RAL 26

chapter 26

Dvaltin’s plan was simple.

Go to the party, sneak Whisner inside, and then get Celestine out.

After that, warn her about Hella and return together with Asha.

It was, in every sense, an extremely simple plan.

But…

“There are more people than expected, and since they’re using the largest hall, it looks like it will take a bit of time.”

The report Whisner brought back after searching the venue for over 30 minutes wasn’t very encouraging.

Of course, it couldn’t be helped. The Denheldin Ducal House was one of the most influential families in Yeshua, and like most nobles, they lived immersed in luxury and indulgence, residing in a ridiculously massive estate.

The problem was time.

If he stayed away too long, Hella would surely notice. And she would figure out where Dvaltin had gone—and why.

That had to be avoided. Otherwise, it would only create unnecessary trouble.

In the end, Dvaltin had no choice but to go with Plan B.

He would infiltrate the party himself alongside Whisner.

Luckily, the mask Whisner had obtained—though for some strange reason—proved quite useful.

As long as his face was properly concealed, it seemed unlikely that anyone would recognize him.

“I’ll check the garden and terrace. Your Highness, please look around the party hall. I’ll return as quickly as possible.”

Splitting up was more efficient. So Dvaltin carefully secured his mask and stepped into the party hall.

Fortunately, no one recognized him, nor did anyone approach him.

He moved quickly, and before long, he spotted Celestine.

More precisely, he found the back of her head as she wandered around.

‘That annoyingly protruding back of the head…!’

And her pink hair and emerald eyes—impossible to hide even with a mask.

Dvaltin recognized her immediately.

He didn’t know where she had left Asha, but he needed to talk to her.

Just as he stepped toward her, Celestine suddenly approached a group of noble ladies chatting together.

And then…

“Actually, I’m a distant relative of the Winsel family.”

She started spouting complete nonsense.

“But as you all know… um… she’s not exactly someone easy to get close to, right?”

Dvaltin, who had been about to approach her, stopped and listened instead.

What on earth was that crazy woman plotting now?

“Ah, yes! I don’t know all the details, but I heard Lady Yeriel had some misunderstanding. So she was imprisoned, and that person was the one who got her out.”

Hmm. Was she trying to avoid rumors? That might actually be the case.

The “misunderstanding” was, after all, the excuse Dvaltin himself had fabricated.

And it was true he had gotten her out of prison.

“Apparently, the reason he helped her was because she serves as the princess’s companion. That’s all there was to it.”

That much made sense. He had told Celestine exactly that.

But what came next was absurd.

“Even after saving her, he apparently made her so uncomfortable that it was embarrassing. And they say he absolutely can’t stand Count Winsel.”

When did I ever make her that uncomfortable?

He had no memory of such a thing.

He had rescued her when she begged desperately, brought her to the Crown Prince’s palace, and even spoken with her personally.

It was utterly unfair.

Well, he did hate Greg Winsel, though…

“I even heard what her ideal type is like, and it’s completely different from His Highness the Crown Prince.”

…But the real absurdity was just beginning.

“She said the type she hates the most is someone like the Crown Prince. She practically shuddered at the thought. If not for being the princess’s companion, she said she wouldn’t even cross paths with him.”

What exactly did I do wrong?

And she hates his type? He’s far from her ideal?

Dvaltin had always been intelligent, with a strong grasp of reality in any situation.

Which also meant he was well aware of his own appearance.

The most handsome man in Yeshua.

A face sculpted as if the gods had poured all their effort into it.

Broad shoulders like a blacksmith’s, a solidly built physique, and a towering height that made him look down on anyone.

Hearing something like this—it was practically a first in his life.

“She likes men who are cute, affectionate, and kind. Cold and scary men are the worst. She said they give her chills.”

‘Chills?’

…It was beyond ridiculous.

Who was it that kept hovering around someone she supposedly found “the worst”? Who kept getting entangled with him without being asked?

Dvaltin, utterly dumbfounded, crossed his arms and stared straight at Celestine.

“Lady? What’s wrong all of a sudden?”

“Are you feeling unwell?”

Celestine, upon meeting his gaze, looked as though she had seen something she shouldn’t have.

Her body stiffened, and her emerald eyes trembled violently behind the mask.

“Th-…”

Uh… this wasn’t part of my plan…?

A shadow fell over Celestine’s awkward, forced smile.

Dvaltin, now standing right in front of her, suddenly reached out.

He grabbed her slender wrist and, without looking back, began to walk.

Behind the Denheldin ducal estate.

In the quiet garden where not a single presence could be felt, only Celestine and Dvaltin stood facing each other.

“……”

Standing before him, Celestine felt like she was about to die.

How much did he hear? Did he hear everything… including the insults?

…Judging by his expression, probably everything.

But why did he come to find me instead of Asha?

No matter what, she had brought Asha to the party, so the overall flow hadn’t deviated much from the original story.

Asha and Rio’s first meeting—which had originally been disrupted—should have happened properly this time.

But this… this was a plot error.

Originally, Dvaltin was supposed to find Asha, not Celestine, and feel jealous seeing her with Rio!

Did something go wrong again…?

This time, she hadn’t interfered with anything.

If anything, she had followed the original flow by bringing Asha.

Celestine, caught in indecision, cautiously gathered her courage.

“Um, Your Highness—no, Cat Pr—”

“Hah.”

Her courage vanished instantly at Dvaltin’s exasperated sigh.

“I’m starting to wonder why I even came all the way here for this.”

From Dvaltin’s perspective, that wasn’t wrong.

“Then… why did you come to find me…?”

Well, that was only from his perspective.

“You came because you’re worried about the princess, right? I’ll guide you. She’s over there—”

“No need. I didn’t come to meet Asha.”

Huh?

Then why…?

Celestine looked at him in confusion, while Dvaltin ran a hand through his disheveled hair and sighed again.

“You, Celestine Winsel. And your father, Greg Winsel.”

“Yes…?”

“It would be best if neither of you makes any moves for a while. Especially be careful not to get caught scheming at that damned café, Lete.”

“Uh… I was planning to be careful about that anyway…”

No, but why all of a sudden?

Was this because she annoyed him? Was he telling her to just stay quiet and keep her head down? Or was it because he had just rescued her from prison, so she should behave?

“Then why suddenly…?”

Celestine asked, eyes wide.

Dvaltin gave an absurd answer.

“…The Empress is investigating you and your father.”

What kind of nonsense is that?! Why would Hella investigate me?!

Celestine stared at him in shock.