Chapter 89: The Terrorist

When I tilted my head in confusion, Lucas tilted his head in the same direction.

“What are you looking at?”

“Shh!”

“What are you doing?”

Lucas put his index finger to my lips and his own, watching out for Xavier who might be nearby.

‘Come to think of it, where did Xavier go?’

I spotted Xavier having a serious conversation with someone in uniform at a distance. Judging by his age, could he be the museum’s director.

“The Duke wouldn’t like this, right? I won’t kidnap you or anything. This is our chance. Let’s go see it together.”

“Won’t you take your hand off?”

“Oh? I will, I’m taking it off.”

I glared at him while smacking the back of his hand as it slowly moved away.

“Sorry.”

“Ow, my lips! Do you even know what you’re sorry for?”

“No, I mean, I’m really sorry.”

“What now? Why?”

Lucas made a droopy face and clasped his hands together apologetically.

Something felt off, so I looked at my reflection in the nearby display case. The light pink rouge on my upper and lower lips was completely smeared. Just like someone caught in the middle of a hasty kiss.

“What is this?”

“That’s why I’m apologizing like this.”

Should I make him beg all day until his hands become feet?

No, be patient. He may be crazy, but he’s the Crown Prince.

I forced a smile while gritting my teeth.

“Your Highnness. It’s fiiiine.”

“Hmm? Really?”

“Of course.”

“Thank you!”

His pure innocence makes me feel like my mind is going blank.

As I was frantically searching through my handbag for a mirror, Xavier, who had finished talking with the museum director, approached me.

“Yuria, is something wrong?”

I quickly turned my back and waved my hand downward.

“Just a moment.”

“Well… if you insist, alright. Go to the Moirai Historical Gallery first. I’ll follow shortly.”

I covered half my face with my hand and quickly took out my mirror to reapply my rouge. Glancing at Xavier’s reflection in the mirror, I asked,

“The Moirai Historical Gallery?”

“Yes, I was planning to go there too.”

Lucas brightened up and looked at Xavier. Xavier gave Lucas a knowing look with an arrogant expression.

“I knew it. Isn’t that why you came to the Imperial History Museum? The scroll left by Moirai’s first king.”

“I was about to say that… you sneaky cat.”

Lucas bit his lip in frustration.

“You raccoon dog, stay quietly hidden in the gallery while looking at it.”

“Tch.”

“Yuria, I apologize. The director insisted on getting one more signature on the documents.”

“It’s fine. We’ll see it soon anyway.”

His teal eyes gazed at me tenderly as I smiled. The cold look from the carriage was nowhere to be seen.

“Your lipstick is smeared here.”

Xavier hesitated for a moment before awkwardly wiping my upper lip with his thumb.

Ah, was it not fully applied?

“Thank you.”

I clasped my hands together and fidgeted with my fingers. Though I had been angry, I didn’t dislike Xavier’s gentle touch.

I was angry, but I didn’t hate Xavier.

I knew Lucas was staring intently from the side, but there was nothing I could do about it.

“Raccoon, please take care of Yuria for a while.”

“Did the sun rise in the west today? You’re actually asking me for a favor, what’s going on?”

Lucas brightly called out as he shifted his gaze to Xavier, who replied without much interest.

“I’m asking because you’re stronger than Eaglin or Eli.”

“Oh ho. I am pretty amazing.”

Lucas smugly rubbed under his nose with his finger. But Xavier wasn’t the type to give out compliments for no reason.

“If only your brain was as amazing… tsk.”

“What? You damn cat! Want to go at it?”

While easily blocking Lucas’s wild punches with one hand, Xavier calmly instructed me,

“Follow the Crown Prince well.”

“Alright.”

I answered somewhat dazedly.

Xavier was effortlessly blocking Lucas’s punches that were coming too fast to follow. Then he grabbed Lucas’s shoulder with his other hand and dragged him a short distance away.

“Xavier?”

Xavier mouthed ‘just a moment’ before whispering something in Lucas’s ear. Lucas’s bright expression instantly darkened.

What are they talking about? I can’t hear!

“You, understand, Raccoon? Hide well with Yuria.”

“Got it. Don’t worry.”

Xavier and Lucas walked side by side towards me, suddenly friendly.

Wait, isn’t that suspicious from the start?

Whatever they plotted, both men smiled at me simultaneously.

Lucas smoothly came to my side and offered his arm. Puzzled, I looked at Xavier’s eyes, and he nodded.

I awkwardly smiled as I placed my hand on his arm and looked up at Xavier.

“Nothing’s wrong, right?”

“It’s fine. I’ll be there soon.”

“Alright.”

Xavier briefly caressed my cheek before going to where the director was waiting. When Eaglin and Eli left with Xavier as well, only Lucas and I remained.

