Chapter 96

The royal castle is my home. Of course, I can pass almost everywhere without a problem!

The castle gates opened immediately, and I informed them about the attack near the Esphera Bridge and ordered the soldiers to capture the attackers. Actually, the bridge moved without any prior notice, so the soldiers were about to investigate.

Hue had already returned to the castle, but he was supposed to have gone to the castle alone to check on Sir Sil, who had been kidnapped by Nathan. However, the castle was operating as usual. The gate guards had been informed by Hue that he had returned on Prince Serius's orders.

This is Hue's cleverness. The explanation itself isn't a lie. And Hue entered the castle. From what I asked a few people, no one knew where he was going. But I have a good idea where Hue went.

I ordered the soldiers to search for and capture Hue—my destination is my brother's office! It's a place that only a limited number of people can visit, and while my brother and I are away on inspection, Sil is being guarded and monitored by Nathan there.

Waiting for a report in silence would be the best course of action as a princess. But this is my familiar home. Most importantly, I have Clive. Moreover, Clive and I have a 'master' and 'servant' relationship. So, Clive's strength is also my strength, right?

I can even go to the scene and directly apprehend Hue! Fortunately, Clive has already fought with my brother's guard knights in the training ground. Although it was a match then, if it had been a real battle, the outcome wouldn't have been much different. Perhaps, it would be best to handle it as smoothly as possible...

The shortcut to my brother's office is—

Revive! The memories of exploring the castle with Alex!

"This way."

I activate the mechanism in the noble passage on the first floor. After all, the royal castle is a treasure trove of mechanisms. There are plenty of hidden passages! If you step in lightly, you'll end up in trouble. However, this passage serves as an escape route from each room in case of an emergency. And I remember the way to Alexis's room perfectly using the hidden passage.

To get to my brother's room, I just need to turn right at the branch leading to Alexis's room! I lead Clive into the hidden passage.

The door closed with a heavy sound. It was pitch dark. But after a while, my eyes adjusted, and I could see enough to walk—there was no light, but the passage was made of a material that glowed white. The width was sufficient for two people to walk side by side.

Just as I was about to proceed, Clive spoke.

"Your Highness. Could you give me directions? I sense someone ahead."

He moved in front of me.

Is that so?

I can only hear the sound of our footsteps... But if he senses someone, it means... there are other users of the hidden passage besides us?

It's probably not unrelated to Hue. Considering the events at the Carlam Avenue and the Esphera Bridge, he must have recruited a significant number of people inside and outside the castle. Among the guard knights who are in the dungeon without an alibi, there might be Hue's allies.

...I should have instructed the soldiers to check the dungeon before entering the hidden passage...! It's too late now.

Let's hurry.

I nodded at Clive.

"Understood. Please let me know if you notice anything."

I let Clive lead the way and give directions like "straight" or "turn" as needed. For a while, only my voice echoed in the passage.

"There, it's the center."

We reached a three-way intersection. I could go left, but it would be a detour, so the center is the shortest route!

"..."

However, Clive seemed hesitant.

"Clive?"

"---There seems to be a battle going on ahead. What would you like to do?"

I listened carefully.

...Silence. I can't tell anything. But if Clive sensed it, it must be happening... We can't ignore it.

"Let's change our route."

We proceeded down the left passage. ...Ah. I could finally hear something other than our footsteps. The sound of metal and running.

Clive drew his sword with his right hand.

The person running towards us was...

"Sir Sil?"

He was out of breath, with a stern look on his face, holding a sword. But it wasn't a touching reunion. I saw someone behind Sir Sil, aiming at him and raising a sword.

"!"

Sir Sil blocked the attack with his sword, but another enemy was coming from behind!

"...Should we help?"

In the tense situation, Clive asked calmly.

"Of course!"

The moment I shouted, it was over. I couldn't see any movement. Clive approached the enemy, and they were both down. Even Sir Sil looked surprised.

The two enemies chasing Sir Sil were wearing the uniform of the guard knights. I checked their swords. ...Golden, with tassels. Were they from the dungeon? Not all of them, but I should have instructed the soldiers...! I'm slow to remember...

"I knocked them out..."

He asked if I wanted to finish them off, and I shook my head.

"No. But... thank you."

