Chapter 70

Leonhardt decided to stay at Cordelia's mansion for a while.

This was because it had been discovered that if he moved too far away, he would revert to his cub form or his animal ears would pop out.

After several experiments, the distance he could move away gradually increased, but it was unstable, and there was no telling when or where he would rush back to Cordelia.

(I really need to find a way to fix Prince Leonhardt's animal ears soon...)

The deadline set by King Belmund was until the ceremony to appoint the crown prince, which was two months away.

If his animal ears were not cured and he could not appear in public by then, he would be judged as lacking the problem-solving skills necessary to be the crown prince, and both his position as crown prince and his engagement to Cordelia would be nullified.

(I have to try harder.)

Cordelia, determined, was walking down the corridor when she encountered Leonhardt at a corner.

"Oh, Cordelia."

She jumped at the sound of his voice.

"Your Highness, you're still awake?"

She greeted him, trying to calm her racing heart.

It was already late at night.

The moonlight streaming in through the window made Leonhardt's golden hair glow faintly, and his silhouette stood out palely in the blue darkness of the corridor.

(He's so beautiful... I usually see Prince Leonhardt during the day or at dazzling balls, so meeting him in the quiet of the night is quite unusual...)

Although they had separate rooms due to their engagement, they were living in the same building.

Having Leonhardt join the daily life of the mansion where Cordelia had lived was a fresh and exciting experience.

"Your Highness, is something wrong? Was the bedding I prepared not suitable for you?"

"No, it was fine. It was well-washed and cared for, and it looked very comfortable."

"I'm glad. The servants who prepared it will be pleased to hear that."

Despite the sudden guest, a prince, and the fact that he had to wear a hood to hide his animal ears indoors, the servants were doing a good job.

Cordelia felt proud, and Leonhardt smiled faintly.

His smile, illuminated by the moonlight, was so gentle that Cordelia couldn't look away.

"Good night, Cordelia. I'm glad I got to see your face before bed."

"…I'm glad too. Good night, Your Highness. Sweet dreams."

Cordelia smiled.

There was a lot to do, and whether things would go well was uncertain, but she wanted to overcome everything with Leonhardt.

With that wish, she headed to her bed.

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Cordelia and her group, who had made a deal with Belmund, decided to start their investigation in earnest three days later.

They would seek the information they needed by investigating the people involved in the incident caused by the former crown prince, Zayed.

"Then, Your Highness Leonhardt, I'm off."

Cordelia, having prepared herself, went to greet Leonhardt.

Today, she planned to exchange information and conduct the investigation with Belmund and his team.

"Yeah, be careful, Cordelia. I wish I could go with you..."

Leonhardt looked regretful.

The exact conditions that triggered his transformation into a cub or the appearance of his animal ears were still unknown.

Even if he could hide them with a hat or hood, there was no telling when or where he might be exposed, so he was avoiding going outside.

Fortunately, it was known that he wouldn't try to leave the mansion when he transformed into a cub.

However, with Cordelia also confined to the mansion, they wouldn't be able to move, so she was worried but decided to leave Leonhardt at the mansion.

As she stepped out of the front door, Belmund was waiting at the carriage stop.

As usual, he was neatly dressed in his white military uniform, and his disheveled-bearded adjutant, Gail, was by his side.

"Good morning, Lord Belmund. We're heading to the Royal Magic Bureau in the capital today, right?"

"That's the plan."

They got into the carriage and started moving, having a brief discussion.

Gail held up the documents he had brought so that Belmund could see them easily.

"As written here, some of the components used in the crest artifacts involved in the incident caused by the former crown prince, Zayed, were made by the magic bureau of this country."

"I see. Prince Leonhardt has obtained the entry permit, so I think we can enter without any problems."

"That's a relief. I wouldn't have gotten the permission so easily on my own."

The research of magic and the development and improvement of crest artifacts are related to the country's military power.

While important research is kept strictly secret deep within the magic bureau, it would normally require a lot of procedures for a foreigner to enter.

"Even though many areas are off-limits, we might find some clues by talking to the people at the magic bureau."

Belmund's voice, as he spoke, lacked emotion, but he didn't seem displeased.

For Belmund, this was probably normal.

His perfectly handsome appearance and the title of hero he had earned at a young age gave him a stiff impression, but he might be easier to talk to than expected.

Occasionally, Gail would provide additional information, making the conversation flow smoothly.

"By the way, regarding this investigation, are there any other Eltoryan military personnel assisting you, Lord Belmund?"

"Only Gail here. I don't have any other subordinates who can move freely at the moment."

Cordelia felt a sense of unease at Belmund's words.

Belmund was supposed to be the captain of the third detachment of the garrison.

While the details of his duties were classified, he should be quite busy, shouldn't he?

She was about to voice her question when the carriage suddenly jolted and slowed down.

It seemed they were approaching their destination.