IDHT 08

“What was Emperor Tordi’s purpose?”

At Franz’s question, Alexei fell silent.

If there was any possible reason, there was only one.

Though the document read “groom and bride of the Aurora”, Emperor Tordi had been targeting the Crown Prince and his bride.

“So the person who ordered the kidnapping… is Emperor Tordi?”

“Yes, Ange.”

With the seal stamped on the document, it couldn’t be denied.

“How could someone plan something like this? Even with pirates involved?”

Angelina’s voice rose in anger.

“Emperor Tordi is a man who doesn’t hesitate to use any means necessary to achieve his goals. The fact that a war broke out immediately after the new emperor ascended the throne was also because of him. He only understands victory and defeat.”

“But still… how could he even think of kidnapping a foreign crown prince?”

“A foreign crown prince?”

Naomi’s voice cut through the heated exchange. The two of them froze.

“So, let me get this straight. One of you here is a crown prince?”

Uh-oh.

Angelina swallowed dryly.

If she said she misunderstood, would that reckless girl believe her? Or should she claim “crown prince” was just Alexei’s nickname?

While she hesitated, Alexei stepped forward. He looked at Naomi, who was staring with the expression of someone who had just bitten into interesting bait, and said,

“Yes. I am Alexei Werner, Crown Prince of the Lathria Empire.”

“Wow. It’s my first time seeing a crown prince.”

Naomi’s eyes sparkled as she tried to step closer.

Beep—beep.

Alarm bells rang in Angelina’s head. With the reflexes she once used when striking pirates, she shoved Alexei aside without hesitation and stepped in front of his crumpled face.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Naomi glared.

Angelina crossed her arms and looked down at the scrunched face, speaking confidently.

“And I am Angelina Agate, Crown Princess of the Lathria Empire.”

“…Lies.”

Naomi’s gaze slowly drifted downward, scanning the torn, dirty remains of what had once been a wedding dress.

“We had a wedding this afternoon on the ship you pirates hijacked. It may not look like it, but this was a wedding dress.”

“….”

“So show some respect, kid.”

Naomi lowered her head sharply.

Was that too harsh?

Seeing her shrink back, Angelina felt a slight pang of guilt. As a woman five years older, she should’ve shown more maturity…

“But where’s your wedding ring?”

Naomi suddenly lifted her head again and asked boldly.

“Huh?”

“You said you had a wedding. Shouldn’t there be a ring?”

Angelina looked down at her finger. Naomi was right—there was no ring where it should have been. She remembered Alexei taking the ring from the box…

Ah, that’s right. The pirate ship had appeared then.

There had been cannon fire. She had lost her balance and fallen.

So where was the ring?

“I have it.”

Alexei said calmly, hand in his pocket, expression unreadable.

“When the pirate ship appeared, I put it in my pocket.”

Naomi opened her mouth as if to argue, then closed it again. Conflicted thoughts flickered across her face.

“So it wasn’t even a finished wedding.”

“….”

“Then you’re not even a crown princess yet.”

It wasn’t wrong.

Naomi turned away and smiled brightly.

“Then I can still come along on your journey, right?”

“Fine. A promise is a promise.”

Though displeased, there was no argument strong enough to stop the crown prince.

Naomi stuck out her tongue at Angelina, who remained silent. Angelina burned inside but held back.

“However.”

Alexei’s voice cut through the night air like ice.

“Do not be disrespectful to Angelina. I cannot forgive anyone who treats my future crown princess lightly.”

“Doesn’t it bother you that your secret’s been exposed? Then you shouldn’t be talking like this to me.”

“No. The fact that we are members of the royal family is not a weakness. It means you must show proper respect. That is the rule. Even pirates. Even children. Rules must be followed.”

“Why so scary…”

“Answer me. Can you do it or not, Naomi?”

A cold wind swept through her hair.

Naomi shrank back, genuinely intimidated.

Part of her was thrilled—she had just exposed their secret, so now they couldn’t ignore her.
Part of her was excited—she was traveling with a prince.
Part of her had admired him like a fairy-tale prince.

But all those feelings froze under his cold gaze and voice.

So this is a crown prince.

He had a dignity and presence she had never seen in her father.

So this is what a real man feels like?

So distant… so high.

The distance stung, yet it also fascinated her. It even sparked a little defiance.

Naomi reached into her pocket, then pulled her hand back out.

Though she disliked the situation, she decided to behave—for now. She nodded quietly.

“Let’s move. If we don’t want to freeze or get eaten, we need a fire.”

Franz Boil dragged a bundle taken from the pirate ship as he urged them on. The others, who had been standing still, followed.

“This should do.”

Franz chose a large tree overlooking the beach.

The four of them gathered dry branches busily. They stacked them, tossed in dry leaves, and lit them. Franz coughed, waving smoke away.

Naomi inspected the loot from the pirate ship. A lighter, compass, bread, fruit, cheese, ham—an assortment.

“They really stole a lot. Even nobles turn to theft when they’re cornered, huh?”

“Do you think those were honestly bought?”

“Stealing stolen goods is still stealing.”

At Angelina’s comment, Naomi replied bluntly.

“Naomi.”

“Anyway, that’s how it is.”

At Alexei’s warning, Naomi pouted but fell silent.

Franz handed the food bundle to the crown prince.

“Eat this. It’s not much, but it’ll do.”

The bread was hard, the ham smelled strange, and the fruit was overripe—but it was better than starving.

They cut the bread into four pieces, skewered ham on sticks to roast, and ate the fruit for moisture and sugar.

“Now that we’ve escaped, tell us.”

Alexei spoke.

“Where are you from?”

“Not Lathria.”

“I know that much.”

“I left so long ago I don’t even remember.”

Franz smiled faintly, his expression bitter under the moonlight.

“Did you forget… or do you want to forget?”

“Hard to say. At first it was the latter. Now it’s the former.”

“Still sounds like the former to me.”

“….”

“Or not?”

Alexei had seen the newspaper after Angelina barged in asking for money.

It was impressive. The illustration of her entering the hotel was detailed enough that a brief observation had perfectly captured her.

Not something an ordinary illustrator could do.

So he investigated.

Franz Boil. Age unknown. Origin unknown.

Good eyesight, quick hands—enough that both newspapers and the security bureau were interested.

Security bureau?

But his attendant could not answer further.

Even when offered a large contract, Franz had refused to cooperate and only agreed to stay in Lathria for extended periods.

Was he really that remarkable?

During his investigation, Alexei also discovered the article’s connection to his mother. Even censored scandal reports and unusual dress-return requests felt suspicious.

But the wedding illustration request stood out.

“She said she wanted it recorded. Maybe for history. And because she couldn’t see it herself. I thought he was the most suitable.”

But Alexei wasn’t convinced.

That’s why Franz Boil kept bothering him.

Can he be trusted?

“Why keep it secret?”

“Instead of worrying about a foreigner’s story, wouldn’t it be better to think about how Emperor Tordi already knew about your wedding?”

“Thanks for the advice. But listen.”

Alexei could feel it. This man didn’t trust him either.

“You might be someone from Tordi.”

Silence fell.

“Oh dear. I’ve been caught.”

Franz’s mouth curled upward.

“Truth is, I’m a servant of Emperor Tordi. I was sent here on his orders, and I helped facilitate your escape under his plan. Leading you to this island was my mission. Tomorrow morning, Tordi’s soldiers will arrive, and you will all be taken as prisoners…”

Click.

The sound of a gun slide echoed through the night.

Franz instinctively raised his hands toward the gun aimed at him.