Chapter 252: Chapter 252

“Sir Zion, are you certain that Crown Prince Gueuze will attend?”

“Yes, probably…”

Zion trailed off. When Isella looked up at him expectantly, he took a step back, then closer again, continuing,

“His Highness usually attends as he pleases. While other sources have indicated that he will attend….”

Raymond had been confident, but Zion, who attended such banquets more frequently, couldn’t understand what Raymond was so sure about.

Though it was called a banquet, it wasn’t an important day, nor was it during a festival. Not many nobles had attended—only a few young nobles who enjoyed indulgence were here and there, flirting with women.

Would Crown Prince Gueuze attend? Zion wasn’t sure. The decorations weren’t particularly extravagant, nor were there more high-ranking nobles than usual. Of course, since Gueuze acted on a whim, there was still a chance he might attend.

‘But today… seems unusually tame.’

Zion noticed the odd sense of unease he felt. Crown Prince Gueuze, despite being royalty, enjoyed turning banquet halls into depraved spaces.

He liked to see people crawling on the splendid marble floors with wine spilled all over, preferred prostitutes and gigolos standing in place of attendants, and enjoyed watching those who went bankrupt from gambling lose their dignity, then blackmailing them after standing as their guarantor.

But today felt different.

The wine was simply of high quality, and not too strong. The music was a lively waltz, and the drapery was bright cream-colored fabric. Early lilies were placed here and there as decorations, giving the place more the atmosphere of a salon hosted by a noblewoman than a royal banquet attended by the likes of Gueuze.

If he were attending, the atmosphere wouldn’t be like this. Was he really going to attend today? Zion bit his lip slightly. Seeing this, Isella looked up at him and asked,

“So, if he doesn’t attend, what will happen?”

Zion frowned.

That would complicate things. If that happened, Raymond might encounter Crown Prince Gueuze. And then where would Carynne Hare be?

“Well, then.”

But his words were cut off. A servant’s loud announcement interrupted him.

“His Highness, Crown Prince Gueuze, is entering!”

That’s a relief.

He would need to send a signal to Sir Raymond. Once Gueuze attended, he usually stayed for a long time, enjoying watching people get drunk or become senseless.

That would give Sir Raymond enough time to extract Carynne Hare. They just needed to confirm that Gueuze was here and stay as long as possible, keeping him occupied.

“Greetings to Your Highness, Crown Prince Gueuze.”

“May the gods protect Your Highness. It is an honor to see you.”

A few people bowed deeply and greeted Crown Prince Gueuze, but he passed them by indifferently, heading toward the seat he usually occupied.

Zion thought that his face looked somewhat different from before. The cruel expression that often mocked others seemed unusually bright today. As Gueuze slowly walked, his eyes met Isella’s.

“Hmm, isn’t this Isella Evans?”

“……”

Isella froze.

Standing beside her, Zion gently grasped her fingers. Get a hold of yourself, Isella. Only then did Isella bow.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

“Indeed, I didn’t expect you to attend today.”

I thought you’d be at the bottom of a river.

Even without him saying it explicitly, Isella caught the sarcastic tone. She opened her mouth. She needed to speak, to prevent any harm from coming to her father and mother.

“Y-Your Highness, I am grateful for your boundless mercy—”

“What did I do to deserve your thanks?”

Crown Prince Gueuze asked this with a faint smile, looking down at Isella. She was at a loss for words. She couldn’t very well thank him for sparing her life here.

* * *

Raymond stood in the empty room.

There was nothing.

No bodies, no Carynne. Nothing.

* * *

At that moment, Isella heard a familiar voice.

But it was a voice that shouldn’t be heard here.

“Don’t be too harsh, Your Highness. Miss Evans seems uncomfortable.”

“…It’s amusing, though.”

Belatedly, the attendant announced,

“Miss Carynne Hare has entered!”

Isella was taken aback. Zion’s face mirrored her shock. Both were speechless at the unexpected arrival.

According to the original plan, Crown Prince Gueuze would be here, and while the royal attendants were focused on him, Raymond was supposed to extract Carynne.

But why…?

“Miss Isella, did you get home safely that day?”

“……”

“Is Carynne not asking you a question?”

“Y-Yes… Yes, Your Highness.”

“I wasn’t the one who asked.”

“I-I’m sorry, Your Highness. Thanks to you… Yes, um, I got home safely, Carynne.”

Why was Carynne standing so naturally beside Crown Prince Gueuze?

Isella was panicked, nearly in a state of shock as she realized the plan had gone awry.

Zion Electra was the first to grasp the situation. It seemed that Carynne Hare had successfully charmed Crown Prince Gueuze.

She’s really good at ensuring her own survival, Zion thought with a click of his tongue. At least she wasn’t dead or injured, which was a relief.

According to Isella, Crown Prince Gueuze was a man with an excessive desire for destruction when it came to the human body. If that were true, Carynne would have been more likely buried beneath the palace garden by now.

Yet here Carynne was, standing beside Crown Prince Gueuze, smiling brilliantly in a way that outshone even the most beautiful people here. Isella, who had come to rescue her, now looked more pitiful in comparison.

The dress Carynne wore was excessively luxurious for a girl not yet twenty. Her dress was intricately embroidered with gold, and her hair and neck were adorned with various jewels, including diamonds, amethysts, and rubies.

Only now did Zion understand why the atmosphere at today’s banquet felt different from before.

Crown Prince Gueuze hadn’t held this banquet to watch people’s disgraceful behavior as he usually did…

But to showcase his young mistress.

Carynne’s face was as radiant as could be. Her rosy lips curved into a smile as her soft, melodious voice filled the air.

“Yes. I was worried because it was so late, Isella.”

“C-Carynne… Are you alright?”

“Why wouldn’t I be alright? His Highness Gueuze has been taking such good care of me.”

Zion had considered the possibility that Carynne might still be alive, but he hadn’t expected her to be standing so comfortably beside Crown Prince Gueuze. He was at a loss for how to adjust their plan.

If Carynne was in such a position, her immediate safety was assured, but the chances of escaping the palace had significantly diminished.

If she became an official mistress, her risk of death would decrease, but would that mean Carynne would continue living in the palace?

‘What about Sir Raymond?’

Zion bowed and quickly retreated. Since the conversation was between Isella and Carynne, stepping back seemed more respectful. This was the perfect time, as Crown Prince Gueuze’s attention was focused on Isella.

Zion discreetly slipped a note into the seventh terrace.

[ G-I, C, accompanied ]

He hoped Raymond hadn’t gone in prematurely and fallen into a trap.

Zion bit his lip as he left. The fact that Carynne was by Crown Prince Gueuze’s side made him uneasy.

The situation was unfolding in a way they hadn’t anticipated at all.

/subliminalwayfarer