Chapter 70

Could he have already returned? The thought came to Bianca unbidden.

“Is Sir Alec still away as well? If not, could you at least summon Sir Lancelot?”

If Lancelot were here, it would mean Dexter had returned as well.

“I shall inquire at once.”

Shouldn’t she have said no, that they were not here? Yet the maid, almost against her own will, gave a nod of assent.

“…Ah!”

By the time she realized her mistake, it was already too late.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

“You mustn’t do this.”

“Step aside.”

“I’m sorry, but His Highness the Crown Prince hasn’t yet returned. Please remain in your chamber and wait quietly.”

“Did you not hear me tell you to move?”

“My apologies.”

A commotion echoed outside the door. Dexter, seated at his desk, stared toward the entrance.

She caught on quicker than I expected.

He’d planned to see how long she’d wait—but she’d realized before dawn. He’d returned hours ago, even finished his audience with the Emperor.

A faint commotion stirred beyond the door. Seated at his desk, Dexter fixed his gaze on it.

‘She caught on quicker than I expected.’

He had intended to see how long she would wait, but it seemed she had realized the truth before dawn.

He had returned long ago, met with his father, and given his report. Word had already reached him that she hadn’t left the window, her eyes fixed on the front gate. And so he had gone first to the main palace, delivering his account of the rift’s situation.

“Your Highness, would it not be better if I went out and spoke with her?”

“Leave her. If you go, she’ll know for certain that I’ve returned.”

“Then you mean to leave her standing out there like that?”

“She won’t be able to remain there forever. Let her be.”

“What did His Majesty the Emperor say regarding this matter?”

His father already knew everything. However, what weighed on him more was the calm composure of his mother, seated at his father’s side.

“They were already aware.”

“Will you tell Lady Bianca as well?”

“Tell her what? That my mother hopes she will leave of her own accord, fearing that staying by my side will place her family in danger?”

“….”

“Lancelot, do you have any idea how much I’ve done to find Bianca? And now you expect me to hand her an excuse to run away?”

Dexter closed his eyes, weariness shadowing his face. When he had gone to make his report, his parents had worn the look of people who already knew he would come.

And he, in turn, had found himself looking forward to the faces of parents who would be waiting for him.

“Mother, I heard you even enjoyed tea with Lady Eliaden. Yet I also came across a rather strange story.”

“This mother is curious what story you mean.”

“It’s nothing. Only that someone spoke such absurd nonsense to me that I punished them for planting strange suspicions.”

“And what words could move the Crown Prince to act personally?”

His father’s brow furrowed as he tapped a finger against the armrest, as though realizing the matter concerned his mother. It had only been a probing remark, yet from that reaction, Dexter gained his certainty.

“I heard that someone within the imperial family requested the aid of Team Four, and that this someone is said to be very close to me.”

There were few who held the authority to give such an order—the blood of the Imperial line, and the captains themselves. However, the captain of Team One was already at the rift, and the captain of Team Two was acting alongside him. Team Three was holding their ground against the rift’s newly risen rank, which left only the commander of the Imperial Guard, Dexter, and his parents.

“And since it wasn’t me, is it not a most curious story? Neither Mother nor Father would have any reason to do such a thing.”

“Yes, well done. And who was it that sought to sow discord within our family?”

“Mother’s maid, Veila.”

She was the one his mother cherished above all others. Now that she had meddled with what was his, she would learn firsthand what it meant to suffer the same, and think twice before ever doing so again.

“Mother, I suggest you choose your maids with greater care in the future.”

Dexter met his mother’s gaze directly and smiled. At last, the serene composure on her face wavered, the corner of her lips trembling.

The sight was so vivid, it only made his own smile deepen.

“Lancelot, do you not wish for my happiness?”

“There’s no one who desires Your Highness’s happiness more than I.”

“My family doesn’t wish for my happiness. Their own comes first. That is why I want you, at least, to wish it for me.”

“I understand perfectly.”

Lancelot inclined his head and stepped back.

Leaning against his chair, Dexter drew in a slow breath, savoring the faint trace of Bianca’s scent lingering beyond the door. Unaware that her unease had set her pheromones adrift, she was releasing a scent that lured like a siren’s call.

“…Ha. So, she’s not unaware after all.”

Bianca was tempting him quite deliberately. It was as if she hoped the fragrance would drive him mad with desire, compelling him to leave the room of his own accord.