MEBD 53

Chapter 53

A Night Stroll (4):

“Do you two… realize you look a little suspicious right now?”

Even though they had clearly said they were cooperating for their own purposes…

Judging by the current atmosphere, it didn’t seem like it was just a simple alliance.

Bronwen, sensing the strange vibe between them, directed a slightly displeased question at Kaiden and Berenice, who were smiling at each other.

“I’m not sure what’s suspicious, but Berenice, do you know?”

“I don’t know either.”

“…You two get along better than I expected, huh?”

“Yes, my lady and I do communicate well.”

“That’s not true.”

They seem to get along…?

Bronwen raised an eyebrow as she watched Berenice firmly deny Kaiden’s statement. A premonition only someone who had lived a long time could have crossed her mind.

‘This could turn out to be quite an interesting spectacle.’

Hiding her excitement behind a composed expression, Bronwen smiled faintly as she observed the pair.

“The Crow Princess herself has a suspicious smile on her face.”

“Prince, you really need to learn how to respect your elders.”

“Ah, this is the second payment.”

A pouch of exactly the same weight as the first flew over and landed in Bronwen’s hand.

“My esteemed client, what can I help you with?”

She hadn’t realized it before… how transparent some people could be. This was a side of Berenice she hadn’t noticed before her reincarnation.

‘Well, back then I didn’t have money, so I never actually paid a proper fee for a request.’

Because she had been hiding her identity while running around, her pouches were always empty, and Bronwen occasionally helped fill them.

Berenice, realizing how significant those acts of kindness were, vowed to at least prepare a fee for future requests.

“Another clue found using the cipher the White Crow delivered.”

Kaiden took out the fairy tale book he had been hiding, and Berenice placed the note left by Bledin on top of the ominous black cover.

“Was this clue in the royal library?”

“Yes.”

“The handwriting on the paper is definitely my brother’s.”

Bronwen quickly glanced at the note with “Bella” written on it and the contents of the book, twitching her eyebrows.

“Does such a fairy tale even exist?”

“Is this the first time you’ve seen it too, Bronwen?”

Knowing that the White Crow, who had lived a long time, had many hobbies to endure a monotonous life, Berenice waited for Bronwen’s response as she flipped through the pages.

“I’ve never seen anything like this. And look—there’s no author either.”

She frowned at the illustration on the last page, depicting a dark, ominous thicket bearing foreboding fruit.

“I don’t know how old this story is, but the book itself isn’t very old.”

Two years? Three years?

Muttering to herself, Bronwen snapped the book shut with a thud and collected the piece of paper Bledin had left.

“Wiltyera’s eldest wouldn’t leave such a clue just anywhere. Let’s connect it to the fairy tale and look for ‘Bella.’”

“Thank you.”

“You’re being paid for this, so no need to thank me.”

“I paid, so at least she can thank me, Berenice.”

“…Prince, you really have no manners.”

“Do you want to be executed for insulting royalty?”

“I’ve always dreamed of death, but that’s not exactly appealing. There are other reliable ways.”

“Is that so?”

Perhaps Bronwen had some sense of Kaiden’s identity? Despite hearing something that might raise questions from someone unaware, she shrugged, and Kaiden got up.

“Let me know as soon as you find any information.”

“Do I have to report it to you again, Prince?”

“I paid for it.”

“…Fine. I’ll follow orders.”

How many routes had they left in the royal palace?

Recalling the enormous amount spent to create a route while contacting Kaiden this time, Bronwen groaned.

Aside from the money, would the prince even know how much effort it takes to carve a single passage into the royal palace?

Berenice bid farewell to Bronwen, retrieved her silver coins, and stood at the “exit” with Kaiden.

“Ah, right. You’re Wiltyera’s youngest.”

“Yes.”

“Keep your night strolls moderate.”

“…”

“You should answer.”

“I’ll try my best.”

It seemed Bronwen already knew that Berenice frequented black markets and backstreet taverns.

Kaiden, not understanding their conversation, tilted his head, but Berenice made a subtle gesture toward Bronwen, showing she didn’t intend to reveal her activities.

Seeing her gesture, Bronwen shook her head resignedly, and a white light enveloped the two of them.

A moment later, Berenice arrived at an unfamiliar location, deliberately ignoring Kaiden’s intense gaze.

“What did your last conversation with the Crow Princess mean?”

“That’s not something you need to know.”

“Berenice.”

“You just need to know it doesn’t interfere with what you and I have to do.”

“Another secret, huh.”

Kaiden frowned slightly at Berenice’s silence, but he didn’t ask again.

He knew she wouldn’t answer willingly.

Of course, he probably wouldn’t give up. He would find out, by any means.

And he would.

Berenice knew Kaiden well enough to be certain of that.

‘If he finds out, he’ll try to stop me from moving alone. If I can’t prevent it, I need to at least delay the timing.’

She wanted to avoid any constraints on her movements.

As they walked silently, each lost in their own thoughts, Berenice suddenly noticed Kaiden stop.

“What is it…”

She had been thinking of returning home to write Bronwen a letter, asking her to keep Kaiden unaware of her black market visits, when she noticed Kaiden staring intently at something.

A woman in an elegant black robe was carefully walking toward a certain direction.

“Your Highness?”

“Shh.”

Kaiden grabbed Berenice’s wrist, signaling her to stay quiet as they hid in the shadows of an alley.

She was pressed uncomfortably close to him, unable to pull her wrist free.

“I didn’t expect to run into her here,” Kaiden muttered, watching the dress disappear down the alley.

“Do you know her?”

“The Empress’s chief maid.”

“Huh?”

Even with perfect eyesight, it would be impossible to identify someone hiding in a black robe. Berenice was certain of this.

Apparently, it wasn’t impossible for Kaiden.

Lowering his stance, Kaiden followed the alley where the maid disappeared and immediately located her far ahead.

“You can follow quietly, right?”

“Yes.”

Ignoring what she couldn’t understand for now, Berenice followed Kaiden’s cues, stopping and moving in sync several times.

Finally, deep in the alley, they watched the maid slip into a shabby building.

“Do you know this place too, Your Highness?”

“No, we’ll find out now.”

“One more question—may I?”

“How did you recognize her?”

“The same way I recognized you last time.”

Last time?

Berenice recalled their encounter in the alley.

“You mean… by skeleton and stride?”

“Also, if the maid gets nervous, she slightly limps her left foot.”

Even habits she probably didn’t notice herself.

How… does he know that?

For a moment, Berenice wondered if Kaiden had received some special gift or blessing from the gods.

Signaling her to stay quiet, Kaiden carefully approached the shabby building the maid had entered.

Berenice followed, hiding under a small window with light seeping out.

The cold wall pressed against her back, making her fine hairs stand on end.

“Can you hear anything?” she silently mouthed.

Kaiden shook his head. She couldn’t hear anything either.

With such an old building, the acoustics should be terrible, so not hearing a sound probably meant the building was empty.

But the entrance was the only one visible, and the structure didn’t seem to allow for hidden spaces.

‘Let’s wait a little longer.’

Berenice nodded silently.

After some time, they felt movement inside.

There was only one set of footsteps, accompanied by the creak of the old door.

They watched the small light move toward the entrance.

The maid exited cautiously, and after confirming no one was around, the two revealed themselves from the shadows.

“She locked the door behind her.”

Unlike the old, shabby building, the lock looked large and sturdy.

Should we break it?

Kaiden paused, considering.

“Step aside.”

Berenice produced something from her bag and approached the locked door.

Did she really think such a thing would be enough for security?

Looking at the solid lock, Berenice smiled.