Chapter 59

The man, who was disguised as a stall owner, released an arrow.

I thought about deflecting it with a knife, but the arrow wasn't aimed at me. Moreover, the arrow was on fire.

At the same time, flaming arrows were launched from various stalls. However, the places they were aiming at were all over the place, which left me puzzled: "What are they aiming at?"

"What's going on?"

The thousands of people gathered near the platform on the north side of the square, where I was standing, began to scatter in all directions, screaming.

Many flaming arrows set the stalls near the platform and the decorative fabrics and paper on the square on fire. I searched for the men who had launched the arrows, but they were already gone, having blended into the crowd.

This is strange. This is the moment they should launch a second and third wave of arrows and attack in the chaos.

"Mike, is this a diversionary tactic?"

"Right now, just come this way!"

Mike pushed me from behind, and we started to head down from the platform and back to the castle. While running, I quickly turned back to check if anyone was targeting me.

In the midst of the wave of people moving in unison, I caught a glimpse of a small figure with golden hair heading towards us, moving in the opposite direction of the fleeing people. (Could it be Nonna?) I thought, but Mike pushed me from behind again.

"Hurry!"

"But—"

I was pushed from behind again and started running towards the castle. No knights were accompanying me.

I see. By the time Mike intervened, the knights already knew I was a shadow.

Mike and I were about to reach the entrance of the castle.

The large iron gate was closed, leaving only enough space for one person to pass through, and a soldier with a spear was shouting, "Hurry!" I turned back for the last time.

The knights of the First and Second Knight Orders were searching for the men who had launched the flaming arrows, swords drawn.

There are four entrances and exits to the square in front of the castle. However, due to the fires in three directions, the people evacuating were concentrated at the southern entrance. I couldn't see anyone who looked like Nonna among them.

(Must have been a mistake.)

Just as I thought and turned forward, a familiar voice cut through the crowd's screams and rang out clearly.

"Mom!"

Mike and I turned around simultaneously.

Nonna wasn't running across the square but was jumping from the roofs of the unburned stalls and the branches of the large trees surrounding the square, heading towards us.

Why is Nonna here? Wasn't she at Edward's house?

I bit my lip.

Even if I told her not to come now, Nonna would still come. I stopped and waited for Nonna to catch up. Nonna leaped down from the nearest stall, her golden braids fluttering, and ran towards me at a tremendous speed.

"I'm so relieved! Mom, you're safe!"

"We'll talk later. Come with me."

I wanted to ask why she was here, but that could wait. Mike, Nonna, and I slipped through the gate in that order and ran towards the inner part of the castle. The gate behind us slammed shut with a loud bang.

There were few people inside the castle. Occasionally, I saw soldiers with drawn swords and a killing intent. Mike was moving while hiding me from them, and now we were pushed into an empty room.

"Is he here?"

"He's not here!"

"Hey! What about over there?"

Mike, who was called out, shouted back, "He's not in this room either!"

They were shouting and opening doors one after another, checking inside. Who are they looking for? The situation was frustrating. Mike led Nonna and me towards the north wing of the castle. I stopped him, thinking it was wrong.

"Wait. Where are we going? Nonna and I can protect ourselves. We don't need you to hide or protect us. We need to protect Delphine now!"

I raised my voice and confronted Mike. But Mike put his finger to his lips and said "Shh," and signaled for us to follow him. I followed Mike to the north tower, feeling frustrated. We eventually reached a room on the third floor, marked "Records Management Department."

Mike motioned for Nonna and me to enter. We went in and were speechless.

Inside the room was Delphine, who was supposed to have gone to the royal family's secret room.

Around Delphine were about ten men in civilian clothes with sharp eyes, all wearing black knit caps pulled down over their eyes. I immediately knew they weren't soldiers or royal guards but members of the Third Knight Order.

Delphine was not only wearing a maid's uniform but also a brown wig. Her blue eyes were still visible, but with her bangs covering her forehead, the blue of her eyes wasn't noticeable at first glance.

Mike, after letting Nonna and me in, whispered in my ear, "Fulfill your role as a shadow," and then, without any expression, told the men, who were looking at us with suspicion, "This girl is capable. She's stronger than me. Have her act with the princess."

Mike said this and left in his knight's uniform.

Although many things were left unexplained, I remembered that this is how things work in the field of espionage. It all comes down to "act on your own initiative."

Nonna, who had been silent until then, spoke in a low voice.

"Mom, can I join? Can I?"

"It's not a matter of can or can't. We've come this far. Nonna, I can't prioritize you right now. Protect yourself. Understand?"

"Okay. Leave it to me. ... Haha."

Nonna was trying her best to look expressionless, but she was clearly enjoying it to the fullest. She must be thrilled at the prospect of fighting with all her might.

I sighed loudly in frustration in my heart.

I never expected Nonna to come here! This is completely out of the blue!

"Then, I will resume my role as Delphine from here."

The men nodded silently. I moved to the center of the group, and Delphine moved to the back. We moved to the wall, and one of the men guided us to climb a chair, a table, and a bookshelf, and then pulled us up into the ceiling.

"Nonna, you go too."

"Can't I stay with you, Mom?"

"Absolutely not."

"Okay."

"Nonna, prioritize your survival over fighting the enemy."

"Okay."

"You won't be protected by anyone. Be prepared."

"I understand."

"Protect Delphine. Do you have a weapon?"

"I have it."

"Nonna."

"What?"

"I love you."

"Me too, Mom."

Nonna headed towards the ceiling, grabbed the hand extended to her, and disappeared.

The chair and table were quickly returned to their original positions.

A calm voice came from the ceiling.

"Kate, I'm counting on you."

"Leave it to me. She will be useful. Don't worry."

The ceiling boards were returned to their original positions.

"What's the current situation?"

I asked the men around me, and the one who seemed to be the leader explained.

"A part of the military has accused the Crown Princess of plotting to poison the King and is trying to seize Delphine without the permission of the parliament. Their movements are well-organized, so it seems to be a carefully planned operation."

"I see."

"The military is currently divided. Since they wear the same uniforms, it's hard to tell which side is which, and we are watching the situation while protecting the princess."

The attempt to kill Delphine failed, and Ellie disappeared.

Someone, probably worried about their own safety, must have started a desperate attempt to pin the blame on Delphine.

The likely mastermind is the Deputy Minister of Military Affairs, Brian Wilks.

"How many have turned in the military? It depends on that. What about the King and the Crown Prince?"

"Our allies are protecting them in another location."

Noisy voices and footsteps were approaching from a distance. The tension among the men in civilian clothes increased. My role now is simple: fulfill my role as Delphine's shadow.

I lowered my veil in the center of the men, crouching slightly and hiding behind the back of the man in front of me.

The door was violently kicked open, and soldiers with swords stormed in.