Chapter 33 - Chapter 33: Cyril's Perspective
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"Cyril! We're going to Rachel's. Prepare the horses immediately!"
When I heard those words at the academy, someone should have commended me for not slapping my master's head. My current headache began a few days ago. It had been about two months since Rachel-sama left the capital. His Highness, who was supposed to be in the student council room, had suddenly gone pale and started scouring the academy for me, shouting my name.
He had always been a precocious child, so seeing him so flustered was a first. I had never seen him lose his composure like this in public.
"What happened?" I asked.
"We're going to Marcel Territory. Now."
Who is this person?
I nearly let the treasonous thought slip. Fortunately, I kept it internal, though I couldn't help but look at him with utter exasperation. Besides, going to Marcel Territory now? Louis was talking in his sleep. We had classes, and his workload was a mountain. Leaving the capital now was beyond unreasonable.
"That's impossible," I said.
"I don't care! We're going!"
"What has gotten into you?"
I sighed deeply, but Louis ignored me. He was muttering something under his breath.
"I have to stop Rachel's destined encounter..."
"Excuse me?"
Destined encounter? What on earth was he talking about? Usually, I could read his intentions, but this was something else entirely. To him, it was a crisis of the highest order. To me, it felt like I was being dragged into something incredibly trivial.
The days that followed were a whirlwind. Louis stormed into the Office and began clearing his backlog of work with terrifying efficiency. I was dragged along, sorting documents, running errands, and practically shoving bread into his mouth because he refused to stop for meals. After four days of this madness, he finally spoke.
"Found it..."
He held a document, a dark smirk playing on his lips. The "angelic" prince was nowhere to be seen; he looked more like a demon king eyeing his next sacrifice.
"What is it?"
"Cyril, have you heard that Baron Donatien and his wife have been quite prosperous lately?"
"Yes, I suppose."
"It seems I must conduct a field investigation."
Seriously? I peeked at the document. It was a report from Baron Donatien. At first glance, nothing seemed wrong, but then I saw it—the discrepancy in the territory's income. Despite a poor harvest, their coffers were overflowing.
"A secret investigation into Donatien Territory. We must move before the Baron can destroy the evidence. And look at that... the path to Donatien leads right through Marcel Territory."
He said it as if he had just realized it. Louis rested his chin on his hand, feigning deep thought. His eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep, yet he wore a smile that screamed "villain."
"Come, Cyril. We depart tomorrow. I shall inform His Majesty. You prepare the guards and the luggage. And do not forget to notify the Marcel manor. Do not forget."
Poor Baron Donatien. He had no idea he was being used as an excuse for a lover's visit. Well, his crimes would have been found out eventually. Louis just moved up the timeline. Significantly.
We rode hard, skipping breaks. The knights, sensing Louis's intensity, assumed they were on a high-stakes mission. I couldn't bring myself to tell them their prince just wanted to see his fiancée. The man is just doing work as a side gig to his private trip. Well, thinking it made me feel a bit better.
And Theodore-sama, who surely whispered nonsense into Louis's ear... I truly resent you.
As we neared Marcel Territory, Louis's confidence wavered. By the time we entered the lands, he was silent, a deep frown etched between his brows. Then came the moment at the manor when the priest walked out. The look of absolute despair on Louis's face... I had never seen it. Not even in the slums of the Salim District had he looked so defeated. He has something that gives him despair? It's almost certainly related to Rachel-sama.
Louis was going to see her now. Whether his mood improved or worsened, he'd be useless for the rest of the day. I decided to investigate the priest myself.
Alois Watteau. Son of the High Priest's assistant. Two brothers in the Holy Church. Grandson of the former High Priest. A prestigious lineage. Why was a man like him in a rural church?
I reviewed the reports in Donatien Territory. Louis had been useless since seeing Rachel-sama. He stayed in his room, and even after seeing her the next day, he looked miserable. He even asked me if I thought she hated him. I told him "probably," and he just slumped further. Honestly, I don't even know what you two talked about. Use your head. Did you do something to be hated?
I thought he'd mope forever, but once we reached Donatien, the "real" Louis returned. He uncovered the fraud in record time and tore through the manor like a whirlwind. But back at the inn, he was back to being depressed—until he took out Rachel-sama's letter. He had been staring at the sealed envelope for days, lacking the courage to open it. I slid a letter opener toward him. He opened it.
His eyes darted across the pages, reading and re-reading. He was reading it way too much. But as he did, his complexion improved. He was blushing, a silly grin on his face. What is written in there? I stood nearby, trying to look invisible, but as I leaned in, Louis snapped the letter shut. "Don't look!" he barked, tucking it into his breast pocket.
Tch. No luck.
"Cyril, can we finish here by tomorrow?"
"Yes, we can handle the rest back in the capital."
"Good. Then I shall stay in Marcel Territory for a few days..."
"Absolutely not!"
He actually pouted. "Don't you think I deserve a reward for my hard work?"
"Think of me, Your Highness! I'm the one being dragged around by your whims!"
A knock interrupted us. It was Roger. "Your Highness, I have urgent news."
Roger should have been with Rachel-sama. Louis's expression sharpened instantly. "Enter."
Roger looked terrible—disheveled and distraught. He knelt, his head nearly touching the floor. "Rachel-sama... she has been taken."