Chapter 53

As I followed Sir ahead, I was carried by Clifford to the "Sky Room." I approached close enough to clearly see the words engraved on the blue tombstone. There, I could also see Rust standing with his drawn longsword loosely hanging in his right hand.

"…………?"

I felt a sense of unease.

From the angle I could see, he didn’t appear to be seriously injured. Although his clothes were stained red in some places, considering the battle, they could even be considered relatively clean. His blue-silver mask was still in place. I couldn’t tell if he was at ease, but if Rust’s sword skills were as good as in the original story, I assumed he had used them.

Even with his face hidden by the mask, I could sense it.

Rust was staring intently at the blue tombstone, seemingly oblivious to our presence nearby... as if he wasn’t paying any attention to his surroundings at all.

Just as I was about to call out to him, Rust suddenly moved. He pressed his left hand to his forehead and shook his head slightly. He muttered something, and then his right hand, which had been hanging loosely, tightened. He lifted the longsword, and was about to—

"Stop it!"

I shouted loudly.

Rust’s movements froze instantly.

Oh, that was close!

"What were you planning to do?"

He slowly turned his face toward me.

"…I was just trying to investigate, Your Highness."

What Rust was about to strike with his longsword was the blue tombstone. It was the tomb of Queen Idearia Esphera.

"Is there any reason to damage the tombstone? It’s like killing the dead again."

Even if you claim you were investigating, it’s too rough! You mustn’t be disrespectful to a tomb. Even if the world is different, this is a common understanding!

"Killing the dead again?"

Rust laughed mockingly.

"An excellent expression. —But you can’t kill the dead, can you?"

The longsword, which was about to strike the tombstone, was lowered. Not only that, he placed the sword on the stone floor and raised both hands in a gesture of surrender. Soldiers quickly appeared, retrieved the sword, and stepped back a few paces. Two other soldiers were on standby near the tombstone, in a position to restrain Rust. Sir and Clifford also stopped, maintaining a certain distance from Rust.

In this situation, the person in question spoke to me without any sign of remorse.

"Princess Octavia, could you please speak to Duke Knightfellow on my behalf and tell him I served as a guide? Thanks to the next Duke, I avoided being captured with the troublemakers, but it seems the soldiers are subtly monitoring me. Even though I’ve relinquished my weapon, their vigilance hasn’t eased."

The way he spoke no longer gave me a sense of unease.

"Isn’t that your own doing?"

He claims he was investigating, but even if he was restrained, raising a weapon in a place where troublemakers remain would naturally raise suspicion.

"This is harsh."

But, speaking on his behalf... This is a difficult spot. Rust did indeed guide me to the "Sky Room" — where Sir is. We had a temporary alliance. However, from our conversation in the garden, he seems to be anti-royal, and in the original story, he duels with his brother Serius. I can’t just endorse him as an ally to Sir.

If I had proposed the role of a fake fiancé and Rust had accepted, things would have been different — but seeing his true face made me reconsider.

Rust’s face, which resembles "that young man," and the fact that it also resembles someone else, are things I can’t ignore. Perhaps it’s better to have him monitored for the future...

However, I do need to express gratitude for his role as a guide... Hmm.

As I was pondering, Sir’s calm voice reached my ears.

"You claim to have been a guide for the Princess. How did you know the way to this 'Sky Room'?"

"By chance."

"By chance, huh. If it’s about the mechanism of the throne, which is one of the entrances, it could still be explained. You might have overheard a conversation. But what about the rest? The passage to here is labyrinthine. No, it changes its form."

Changes its form?

"There are countless mechanisms placed at regular intervals along the passage. Some activate just by taking the wrong path, creating a wall in the distance and blocking progress. Only those who know the correct path can reach the 'Sky Room'."

Such traps...!

"Was this also by chance?"

Without raising his voice, Sir delivered a decisive question. Sir is so cool! ...No, I need to think too.

Rust was originally searching for the troublemakers who targeted me, as a subordinate of Lady Rosa. Along the way, he learned about the plans of the "Servants" who targeted Sir.

"Even if you say that, it was by chance."

"By chance, you knew the correct path?"

"Yes. Duke Knightfellow, I had the opportunity to learn and remember it. It was a great fortune to be of service to the Princess."

The more we talked, the more suspicious it became!

In other words, "It wasn’t by chance, but do you think I’d say that?" Definitely!

I still think it’s Rust’s own doing! If he doesn’t want to be monitored, he should act in a way that doesn’t make him seem suspicious! He’s not going to, is he?

"Did the Princess find it satisfactory?"

—Damn. Is he throwing it back to me?

Yes. I was guided by Rust, and I can’t make the same sharp remarks as Sir! ...I also have a responsibility to explain.

"Rust, take off your mask and reveal your true identity to Sir."

Even if it wasn’t by chance that Rust knew the correct path— but I don’t think he was part of the group that targeted Sir. From the reactions of the "Servants."

