Chapter 67

"Your response is very satisfactory... but..."

Karlheinz, who is usually loyal to Claudia, is making such a bitter face. Of course, there is a reason for this.

In other words, their escape from the castle was discovered.

"When I realized that Her Highness was missing, I was terribly frightened. Although His Majesty the King managed to cover it up, the fact that you also took Lord Lewis... If it had been discovered, it would have caused a great commotion, as you must understand."

"But, Claudia, I just wanted to go outside..."

She tries to make her eyes well up, but Karlheinz's expression doesn't change at all. He knows Claudia's true nature, so this is a natural reaction.

"Her Highness..."

"Relax? I did gain something. I wasn't worried about my safety because Noah was there, and besides—"

Claudia narrows her eyes and looks at this excellent magician.

"I trusted you. I knew that as long as Karlheinz was in the castle, you would cover it up perfectly."

"...That's..."

"Thank you for your response, Karlheinz."

When Claudia smiles, Karlheinz lowers his eyes and sighs.

"Such words make it impossible for Noah and me to scold you, Her Highness. ...You are truly..."

"Hehe. Noah was just dragged along by my whims, so don't scold him."

"No, Your Highness. In the end, everything was my own decision."

She pats the obedient servant on the head and praises him. Claudia hugs a nearby cushion and says, "Well,"

"We have narrowed down the person to investigate regarding the curse targeting the princess of this country. Noah, do you remember the name that Stuart reacted to in the snow garden?"

"Yes, I will never forget it."

Claudia, recalling a little of her past life, says,

"The name of the key figure is 'Witch Adelheid.'"

"Adelheid?"

"..."

Noah narrows his eyes quietly. On the other hand, for Karlheinz, it seems to be an unexpected name.

"Are you referring to the witch Adelheid from five hundred years ago?"

"Karlheinz, are you familiar with the story of Adelheid?"

"I have read all the magical texts and theories she left behind. However, I was not particularly interested in Adelheid herself, so I don't have much knowledge about her as a person."

"Hehehe..."

"?"

Without explaining the curious look, Claudia rests her chin on the cushion.

"After her death, Adelheid is revered as a special being in some countries and regions. Much of this reverence was spread by the disciples she kept by her side during her lifetime."

The adorable disciples traveled to various parts of the world after the war ended following Adelheid's death. They were all very talented and accomplished many great deeds in their respective lands. From what Claudia could gather, some became kings, some became leaders of magical organizations, and some founded churches.

For example, Rinaldo, Noah's ancestor and the first king of Noah's homeland, Remiricia, was one of Adelheid's most talented disciples.

"Your Highness, according to Prince Lewis, the first king of this country was also one of Adelheid's disciples, right? Prince Lewis said he doesn't know the name of that person."

"...Yes. That's right."

At that moment, Claudia imagines the figure of a certain young man.

"I think we need to go and see for ourselves."

"Go and see? What do you mean?"

In response to Noah's question, Claudia mumbles,

"Of course, to see the current situation."

"The current situation..."

Noah's expression is one of 'I understand but don't want to.'

"But, we can't teleport immediately, can we? Teleportation magic requires a clear image of the destination, such as having been there before or knowing the layout. None of us know much about that place... mumble."

"Your Highness, surely you don't mean—"

"—Please hear me out, Noah. Karlheinz."

Claudia rubs her eyes and tells Noah and Karlheinz,

"Once the preparations are ready, I will go to find the sleeping princesses. They must be hidden somewhere in this castle."

"......"

"............"

At her casual declaration of infiltration, both Noah and Karlheinz sigh in unison.

* * *

"Can I not go alone, Your Highness?"

"Come on, Noah, that's not possible."

After getting into the bed for her nap, Claudia looks up at Noah, who is sitting in a chair beside her, and speaks to him as if soothing a child.

"Since I want to investigate directly, staying behind would be meaningless. Do you understand?"

"But, it must be dangerous. As you said, the victims of the curse and you share common traits such as royal blood and youth."

While adjusting the positions of the stuffed animals around Claudia, Noah frowns and says,

"I can't predict what might happen when we go to the place where the victims of the curse are gathered."

"If the curse attacks me, it will be a shortcut to solving the problem. We won't have to search around."

"Your Highness..."

Noah's voice, calling Claudia, is quiet but carries weight.

"If you don't want me to destroy this capital, please don't think about such things."

"......"

Faced with his sincere gaze, Claudia smiles.