Fake Cinderella

31. Discomfort

Normally I was awake when I was asleep because I remembered vague anxiety.

(Not yet, not back)

No matter how late it is, Lilia turns to me once when she returns. This is even if I'm asleep.

Once, there were signs that Lilia had arrived in the middle of the night in a state of semi-awakening, the next morning I asked the person and he said that he could not back down to his room until he had checked my safety with his own eyes and then left.

So I was sure I wasn't back yet.

Because I'm Lilia like a single intelligence agent, and I know there's a lot of insinuation out there that I don't know.

He also said he would ask how things were going, so he thought it would be more than acceptable to be late, and in some cases he might not show his face by the end of the night.

So when Alice and the others said it was too late, she smiled briskly and also followed up that Lilia might not be leaving today because she asked for important business.

Though Lilia would be fine, I couldn't get rid of my anxiety only tonight.

(Maybe that's because Lilia went to Her Royal Highness...)

The moment the glass broke, he jumped off the bed reflexively, weaving his gown on top and running out toward the sounding living room.

I thought it might be a little awkward, but I excuse myself because this is an emergency.

Running into the living room, several knights had already rushed.

(Exactly...)

Their actions are very swift, either because they teach me a lesson about putting myself in danger in Elseveld.

"… Your Highness"

You immediately notice me standing at the entrance, Sir Reyes kneels.

"What happened?

"Looks like someone threw in some building materials."

"... in this palace?

"Yes."

'Cause even though security is tighter here than anywhere else, and if you say it without decorating words, you're constantly under surveillance... you can do that.

(Yeah, but there's a chance it's a trap.)

Phil-Lynn said he would deliberately make a gap. He said he was going to attract them.

Seeing where he's not on this scene, maybe, by now, he's in pursuit of the killer.

Well, it's impossible to step into my bedroom. But anyone can do it if they just throw stones into a living room they're not using at night.

There's no bulletproof or toughened glass or anything like that here, so if you throw something a little stiff full of force, you can easily break glass, and you don't need so much force.

The garden is full of little blind spots, and blinding the guards is certainly not that difficult compared to the bedroom.

(Well, it's all possible)

I don't have security cameras or anything, and there's no more 'absolutely' than relying on 'people' for the basics, everything.

So no matter how tightly guarded you are, you can never be 'impossible'.

If we did a proper gaze, the glass fragments would have splashed indoors. Without a doubt, it was definitely cracked by the impact from the outside.

(It's pretty splashy...)

I thought I threw in a stone, but maybe I flew it from a distance with something like a pussy.

The knights of the escort are cleaning up the broken glass while taking records.

I was induced not to step further into the back while that was my room.

The garden is brighter like daylight, probably because many people are mobilized to look into the garden.

One by one, I know electricity. Lamps and pine lights that feel dim to me can also be quite light intensive if we gather a lot.

"I'm sorry. I'm responsible."

Sir Reyes drowned his head on his knees.

I guess he's the head of security tonight.

"No. Your Highness is on a mission and you won't have enough hands. Because the thief didn't break in on me."

Nothing to worry about, I told him with a serious face.

"And it could be a hoax..."

Sir Reyes gave me a slight bitter smile to say so, and then gave a deep thank you.

In fact, we knew we didn't believe in each other. But I need pre construction. If we go too far in pursuing the truth, it becomes a matter of his responsibility.

I don't want them to take responsibility for this or demote me, or demote me yet, or expel me.

"Your Highness!"

Alice comes dressed as a samurai.

She's not tied her hair, she's not wearing makeup, but she came dressed in anticipation of the knights being there.

"In this place...... it's dangerous, please go back to your bedroom"

Seeing the same Alice as usual kind of embarrassed me about my gown for the night. Well, twelve is still one of the kids, so I wouldn't mind the surroundings so much.

"... ok"

Just think for a second, and I'll be honest. I felt my anxiety wouldn't go away when I was here, and there's nothing I can do about it.

