Chapter 42

As cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

---

Holding the "Black Fan" in my right hand, I wore a cheerful smile on my face.

Walking beside me on my left was Rust, wearing a mask.

To go to Lady Syl's location quickly and secretly, we needed to avoid appearing unnatural to our surroundings until we arrived. We also wanted to avoid being stopped by someone who might engage us in conversation.

To the passing guests, we should appear as a man and woman who met and deepened their connection during the banquet. However, one of them is a princess, accompanied by a knight.

The masked man—Rust—might pique the curiosity of the guests who witnessed us, but it was better than having our true purpose discovered.

As we progressed, the sound of the orchestra grew louder.

This "Heavenly Paradise" is located on the mountainside, above the base.

Not only is it a one-hour carriage ride from the royal castle, but its location at a considerable height is one of the reasons it is favored as a venue for the semi-ball.

The people of Esfera love high places.

The reason is simple: the Sky God is the most famous deity in Esfera, and the closer to the sky, the better. The name "Heavenly" is not just for show.

However, once outside the grounds, the area is densely wooded, making it difficult to reach the nearby town.

The only sign of human activity is the well-maintained road. It's an ideal place for troublemakers to hide, especially after dark.

I even wondered if Lady Syl was no longer inside "Heavenly Paradise."

But Rust, who knew Lady Syl's whereabouts, showed no signs of heading outside.

We were supposed to stay in the garden for safety, but the guards naturally tried to stop the sudden change of plans by the princess of our country.

We pushed through with the excuse, "I just remembered that I need to meet a certain guest,"—or, as some say, by using the princess's authority to force the issue—and left the garden. However, the destination was still unclear to me.

Rust said he would tell me Lady Syl's location if I committed a foolish act.

However, he had no intention of telling me verbally—only by leading me there.

Rust didn't seem to be heading for the entrance or exit.

This meant Lady Syl was somewhere inside "Heavenly Paradise."

I tried to look as if I was enjoying the semi-ball and matched Rust's pace.

We passed through the corridor and walked through the grand hall.

Turning a corner, we entered a narrow passage. The number of guests visibly decreased. Then, we ascended the stairs.

What lay ahead—

I pursed my lips and glanced at Rust's profile beside me.

"Don't worry, I'll take you to Burks."

Rust, apparently noticing my gaze, said this. His expression was hidden by the mask.

"There's only one place ahead."

"---A place that remains because 'Heavenly Paradise' was once owned by the Esfera royal family. Isn't it a place with a deep connection to the princess?"

"…The 'Sky Room.'"

At the top of the stairs we just climbed, there is only the "Sky Room." After circling the circular corridor, we finally reached the door.

By nature, the "Sky Room" is not open, whether during the semi-ball or not.

The "Sky Room," unified in blue, has depictions of the morning, noon, and night skies on its walls and ceiling. The most spectacular is the night sky, which glows like a planetarium when the lights are turned off.

Inside the room, there is a single throne.

Why would a throne be in a rental hall for events?

The answer is simple: "Heavenly Paradise" was originally owned by my ancestors, the Esfera royal family. More specifically, it was given away by King Us.

It was originally built in conjunction with the Sky God and used as a royal retreat.

King Us, in particular, is said to have preferred staying here over the royal castle. He seemed to have liked it very much, but in the year before his death, he transferred the building to his vassals as a reward.

---"No return to the royal family is allowed," and "No alterations to the throne room are permitted."

The first was to prevent future kings from demanding its return. The second is interpreted as being because the throne room was the place King Us loved most in the retreat.

After several hundred years, the retreat was transformed into a rental hall.

The current owner is a chamber of commerce closely associated with my foster father, Edgar.

It's called "Heavenly Paradise" because it's built at a high location and the building itself is grand.

Even as a rental hall, its historical value remains.

King Us's name is great, and the throne room, known as the "Sky Room" during the retreat era, is still strictly preserved.

The door to the "Sky Room" is usually tightly closed, and there is a guard both inside and outside. Once inside, there is no way out except through the circular corridor. If not careful, one might be trapped. If surrounded and attacked by a large group, it would be the end.

Why such a place?

"---Is Lady Syl in the 'Sky Room'?"

"Yes. Burks should be in the 'Sky Room.'"

If Lady Syl was in the "Sky Room," I would have known immediately. There's no place for someone to hide in there.

"Has the princess ever entered the 'Sky Room'?"

"Once."

So, I know what the inside looks like. I invited Alek, like an adventure in the royal castle. Alek is interested in the grand hall, so I thought he might be interested in the "Sky Room" too. But even though he wasn't enthusiastic, he accompanied me.

As soon as we entered, he turned pale and felt unwell.

"Once?"

Rust turned to me.

"Why only once?"

---That's because.

"Big sister, don't go to the 'Sky Room.'"

When I was about to leave the beautiful blue room, Alek, who was feeling unwell, grabbed my arm and said this.

"What's wrong, Alek?"

"…I'm sorry, big sister. I said something strange."

