Chapter 42

"Milady Shina..."

In the summer garden, I was staring into the hole as if observing a line of ants, when Prince Alan spoke to me with a voice of exasperation.

Perhaps because I was staring intently in silence, the men who had been making a racket at first gradually became quiet and began to cry, saying they would do anything if we helped them. So, I asked them again what their purpose was.

The men turned out to be so-called playboys and quasi-pimps. Of course, they were not real knights. Their uniforms, as Lorna had pointed out, were fake and had been specially made.

The three men had been pretending to be knights, talking to young ladies, and kidnapping or assaulting them. If the victims were daughters of lower nobility, they would be released after the assault; if they were peasant girls from the countryside, they would be sold to brothels. Thinking the attackers were knights, the young ladies were easily deceived. Noble daughters, fearing the scandal, would not speak out, and the men would demand money, threatening to spread the news of the assault. They were truly despicable.

Without thinking, I was about to bury the men in water and soil, but Prince Alan stopped me in a panic.

"I will take full responsibility for punishing them."

Prince Alan calmed me down, trembling with anger. Yes, I need to calm down. A calm mind is important to destroy such people.

But more importantly,

"Prince Alan. They said something that caught my attention."

Prince Alan's expression changed as I explained.

◇◇◇

After returning to the castle, Kirih, Prince Alan, and I went to the intelligence department. Lorna was sent back to the Zain Trading Company. I had already explained the situation to President Najil via messenger magic, so when Lorna returned, she was tightly embraced by President Najil. I watched her flustered, red-faced reaction with a warm heart. Hang in there, Lorna. Najil is probably very persistent.

The men were taken away by the knights Prince Alan had brought. The knights looked at the men with stern eyes, as if they could strangle them with just a glance. It was understandable, as the men had been impersonating knights and committing atrocities against women, disgracing the honor of knights.

Upon arriving at the intelligence department, Prince Alan summoned Viscount Guardock, the director. Viscount Guardock was a gruff old man in his 50s with sharp eyes.

"Prince Alan, what is the matter with this sudden summons?"

Viscount Guardock looked at Prince Alan with wide eyes. Of course, being summoned by royalty is nerve-wracking, especially when you're bringing a limp child.

After using up all my energy on this rare outing, I fell asleep in the carriage on the way back. I woke up when we arrived at the castle, but Prince Alan, worried about me, told me to go back to my room. I firmly refused. If I went back without seeing the resolution of the matter, I wouldn't be able to sleep. I rubbed my eyes and tried to stay awake, and Prince Alan, seeing my determination, reluctantly brought me along.

"Viscount Guardock. I believe you were ordered by His Majesty to escort a distant relative of the Queen on a tour of the capital today."

"Yes, I assigned one of my men to the task. Did he do something improper?"

Viscount Guardock asked, looking puzzled.

"Improper? If that were the case, it would be better. The man was rude to the young lady from the start, and when the Zain Trading Company suggested letting a servant guide her, he happily returned."

"Huh?"

Viscount Guardock's face stiffened. He looked disbelieving, but it was the truth. I had guided the situation, but Lami decided to leave. I wasn't angry that she left; I had planned to report to Prince Alan if nothing happened.

"Moreover, the young lady was attacked by imposters pretending to be knights during her tour of the capital. She wasn't injured, but it was a serious matter involving a young lady under the protection of the royal family. Do you understand the implications?"

Viscount Guardock's face turned pale. It could be interpreted as a slight to the royal family.

However, the director's name is Viscount Guardock. Lami's last name is also Guardock. Could they be related?

"Is the young lady you brought, by any chance..."

"Yes, this is Milady Shina. You can't say you don't know her name. His Majesty ordered you to protect her, didn't he?"

Prince Alan's cold words made Viscount Guardock nod silently. As the head of the intelligence department, he must know my true identity.

"I apologize! I never thought the young lady would be the Holy Maiden!"

"His Majesty was worried that a scandal would break out if Milady Shina's identity was revealed, so he deliberately kept it hidden from you. If it hadn't been Milady Shina, the outcome might have been worse. What were you thinking when you assigned the task to your subordinate? Did you tell him to abandon the job halfway through?"

"Absolutely not! I will bring Lami immediately!"

Viscount Guardock, with a fierce expression, was about to storm out of the room, but Prince Alan stopped him.

"Wait, Guardock. We will discuss the incompetence of your department later. There is something more pressing."

"Understood!"

Viscount Guardock returned to Prince Alan and knelt. His face was still pale, but he seemed to have made up his mind.

"Gather everyone who knew about Milady Shina's tour of the capital. I have something to discuss."

◇◇◇

Lami, her brother Louis, and others from her department were gathered in one room. Everyone was surprised to see Prince Alan and the child with him. Whispers of "Who is she?" could be heard clearly.

Lami glared at me with a pale face. Yes, the usual unpleasant feeling.

She probably thinks she will be scolded for leaving her post. I won't be angry; I directed her to do so.

"I apologize for gathering you all during work hours."

Prince Alan glared at everyone with a cold voice. It's been a while since I've seen this regal version of Prince Alan. He's usually a nice guy.

"The young lady was attacked by three imposters pretending to be knights during her tour of the capital. Thanks to the guard, she escaped unharmed, but we obtained unbelievable testimony from the captured imposters."

The room buzzed with whispers. Glances were cast at Lami. Everyone knew who had been assigned to the task. Lami's face had turned from pale to white.

"The imposters testified that they obtained information about unfamiliar young ladies from lower nobility from someone working in the castle. They had been doing this multiple times, assaulting young ladies. In return for the information, they paid the informant."

Prince Alan glared at everyone.

"That's not all. They also claimed to have obtained other information from the knight corps, including patrol routes and internal information!"

The whispers grew louder. The looks cast at Lami became colder and more severe.

Noticing the atmosphere, Lami was shaking her head vigorously in denial.

"Lami Guardock."

Prince Alan glared at Lami. His voice was devoid of warmth.

"Did you not accept the task of guarding the young lady today? You abandoned your post and left the young lady and her maid alone."

Lami's eyes widened, and she shook her head even more violently. Her body was trembling, and she looked like she was about to collapse.

"No! I didn't! I didn't leak any information!"

"Silence! If you didn't, why did you abandon your post? The young lady was attacked immediately afterward! Do you think this was a coincidence?"

Prince Alan's voice echoed, making Lami's face tear-streaked. I was next to him, so his loud voice hurt my ears.

"May I speak, Your Highness?"

Louis, Lami's brother, looked at Prince Alan with a pale but firm face.

"Speak."

"My sister, Lami, is indeed irresponsible and unqualified to be an intelligence officer, but she would never sell information!"

"How could an unqualified person be allowed to work here? Is this the result of favoritism?"

Louis's words only made Prince Alan angrier. Of course, it was. But to be called unqualified and irresponsible by her brother... Lami is quite something.

"Lami Guardock will be arrested on suspicion of treason and information leakage!"

At Prince Alan's words, the soldiers drew their swords and approached Lami. Lami, crying and shaking, fell to the floor, kicking and screaming like a child. Viscount Guardock hung his head deeply, and Louis continued to protest.

Sighing at the chaotic scene, I thought,

Let's stop this here. I want to go back to my room soon.