Chapter 41

#041 Escape from the Palace (1)

The carriage moved forward, swaying gently. Kanael's voice wavered along with it.

"We have committed a grave sin, Prince. Please forgive us."

"It's okay, Kanael. You might have forgotten because you were busy."

"But still..."

"I really don't mind. I'm fine."

I smiled and reassured Kanael.

The golden-eyed boy, who had been very tense, finally brightened up a bit.

Thinking he might feel even more guilty, I quickly handed him three macarons.

Benzamain, who had watched the entire scene, let out a small sigh.

A little while ago, while waiting for Demi in the garden, I had run into Prince Sedric, who had gotten out of the carriage next to mine.

He had mentioned that my departure was delayed because of me, but it was then that I first learned I would be traveling with the prince.

No wonder there were ten carriages and the head of the palace guards was accompanying us.

Several pieces of the puzzle finally fell into place. Damn...

While I was surprised to see unexpected faces, to be honest, the shock didn't last long.

If the prince wanted to save money and empathize with the lives of the common people by using a carriage, what power did a hostage have to resist?

"I was going to tell you that the prince would be accompanying us, but I got distracted yesterday..."

Kanael's voice grew softer.

I recalled how the boy had come to meet me with Sir Elizabeth the day before.

Kanael had definitely...

"You were so busy watching Demi that you even left the juice behind."

I said calmly.

Kanael looked a bit dazed for a moment, then nodded a beat later.

Demi was really quite adorable.

I suspected that Sir Elizabeth had deliberately left out the part about the prince to surprise me.

"It doesn't matter anyway. We're in different carriages, and my schedule isn't changing because of the prince."

I smiled and firmly stated the facts.

Kanael, whose expression had improved considerably, handed me today's fresh copy of *Weekly Liester*.

The cover featured the phrase "Velliar asks, Penethian answers" in large letters.

It seemed that the article where Sir Sara Velliar interviewed me was the main feature.

I had heard about it before, but seeing it like this made me feel incredibly embarrassed.

"The article about the 'Great Beast Slaying' tournament prize is also included."

I tried to ignore the title and mentioned the small text at the bottom of the cover.

"Great Beast Slaying and the Sword of Mars – The New Master." It was a dramatic phrase.

The article, which had been delayed until last month 15th, had finally been published with the emperor's approval.

I thought of the prince in the carriage ahead.

Although he boasted of being the empire's greatest warrior, it was unclear how he planned to draw the Sword of Mars.

Was he going to dig up the entire ground?

"Prince, this is probably your first time here."

Benzamain spoke to me gently.

I turned my head to look out the window at his gesture.

The carriage was passing through the next building in the palace complex. My mouth opened in amazement.

"Wow, everything here is so big."

My exclamation made the two attendants laugh softly.

Even before we left the palace, there was so much I had never seen before.

Most of the palaces I visited were located at the rear of the palace, so I had never seen this much of the front.

I could see a fountain as large as the Juliette Palace and a garden that seemed to be three times the size of the imperial palace.

There were also several magnificent palaces whose purposes I couldn't discern.

A statue of Celine, the late empress and mother of Emperor Frederic, stood there, at least 5 meters tall.

"Now we're passing through the main gate."

Benzamain continued his explanation. I had been so engrossed in the scenery that we had already reached the gate.

I felt unnecessarily nervous.

The carriage seemed to slow down slightly, then started moving forward again with the faint sound of hooves.

I pressed my forehead against the window and carefully observed the outside.

The massive black gates were wide open.

Knights in silver armor knelt on one knee, bidding farewell to the procession.

They were specifically sending off the prince.

"Quite impressive, the respect the imperial people have for the royal family."

"You're surprised too soon, Prince."

Benzamain smiled and said kindly.

He seemed to enjoy my constant amazement.

"Prince, we'll soon arrive at the Rego Portal."

Kanael took out motion sickness medicine from his handbag and handed it to me.

I stuck the Duke Deum's motion sickness patch behind my ear and waited for the carriage to slow down.

The Rego District, the heart of the capital and the largest commercial area, had a high population flow and was one of the first places in the empire to have a portal.

I planned to take the Rego Portal to the southern part of the capital and then continue by carriage from there.

"We seem to have arrived."

"Already?"

"It's because the road was controlled for the prince."

I see.

Like when the president goes somewhere in a car, and all the traffic lights turn green, and the road in front of Gwanghwamun is completely clear.

"Prince, when you get out of the carriage, people might try to talk to you. You don't have to respond to everyone."

"Actually, the prince never says a word."

That's just like him.

I swallowed the words that had risen to the tip of my tongue and nodded with a smile.

