Chapter 62

The Chapter of the Dmitrius Siblings' Visit.

"Hey, Anna. What do you think is going on here?"

"Well, I'm not sure... ...Miss, please don't stick your hand in there, okay?"

"No, I wouldn't do that, would I? Yes, of course not."

I was actually thinking about sticking my hand in, so I acted suspiciously.

When I was petting Chap's tummy, it started to wiggle a bit. Then, I noticed a zipper running horizontally across its tummy.

A zipper on a bulging tummy. It's cute, but the zipper is just the right size to stick my hand in. It's really intriguing. I'm glad it's not on the back; otherwise, it would raise suspicions about what's inside.

The zipper's pull tab on Chap's tummy was swaying. I wanted to pull it and see what was inside.

I wonder what's in there.

...It couldn't be organs, right!?

Well, I shouldn't open it. One wrong move and it could be considered animal (?) abuse.

Still, I couldn't help but be curious about what was inside, and in the afternoon, Chap was wearing a belly band. Anna is really excellent...

And for some reason, the part of Chap's tummy covered by the belly band was already bumpy.

I wondered what was inside, and every time Chap walked around, acorns, hard flower buds, and white pebbles would fall out.

After a while, Chap realized they were falling and hurriedly picked them up, stuffing them tightly into the small gap between the belly band and the tummy. It was clearly over capacity. The items wouldn't fit, and they kept falling out, repeating the cycle.

Chap, who considered these items treasures, made a sad "peee" sound as they fell.

It was so pitiful that I couldn't bear to watch. I opened an empty jewelry box from the room and gave it to Chap. Chap became happy and put the items in the zipper on its tummy.

...Shouldn't it have been put there from the beginning?

More importantly, isn't it ignoring the law of conservation of mass?

That jewelry box shouldn't have fit into Chap's tummy without any discomfort.

Not knowing what to say to the cheerful Chap, I pretended not to notice.

Since I had some time, I moved to the sofa to analyze the barrier, as if I were about to collapse. That's when Anna came in.

"Miss"

"Oh, Anna. What's the matter?"

It's a bit early for tea, isn't it?

"Lord Mikaelis and Lord Jibril from the Dmitrius family have come to visit."

I almost dropped the cushion I was hugging.

"Big sister!"

As soon as Anna opened the door, Jibril appeared first.

With large, red eyes filled with tears, her red hair fluttered as she hurriedly approached.

Despite the wrinkles in her bright blue dress, she knelt and opened her arms to hug me, who was sitting on the sofa.

"Jibril! ...I'm so glad you came. Thank you. I'm sorry, but I can't entertain you as usual."

"No, seeing your face is more than enough for me, Big Sister."

I hugged her frail body and stroked her head as if to comfort her.

I was very happy to see my cute little sister, but I was well aware of my complicated situation.

Rather, how did you manage to come here? There are so many guards and monitors, right?

"But how did you get permission to come here? ...Isn't my visit restricted in various ways?"

"Hehe, Big Sister. I may look like this, but I have quite a few connections. Besides, with your barrier, the usual guards are positioned differently. Naturally, it doesn't align well with the castle's structure, creating gaps.

There are places where you can enter Vayu Palace if you can slip through the barrier."

"Oh... You shouldn't do anything dangerous, Jibril."

"Ah? It was actually your brother who suggested it. Your brother is good friends with the palace knights.

Since he visits the castle as a count, he knows more about the castle than I do."

"Eh?"

That Mikaelis!?! The Mikaelis who is so serious and level-headed!?

Mikaelis, who was standing behind Jibril with his arms crossed and a slightly troubled expression, changed his expression to a wry smile when our eyes met.

He hadn't said a word since entering, probably to consider Jibril and me.

"...Before, I was told by the duke to memorize the basic structure, map, and guard positions of the palace.

I never thought it would come in handy in this way."

"Is that... Is it okay with the higher-ups?"

Mikaelis smiled at me. A gorgeous, radiant smile. There was no guilt or hesitation in it, but it was a strangely confident and unsettling smile.

...Mikaelis, a delinquent?! The well-mannered gentleman and model knight, Mikaelis?!

"I'm prepared. Fortunately, I'm not as closely monitored as Kishatia.

If I'm noticed, I can skillfully escape. I've lived in the noble world as a count, after all."

Eh!? Is that okay?

Wait, who gives permission to visit my room? In the Latitche family, it's only my father, but here in the castle, it would be the kind-looking King Lauses or the Duke Fortuna, who is also the commander of the kingdom's knights. How can a knight stand by and let someone be kidnapped like this?

"Thank you for coming, but I'm worried about causing trouble for the Dmitrius family..."

"It's not a trouble! We're doing this because we want to!"