To make Sir understand, it’s crucial to clearly convey who Rust is! After all, Rust, with his mask, looks suspicious.

Can you trust someone who hides their face? No!

First, a proper introduction with his true face! Seeing someone’s face makes a big difference in feeling reassured!

This is human psychology!

"…Are you serious?"

Rust asked me back.

"I am."

I nodded immediately. In contrast, Rust didn’t act right away.

"If that’s the case..."

After a few seconds of thought, he lowered his raised hands to remove his mask. Sir stopped the soldiers who started to move with a single gesture.

The blue-silver mask was removed, revealing a face that, except for the birthmark on his forehead, was identical to "that young man."

The grip on Clifford’s neck tightened slightly.

This was the third time I saw Rust’s true face. The first time was in the banquet hall. The second time was in the garden. The third time, I couldn’t remain completely calm.

"Following the Princess’s request, I will reveal my true identity. Duke Knightfellow."

Rust performed an elegant, noble bow.

"My name is Rust Barne. I am the eldest son of the Barne Viscount family and work under the late Lord Rendington. Please forgive the unsightly birthmark."

Sir’s attitude didn’t change at all when he learned Rust’s face and identity. He continued to gaze at Rust silently, maintaining a calm demeanor.

Is he thinking?

"Sir?"

I couldn’t stand it. Sir, at least show some reaction!

Of course, Sir didn’t ignore me. He smiled and looked at me.

"Does the Princess think this person is an ally?"

"Of course not!"

No way!

Oops, I meant to simply deny it, but my personal feelings crept in.

"That’s harsh. I’m hurt."

Rust chuckled, not seeming to be affected at all.

Let’s start over!

I cleared my throat and continued more politely.

"But, Sir. If asked whether Rust was part of the group that targeted Sir, I would say probably not. He fought on my side. I was the one who gave him that longsword."

I pointed to the longsword that had been retrieved by the soldiers. During the battle, Rust and Derek seemed to be fighting together. If Rust had been on the "Servants" side, Derek would likely have captured him.

"Although I’m late in saying it, I’m glad you’re safe, Rust."

"Thank you. The Princess... and you, Sir..."

Rust paused, looking intently at me and Clifford, who was carrying me.

"The Princess and the knight did well. The Princess against Sir Burke, and the knight against the 'Servants'."

Unlike me, who was struggling, Rust seemed to have a clear grasp of the battle situation.

But— that makes it even more strange. The way he was focused only on the tombstone of Queen Idearia. Recalling it, when Sir arrived, Rust was the only one paying attention to the tombstone.

Did Rust originally know about Idearia Esphera, a figure erased from history?

Raising the longsword was a pretext, and he had another purpose—

"I will keep this person’s information to myself for now. That would be best."

Sir’s voice brought me back to reality.

"Yes, Sir."

"Yes. I trust the Princess’s judgment. However, please allow me to have a brief conversation with this person. Only about this matter. Afterward, I will return him to Lord Rendington. Is that acceptable, Princess?"

For now, the question of how Rust knew the correct path to the "Sky Room" will be left unanswered. But Sir will check him.

"I have no objections."

"Neither do I. A brief conversation is fine. Not here, though."

Sir and Rust exchanged glances, and Rust shrugged.

"Shall I put the mask back on?"

Rust put the mask back on.

"Let a soldier guide him."

"—Yes, this way, please."

Following Sir’s instructions, one of the waiting soldiers guided Rust. As Rust was about to follow, he turned back.

"I almost forgot something important. I would like a blessing from the Princess, if possible."

I was taken aback by this incomprehensible request.

...A blessing?

Could it be the Esphera custom of blessing?

Like with Alec? A kiss on the cheek to wish for a safe journey and return—

"...For you? From me? Why?"

My voice reflected the doubt I felt deep down. The blessing is effective when both parties have a connection! Like me and Alec!

But, me and Rust. If we bless each other, it might have the opposite effect... No, it will!

Besides, it’s for someone who’s leaving!

"Are you planning to travel?"

"In a way, leaving the Princess’s presence— moving from one place to another— is like a journey, isn’t it?"

That’s a stretch!

Hmm... Maybe he has some ulterior motive? Something dangerous... a plot against the royal family. But even Rust can’t escape Sir and Clifford’s watch!

"Here’s a blessing from me to the Princess."

"Am I leaving too?"

"In your case, from today to tomorrow, perhaps."

"……"

I asked Clifford to put me down. I felt his eyes asking, "Is it okay?" and nodded.

I walked up to Rust.

Let’s get this over with quickly!

"Rust Barne. I bless you."

I pretended to kiss Rust’s right cheek under his mask and pulled away. It would look like a blessing to others, but Rust would know it wasn’t.

The corners of Rust’s mouth turned up.

Naturally, Rust then leaned his face toward my left cheek.

Closer to my ear.

He whispered, and I blinked.

"May our departures be blessed."