#33. The Perfect Opportunity to Escape

“Puhek!”

Light burst from the air and two figures fell.

It was Jerman, who had exhausted his magical power to cast a teleportation spell, and his master, Prince Lukaris.

“S-save me…mmph!”

Just as Jerman realized he was falling and was about to scream, a large hand covered his mouth. When he came to his senses, they had already landed safely.

Thanks to Prince Lukaris.

“Ah, phew…… Thank you, Your Highness.”

Jerman let out a sigh of relief. He had nearly escaped only to die from cracking his head open. What an unseemly end that would have been.

‘By the way, where are we?’

Having been focused solely on escaping the crisis as quickly as possible, Jerman couldn’t determine exactly where they were.

He only knew they were still within Dragonia’s territory. The bone-chilling cold surrounding them made that clear.

‘Outdoors, outside, rugged plains…?’

Winter in Dragonia brings early sunsets and harsh weather. With snow and wind blowing around them, Jerman could only gather very abstract information.

“Your Highness. Where exactly are we…… Your Highness?!”

“Hngh, kuk—!”

Unlike Jerman, who had managed to land safely and even had the energy to survey their surroundings, Prince Lukaris was not unharmed. A groan escaped through his clenched teeth.

“Your Highness!”

Jerman’s face turned ashen as he finally noticed Prince Lukaris’s condition.

Prince Lukaris was bleeding from his mouth, but raised a finger to silence his subordinate.

While covering his own mouth, Jerman hurriedly examined his master’s body.

And was horrified.

“B-blood…!”

Prince Lukaris was covered in wounds.

The most serious was the wound on his abdomen, which had soaked through his black clothing with blood, making it visible despite the dark color.

“The reputation of the three Dragonia brothers is indeed not unfounded.”

Prince Lukaris gave a bitter smile.

If captured, he might survive due to his noble status as a prince.

But his subordinates could not expect the same fate.

Knowing this, Prince Lukaris had fought at the forefront, and when capture seemed imminent, he had scattered his subordinates in different directions to help them escape.

He alone was paying the price for ensuring everyone escaped from Sheren Grad without a single sacrifice.

Realizing this, Jerman gritted his teeth.

Because his master cared so deeply for his people, Prince Lukaris’s followers were extremely loyal.

Even if one of them had been captured and tortured, they would never have betrayed their master.

Jerman tried to cast healing magic despite his exhausted state, but having used too much magical power already, he couldn’t even stop the bleeding properly.

“Cough, I’m sorry, Your Highness. Just a moment……”

“That’s enough. Should I have to carry you in this state?”

Prince Lukaris stopped Jerman as if scolding him. He knew his subordinate was pushing himself too hard.

Enduring the searing pain, Prince Lukaris rose to his feet and looked around.

His eyes, which could see far beyond normal perception, caught sight of it. Through the raging snowstorm, a blue-tinged castle rose up.

It was the Blue Brick Castle, known as the heart of the Grand Duchy of Dragonia.

The moment he recognized it, a strangely familiar voice echoed in his mind.

‘Why?’

Simultaneously, a silhouette appeared before his eyes.

Large eyes with a transparent glow even in the darkness.

A small, white face like a quail’s egg was deathly pale, with blood staining the corners of the mouth. Abundant curly hair was disheveled, enveloping the tiny frame.

‘Why did you save me?’

The young-faced girl looked at him. With a bewildered expression, as if she couldn’t believe it.

For some reason, Lukaris felt a pain in his heart.

He felt sorry for those widened eyes that seemed to have never expected anyone to save her. He wanted to carefully embrace that trembling, frail body filled with confusion and wariness.

He wanted to melt her cold, curled-up hands with his warmth, and whisper in the gentlest voice he possessed.

That it was okay. That she didn’t need to be afraid.

He desperately wanted to tell her.

Please, abandon those trash who only exploit you and come to me…….

“……Your Highness!”

But the vision and impulse that had momentarily captivated him shattered at his subordinate’s voice.

The girl in the darkness had vanished, and only a snow-white plain with swirling snow greeted him.

‘What did I just see?’

While Prince Lukaris stood frozen, Jerman asked.

“Why did you suddenly make such a desperate expression?”

“……Desperate?”

“Yes, your expression was very troubled. As if you had some deep resentment from a past life……”

“Nonsense!”

Prince Lukaris vehemently denied it.

Perhaps because they had entered Dragonia’s territory, the mysterious visions were growing stronger, now imposing emotions that weren’t even his own.

Who would allow themselves to be manipulated like that?

Grinding his teeth, Prince Lukaris moved forward.

“Y-Your Highness? Where are you going!”