“Shall we go, Duchess?”

“Yes.”

I looked back one more time before following Lucas to the third floor where the Moirai Historical Gallery was located.

However, after reaching the third floor, Lucas led me in the opposite direction from the gallery.

“Your Highness?”

“This worked out better. I was planning to go somewhere else anyway.”

“!”

Lucas tightly embraced my shoulder with one arm while keenly surveying the surroundings.

“Please understand. Duke Xavier permitted it briefly.”

“What?”

Xavier allowed Lucas to touch me?

“Your Highness, what do you mean it worked out better? What does that mean? Xavier clearly said to go to the gallery…”

“I’ll explain when we get there.”

Gulp. I’d never seen Lucas with such a serious expression before.

He took me around the corner at the end of the corridor to a place marked ‘Archive.’

“Why here? It looks like we need a key to enter?”

Despite my words, he silently took out a key from his pants pocket.

“Why do you have a key to this place, Your Highness?”

“A friend gave it to me.”

“……”

Oh no, this crazy person.

Lucas pulled me into the thick door. The archive contained various artifacts stored in glass cases.

Lucas turned to close the door and exhaled roughly.

“Now we’re good!”

“Your Highness? Why did we come to the archive? Will you explain now?”

“I can’t. That cat would try to kill me if he knew.”

“Do you think I’m stupid? What’s going on?”

“Aaargh! I can’t take this anymore, I can’t do this!”

Lucas, his under-eyes seeming even darker, roughly messed up his hair with both hands.

I crossed my arms and called out to him again.

“Your Highness?”

His round black eyes rolled around before squeezing shut.

“The Duke told me not to tell you, but you should know!”

“Fine. What is it?”

“Someone sent a warning that they would terrorize the museum.”

“What? Terrorize? Who would do such a thing?”

“The anti-Moirai faction of the Empire? They must have found out I was coming here. This is why we kept it strictly confidential…”

Suddenly, I remembered Xavier’s wistful gaze as he looked into my eyes.

‘So that’s why he acted that way!’

“I’m leaving. You stay here!”

“No!”

Lucas hurriedly blocked my way. His footsteps echoed through the large archive.

“Move! If people get hurt, they’ll need me as a saintess!”

“Don’t go. That cat duke would be so pleased if you went!”

“I said move!”

“It’s dangerous outside! Terrorists are roaming around!”

“It’s probably less dangerous than being with Your Highness. How do you explain having the key to an archive you’ve never visited before?”

I pushed hard against Lucas’s chest with my hands, using all my strength, but I couldn’t overcome the strong man’s power.

After struggling until my face turned red, I ended up trapped in Lucas’s arms.

“Please, Yuria.”

“Don’t call my name.”

The veins bulged in the man’s forearms that had been loosely blocking me.

“No, I will call you that. I can’t hold back anymore!”

“!”

The man’s angry voice boomed through the spacious archive.

“I like you too! Your scent drives me crazy, but I’ve been holding back, I have!”

I shuddered at Lucas’s hands gripping my shoulders.

The heat from his skin was burning. I could feel Lucas’s full weight through my cardigan.

“Can we stay like this for a while? Just today… no, just five minutes. Okay?”

“Your Highness.”

“Your scent… is so good. Even though it’s not mating season… I’m going crazy.”

Lucas’s hot breath blew near my neck. The dizzying sensation made me think of Xavier, and I couldn’t bear it.

“If you don’t let go, don’t ever think about seeing me again.”

“That’s cruel.”

“I warned you. I’ll hate Your Highness forever.”

Lucas dejectedly dropped his arms from my shoulders and replied in a gloomy voice.

“…Alright. Actually, I didn’t come here for this. I wanted to see the records written by the Moirai priest that are supposed to be here, but your scent keeps stimulating my masculinity.”

What, masculinity?

I turned around and shouted,

“Y-Your Highness, do you have no shame?”

“Huh? Why? Doesn’t Xavier talk about masculinity? Or can’t he perform?”

“Ugh!”

Well, I haven’t experienced it either!

I fanned my face with my hand before dropping my jaw open.

“Anyway, I’m leaving now. Xavier is in danger.”

“Don’t go.”

“I’m going!”

“Don’t go, the Duke… isn’t in any danger at all.”

Lucas kept insisting.

“Even a Swordmaster only has one life. How dangerous are these terrorists?”

“It’s fake. All of it.”

“Yeah~ I won’t fall for that. Well then, goodbye.”

I deliberately gave Lucas a formal bow. Just as I was about to grab the door handle of the archive, Lucas shouted loudly behind me.

“I’m telling you! I’m the one who sent that warning letter!”