rosaline. Rosaline smiled brightly and began taking the food baskets hanging from his arm.

Its not Raymonds doing, is it?

Over there, the door was wide open, practically beckoning with a celebratory shower of flower petals if you passed by. It couldnt get any more festive. Kairo looked at it uncomfortably. Do you know what guard duty means, sir? he asked.

Nestor responded, Haha, surely you must be joking.

Well, he wasnt. After instructing him to block anyone from going in or out, he grabbed a cake from the food basket and hastily left. Rosaline chased after him in a frenzy. When she returned, there was cream all over her mouth and hands; a pitiful sight of the victor. Please tell the commander or His Highness to fire Sir Kairo. Hes really weird! she shouted.

Kairo had teased her because he found her reactions amusing, but to Nestor, she just seemed adorable. He made a sympathetic expression and handed her a handkerchief, commenting, It seems like you two get along well

We dont!

What calmed her anger was the food Nestor brought. She grumbled occasionally as she ate, but soon found peace. The pudding melted in her mouth, and the bitter caramel slid down her throat, soothing her anger.

Hows your body feeling?

Its gotten much better! I think I can go out now! Rosaline replied courageously. She hoped that by saying she was all better, they would stop this confinement. But when their eyes met, Nestor blushed, unable to give her the answer she wanted. Rosalines expression turned cold, anticipating that she wouldnt get the response she wanted from his shyness. This man is clueless. His rating plummeted even more.

Arent you tired, Sir Nestor?

No, Im not tired at all! I took short naps here and there, so I could stay energetic until morning! Dont worry if you cant sleep; Ill be right here beside you!

Extremely clueless! Rosaline was furious. Ill just brush him off completely!

It was a stab to the heart. A strike that required immense control not to react immediately. The calmness was unbelievable, coming from the person who had directly committed the act. There was no sign of guilt for the sin he had committed, no trace of nervousness that his secret might be exposed.

Could he hide this anxiety so well? Shouldnt something just pop out, making it evident that something was amiss? Yet, he acted as if everything had never happened, as if everything was normal. In the present, knowing everything, his smile appeared twisted and eerie.

Its a time when many foreign dignitaries are roaming around.

Many eyes had been watching Rosaline for quite a while; so it made sense that Ricardis was deliberately confining her within Moonstone Castle. For anyone unaware of the fact that she had suffered a critical injury, it was an entirely plausible story. However, Diech knew that this was a lie. Nonetheless, Ricardis just nodded in agreement.

I see. I briefly met her during the hunting competition, but we still have many things left to discuss. I plan to meet her soon. Emptying his champagne glass, Diech, with a raised brow, placed the glass on the terrace railing. Their eyes met, and he grinned. Please give her my regards, Brother.

Diech turned and walked out to the party hall. Pausing for a moment, he looked in a different direction. Although it was impossible to see his face as he turned away, a chilling anticipation lingered. Soon, his momentarily paused foot started moving again, and he melted into the dancing crowd.

The knights positioned on the inside, outside, and below the terrace also released their vigil and relaxed.

Ricardis briefly stepped out of the terrace into a brighter area. He saw the Emperor laughing and chatting with Elpidio, the direction Diech had momentarily gazed at.

Ricardis had thought that Diechs purpose was simply to occupy the Emperors position when he viewed him as a mere Diech.

But overnight, he had become an unpredictable entity, detached from Diech. What was his purpose? Conspiring with the Black Moon, attempting to kill him, and lurking within the palacewhat was the reason?

With no knowledge of his thoughts, the purpose became obscure. Ricardis left the party hall.

***

Alright, Ricardis. Its annoying, but Ill tell you just once, so listen carefully. One, Im not feeling good right now. Two, Im not sure what time it is, but how could a gentleman be looking for a lady at this hour? Finally, three. I dont know whats been happening recently, but guests have been coming too often, and its tiring, the blind woman complained while lying on a dirty blanket. Ricardis was amazed. He hadnt even mentioned his presence, so how did she know? It happened every time, but he was always fascinated.

So, in summary, youre telling me to leave?

Exactly.

In the depths of the underground prison, particularly the innermost part, was a cell. Katelyn, who had once been a Black Moon executive, waved her hand as if shooing away Ricardis, treating him like a common peddler. Upon closer inspection, she was missing a few fingers. From the bloodstains visible on the bandages, it seemed recent. Likely the work of one of the guests who had visited her.

Where did you sell your fingers to end up like that?

Speaking with such pretense. Your brother stole my fingers. Quite the bandit.

I apologize in my worthless brothers stead.

Katelyn nodded and turned her head. Ricardis leaned against the bars. The purpose of his visit was unclear. There was unimaginable force unknown to him; a force that was the final cog driving a massive flow.