Second, under the small table on the wall, I noticed that the paper scraps were falling. Looking around, no one else seemed to notice it. I guess he was hiding in the leg area just fine and he was blind spot.

I picked it up sneakingly in the gap where Alice was meeting with Sir Reyes.

It looked like just a scrap of paper rounded up, but when I picked it up, it weighed more than just paper.

The moment I found out something was wrapped inside, Doc and his heart depressed one big beat.

Squeeze it tightly in the sleeve of the gown...... something small enough to hold even my little hand...... felt stiff.

"First, you're back."

With a quick mouth, I run through the hallway on a small run and go back to my bedroom.

And I was instantly relieved to close the door behind my back and block it.

Meditate your eyes.... I had a feeling about something.

Then, open the paper softly.

"Shh..."

Inside the paper scrap, dull glowing matte gold...... one cuff.

of the design I've seen...... with blue rugged stone it belonged to Lilia.

I knew right away.

Even Alice and Milady have the same design.

But this belongs to Lilia.

Lilia's is a recreation of the earrings that Zion Xia gave Lilia, and the quality of the rugged stone is completely different from that of the other kids.

(Lilia......)

I probably didn't like it because I had a feeling about moments like this.

(Calm down...... not the worst yet)

This is a message, not evidence of anything happening to Lilia.

(No, no, no, I'm not coming back, 'cause something happened)

I hang on alone, I get bogged down by myself... I think I'm pretty confused too.

I took another big, deep breath to calm my mood.

(What to do...)

Lilia got her cuff taken away by someone...... that would be fine to say she was imprisoned.

Lilia can't possibly give this cuff to someone from herself because she takes special care of it.

And whoever captured him delivered this to me.

(What the hell, who?

I don't care what you think of the clue, Your Highness.

But when I visited Her Royal Highness, I said, "Lilia's not leaving, don't you know?" I don't have to make a fuss when I hear that.

(... oh no...)

I think this is a threat.

Around not summoning me just now, I feel that the offender's poor substantiation... is transparent in its nature to prey on.

Carefully spread the paper that was wrapping the cufflinks. There are no letters there.

This thin, thin piece of paper is a Royal Palace note.

The crest is well printed on the top right, and this cream-colored land belongs to the main palace room of the royal palace.

Anyone can get it if they're from the main palace, so it doesn't give them a clue to narrow down the killer at all.

(Oh, it's just...)

A fragrance I remember, slightly tickled my nose tip.

But that only stimulates a little memory, foggy.

Something I can't remember well.

(What scent...)

It's not about perfume or cosmetics or anything like that, but it's sweet but has a bitter taste somewhere.

The fragrance is ambiguous and cannot be captured, even though something is almost clear to me.

(... I'll have to wait for that way out)

I guess it sucks. There's very little I can do without Lilia.

You're even restricted from walking alone, and besides, both the Count and Milady, who can personally ask for something, are now away.

... Sigh spilled unexpectedly.

Pathetic or not...... it's a life-killing state to just wait for someone to get out at a time like this.

(… Lilia)

I'm probably sure he's alive. Otherwise, there's no point in delivering this to me.

If you want to know you killed him, you don't have to go around like this.

(Always help…)

My body trembled at the sound of a knock called Conn.

"Your Highness?"

Coming in was Julia with a tumbling cup of hot air on the tray. Maybe Alice hasn't returned from her living room yet.

"It's brandy milk, go ahead"

He looked like he was in his usual tight attire, but he looks a little sleepy. I can't even do it because this is the time.

"Thanks"

What I saw from the gap between the slowly closed doors was the figure of a knight. They're standing as outposts in the hallway.

Usually, it was them that didn't get much into my eyes, but I guess that's still not how it works on nights like this.

I opened my mouth so I could wait for Julia to come inside.

"Julia, do me a favor"

I look straight into Julia's eyes.

"Yes."

Julia looked back at me with a bit of a correct posture.

