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Chapter 4
The crown prince took a skewer that the old man pushed toward him, bit into it in one big mouthful, and spoke while chewing.
“Really, the culprit needs to be caught quickly.”
“That would be nice, but I’ve heard whispers that high lords are backing him.”
“If that’s true, isn’t it a huge problem? Old man, why are you still here even after hearing something like that?”
“Well, I’ve no choice when I think about my grandchildren. As for you, you should finish quickly and hurry back home.”
“…You’re right. Thanks for the food, old man.”
He finished off the rest of the skewers on the spot, then returned to Ellen, who was waiting for him.
“Your acting was remarkable. You blended in so naturally, I was startled.”
“You certainly know how to say, in a refined way, that I’ve escaped so often it’s second nature to me.”
“That’s how I was taught.”
When Ellen chuckled, he only shrugged.
With a nod toward the front, he said,
“For now, let’s walk a little. We’ll move somewhere else.”
Following the crown prince’s lead, they soon arrived at the fountain in the central square.
There, small children were splashing water, laughing brightly.
“I’d like to sit here for a while. How about you?”
“That sounds nice. The breeze is pleasant, too.”
Once Ellen agreed, Cayden led her to a bench nearby.
The streets were full of life.
The faint sound of people’s conversations drifted by as a background melody.
Using those voices as their backdrop, the two of them chatted lightly.
I’m glad you still look healthy, even after making such a big decision. It’s a relief that Your Highness has been safe despite being penniless. Why bring that up so suddenly…
Their light conversation gradually faded, and the crown prince silently gazed ahead.
At the end of his sight was the bustle of people finishing their day.
His ears must have been catching their voices.
His solemn profile, quietly observing his people, stirred something faint in Ellen’s chest.
It reminded her of a sorrow long past—what a waste it had been to let such a man die to the blade of a usurper.
But could she even claim the right to regret?
It had been she who let him die to a traitor’s sword, and in the end, she herself had raised a blade to his throat.
While such thoughts lingered, the sun sank lower, and soon the clock pointed to the time Ellen had been waiting for.
She spoke.
“The security of the capital must weigh heavily on Your Highness.”
“Well, it would be a lie to say otherwise. Still, I think it’s fortunate the problem was discovered at all, even now.”
A textbook answer.
Ellen smiled softly and said,
“From here, shall we visit a place I know of? I promise, if you come with me, Your Highness’s worries will ease.”
“Is it… a theater performance?”
His face was pure curiosity.
Perhaps he liked plays?
Ellen tucked the thought away.
“A theater… no, but you could call it something similar.”
“Very well. It’s about time I returned the favor and went along with you. Let’s go.”
“Then allow me to guide you.”
Her smile curved gracefully.
He showed not a trace of suspicion.
She wasn’t without guilt.
But she had too much knowledge, and too many things she could not give up, to waste time hesitating over guilt.
This time, it was Ellen’s turn to lead him.
The carriage rolled on, leaving the sunset behind.
After several blocks, they arrived at a narrow alleyway, where Ellen told the coachman to stop.
“Here, miss? At this place?”
The coachman asked with a puzzled look.
Instead of answering, Ellen pulled something from her bosom and tossed it to him.
“Hold on to that as collateral. If you wait faithfully here, I’ll give you the other one.”
It was a small sapphire earring.
Once he realized what it was, the coachman’s expression instantly changed.
“Of course, of course! Please be careful.”
With his obsequious farewell, they entered the alley.
Though it was the same city, the streets at night gave off a subtly different feel.
People weren’t unfriendly, but they weren’t as kind as before either. Harsh words drifted through the air, and Ellen thought someone ought to find out who was responsible for street cleaning and hold them accountable.
The crown prince, glancing about uneasily, muttered,
“…The atmosphere here is quite different.”
“Is it? You’ll get used to it soon enough if you look around a little.”
Ellen only gave a faint smile.
No doubt he was confused.
She said it was like a theater, but what on earth is this place?—he was probably blaming himself for agreeing so readily.
At last, their destination came into view: a shabby little house.
Knock knock. Knock knock knock.
When Ellen knocked, a rough-looking man opened the door.
“Who’s there?”
“I heard there’s a game going.”
Ellen flicked a gold coin with practiced ease.
The man snatched it up and shoved it into his pocket, then stepped aside.
As Cayden followed behind her, he whispered quietly,
“…This place is?”
“As I said, a place of amusement to make you forget your worries.”
Gripping his hand so he couldn’t pull away, Ellen said,
“Shall we go inside?”
Cayden hesitated as if he had something to say, but before he could, the door opened.
And no matter his resolve, he saw what was beyond it.
Glancing around, his expression went a little dazed.
“…A pub?”
The interior was surprisingly well-furnished and spacious.
People shouted boisterously, mugs of beer sloshed over, and laughter rang out.
After staring blankly for a moment, Cayden finally seemed to process the scene. He exhaled with visible relief and said,
“So you knew of such places, too. Now that I think of it, I did hear of them once… Lord Cheshire mentioned—”
“Shh.”
But his words were cut off by a slender finger pressed lightly to his lips.
“For now, just keep following me.”
“…?”
His eyes flickered with questions, but Ellen offered no further explanation. She simply walked on.
Past the first tables, past the central bar, until there was nothing left before them but a wall with a menu board.
At last, Cayden called out, flustered,
“What on earth are you—”
“Well then.”
“…?”
Ellen stretched out her hand toward the wall.
When she pressed, something astonishing happened.
Creak.
“…!”
The menu board slid aside.
“Shall we go in?”
“What is this…?”
Cayden muttered in bewilderment.
Beyond was a completely different world from the pub they’d just walked through.
Spinning wheels, clattering dice, dealers calling out games, crowds shouting at once.
“See… doesn’t that look easy enough?”
Ellen stepped boldly into the hidden space, leaving Cayden staring, dumbstruck, behind her. Her heels clicked loudly as she walked.
This was a place hidden from the state’s eyes, where all manner of illegal dealings thrived—
The underground casino run by Gillian Crembel.
She could feel his gaze like a blade in her back.
Ellen glanced over her shoulder.
Sure enough, Cayden stood at a distance, staring straight at her.
It wouldn’t take long for that look to turn into anger.
Unbothered, Ellen blended into the crowd.
Soon, guided by a dealer, she placed her bets.
One round. Lost.
Second round. Won.
She rolled through a few more games when—
“No! It can’t be! This is impossible!”
A man nearby screamed in despair.
He collapsed in his seat, staring hollowly at the spinning wheel.
She caught snippets: debt, fraud, impossible…
Sobbing, the man lifted his head as the dealer readied the next game.
In that instant, a dangerous light flickered in his eyes.
He leapt up and lunged at the dealer.
“You bastard, you cheated! I saw it!”
But mercenaries hired as guards rushed in. The man who had lost his money was beaten mercilessly.
The crowd only glanced at him before turning away.
Some cursed that their focus had been broken. Others clicked their tongues. Still others shouted for him to be dragged out immediately.
Ellen simply watched quietly.
…And the crown prince?
She turned to check him.
As she thought, his face was even more hardened than she’d expected as he watched the man being beaten.
At least it worked. That’s enough.
Sensing her gaze, he turned his head toward her.
Their eyes met.
Ellen smiled.
The crown prince’s face twisted violently at her smile.
He strode toward her in long steps.
Unable to hide his agitation, he grabbed her shoulders the moment she came within reach.
“You—what on earth is this…!”
