Chapter 87

Derek sighed. "This is troublesome."

He knew there was a plot, but the other party wasn't showing their hand. They had the people completely under their control. They had managed to catch one of the thugs who tried to grab a rose in the square, but he wasn't a major player. It seemed he wasn't trusted by the real culprits.

"Ah, I wish I could have put the hair ornament on the prince."

How many times had he heard this complaint now?

"It's because you didn't back off that I had to stop you," Derek said.

"But if I hadn't taken the rose, the worst-case scenario would have been a dangerous thug. Even if it was a bit better, that dangerous thug and a beautiful girl would have ended up in front of the prince," Stein replied.

Sitting across from each other at a two-person table, Stein leaned forward. Derek responded with a sigh.

"Cissy Leurey. She would have been enough on her own."

"But I have rights too, you know."

Stein grumbled, but eventually seemed to get bored.

"I wonder how Lord Rust is doing."

Derek looked in the direction of the cafeteria where Serius and Octavia were currently inspecting, from the restaurant where they were staying.

"…Why 'Lord' Rust?"

Derek usually used honorifics for royalty and the Duke of Knightfellow's subordinates, but Stein wasn't the type to use 'Lord' just because someone was a noble.

"Because of that face! A divine face needs a 'Lord'!"

"Face, huh."

Muttering, Derek crossed his arms. Indeed, Rust Barne was an exceptionally handsome man. Derek had first recognized his face and name at the semi-ball. He had verified and knew his background.

Rust Barne, the eldest son of the Barne viscount family, was a friend of the young Winfell viscount. At the semi-ball, he had been working under Lord Readington. …Though it seemed different from being a subordinate of the earl.

Derek recalled the moment Barne removed his mask in the 'Sky Room' and the reaction of his father, Leif Knightfellow.

"Nothing."

"Eh? Nothing, what?"

"……"

"Lord Derek, you're so naturally rude. The arrogance of a high noble."

"Shut up."

"Yes, sir."

Derek looked at Stein with a suspicious gaze.

If he had doubts about his father, he should also have doubts about this red-haired subordinate. Sighing, Derek scratched his head under his hood.

Derek didn't know. Or rather, he had forgotten. It was a memory that had been buried in the past. The portrait they had found while searching the house with Serius.

A portrait that should have been displayed in the Duke of Knightfellow's mansion in the capital.

A portrait of the former Duke of Kilgren, Duke Rufus, in his youth. His father couldn't have been unaware of its existence. He couldn't have forgotten it.

In other words, it was normal for his father to react.

Rust Barne resembled Duke Kilgren so much that it was hard to believe they weren't related. In fact, the resemblance was so strong that they could be more than just a grandson.

But his father showed no reaction.

…There was only one explanation.

He had deliberately hidden his reaction. Was there a disadvantage to reacting?

Originally—why was that portrait dusty and stored away? Why, when they tried to confirm it again, couldn't they find it in the room where they had discovered it?

"……"

Feeling the presence of someone approaching their blind spot from the entrance of the restaurant, Derek stood up. Without a word, Stein also rose almost simultaneously.

It was hard to believe that Stein, who had no combat skills, could be so perceptive. He was unusually aware of people's presence and could run fast. Stein was good at blending in and standing out.

Derek once set a trap for Stein when he started working for his father. …Even in a dire situation, Stein was incredibly weak. If that was an act, Derek could respect him.

Exiting through the back door.

A few dozen seconds later, Barne appeared, looking exactly like the person in the portrait—except for the scar hidden by his eye patch.

—That's enough.

This face… the questions about Barne were not a priority for now.

Today's goal was different.

He asked.

"How did it go?"

"Smoothly."

"Did everyone drink?"

In this case, 'everyone' referred to the knights and soldiers guarding the royal family during the inspection.

"Yes. Princess Octavia provided the perfect push."

Barne laughed, seemingly amused by the memory.

"…With that, they had no choice but to drink, even if they didn't want to."

However, he continued.

"I have doubts about the effect."

Derek shook his head.

"It's not as strong as what I drank. It might affect the taste. A person with strong willpower might only become a bit more honest. If they are aware they were drugged, they can resist."

"How kind of you."

Derek was irritated by the sarcastic tone. —He was aware of it. While wishing to catch and stop them, he was taking lukewarm measures. Part of it was because the other side wasn't showing any weaknesses, but mostly because Derek wished for a peaceful resolution.

He hoped it was all a misunderstanding.

Or, if it wasn't a misunderstanding, he hoped the culprit would reconsider.

"…Did the Viscount Winfell notice anything?"

