RAL 27

Celestine was so shocked that she stood there with her mouth hanging open in a dazed, almost foolish expression, but Dvaltin paid her no mind and continued speaking.

“Also, cut down on how often you come to the imperial palace to keep Asha company. I’ve already made an excuse for that part, so if you suddenly stop coming altogether, it might raise suspicion. Once every three days should be enough.”

“……”

“And you’d better be extremely careful about your behavior inside the palace. You may not realize it, but even the smallest pebble lying around in the imperial palace has ears. And all those ears belong to the Empress.”

I already know that much, you know. She felt dumbfounded. At this rate, being locked in the underground prison might actually give her a better chance of survival than attracting Hella’s attention like this.

“W-Why would Her Majesty the Empress investigate me? Is it because His Highness the Crown Prince released me and my father from prison last time? Or is it because I kidnapped that jerk—Josh—into Lethe and smashed his head?”

“…Didn’t you say he just slipped and hit his head against the wall? And his name isn’t Josh, it’s George.”

“That’s not the important part right now!”

Celestine shouted, her voice trembling with fear.

‘This wasn’t part of the plan! Hella?!’

…Her fear was understandable.

If one were to rank the people in Yeshua who knew best just how terrifying that woman Hella was, Dvaltin would be first—and Celestine herself would be second.

“I don’t know why the Empress has decided to investigate, but there’s only one thing you can do right now.”

“……”

“Stay as inconspicuous as possible and pray this whole matter passes quietly.”

Dvaltin looked at Celestine with a stiff expression.

…He did consider that this might only make her more anxious. And it was true that nothing had actually happened yet.

Still, there was no harm in being cautious—especially when the other party was Hella.

Of course, the safest option would be to stop entering the imperial palace altogether. But as he had just said, Dvaltin had already told Hella that he’d made Celestine Asha’s companion.

If she suddenly stopped coming now, it would only make Hella more suspicious. In the worst-case scenario, it might even be discovered that he had warned her like this.

“Take it.”

At last, Dvaltin pulled out a neatly folded square piece of paper and handed it to Celestine.

“What is this?”

“A map.”

On the small sheet was a detailed layout of the paths leading to the princess’s palace.

“It’s best to use these routes here and here. They’re a bit of a detour, but they’re the least crowded.”

Pointing at the paper with his long finger, he continued,

“And avoid the central path. That’s the one the Empress frequently uses.”

This way, that way… not here. As if the map were her only lifeline, Celestine stared at it intently, then suddenly paused and looked up.

She stared straight at Dvaltin.

“Um… wait a second. Could it be…?”

“Could it be what?”

“Did you come all the way here just to tell me this? Even going so far as to wear that ridiculous mask?”

No way. That couldn’t be true. There was no way Dvaltin would go to such trouble—especially for someone like Celestine Winsel.

“Come on, right? There’s no way.”

Crack.

For some reason, it almost seemed like a vein bulged on Dvaltin’s forehead behind the mask.

‘Damn it.’

She was right. What kind of reaction had he expected, coming all this way? A flicker of irritation crossed his face at the belated absurdity.

“Stop talking nonsense and just remember what I told you.”

It was time for him to leave anyway. Dragging this out any longer wouldn’t do any good.

“Next time we meet, I’d rather not hear such insane remarks again.”

“Huh? Wait a moment. Then what about Her Highness the Princess? She’s over there with Young Lord Rio Denheldin.”

You’re just leaving like that? Then you really did come all the way here because of me?

…Because you were worried something might happen to me because of Hella?

“Whisner will remain on standby. It’s not a party that goes on until late at night, so he’ll bring her back.”

“Your Highness the Crown Prince—no, I mean, Cat Prince!”

Startled, Celestine lifted her head, but Dvaltin was already walking away without even turning back.

“You can’t just leave like—!”

Before she could finish her sentence, Dvaltin suddenly stopped in his tracks.

‘W-What now?’

She had just shouted at him, yet now that he turned back, Celestine flinched slightly.

Then—

“When did I ever give you the impression you had to walk on eggshells around me?”

Dvaltin suddenly said something completely out of the blue.

“I didn’t realize you disliked me so much that you shudder at the mere thought.”

Something brushed past her ears in that instant.

—

“…She said the type she hates most is someone like His Highness the Crown Prince—she practically shuddered saying it. If it weren’t for being the princess’s companion, she wouldn’t even have to see him!”

—

So he heard all of it.

“I suppose Rio Denheldin must be cute, warm, and gentle. Considering he even attends trivial parties like this, that must be the case.”

“Huh?”

At the sudden mention of Rio, Celestine’s eyes widened.

“To think I was mistaken for a man so awful it gives you goosebumps—and yet someone you’re supposedly going to marry.”

“N-No, wait—”

“You must have felt terribly wronged.”

…Was Dvaltin always this petty? For a brief moment, Celestine wondered if she had misremembered the novel Please Just Kill Me, before hurriedly opening her mouth.

“Wait! I only said that because I thought other people might misunderstand and spread rumors!”

Hmm.

Dvaltin’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“And if such rumors started circulating, wouldn’t you be the one who’d hate it the most, Cat Prince? It’s not like you need to feel wronged over it…”

“When did I say I felt wronged?”

“Uh… just now…?”

“How absurd.”

“I didn’t think you were the worst, okay? Though that doesn’t mean I thought you were an amazing person or anything either.”

“……”

“And just so you know, I’m not even sure if Young Lord Rio Denheldin is cute, warm, and gentle. I’m not close to him at all.”

“……”

“S-So, anyway… that’s how it is…?”

She felt like she’d be less embarrassed if he at least responded, but no reply came. Fidgeting with her fingers, Celestine looked at him, and Dvaltin stared back at her for a moment before—

“Nonsense.”

With that utterly unsatisfying response, he turned and walked away without another word.

“Wow.”

Left alone, Celestine could only stare blankly at his retreating figure as it became a small dot in the distance.

‘Why did I even go that far to explain myself?’

…The thought came to her belatedly, but it was already too late.

Besides, even if she hadn’t used outright insults, it was true she had spoken badly of him to his face… so perhaps this was better than staying silent.

In any case, flustered by the sudden mention of Hella and Dvaltin’s unexpected actions, Celestine failed to notice—

Behind her.

At the far end of the darkened garden, Asha stood silently, her expression stiff, watching both her and Dvaltin.