TSKSML 25

Chapter 25

“I-I’ve committed a grave sin… Your Highness the Crown Prince…”

Della and Jayna spoke in unison.

In that moment of despair, Della’s teardrops fell to the floor.

Della’s family and relatives had served the royal family as attendants for generations.

She knew that foolishly mentioning the Crown Prince’s name so carelessly in his own quarters was enough to warrant death. But more than anything, she didn’t want her mistake to bring harm to her family and relatives.

Della simply stared at Louishardt’s feet.

“…Della, you really did commit a grave sin.”

For the first time, Louishardt called her by name.

Della had assumed the Crown Prince wouldn’t even know the name of a mere maid, but unexpectedly, he did.

No—Louishardt knew far more about Della than she thought.

That’s why he had refrained from addressing her by name until now, knowing full well she was the type to get overly excited and cause trouble if he did.

Della had always longed to hear him say her name—but now that he had, it sent chills down her spine and filled her with fear.

She silently prayed that her family and relatives wouldn’t suffer because of her, that Louishardt would punish only her.

“…Neglecting your duties to clean the Crown Prince’s room, are you? I’ll report this to the head maid. Get out of my sight. Now.”

Della looked up in shock.

In that brief moment, her face had become a mess of tears and snot.

She immediately realized that the Crown Prince was giving her a chance.

Though he could’ve had her expelled from the palace just for slacking on cleaning duties, at least her life would be spared, and her family wouldn’t suffer.

Della bowed once more in gratitude before quickly leaving the Crown Prince’s room.

Now only Jayna remained.

Jayna, too, was prepared to accept any punishment.

She fervently prayed that her sister and April wouldn’t be harmed.

“Pack your things. Immediately.”

At Louishardt’s words, Jayna prostrated herself even lower to the ground.

She was a royal guard who had dared to gossip about the one she served.

Even she thought she deserved to be dismissed and was about to quietly retreat—when the Crown Prince suddenly began undressing.

The moment she glimpsed his smooth, chiseled abs, Jayna quickly turned her back.

Normally, a royal attendant would be required to help the Crown Prince dress and undress.

Should she help him now?

But hadn’t she just been dismissed?

Thanks to forgoing sword training in favor of riding day and night, the Crown Prince’s body was every bit as solid as a grand duke’s.

As Jayna stood unsure of what to do, Louishardt spoke again.

“What are you doing? We don’t have time. Pack—we’re heading to Ikelang.”

Louishardt had expected today would be terrible the moment the Emperor summoned him, but it turned out far worse than he imagined.

Even the Crown Prince was ultimately beneath the Emperor, and imperial orders were absolute.

So long as he lived under the Empire, there was no escaping those commands.

Quickly changing into his travel clothes, Louishardt fastened the last button.

“I won’t waste words. Go to Ikelang and bring me the head of Femos.”

The Emperor of the world’s greatest empire issued a death sentence like it was nothing.

Louishardt was speechless.

He didn’t want to criticize himself, but he knew he lacked the strength to slay a giant monster.

Eight years ago, when a rebel assassin stormed the palace, the Empress—his mother—had shielded her son with her own body, taking every blow herself.

Louishardt still hadn’t forgotten the countless blade marks that scarred her small, delicate back.

“So now His Majesty wishes to kill his only remaining son. Perhaps it’s time to lift the birth control spell and try for a new heir?”

After the Empress’s death, the rift between father and son deepened, with no sign of healing.

Though anti-imperial forces had been responsible for his mother’s fate, the Emperor focused solely on consolidating his own power.

It seemed he was displeased that his only child, who had yet to bloody his hands to claim the throne, lacked the qualifications in his eyes.

“One weak and useless child is more than enough.”

Eventually, their every meeting became a verbal knife fight.

To the Emperor, Louishardt was always lacking, always weak.

Louishardt couldn’t bear that look in his eyes anymore.

And now, it was time to say goodbye to that gaze.

“As you wish… I’ll do as you please.”

Leaving the audience chamber, Louishardt immediately ordered his aides to prepare for the Femos subjugation campaign.

The subjugation of the giant monster Femos was meant to be a Crown Prince’s achievement alone.

The expedition sent to slay Femos was so pitifully small, it could barely be said to have imperial support.

Twelve soldiers, including knights—plus Jayna as bodyguard, four porters, one military medic, and one priest.

If she’d known in advance, she could’ve stopped by home to pack.

Jayna was flustered.

As the Duke of Ikelang, the Crown Prince had everything he needed in his estate and merely told her to briefly send word to her family.

Jayna managed to find Liliana, who had been preparing April’s room, and hurriedly informed her she was leaving for Ikelang.

Shocked, Liliana ran after her, even seeing her off to the carriage.

Seeing Liliana’s tearful eyes, Jayna forced herself to smile bravely.

She felt guilty for not being able to say goodbye to her beloved little sister, April.

“…Sis, please take care of April!”

Suddenly, the image of Helene popped into her mind, but Jayna shook her head to dispel it.

“Whatever that woman is doing, I don’t care.”

Jayna climbed into the knight corps’ carriage.

Inside, Louishardt was already seated.

Even as she entered, he didn’t acknowledge her—just continued staring out the window.

He looked deep in thought.

Louishardt had impulsively rushed to prepare for Ikelang, but the gravity of the mission began to hit him.

Now that he was in the carriage en route to slay the giant monster, it felt real.

Most imperial officials probably thought the Crown Prince would either flee or give up.

Even as they departed, there were rumors he’d retreat, be injured, or die.

Femos, which would take hundreds of soldiers to defeat, was now being tackled by fewer than twenty people. It was practically suicide.

He wasn’t like Grand Duke Zighardt or his father, both sword masters.

If he’d known, maybe he should’ve waited until Angelina arrived before setting out.

Angelina would soon arrive in the capital, Repia.

He could’ve delayed departure—but if he saw her, he might not want to leave.

But hadn’t he vowed to meet her again as a stronger man?

Louishardt resolved to accept this trial as his destiny.

Sitting alone in the carriage with Louishardt, Jayna felt like she was on pins and needles.

She hadn’t been punished for gossiping about the Crown Prince, but was still anxious.

She worried he might suddenly lash out in anger, especially with that troubled look on his face as he stared out the window.

“…Do you really think that?”

“…Pardon?”

So it had finally come.

Jayna met Louishardt’s eyes.

His expression was strange.

He didn’t look angry—his red eyes seemed more sorrowful than anything.

“Do you really think I’m better than Grand Duke Zighardt?”

Louishardt himself believed the hero and sword master, Zighardt, was more suited to be Emperor.

Even Princess Angelina seemed more fitting for someone like him.

Why was he the Crown Prince and Zighardt only a Grand Duke?

Despite those thoughts, Louishardt still wanted to be Emperor—and to have Princess Angelina.

So when Jayna took his side, he’d been genuinely happy.

He knew how the royal family viewed him.

No one thought he was better than the Grand Duke.

Except one person.

There was one.

“Y-Yes.”

It was all Jayna could say.

How could she explain that the only reason she sided with the Crown Prince was because she didn’t want her sister to end up with Zighardt?

In a way, it was a relief.

Apparently, Louishardt wasn’t upset that she’d spoken about him behind his back.

“Then you’ll have to help me.”

“…What?”

The sorrowful look vanished, and in an instant, Louishardt flashed a playful, mischievous grin.

Jayna had a bad feeling—something had definitely gone wrong.