Chapter 17

Eric deduced that Duke Belkline was approaching his sister Jill for his own use. If that assumption were correct, Eric said that Jill might be killed once she was no longer useful, which made me shudder.

"It seems I've scared you. Sorry, it might just be a sordid affair between a man and a woman, and it's just my suspicious speculation."

No, your comfort is too late.

I'm already worried about Jill and the family.

I know about Eric's sharp insight, and if he is concerned, it means he's at least 80% close to the truth.

"Eric, what kind of affair between a man and a woman is there?"

"Lord Rinsa, these cookies are also exquisite."

Rinsa and Johan are deliberately not paying attention to my conversation and are talking about trivial matters.

What to do about Jill...

I asked Eric a question.

"If we assume that your speculation is correct, what do you think Duke Belkline's purpose is?"

That's right. If it's not a relationship between a man and a woman, I have no idea why Duke Belkline is approaching Jill. I thought Eric might have speculated that far, so I asked him.

"Probably, the real target is you, Lea."

"Me...?"

"I don't want to say it, as it might damage Duke Belkline's reputation, but if he was the mastermind behind the assassination plot against me, he might have approached your sister to get rid of you, who was in the way."

Eric said something unbelievable in an even smaller, lower voice.

To get rid of me, he approached Jill? Because Duke Belkline was the mastermind behind the assassination plot against Eric...

Of course, this is Eric's speculation, so it might be off the mark.

But when you think about it, I can't think of any other reason.

—Do you mean I might be the target of malice?

"Lea, I'm sorry. By welcoming you as a bodyguard, I might have put your family in danger. This is my responsibility."

"Don't bow your head. Didn't you say it's not decided yet, Eric?"

"No, by the time it's decided, it will be too late. I was relying on your excellence. I thought you could handle an assassin, but I didn't think about your family."

Eric is unusually dejected.

I feel honored that he trusted my abilities and welcomed me as a bodyguard.

So, I don't want him to look like that.

"That's a good thing."

"Lea...? What's good is that your sister—"

"Nothing has happened yet. If so, we can prevent it before it happens. Let's be grateful for the good fortune that we can be on guard thanks to your stepmother. We can probably predict that he will try to take Jill as a hostage to target my life."

I told him that I should be happy to know in advance.

If we know that Duke Belkline will use Jill, it won't be difficult to prevent his plot.

And besides—

"I am your bodyguard. I will risk my life to protect you. We've finally reached the point of identifying the mastermind. This is not the time to hesitate. We should rise to the challenge."

If we can expose Duke Belkline's involvement in a plan to assassinate me using Jill, Eric won't be targeted for assassination anymore.

On the contrary, this is a great opportunity to catch the beast that has shown its tail.

"Hehe, I can't win against you. Really..."

"You seem a bit more cheerful."

"I came here to solve your worries, but instead, I was encouraged—. Yes, you're right. I should rise to the challenge. I will protect you... and uphold my justice."

Eric stood up with a determined look and spoke out.

That's the Crown Prince I respect, who never tolerates injustice.

I will also do my best to capture your enemies for you.

Let's fight together. There's nothing to be afraid of.

However, I had one concern.

If he were to take Jill as a hostage, why not just kidnap her instead of having an affair?

Duke Belkline must have some other method to use Jill.

I had a terrible thought about that method, but I shook my head, thinking my sister wouldn't go that far.

—Jill, you wouldn't think of killing me, would you? If you did, I—.