Chapter 88 - Chapter 88: His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's Perspective
"Your Highness, your swordsmanship lacks its usual precision today."
"Count Milicier."
I turned during a break in my training to find the Knight Commander himself standing behind me. He was the head of the kingdom's knights and Leonie's father. I wondered how long he had been there. Knowing him, he had likely been observing me for a while, waiting for the moment I stopped to wipe my sweat.
"It seems Your Highness wishes to vent your frustrations through the blade, but the sword is an honest thing. It reveals everything within the heart."
"That brings back memories. You used to scold me for the same thing when I was a child."
The Count approached and picked up a wooden sword, performing a single, perfect swing. It was a strike of absolute certainty, the mark of a true master. He was indeed the finest swordsman in the kingdom.
"Oh? I still consider myself your teacher when it comes to the blade, Your Highness."
"True enough. Are you here to give me a lesson?"
Count Milicier had been my mentor since I was young. I couldn't help but grimace at the memory of his merciless training sessions, which ignored my royal status entirely. He was beloved by the people for his approachability, but anyone who had trained under him knew the "Demon Commander" who lived for the heat of battle. New recruits were always warned not to be fooled by his friendly exterior. His muscle-brain philosophy of solving everything with fists was a hallmark of the Milicier family, and perhaps why the royal family trusted them so deeply. Currently, he was looking at me with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"No, I simply came to tease you. It's rare to see Your Highness swing a sword with such raw emotion."
"Hmph. Then you've seen enough."
I let out a heavy sigh, but the Count showed no intention of leaving. He sat down on a bench, clearly settled in for a long chat while I put away my gear.
"So, what is troubling you? You were always such a stoic student, so I find this quite fascinating."
"Nothing is troubling me."
"If nothing were wrong, you wouldn't be training so recklessly. My guess? You're trying to distract yourself from something."
Muscle-brains can be quite troublesome; they have a knack for sniffing out the things you want to hide. I felt my brow furrow, and the Count let out a boisterous laugh. "Aha! I hit the mark, didn't I? Your worry concerns your fiancée, the one you sent my third child to guard, doesn't it?"
"Count, I sent your second daughter to guard Rachel."
The Count blinked, looking genuinely confused for a moment before a look of realization dawned on him.
"Ah, right. Yes, my daughter. I often forget she's a girl. She says it's easier to work if people don't treat her like a lady. When I'm training her, I just think of her as another son, so it slips my mind."
Is "it slips my mind" really an acceptable excuse? Because of his accidental parenting, Leonie showed no interest in finding a fiancé, unlike other noble ladies. I decided it was best not to dwell on it.
"Regardless, Leonie is highly capable. You needn't worry about that side of things."
"I know. I'm not worried about her skill."
"Then it's simply that you're lonely without your fiancée by your side?"
The directness of the question caught me off guard. "I..." The Count laughed again.
"You're at that age, I suppose. It's a relief. I understand perfectly, Your Highness. Whenever my duties take me away from my wife, I feel as though my heart is being torn out. Why, just the other day..."
I knew the Count and his wife were close, but I had no desire to listen to a fifty-year-old man gush about his marriage. I tried to interject several times to end the conversation, but he droned on about how adorable his wife was. This was more grueling than his physical training. I was just about to give up when a voice saved me.
"Your Highness!"
Cyril's voice was a godsend. I turned to see him hurrying toward the training grounds. For once, Cyril looked like a literal angel sent from the heavens to rescue me. But my relief vanished when I saw the look of panic on his face. Count Milicier's expression also sharpened instantly as he stood up.
"Cyril, what is it? Is it urgent?"
"Count Milicier, it's been a while," Cyril acknowledged, though he looked slightly startled to see the Knight Commander. He turned back to me. "There has been an incident at the Chantreuil Monastery. A new sister was attacked."
"The monastery? What happened?"
Incidents were unheard of at Chantreuil. It was a strict place for disgraced noblewomen. I prompted Cyril to continue.
"Katrina Higgins has escaped."
"What!"
The news hit me like a physical blow. Katrina, who had reportedly been behaving herself, had chosen this exact moment to act. My thoughts immediately flew to Rachel. She was in the Bousquet Territory right now. If Katrina knew Rachel was there, if her escape was planned, then she was targeting Rachel. If so, Rachel was in grave danger. I had to move. Now. I clenched my fist, my heart racing.
"Cyril, summon Theodore immediately."
I threw on my jacket as Cyril gave a sharp nod and hurried off. As I prepared to leave, Count Milicier's voice stopped me.
"You're calling for Theodore? Your Highness, what do you intend to do?"
"Count..."
"Miss Marcel has Leonie and Roger with her. They won't let a single hair on her head be harmed."
The Count's gaze was that of the Knight Commander now, heavy and authoritative.
"I know. I trust my knights. But she escaped from Chantreuil; she must have accomplices."
"I see. Thank you for your trust in my knights."
The Count was forcing me to stay calm. I knew I lost my composure whenever Rachel was involved. Even now, the magic stone in the necklace I gave her told me she wasn't in immediate peril. But I wouldn't be at peace until I knew she was safe. It was agonizing being unable to go to her myself.
"A lone girl is no match for a knight. The real problem is whoever is pulling her strings. As long as there's a chance they're targeting Rachel, I cannot rest. Count Milicier, will you lend me your aid?"
"As you wish."
Rachel, please. Please be safe. The prayer circled endlessly in my mind.
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