Alek immediately retracted his words when he looked up, but he seemed very anxious and on the verge of tears. I didn't have such a strong attachment to the "Sky Room" that I would make Alek look like that.

So, I've only been inside once.

"Do royal family members have an obligation to visit the 'Sky Room' frequently?"

"No.---But why did King Us give up this retreat? What does the princess think about it?"

"Is that important now?"

"No?"

Rust smiled with his mouth, but the smile quickly disappeared.

We circled the circular corridor and saw the door to the "Sky Room." But—

—There were no guards.

This couldn't be part of the venue's arrangements. Something was happening in the "Sky Room."

"This saves us the trouble of fighting the guards."

Rust said this as if making a casual remark.

"…Does this mean the situation is unexpected for you?"

"According to my prediction, the guards should have been guarding that door. However, they were fake guards."

So, if the fake guards are missing, it means—there's a problem with the 'Servant's' plan?

"Burks might have put up a good fight.---In any case, opening this door will clarify things."

Rust pointed to the blue double doors as if inviting me. Alek's face flashed in my mind.

If he found out I entered the "Sky Room" without him, he might be sad. He might think I'm recklessly putting myself in danger.

But—Lady Syl's safety is at stake. Besides, I'm not going alone.

"Clifford."

I called his name.

"Yes."

Even without saying it out loud, my intention was clear.

Clifford stood in front of the door and pushed it open without hesitation.

---In the next moment, his longsword was drawn.

The sound of swords clashing was much louder than in the garden.

The one who attacked Clifford from the "Sky Room" was—

"Lord Derek?"

My stunned murmur seemed to reach Derek, who looked at me. He then returned his gaze to Clifford and sighed.

Derek lowered his sword.

"Why is Lady Octavia here?"

---

"I asked the guard who came to inform me about Lady Syl to deliver a message to Lady Octavia—"

"It seems we missed each other."

"…It seems so."

Derek sighed deeply.

"What was the message?"

"To stay still."

To stay still. I would have no reason to object to that, normally.

In the center of the room, unified in beautiful blue, was a single throne.

The other guests were Derek and two others.

---The fake guards were unconscious.

Derek, who came to the "Sky Room" to find Lady Syl, was attacked by these fake guards. However, he had been suspicious of them from the start, so he was able to handle the situation favorably.

Both were wearing the standard uniform of the venue's general security and had longswords with distinctive engravings.

Derek had two reasons for his suspicion. One was that one of them had three red marks on his left ear, which looked like he had hastily removed a circular ear ornament, a traditional style of the Kangina people.

Even in the royal castle, foreigners are not hired as guards for important places like the "Sky Room." Even if they belong to Esfera, the marks of the Kangina people's ear ornaments made it unlikely.

The other reason was that the Kangina-looking guard was talking naturally with the other one.

After defeating the two, we arrived. Naturally, we suspected reinforcements.

Derek took the longswords from the fake guards and prepared to attack as soon as the door opened.

"The fake guards didn't reveal much. They were only told not to let anyone through and didn't know anything important."

Derek, still in his princely demeanor, held a longsword and looked down at the fake guards as if he was about to scold them.

As I listened, the slight doubt I had about Derek began to dissipate.

I believed Derek was on Lady Syl's side, but our meeting in the "Sky Room" had been a cause for suspicion.

And—Clifford, even though he recognized Derek, didn't immediately stop his attack.

"By the way, who is this?"

Now it was Derek's turn to ask. Perhaps he didn't feel the need, as there was no social smile on his face. He stared at the masked Rust without a hint of a smile.

"There was a plan to capture the anti-royal troublemakers at this semi-ball, right? This is one of the collaborators. He works for Lady Rozza."

"Ah. I thought my father was enthusiastic about something."

Huh? Uncle didn't tell Derek?

"Is the Duke of Nightfellow keeping the plan from Lord Derek?"

Derek, it turns out, was in the same boat as me?

"I was told not to interfere."

That's all it took…

"There are times when it's better not to know the details.---So, if this person is supposed to work for Lord Readington, why is he with Lady Octavia? I'd also like to know why he's hiding his face behind a mask."

Before I could speak, Rust answered.

"To the first question, I have a lead on where Syl Burks is, Duke of Nightfellow. To the second question—because I don't want the 'Servant' who is targeting Burks to recognize me."

"…The 'Servant'?"

Derek's face grew stern.

"---Rust Burn. I am committing a foolish act."

I interrupted the conversation that was about to continue. Since Derek was in the "Sky Room," I needed to hear his story first. Although it's not over yet—I need to confirm something with Rust.

"Yes. You are showing your true colors."

"---In return, you will lead me to Lady Syl. And you brought me here, but Lady Syl is not here."

There was no trace of Lady Syl, not even a sign that she had been here.

This is not what we agreed on.

"Where is Lady Syl?"

Without showing any signs of agitation, Rust slowly spoke.

"In the 'Sky Room.' The Duke of Nightfellow must have come here suspecting this possibility, right?"