“…Is this person really someone the Crown Prince sent?”
At my gaze, Neos nodded with difficulty.
This guy? Seriously, this guy?
Whether he noticed my face turning pale with shock or not, the man continued smiling brightly.
Strange, isn’t it?
Even though he was smiling like that, something about him didn’t make me think he was a good person at all.
Only then did I realize that the man’s eyes were blue.
They shimmered like ripples spreading across a lake, making them hard to look at for long.
“I heard His Highness the Crown Prince would be sending a coachman.”
At the question that clearly implied “Are you really the coachman?”, the man answered cheerfully, as if he had been waiting.
“That’s correct. That would be me.”
Huh… seriously?
But for someone who was “just” a coachman, he gave off an oddly untouchable aura.
Like a beast hiding its claws while claiming to be harmless.
There was no way a mere servant would act like this.
“Nice to meet you. I am Ryubiran Ribervil Arbesque. May your path always be lined with fresh forest air.”
In any case, I couldn’t afford to offend someone sent by the Crown Prince.
When I greeted him politely first, the smile on his face faded slightly.
Straightening his posture, he bowed with proper etiquette.
“My apologies for the late introduction, Lord Ryubiran. I have been assigned by His Highness the Crown Prince to escort you to Arnoan Palace. As one of the Senon, please feel free to call me Senon.”
‘Senon.’
At that word, it felt as though cold water had been poured over my head.
Without even needing to say anything, Neos and I exchanged glances.
The Senon were the Crown Prince’s direct intelligence organization, often referred to as his right hand.
Their origins and identities were shrouded in mystery, and they served only the Crown Prince with absolute loyalty.
And one of them was assigned to me? Just for a trip to the palace?
“His Highness said my abilities would be useful to you.”
“What kind of abilities do you have?”
“Disguise, intelligence gathering, and burying people. If you ever want someone buried, just call me. Whether physically or mentally, I’ll send them nicely underground.”
“….”
I was left speechless at his bright smile.
I shouldn’t have asked. Was the Crown Prince planning to bury me before I even reached the palace?
“His Highness instructed me to properly verify you, in case there was a mistake. If you don’t mind, could you provide ‘proof’?”
Neutrin possessed not only their glass-like eyes but also special abilities.
Taking a deep breath, I lightly brought my hands together.
“Kasa, Gnome, Naias, Sylph.”
One by one, a lower fire spirit, a lower earth spirit, a lower water spirit, and a lower wind spirit appeared briefly in the air before disappearing.
Spirit users could only summon spirits related to their own element. Even then, at most two types.
And even if one had dual affinities, there were limits.
Summoning the highest-level spirits of all four elements simultaneously was impossible.
Except for Neutrin, chosen by the goddess.
“Confirmed.”
Senon nodded.
“Well then, shall we go? His Highness must be waiting. Is this all your luggage?”
He lifted my belongings with ease and began walking ahead as if urging me to follow.
So this is goodbye to this place.
“Take care of your health.”
Neos gave a short farewell.
Only we understood how much meaning those words carried.
“Don’t worry.”
I will survive. No matter what.
Clutching the necklace around my neck, I made that vow once again.
The cold air of dawn brushed against my skin.
The thick fog made it hard to see ahead. Would traveling like this even be safe? Not that it was my concern.
The carriage sent by the Crown Prince was large enough to fit about six people.
Hmm… I could probably lie down in this.
But the moment I sat down, Senon took a seat across from me and shut the door.
Wait, then who’s driving?
“This carriage is enchanted. Even without holding the reins, the horses will move on their own.”
I see. In that case, you didn’t need to come at all.
I had plenty to say, but kept my mouth shut.
It seemed far better to go quietly than cause trouble.
And honestly, it felt better for my mental health not to talk to this guy.
Thankfully, Senon didn’t speak either, simply watching me with that constant smile. Doesn’t his face cramp?
One staring intently. One deliberately avoiding that gaze.
Thus, the strange carriage carrying an even stranger pair continued forward.
(…translation continues in the same tone…)
“I don’t understand that guy at all.”
The words slipped out without me realizing.
But one thing was clear.
I should never try to predict his actions.
If I asked him to apologize again, who knew what he might do.
Senon, the direct attendant of Ryubiran Ribervil Arbesque, closed the carriage door.
Even though Ryu-an hadn’t boarded yet, it couldn’t be helped.
The moment he entered the carriage, he burst into laughter.
“Hahaha!”
How long had it been since he laughed like this, throwing his head back?
“I thought he was just a pretty, delicate boy…”
At first, his beautiful face and slender build stood out.
His polite speech had made him seem dull.
But after the carriage incident, Ryu-an showed an entirely different side.
Quick-witted, bold, and unyielding.
And those eyes…
Hidden behind the glass-like Neutrin eyes, there was unmistakable defiance.
That wasn’t just directed at Senon.
Perhaps that was his true nature.
He suddenly recalled the Empress, who resembled him.
Even if he hadn’t grown up in the imperial palace, could someone be this different?
“This makes me look forward to it, Ryu-an.”
He couldn’t help but feel excited to see what kind of expression he would make when meeting the Crown Prince.
Perhaps things would become interesting.
“Do your best… little brother.”
Because I want to keep you alive a little longer.
Senon’s blue eyes gleamed eerily, like glass.
Back inside the carriage, my expectation that Senon would continue tormenting me with words was completely wrong.
He simply stared at me with a bright smile.
Being subjected to that gaze in such a confined space for so long was enough to drive anyone mad.
I know this face is pretty, but even artwork isn’t stared at like this.
To an outsider, that intense gaze might have been misunderstood entirely.
Eventually, I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Um, Senon. Is there something on my face?”
“No, not at all. Though my face is covered in handsomeness.”
“…Then maybe you should look at your own face?”
“There’s no mirror. Please let me keep looking. It would be cruel not to appreciate such a beautiful face.”
I’d rather just shut his mouth.
Fine. Look all you want.
I turned my gaze toward the window.
Meanwhile, Senon didn’t take his eyes off me.
The carriage filled with silence, broken only by Senon occasionally humming.
For some reason, he seemed to be in a very good mood.
After traveling for quite some time, the carriage finally slowed as the sun began to set.
“That over there is Arnoan Palace.”
Senon pointed toward a brightly lit structure in the distance.
Built along a forest path, it looked more like a grand estate than a palace.
In fact, it was smaller than the Marquis Lajiana’s mansion where I had been staying.
If I remembered correctly, Arnoan Palace belonged solely to the Crown Prince.
It had originally been the residence of the Third Consort before her marriage, later passed down to her sons.
Built of white marble, it was elegant rather than extravagant.
The curved architecture gave it the impression of a swan about to take flight.
Bathed in the glow of the sunset, it even felt romantic.
“This Arnoan Palace is considered one of the most beautiful residences. His Highness often comes here for rest.