"Besides, our family has a debt of gratitude to the Latitche family. Not only that, but to Alber personally.

We should rush to help in times of need."

"Jibril, Mikaelis... Thank you."

I couldn't help but smile, but they both looked sad and troubled, as if they couldn't manage a proper smile.

Suddenly, Mikaelis touched my cheek.

"Have you lost weight? You're already so slender..."

"Well... I'm still getting used to the new environment. I'm fine. Anna is doing a great job, and I'll be back to normal when I return home."

I tried to smile, but my choice of words was poor. I could see Mikaelis's face stiffen at the mention of "returning home."

"...Mikaelis?"

"Alber, it will be difficult for you to return to the Latitche family."

"Why? The thieves are gone, right?"

I must have looked very anxious, for Mikaelis hesitated before stroking my cheek.

After a moment of hesitation, Mikaelis fell silent. But when I nodded to encourage him, he hesitated again. Then, as if he had made up his mind, he spoke.

"You have the royal eyes. And the Duke of Latitche kept it a secret from the royal family and the kingdom. He might be held accountable for that."

"...Why? I know that the green eyes are special to the royal family, but both Prince Lukas and Prince Leord have green eyes.

Would keeping the color of your eyes a secret be such a serious crime?"

"It wouldn't be a big deal if it were any other color. But your color is special. It's an unwritten rule, an unspoken understanding."

I don't know about that. I'll give you a hard time if you try to impose such a rule.

I love the Latitche family, but I'm not a big fan of the royal family.

I even know about the conflict over the crown prince between the Empress Mezarin and the Concubine Ophelia. I don't want to get involved in such issues.

Succession disputes are common in every country. My father and I can't afford to cause trouble elsewhere, so we tolerate it, but I don't want to get dragged into it.

"Is it related to the succession? I'm sure I'm not that high in the line of succession, maybe around the tenth or so."

"Having the royal eyes puts you at the top. The Council of Elders, which determines the line of succession in this country, wants to welcome you into the royal family and make you the first princess and crown princess.

Your green eyes are that special... Did the Kishatia who came before not say anything?"

First place!? Eh...? I knew that the Sandis Green eyes were special to the royal family, but...

I was speechless and pale, and Mikaelis, noticing this, hesitated before continuing.

According to Mikaelis, the Council of Elders is composed of members from the upper nobility, who are part of the Senate, a gathering of nobles. The Senate itself is made up of veterans and influential figures, with the Council of Elders at the top.

They act as a counterweight and balancer to prevent the royal family and nobles from going too far.

Their influence is sometimes on par with the Four Great Dukes and the royal family.

They are responsible for the line of succession and the selection of the king. While the king's wishes are usually respected, they can veto a poor choice.

...I seem to recall hearing about fanatical green-eyed believers?

"Is my father being held accountable for keeping a high-ranking successor a secret?"

"Probably. But the Duke of Latitche is indispensable both politically and for national defense. Even the Council of Elders can't force him to give up his title or go into exile.

While it's unlikely he'll be completely exonerated, a period of probation or financial compensation would be more appropriate.

Besides, King Lauses is opposed to forcibly keeping you in the castle."

"King Lauses?"

"Yes, I heard that Alber was already quite exhausted when she was brought to the castle.

He is very worried about the circumstances of the barrier.

However, the Council of Elders and the queens are actively trying to keep Alber in the castle, and King Lauses is the only one opposing them.

Many nobles are waiting to see how things develop, but the situation is not good."

I didn't realize that the kind-looking King Lauses was opposing it so strongly.

I had the impression that he was just passing the buck to my father, but maybe he was busy dealing with the two queens and the headstrong Council of Elders?

My father doesn't raise his voice or complain, but I can sense a hint of "useless" in his words.

Come to think of it, I don't often hear my father criticize or dislike the king.

Is it a matter of interest rather than like or dislike?

I can think about it, but it's just a guess.

"...I see. I didn't know. Thank you for telling me."

"No, I was being presumptuous.

But it's not your fault, and I don't think Kishatia and the others kept it a secret to deceive you.

They were probably concerned about Alber, who they heard was depressed and acting erratically due to rumors."

"...I'm sorry. I must have worried you. I'm a useless older sister."

Kishatia must be having a harder time than I am.

It's unprecedented for thieves to break into the Latitche family. Moreover, it was on a large scale, almost like an attack.

I hope my father doesn't take it out on Kishatia. It's impossible. I have to stop him. An angry father is like a natural disaster. No one can stop him.

...Since I've been kidnapped, Kishatia's punishment might be severe. It could even make my father's sword hum. I have to stop it.

It's all the fault of Renaria and Duke Fortuna!

When I was being taken away, Kishatia was trying to stop Duke Fortuna. Each time, she was rudely brushed off. Because I was there, she