Chapter 90

"Are there any other 'companions'?"

The sound of my brother's voice echoed.

The Carlam Boulevard was sealed off, and all the captured attackers were restrained and gathered in one place.

The problem was the insider. Three of my brother's guard knights.

One was the knight who was restrained by Clifford at Merina's shop.

The other two were the knights who, after the cafeteria inspection, were reassigned as part of Hugh's security review.

All three were silent. Unfortunately, I couldn't match their faces with their names, but my brother could. Even though he was shocked, he suppressed it because he knew their characters.

"I don't think you three are the masterminds. There must be someone else. It's probably not them."

Them—referring to the attackers other than the three guard knights.

I nodded in agreement. Their training was clearly inferior. While their numbers were large, and numbers do have a certain righteousness, the lack of coordination was evident. There was no leader, like in the 'Sky Room' incident, where there was a 'Follower' leader. They attacked aimlessly without a leader... that was the image.

Moreover, despite it being an attack, something felt off. It was wonderful that there were no major casualties. Even if our allies were strong, it felt too easily resolved.

"......"

"......"

"......"

The three guard knights remained silent, heads bowed.

"―The answer is written here, I think."

Due to the attack, the messenger bird's message couldn't be confirmed. On my brother's order, Hugh was chosen to handle it. Hugh, with a white messenger bird perched on his arm, handed the attached letter to my brother.

"An emergency...?"

"Yes."

I couldn't understand, but from the appearance of the letter, both my brother and Hugh could tell it wasn't a routine message.

My brother opened the letter and read it, his expression changing.

"Hugh..."

With a bitter expression, my brother showed the letter to Hugh, who also changed his stern face.

"This is...?"

"My lord, what does it say?"

Silently, my brother approached and handed the letter over.

I lowered my gaze to the text.

"Such..."

The content of the letter was as follows:

―Nathan Holden has kidnapped Lady Sil and is missing within the castle. There is no confirmation of his entry or exit from the castle, so the gates are closed and the situation is being handled accordingly.

No matter how many times I reread it, it only said that Nathan was a traitor.

But Nathan?

...It's unbelievable.

Nathan, one of my brother's closest confidants in both the original story and reality, a member of the villains?

It just didn't make sense.

"―To me. Prince Serius, please let me go."

Hugh pleaded earnestly.

"It might be a mistake. This could be a trap. I will verify the facts. Considering all possibilities, it would not be wise to cancel the inspection. I hope both Prince Serius and Princess Octavia will continue the inspection."

If Nathan is innocent, that's fine.

But if not—If the inspection is canceled and my brother returns to the castle first, who knows what Nathan might do.

This is what Hugh is trying to say, right?

I can imagine it, so my brother would naturally understand.

"―Serius"

Derek, who had been observing the situation as an involved party, raised his hand to cut off the flow.

"I'll go."

Derek looked straight at Hugh and continued.

"Wouldn't it be more natural for me to go to the castle rather than Hugh, who is accompanying the inspection? Nathan wouldn't be too suspicious."

After making his offer, he turned to me.

"Princess Octavia, don't you think so?"

"I..."

I compared Hugh and Derek.

If one of them had to go to the castle?

"I think it's better for Lord Derek to go."

It would be unnatural for Hugh to leave the royal family's protection during a smooth inspection. While reasons can be made, it would be better to rely on Derek, who can move more freely!

"......"

Hugh remained silent, waiting for my brother's decision.

Just as my brother was about to speak,

"Sir Roberts, here!"

A soldier who was examining the captured villains' possessions ran up to Hugh.

The soldier handed over a crumpled piece of paper that had been straightened out. Something was written on it.

Hugh's eyes scanned the text, and he furrowed his brow, then held it out for us to see.

The content reinforced what the messenger bird had conveyed.

It was an instruction.

Conduct the attack during the inspection. Nathan will kidnap Lady Sil at the castle. After that—Derek will join the plan.

"Will you go to the castle in my place, as planned?"

Hugh asked coldly.

Derek's expression completely vanished.

"No. Anyone could have written this in a short time."

"Paper? Should we ignore the fact that it was found among the attacker's possessions?"

"What if the soldier was part of the attackers? If he timed his discovery to make it seem like a plan, wouldn't that be part of the plan?"

"―Stop."

My brother raised a strong, commanding voice.

He shook his head and nodded once at Hugh.

"Hugh, return to the castle. I'll leave the on-site instructions to you. Send a messenger bird as soon as you confirm the situation."

"Yes."

Hugh bowed immediately—then asked the next question.

"What will you do about Lord Derek?"

There was a pause.

"...Until the suspicion is cleared, he will be restrained."

As soon as my brother said this, soldiers immediately surrounded Derek.

"......"

Derek didn't show any resistance. He just smiled sadly and self-mockingly for a moment.

―In reality, suspicion has fallen on Derek. My brother's judgment is correct. Hugh is not suspected at all, while Derek's name appeared in the suspicious instruction as part of the villains. Even if Derek was framed, as he claims, there's no way to prove it at this stage, just like when the original Serius ordered Hugh to be restrained.

...But, I thought.

Just because, do I always have to be fair?

Isn't it okay to be unfair and take sides at times like this?

This is called being blunt!

"Then, I will take charge of Lord Derek."

I directly opposed the decision.

"......"

My brother raised an eyebrow.

"I will supervise him. I think it's best to keep a suspicious person close during the rest of the inspection."

I defended myself from the unfriendly gaze, which seemed to ask what I was thinking, with my 'Black Fan' spread out.

"Also, please send Clifford back in Hugh's place. I feel uneasy without a guard knight."

While I was at it, I seized the opportunity.

"...Are you serious?"

I almost flinched at the intensity in my brother's blue eyes. But I didn't back down!

I smiled.

"I am. It's my way of 'shaking things up.'"

Keeping a suspicious Derek close is exactly what Princess Camone would do!

"......"

It felt like a very long few seconds.

Then, my brother made a gesture with his hand. The soldiers who had been restraining Derek from both sides stepped back.

"From now on, Hugh will go to the castle. During this time, Clifford Alderton will be assigned as my sister's guard."

After declaring this, my brother looked at me.

"―Is this acceptable?"

He didn't mention Derek, but releasing him from restraint was an answer in itself.

"Yes. I'm satisfied."

That Derek was now in my charge.

And I had managed to get Clifford back.

But—regarding the incident, I felt like we were in a dead end.

...Is Nathan really the mastermind? Is that even possible?