Chapter 69

-- It escalated. It really did.

This is what they mean by a series of bombings.

'Why is Sil going to meet Alderton?'

A battle broke out between my brother and Lord Sil.

In the end, Lord Sil won.

At the very last moment, my brother turned to me and asked, "Octavia, do you mind if Sil comes along?" I simply replied, "No, I don't mind."

Their reactions were completely opposite. My brother turned as cold as permafrost, while Lord Sil's face lit up so brightly that it seemed his tail was wagging like a dog's.

After all, there was no reason to stop this. Even if my brother were to be present, it wouldn't make a difference if one or two more people came along. I thought that Lord Sil's desire to meet Clifford might be due to what happened in the 'Sky Room.'

In fact, I had appealed to my brother:

"I want to meet him to see if I can remember anything from when I fought Lord Alderton."

-- Clifford is a 'Servant.' And Lord Sil, most likely... whether he realizes it or not.

But my brother might be thinking along the lines of whether Lord Sil is interested in Clifford...

I, for one, find it quite... *blush*.

I tilt my head in thought.

I look at Lord Sil's face as he walks to my left, with my brother in between us. We are heading to where Clifford is being held, in the dungeon beneath the training ground. I complained to my brother that it was supposed to be a form of house arrest, but he replied, "We are taking the same measures with the other knights under suspicion. Many have criticized it as too harsh, but we have been strict with everyone. He is in the best cell in the dungeon."

My brother, Lord Sil, Hugh, and Nathan are all here. Hugh is at the front, followed by me, my brother, and Lord Sil walking side by side, with Nathan bringing up the rear. I return my gaze to the dimly lit dungeon, illuminated by small torches. I can see Hugh's back as he leads the way.

If, as in the original story, Hugh liked Lord Sil—

I place my hand on my chest.

Hmm... Not really...

On the other hand, if Lord Sil were to develop romantic feelings for Hugh—

Hmm... I don't want him to waver, but if Lord Sil really liked Hugh, I would want to support him. It's *blush*.

But... what if the person were Clifford?

-- I don't like that idea.

I open my black fan with a flick.

My brother glances at me, but I'm too flustered to react.

What don't I like?

Because it's in 3D? Clifford doesn't make me *blush*.

... Has my yaoi soul died?

No, that can't be...

I just don't like the idea of a yaoi scenario with Clifford... Is that it?

-- Even though it's normal in this world.

Because Clifford doesn't give off that vibe at all?

Or maybe, as a 'Master,' I might feel a possessive urge toward a 'Servant'?

-- Dangerous, dangerous. I need to stay focused.

"We're almost there."

The dungeon beneath the training ground, as my brother emphasized before we left his room, "It's an inappropriate place for a princess to visit. Are you sure you want to go?"—it's hard to believe this is the best they have. It's completely different from the territory where I live in the castle.

Occasionally, I hear the sound of water dripping from somewhere.

This dungeon is a temporary holding place for suspects. The cells vary depending on the severity of the charges. Apparently, Clifford and the others are in cells where they are simply confined, without torture. Hugh explained this, but I wish he wouldn't mention torture so casually.

On a whim, I asked if the troublemakers from the pre-ball were also being held here, but that was denied. They were sent to a different prison tower.

If the leader of the 'Servants' and the one called Emilio were here, we might have had a chance to meet them safely...

Instead—

As we passed the cells where my brother's guards were being held, I secretly observed them. If the culprit who tampered with Lord Sil's carriage was among them, they might have reacted to Lord Sil's presence.

However, the guards, who were in the cells due to lack of alibis, were all polite. They didn't show any suspicious reactions and always saluted.

The only reaction was to me?

If I were to put it into words, it would be something like, "It's fine for Prince Serius and Lord Sil, but why is Princess Octavia here?"

We passed all the cells where my brother's guards were being held without any significant reactions.

Empty cells continued—until we reached the end.

Clifford was in one of the cells at the back.