“We need to find shelter from the snow. Otherwise, we’ll be buried in this blizzard and die.”

No, I know that, but where are you going!

Jerman was perplexed.

Prince Lukaris was born in the capital of the Hakan Empire, and this was Dragonia’s territory, a place he should never have set foot in.

Yet somehow, despite his contorted face showing pain, Prince Lukaris was walking somewhere without hesitation.

As if he had been here before.

* * *

“L-Lord Siyeref.”

Ivan, who had been just an ordinary knight, had only recently become a subordinate of Siyeref, the heir to Dragonia.

But even someone like Ivan knew that his master was indifferent to the youngest lady.

So he thought Siyeref wouldn’t care, and had spoken those words thinking he was scratching an itch his master couldn’t express himself.

Though perhaps excessive, he had only been trying to curry favor, but…….

‘Why, why did he suddenly become so angry?’

Faced with Siyeref’s fierce demeanor, Ivan hastily knelt down. Without even realizing he was trembling, he began to apologize.

“I-I was wrong. Please just once……”

“Shut up.”

But it was already too late. Siyeref didn’t even spare him a glance, and two subordinates standing behind him grabbed Ivan’s arms.

Guessing his fate, Ivan screamed with a pale face.

“Lord Siyeref, please forgive me just this once! Please- mmph!”

But before he could continue, Siyeref frowned as if annoyed by the noise.

At that, Siyeref’s subordinates gagged Ivan.

“Take him away.”

“Yes.”

“Mmph, mmph—!”

And obeying their master’s command, they dragged Ivan into the darkness.

‘Stupid fool.’

Who told him to run his mouth in front of the master?

Siyeref’s aide, who had tried to stop Ivan, shook his head.

It was obvious what his fate would be.

If he had at least been of respectable status, perhaps, but how dare someone who wasn’t even from a proper family presume to speak about the Grand Duke of Dragonia’s youngest daughter?

“How presumptuous. For someone like him to……”

The aide, who had been angry on behalf of his master, paused.

Siyeref wasn’t even looking at Ivan being dragged away, but was staring at the firmly closed door of the ‘Red Velvet Room’.

As if worried that the girl inside, Partanie, might have been awakened by the commotion outside.

Yet he couldn’t bring himself to grasp the doorknob, open it, and check.

‘No, I’m mistaken.’

It must surely be a misunderstanding, but for some reason, the aide felt compelled to say something.

Lady Partanie is probably sleeping.

She wouldn’t have heard anything.

If you’re truly concerned, why not knock and go in for a moment? You could at least say good night, tell her not to worry…….

‘No, that’s impossible.’

The aide gave a bitter smile.

After all, he had deliberately chosen hurtful words, accusing her of arrogance and such.

His strong master, Siyeref, showed no emotion in his back, but the aide who knew him well could tell.

That Siyeref, unable even to grasp the doorknob, seemed somewhat troubled.

As if he regretted his past indifference toward the youngest lady, which had allowed even his subordinates to speak carelessly about her.

‘But it’s already too late.’

The aide sighed inwardly. He wanted to ask why his master had spoken words he didn’t mean.

‘It’s not like you were trying to be hated.’

Of course, his master must have had greater intentions.

But did he really need to take on the role of the villain? The lady wouldn’t appreciate it anyway.

The aide, who had been about to say something, changed his words when he saw his master’s emotionless profile as he turned away.

“The preparations for departure are complete.”

“Let’s go.”

Siyeref tore his gaze away from the Red Velvet Room as if he had never been looking at it. There was not the slightest hesitation in his departing footsteps.

* * *

And inside the Red Velvet Room, which Siyeref had not peered into…

“So a spy sent by the Griffones imperial family infiltrated Sheren Grad, but escaped and fled this way?”

“Yes.”

“That’s impressive.”

“Pardon?”

I expressed my admiration.

“To escape from Brother Kalenso, they must be quite extraordinary.”

“……”

Whoever this spy was, they had managed to thwart Kalenso, that unpleasant fellow.

It was deeply satisfying. If they were in front of me, I would have applauded them.

The Amyeong of Dragonia seemed uncomfortable with my praise but didn’t open their mouths to object.

‘Well, it is a major failure.’

Otherwise, would Siyeref have personally come all the way to the Blue Brick Castle? He probably reported the situation to Father and got thoroughly reprimanded in Kalenso’s place as the one responsible.

Of course, Siyeref’s circumstances were none of my concern. In this situation, what mattered most to me was…….

“Father and Brother Siyeref must both be busy trying to catch that spy.”

The fact that the two Dragonia men who had been trying to suppress me were now in no position to pay attention to me.

‘This is the perfect opportunity to escape, isn’t it?’