"Can I go to church first thing in the morning? I wish His Highness well."

"... it's..."

(Yeah, I know I can't. 'Cause I'm on a pseudo illness)

"... I wish His Highness well."

Speaking of which, I won't be dismissed from my head first.

The pillow "For His Royal Highness the King" makes everyone very cooperative.... This is like a magic spell that only I can use.

And a very effective all-purpose spell no matter how many times you use it, whenever you use it.

"If that's the case, you can come down here under Zion."

Julia laughs with a nasty look.

(Thanks, Julia)

It was on the math for her to say so. Yes. As calculated!

... so I hope you don't mind that raw and warm grin. Because I feel like I've lost something.

"I will never be able to ask Her Highness to go outside... Her Royal Highness Prince Zion asked me to stay away, so I need to see how things are going here every day. I'll let you know then, and you'll be right there."

"Really? I didn't know."

I hadn't noticed you were here at all. Well, I don't have a choice because I don't have a report either.

(Good...)

That was convenient. I want to get in touch with Theon as soon as possible.

Although I can't do anything, if I'm under Scion, I must have a hitter.

I'm sure that if Lilia is in danger, she won't leave under Zion.

"I think it's enough for a place of prayer, even if it's not a church if you're seated under the table."

"... right"

I'd like to see you as soon as possible...... how can I call you here right now......

"Are you here before I know it?

"Yes, I am busy too, so I am always here late at night or early in the morning... I will always return as soon as I hear the report, just because it is not time for Her Highness to see me"

"Yes.... were you there tonight?

"No."

Then there's a possibility that we'll be in touch soon.

"How can I see you under Zion soon..."

"It's late tonight."

"But we fight for a moment... we might not be able to sleep like this"

I'm sure I won't be able to sleep until I make sure Lilia's safe.

I consider and dismiss many possibilities in my head.

Whatever you think, it's impossible for me not to be unnatural and to summon you down here right now.

"Well......"

Seriously to me, Julia gave me a funny laugh.

"What?"

"Your Highness really likes His Royal Highness the King."

"... suddenly, what are you talking about"

As suddenly as I faced the words, I didn't know what expression to give, and let my gaze swim.

'Cause he said that all of a sudden... Well, I like your Highness, but...

But you don't have to say that all of a sudden at a time like this.

I think I need to keep my normal mind, but I feel like I can't stand still.

(... Wishing you well is just a convenience to get in touch with Theon!

An excuse you can't put out in your mouth and say.

Sure, I'm worried about His Highness Nadir, but I'm not so worried.

Because it's His Highness.

... somehow, some of me have unconditional trust in His Highness Nadir.

I drank a little warmer brandy milk and deceived the lightness.

"... you're so worried about His Royal Highness Prince Wang that you can't sleep at night"

I know, but like I said, Julia is nagging me.

I feel so misunderstood about something.

But I can't deny it. Yes, I can't.

So I can't wait to see what it is.

The sound of Conn and Knock sounded, and honestly, I just felt a little saved.

"Yes."

Archbishop Gittis is here to see Her Royal Highness.

What I heard through the door was the voice of Sir Reyes.

Face to face with Julia for not much timing.

There was a grin in Julia's mouth, and she said something.

As far as I'm concerned, I don't know what look to give.

"Please wait"

Julia responds on my behalf, across the door, with signs of Sir Reyes breathing lightly with a message.

Well, I guess so. It's impossible to meet at such a time, normally. It's too insane.

"You were just fine, Your Highness."

"Yeah... but why did you ask to see me today..."

"I don't mean as much as a case, but isn't it because you just knew that there was an incident and Her Highness was still happening?

"It may be so..."

"Whatever, it was a good time, okay?"

"... right"

Something blurred a corner of my head.

Something important.

What I've been wondering.

I felt like I was about to remember that for a moment.

"Your Highness, we need to get dressed soon..."

"Yes."

However, it was misty without being well shaped, and later only the contours of unwieldy discomfort remained.