I tried to approach the iron bars, but Hugh immediately raised his arm to stop me.

He was blocking my way.

"Hugh, lower your arm."

"...But—"

I glared at my brother, who nodded at Hugh, indicating it was fine. ...The blockade was lifted!

"Octavia, give that to Hugh."

Just as I was about to step forward, my brother called me back.

'That'—what he's looking at—is the black fan I'm holding? I lifted it slightly to confirm, and he nodded.

He's allowing the meeting, but I have to go in as I am? The black fan is considered my personal item. He doesn't want me to secretly pass anything to Clifford using the fan, right? Well, if I really wanted to, I could... but he's being too suspicious!

"I understand."

But in situations like this, it's best to be honest. I have nothing to hide!

I handed the black fan to Hugh as instructed. He accepted it respectfully without changing his expression, even though it might be a cursed item to most people.

This time, I approached the iron bars, and the silhouette inside the cell moved. Clifford's figure became clear. He came to the bars and knelt in front of me.

"...Stand up, Clifford."

Clifford looked up at me from his kneeling position. For a moment, his gaze lingered on the Reishuran flower Edgar gave me. Then he stood up.

As usual, I had to look up at him. Good, I quickly checked on Clifford. The last time I saw him at the training ground, he was in his guard uniform, but now he's in casual clothes. A black shirt and pants, the same as the guards we saw on the way here.

But was he uncomfortable? The top button of his shirt was undone. ...Ah, and I can see the scar on his neck.

"Forgive my appearance."

Clifford buttoned his shirt neatly. He bowed his head slightly, and when he raised it, the wild, animal-like aura he had before was replaced with the usual demeanor of a guard.

...A little disappointing. First of all, he doesn't look bad. It's not sloppy or anything. Maybe it's his face and build? I wanted to see a bit more of the unguarded Clifford...

Unguarded, huh.

Clifford is such a perfect guard that it's almost surprising, but I really think he's not the type to serve others.

And yet, he doesn't seem to be struggling, which is strange.

Well... in the original story, Hugh was also held in this dungeon, and even though he was innocent, he struggled mentally. I was worried about Clifford, but it seems he's not struggling. He looks fine!

Well, Clifford could probably escape easily if he wanted to... And is there anyone who could physically harm him?

Still, it's important to confirm with him.

"Nothing terrible has happened to you, right?"

Torture, torture, torture...

"Yes, nothing to worry about."

Clifford nodded calmly. He seemed so fine that a slight unease crept in. What if he didn't consider it torture by his standards...?

"No harm has been done."

In response to my brother's statement, I turned to Nathan. My brother added:

"...There was an incident with Nathan acting on his own, but torture is only allowed when there is evidence of guilt."

"I understand. I believe your word."

"..."

My brother fell silent, and I turned back to Clifford.

"I came here today to discuss something important."

I brought up the main topic for the inspection the day after tomorrow. There is a new attack plan targeting the royal family, and my brother and I will be used as decoys. Clifford will accompany us as my brother's guard. This is to clear his name.

"What do you think?"

While saying this, I realized that Clifford doesn't really have a choice this time. ...Let me rephrase that.

"No, asking what you think is wrong. This is an order from me."

"---If it is your command, Princess."

Clifford bowed his head, but I didn't miss the reluctance in his demeanor.

"Clifford, if you have something to say, say it."

His deep blue eyes met mine.

"I will follow your command, but I am Octavia's guard. In an emergency, I will not prioritize Serius."

In other words...

"I will play the role of your guard, but I have no intention of protecting you. If both you and Octavia are in danger, he will choose to protect her."

My brother doesn't seem angry, but he says to Clifford:

"---I don't mind. That's fine with me."

Then he turned to me.

"Is that all?"

Indeed, the mission to directly inform Clifford was completed, but—

"No. Lord Sil also wanted to meet Clifford, brother."

Despite coming all this way, Lord Sil has been standing silently in the corner, not saying a word.

"Come on, Lord Sil."