"Who knows. I didn't say anything. I just followed the instructions, prepared everything, and guided them to serve the drinks. But if he did notice, he would probably turn a blind eye as long as the princes are safe. He seems to feel a personal debt to the next duke. Helping people is what he does, right?"

"I see…"

It would be best if he didn't notice anything.

"…But I hope the next duke's kindness doesn't backfire this time."

"Lord Rust, please don't be so harsh on Lord Derek. I tend to forgive anything for a handsome face, you know?"

"Anything… even murder?"

"Eh? Well, if they're handsome?"

"I can't sympathize with the next duke for hiring someone with a broken moral compass."

"Lord Rust, don't say that. According to my judgment, you're pretty bad too. And, I consider anyone who bullies Lord Derek, even if they're handsome, an enemy!"

"…Good for the next duke. It seems he has an ally."

Derek sighed deeply.

"Originally, the drug was just a side note. I'm not expecting much from it."

But he realized he was hoping for something. A bitter feeling filled his chest.

"The main point… how did the other part go?"

"The lower ranks talked easily. However, there was no evidence. They didn't even know who 'someone' was. If I approached someone higher up, I would be exposed as a spy."

When Derek's suspicions about 'that person' became clear, Rust Barne was the ideal candidate he remembered. Barne was staying at a secondary residence—under interrogation. Derek took charge of him, on the condition that he would cooperate.

Barne had connections to the criminals at the semi-ball. His experience and knowledge as a spy were useful.

He knew about the attack plan during the inspection.

…A plan that was supposed to have been abandoned.

"It seems the attack plan was revived by 'someone.' The attackers were aware of the details of the inspection. What do you plan to do?"

"—What do you mean?"

"Whether to interfere with the attack or not. I have the location and timing."

"When and where?"

"When Princess Octavia tours the Carlam Avenue."

"Carlam…"

Muttering, Derek shook his head to refocus.

He continued.

"Arresting some of the attackers won't do any good. We need to strike the mastermind."

"…So?"

Barne was deliberately prompting him.

"I won't stop the attack on Carlam Avenue."

After that, the culprit would be revealed.

Their movements and true intentions would become clear.

—Their ultimate goal and motives.

But Derek couldn't imagine the reason.

"Lord Derek, are you sure about this?"

Uncharacteristically, Stein pressed the issue. Usually, he was playful but followed orders.

"No. Emotionally, I don't want Princess Octavia to be in danger. Maybe I should follow my feelings, Stein thinks!"

"I don't care either way."

"Lord Rust, please stay out of it."

"I won't just watch. I'll join the inspection as Derek Knightfellow."

Barne, suspiciously, hit a nerve.

"…Is that possible? Is your relationship with the next duke and Prince Serius good?"

'Even you are becoming suspicious.'

Recalling the words his friend Serius had let slip during their last conversation, Derek closed his eyes for a moment.

"I hope it is."

Because Serius had tolerated his appearance in the square, wearing a cloak and hiding his face, even though he had rejected Derek's advice.

"If Serius refuses, I'll ask Princess Octavia. Besides, it might serve as a deterrent to the mastermind."

"To make them reconsider? That's wishful thinking."

…Barne was really irritating.

Derek changed his coat and tidied up, becoming Derek Knightfellow, the son of the Duke of Knightfellow.

For some reason, the inspection schedule had changed.

The time when Octavia and her group would visit Carlam Avenue was delayed. However, it seemed the attackers—those involved—had also received the updated schedule.

And—

"Maybe the drug had some effect."

The lineup of knights guarding Serius had changed. They shouldn't know what was in it, but perhaps they had removed any 'friends' who were a risk?

"……"

Derek smiled bitterly.

He realized he was hoping he was wrong, even at this point.

A pale pink petal brushed his cheek. He caught it in his hand.

A petal that had flown from Carlam Avenue.

"—Is this also half-hearted kindness?"

Opening his hand, the petal was carried away by the wind.

Following its path, he saw Octavia and her group starting to walk from the carriage.

He took a few steps.

Then, Derek stopped.

He frowned.

—What a monster.

At this distance, a normal person wouldn't notice, but—Clifford Alderton. That man had definitely seen Derek. He didn't seem to have the intention to draw his sword as he did at the semi-ball. But Derek didn't think he was liked.

He might attack if he showed any suspicious movements.

Derek had once commented to Cil that Alderton had abilities that were a waste for a mere guard.

But he was more than that. Considering what happened in the 'Sky Room,' where he dominated the 'Servant,' he was so strong that it was almost a problem.

Such a dangerous man, but… at least he wasn't an enemy here. That was a relief.

"In the worst case, follow the plan."

He called out to Stein, who was hiding and had disappeared.

Then, Derek took another step.

The inspection chapter will be updated on Friday and Saturday.

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