I couldn't express it well, but I felt that Clive, who usually fights without mercy, was trying not to kill them this time.

"Is there any sign of more pursuers?"

"There is a presence, but... Sir Burks must have been defeated."

"Oh, the two of them...?"

It seems Sir Sil had taken care of a few on his way here.

So, for now, we're safe. I need to check Sir Sil... full body check!

His hair was messy, and his clothes and face were dirty, but it was from fighting and running. No major injuries!

"---Sir Sil. Do you understand the situation?"

My question seemed to flip a switch in Sir Sil.

"! Lady Octavia, Nathan is in trouble! He let me escape and went alone...!"

"Is Nathan in my brother's office?"

"Yes!"

Then, I needed to ask Sir Sil the most important question.

"Hue Roberts. Did he betray us?"

"..."

His lips trembled as if he didn't want to admit it. But he nodded firmly and spoke.

"...Yes."

To reach my brother's office, Sir Sil joined us in the hidden passage.

Should I take Sir Sil with me or send him to a safe place?

Both options had their pros and cons.

The former is dangerous because it means bringing the target, Sir Sil, back to where Hue is, but it's safer with Clive here.

The latter seems like a good idea, but if there are people in the castle who are in Hue's pocket, it would be difficult to determine a safe place. The best option would be to send him to Father or Edgar, but the problem is getting there.

Currently, I'm not being targeted in the castle, so I could wait in the hidden passage while Clive quickly delivers Sir Sil, but Sir Sil rejected this idea, saying, "No! Lady Octavia might be in danger too!"

Moreover, I'm worried and anxious about leaving Sir Sil alone.

So, I decided on the former.

We retraced our steps slightly and switched to the shortest route. I activated a mechanism in the hidden passage to block the path we had taken with a door. We had to leave the unconscious guard knights and the two Sir Sil had defeated, so this was a substitute for restraining them.

Living here, the past of exploring the castle with Alex...! It wasn't a waste to get caught in the mechanisms.

Clive continued to lead the way, and Sir Sil and I walked side by side. Of course, we moved quickly!

"Sir Sil. Can you tell me in detail what happened when Hue arrived?"

And gather information before we reach the scene!

"---Hue came into the office with other guard knights. Some of the guard knights were from the dungeon. He said he had returned on Prince Serius's orders. He said it was dangerous here and that he would take me to a safe place. Then, Nathan told me to run."

"You followed Nathan's orders?"

"...Hue seemed strange. And when I tried to run, I saw him draw his sword immediately."

But, Sir Sil stopped speaking.

"But?"

When I prompted him, Sir Sil seemed to be searching for words.

"Something... else. There didn't seem to be any intent to kill. ...It's strange, right? No, maybe it's just my imagination. He was attacking with a weapon, after all."

"Did you and Hue get along well?"

"...To some extent, I guess."

After a moment of thought, Sir Sil made a shocking statement.

To some extent...

According to the original story, the premise that Sir Sil and Hue were close might be incorrect?

"I don't think we had a bad relationship. Maybe because of Prince Serius's orders, he was kind. But I felt there was a wall, and we couldn't get closer."

Then, then.

"Did Hue ever show you the tassels?"

"Those are something Prince Serius gives to the guard knights, right?"

This reaction—shouldn't the episode where Sir Sil is impressed by Hue's tassels have already happened?

From Sir Sil's side, it seems Hue is clearly acting differently from the original story.

This led to today.

---Why?

I'm confused. There were events that changed due to my involvement, like Sir Sil's protective ring. But shouldn't the characters from the original story remain the same, like Hue being Hue...?

Prince Serius's loyalty, which is completely different from the original story?

No. ...After self-reflection, I reached the conclusion that it's not different.

During Clive's suspension, I interacted with Hue as a guard knight—and I felt his loyalty to my brother.

"Your Highness."

Clive turned to me and pointed ahead. After retracing our steps at the branch, we just need to go right to reach my brother's office. I could see the door straight ahead.

It's a confirmation of intent.

Are we really going to proceed?

"---I will rescue Nathan and capture Hue. I will accomplish these two things."

"As you wish."

"Is that acceptable, Sir Sil?"

"Yes."

"Hue's target is Sir Sil. Don't forget that."

"...Yes."