People greeted us with the utmost respect as the procession passed by.

Finally, the royal carriages lined up in front of a gleaming building.

It wasn't as luxurious as the palace, but it clearly wasn't a place where just anyone could enter.

-Knock knock

The coachman knocked on the carriage door, and a moment later, it opened.

I did a final check of my attire.

I didn't forget to ask Kanael and Benzamain if there were any marks on my forehead.

Although I didn't like crowded places or being the center of attention, it was time to get out.

*

To cut to the chase.

The 'Rego Comprehensive Trade Center' was like COEX in Korea.

I tried hard not to show my shock.

Demi, nestled in my arms, was sound asleep. I envied him.

"Prince, just walk straight ahead."

"Yes, Benzamain."

The building was packed with various stores, the path was as complex as a maze, the lobby led to the portal entrance, and sometimes the place was filled with onlookers when a celebrity visited.

It was exactly like COEX. For example, right now.

"Long live the prince!"

"May the prince shine like the sun!"

"Long live the prince!"

"Please win the tournament!"

For the first time since I possessed the body, I was grateful for Prince Sedric.

"His popularity is no joke."

"Yes, the prince has participated in many beast slaying campaigns."

Kanael whispered, somehow catching my mutter.

I nodded subtly and glanced at the prince walking ahead.

Sir Elizabeth, who usually had a smile, was now clearing the way with a serious expression.

The palace guards formed a human barrier between us and the crowd.

People filled the trade center lobby, creating a chaotic scene like the Red Sea parting.

Thanks to the overwhelming attention the prince received, I was able to stay a bit out of the spotlight.

"Prince!"

"I would die without regret..."

I saw women wiping tears as they looked at him.

I wondered what could be so moving, but looking at the prince's face, it wasn't an incomprehensible emotion.

I also saw people placing flowers at his feet.

The street vendors had clearly been waiting for this.

"Every year, on this concourse, a birthday advertisement for the prince is displayed."

"Huh?"

I was walking and looking around, but I couldn't help doubting my ears.

"Although he doesn't have many public appearances, he is so beloved."

Kanael explained excitedly. I was so flustered that I couldn't stop asking questions.

Is this a modern fantasy?

"Like, 'You are my star,' or something?"

"Prince, how could you even suggest such a phrase? It's 'The miracle of August 13th, the prince is our star.'"

My facial muscles wouldn't listen.

I was confused about whether the TMI or the birthday advertisement in a classic fantasy novel was more absurd.

This place is really just like COEX.

"Prince Yeseo, thank you for your kindness!"

At that moment, a man's voice rang in my ears.

I turned reflexively to where the voice came from.

A middle-aged man, dressed in what seemed to be his best clothes, was sobbing as he looked at me.

It was a hard scene to ignore.

"What do you mean by kindness?"

I approached him and asked. The murmurs around me spread like waves.

I could feel people cautiously examining my eyes.

Whispers of "They really are purple" continued.

"Sir, I heard you sent a large sum of money to Baron Berang. Thanks to you, many good things have happened in our territory. Canal construction has started, and the lord is building a large orphanage. All of this is due to the prince's grace."

The man spoke quickly, looking very humble.

His voice trembled so much that it was hard to understand, but he was talking about the money I had sent to the parents of the deceased twins.

So he must be a citizen of Baron Berang's territory.

"No, that's thanks to the baron and his wife. I only contributed to the funeral expenses."

At my words, the man bowed deeply.

"May you receive the eternal blessings of the gods."

"Thank you. Please be careful on your way down."

I greeted him and continued walking.

Looking ahead, I saw the prince had already crossed the lobby and was waiting at the portal entrance, watching me.

He must have ignored everyone who had waited from dawn to speak to him, so he was naturally faster.

He had that 'you're late' look in his eyes.

"Let's go, go."

I mumbled.

Trying not to look too rushed while maintaining a steady pace made me feel like my hands and feet were moving together.

Only then did I notice that one-third of the flowers on the ground were purple.

Checking around, I saw many people looking at me with intense admiration.

My ears turned hot in an instant. Oh, I wish I hadn't known.

"Now I will open the door, Your Highness."

As I reached the portal entrance with a creak, a staff member guided me politely.

The prince nodded once in response.

-Rumble...

The massive bronze doors slowly opened to the sides.

The portal had not been used all morning by imperial decree.

The empty space resembled the palace's underground portal in many ways.

First, it was circular, and the floor was engraved with elaborate magical symbols.

"Now you have arrived. I greet Prince Sedric and Prince Yeseo."

And there was Cristel de Sarnez, holding a whip in one hand, already inside.

...Huh?