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Chapter 19
The Second Funeral (4)
Kaiden’s attendance at the second funeral, as he had told the marquis, was partially to say his final goodbye to Bledin—but in truth, it was more of an investigation, a search for something.
From the start, it was the same reason that made him head to the estate instead of the capital when he first heard of Wiltiera’s eldest son’s death.
“There’s something behind my brother’s death.”
When Kaiden first heard the news of the Crown Prince’s death, he thought someone was playing a cruel joke.
His own brother, dead by suicide?
That was simply impossible.
Even after seeing his brother’s corpse, he couldn’t shake the doubts. So, after the funeral concluded, he quietly began his own investigation into the death.
Naturally, the Crown Prince’s personal guard, who vanished right after his death, became the top suspect.
But strangely, tracking Bledin proved unusually difficult.
Just when Kaiden thought he was close, Bledin would disappear again, only to show up in the opposite direction. And when Kaiden realized he wasn’t the only one pursuing Bledin, he became certain that Bledin held a crucial clue to his brother’s death.
[“I heard Wiltiera’s firstborn is dead.”]
He received this news on the road—when he was supposed to be stationed at the border, keeping watch for barbarian movements. That was after another pursuer had appeared.
[“I’m going to the marquisate.”]
[“But Your Highness, it’s dangerous to move like this. Wouldn’t it be best to return to Her Majesty the Dowager’s palace and rest?”]
[“Once Bledin Wiltiera’s body is buried in the family tomb, things will get more complicated.”]
[“There’s no guarantee he left any evidence on his person.”]
[“If he didn’t keep it on him, he must’ve left it somewhere. And those facing death usually entrust what’s important to the person they trust most. In my opinion, the one Wiltiera’s firstborn trusted most was his family. Do you think otherwise?”]
As knew well that once his master made up his mind, there was no stopping him. So instead, he focused on planning how to throw off the pursuers.
The one he “used” then was Sir Ben Gibson, the captain of Kaiden’s personal guard unit, the Black Lions.
[“Sir Gibson, please escape as loudly and noticeably as possible.”]
[“Don’t worry about me. Just take good care of His Highness.”]
After confirming that Ben had lured the pursuers away with a few subordinates, Kaiden and As quickly headed for the marquisate.
By the time they arrived, the pursuers had realized they were following the wrong target and changed course to chase after them again—but as we know, they failed.
Though Kaiden sustained some minor injuries, the event allowed him to slip into the lord’s castle naturally and quietly. A fair trade.
Better yet, without anyone questioning him, he could now enter Bledin’s room—the very person he had been chasing—under the guise of being a patient.
The problem was, the marquis, who had become extremely protective due to a royal injury on his watch, wouldn’t leave Kaiden alone for a moment. So Kaiden couldn’t thoroughly search the room beforehand…
And then, as luck would have it, Wiltiera’s daughter sneaked in on the first night and unknowingly took Bledin’s notebook, throwing everything into chaos.
What on earth was written in that notebook?
“Another mysterious object added to the list.”
Bledin’s notebook—and now, that item hidden in her hand.
That made two.
Kaiden was beginning to suspect it might not be his imagination that staying close to Berenice would bring him closer to the truth he sought.
Watching Berenice, who was trying to hide whatever she held while clearly being wary of him, Kaiden smiled more deeply.
“You’re not going to tell me what that is?”
“…”
“So when you said ‘sorry’ earlier, you didn’t really mean it, did you? How bold, speaking that way to a royal.”
“…Is that a threat?”
“That depends on how you interpret it.”
“Then it is a threat.”
“If that’s how you see it, I suggest you drop the idea of running. I’ve never lost prey that tried to flee from me.”
As Kaiden casually observed Berenice slowly backing away, clearly calculating her chance to run, his expression suddenly turned serious.
Berenice froze in place and bit her lower lip.
She knew better than anyone that he wasn’t bluffing when he said he never lost a fleeing target.
“He’s the only one who ever caught me.”
Recalling Kaiden, who had successfully caught her in her previous life, Berenice’s mind worked quickly.
If escape wasn’t an option, she needed to come up with an excuse convincing enough to satisfy him.
“Berenice Wiltiera. Answer me.”
But Kaiden wasn’t going to give her the time to think.
Hesitating for a moment, Berenice slowly extended her hands and spoke in a small voice.
“…It’s… my brother’s keepsake.”
She hadn’t lied. She had only withheld the full truth.
Kaiden’s eyes narrowed as he examined the small leather pouch and the single sapphire cufflink resting in her hands.
A keepsake—out of nowhere?
He glanced at the dirt still clinging to her hands and the small hole in front of the statue of the goddess, then back at what she held.
He wasn’t doubting the cufflink itself as a keepsake—but rather questioning the oddity of the location where it had been unearthed.
And also…
“Is that all that was in the pouch?”
“Yes.”
Kaiden twitched an eyebrow at her unhesitating answer.
But Berenice stood firm.
Since the silver coins found alongside the cufflink had belonged to her deceased brother, she figured they also counted as keepsakes. So technically, she hadn’t lied.
“Hm…”
What should I do?
Normally, Kaiden would press further and force the truth out. But her tear-stained cheeks and swollen red eyes somehow tugged at him.
“There will be other chances.”
As she met his gaze head-on without flinching, Kaiden decided to back off for now.
There was no need to push when the goal was clear.
“Is there anything left?”
“…Pardon?”
“Anything else you still need to pick up.”
“…No.”
“Then let’s go. I’m sure the Marchioness is worried about her daughter.”
“…Ah.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll pretend I didn’t see what you found here.”
“…Thank you.”
Why is he being nice all of a sudden?
She was surely thinking just that.
Kaiden smirked, feeling like—for once—he could clearly read those amber eyes.
“It’s about time I returned to the capital.”
He had heard that the Wiltiera family would return to the capital after the second funeral.
As had already scoured the lord’s castle while Kaiden was bedridden, but found nothing. The only remaining leads were what Berenice had taken from her brother’s room—and the contents of that leather pouch she now hid.
To confirm what that was, he needed to stay in the capital and observe the Wiltiera family—no, Berenice—closely.
“…Come to think of it.”
As Kaiden settled on his next destination, a sudden thought made him stop walking.
Seeing this, Berenice also stopped and looked at his back.
“…Is something wrong?”
“Didn’t you say you were going to wet your handkerchief before heading back?”
“Oh!”
“And you should probably wash your hands, too. I’ll come with you to the stream.”
“No! I can’t possibly trouble Your Highness for such a thing!”
Seeing Berenice frantically protest with her entire body, Kaiden chuckled.
Anyone could tell she just wanted to get away from him.
“I’ll allow it, just this once.”
“I’m really fine.”
“So am I.”
Watching her now openly grimacing face, Kaiden smiled in satisfaction and turned toward the stream he had memorized on the map.
“While you’re at it, maybe wash your face too. It’s a mess.”
“…Thank you for your kindness.”
He thought he heard her grinding her teeth, but surely that was just his imagination.
And even if it wasn’t, it had been a while since something felt this amusing. He could let it slide with a generous heart.
“You really shouldn’t go through life being so soft.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Talking to myself.”
Strangely, he thought he could hear As shouting from afar, “Soft? S-Soft?? Did you just call yourself soft?! Have you gone mad?!”
But surely that too was his imagination.
Because if it wasn’t, As might really be in serious, serious trouble.
