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CHAPTER 81……………………………
It Has to Look Real
After hearing the report that Hailey’s knights were on their way to Count Stone’s mansion, Robbie bit his lip anxiously.
I too had to fight to calm my pounding heart that felt like it might burst.
Then Robbie, as if having made up his mind, turned to his master.
“Master, please lie back down on the bed. If Hailey comes in, you’re still unconscious. Understood?”
The master nodded and slipped back under the blanket.
“Hans, remember—Lady Leia hasn’t been here today. Got it?”
“Huh? Y-yes, young master.”
“Make sure every servant keeps their mouth shut.”
“Yes, sir!”
As Hans hurried out, Robbie looked back at us.
“The rest of you, move to the study next door. Quickly!”
Following his order, Millie, Freddy, Shine, and I rushed into the adjoining study.
Once everyone was there, Robbie approached a large bookshelf and looked at Freddy.
“We’ll need to push this. Give me a hand.”
As they pushed with all their strength, the built-in bookshelf began to slowly turn—revealing a hidden staircase leading downward.
“There was a secret passage in the Stone estate?”
“Yes. That’s why I moved Master to the room beside this study—just in case.”
“Ah!”
I couldn’t help but be impressed by Robbie’s careful foresight.
“There’s no time. This passage connects to a side gate on the west end of the estate. You should leave the carriage you came in. Once you’re out, do everything you can to return to your husband.”
I nodded, meeting Robbie’s eyes. A thought struck me—that this might be the last time we’d ever see each other.
“Thank you, Robbie.”
“I don’t deserve that.”
Seeing him lower his head, I quickly stepped forward and hugged him tightly.
“Goodbye.”
With that uncertain farewell, I hurried into the secret passage. Millie and Freddy followed right behind me.
From the inside, Freddy pushed the bookshelf back into place, while Robbie did the same from the outside.
“Princess Shine, please be careful.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll see you at the wedding.”
Once the bookshelf slid completely back, they both vanished from sight.
We stood still for a moment, blinking in the darkness until our eyes adjusted.
“Your Majesty, I’ll lead the way. Please follow carefully.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Millie, you okay?”
“Of course!”
Freddy smiled at her spirited answer, then started down the stairs. Millie and I stayed close behind.
When we first left Freetan, I never imagined things would turn out like this. What if Mick had come with us?
Part of me was relieved he wasn’t here to face this danger—but another part wished he were by my side, because then I wouldn’t feel so afraid.
Then suddenly, I remembered what had happened in that border village—the incident that stopped Mick from traveling with me. Thinking of how even the emperor had moved at Hailey’s command, a new suspicion crept in.
“Was it really just coincidence that Mick couldn’t come with me?”
A sense of dread washed over me, but I shook my head to drive it away.
“I can’t afford to be weak now.”
I steadied my trembling heart.
“I’ll make it back safely—to my husband’s side, no matter what!”
Micklock and his knights had just eradicated three monster dens near the southwestern border.
Perhaps because they’d tasted human blood, the monsters were far more vicious than expected. The third one—by far the largest—lunged straight for one knight’s throat, its fangs flashing.
It was so fierce that even Ralph nearly got caught.
“Ralph, you okay?”
William drove his sword through the monster’s neck, saving Ralph in the nick of time.
“I’m fine!” Ralph gasped, catching his breath as he got back up.
“Careful. Can’t have my groomsman getting hurt.”
William’s teasing made Ralph chuckle.
Graaahhh!
Just then, the monster they thought was dead sprang up again, charging at William. Ralph threw himself onto its back and slashed its neck with his dagger.
The beast let out a hideous screech and fell with a heavy thud.
“Damn, that was close.”
Covered in blood, William crawled out from beneath the carcass, and Ralph offered him a hand.
“Be careful. Without a groom, there’s no need for a groomsman.”
William laughed softly. “So you’ve given up complaining about being one, huh?”
Ralph shot him an annoyed look, then charged at the next monster.
“Wait, Ralph! I’m coming too!”
Thanks to their leadership, the monster-clearing mission ended perfectly.
Late that night, Micklock and nine knights returned to the 4th Border Defense Headquarters. The anxious commander rushed out to greet them.
“Your Highness, are you unharmed?”
“I am. You delivered the remains and belongings we found to the families?”
“Yes, sir, all taken care of.”
The commander ordered his men to bring water and food for the weary knights.
“Your Highness, a letter arrived from Duke Zenon.”
“Let me see.”
A bad feeling hit Micklock—and he was right. His expression darkened as he read.
“What’s wrong?” William asked quietly.
“Something similar is happening in the southern 11th district.”
“What?”
“Witnesses say unfamiliar knights have been taking children there too. Judging by their helmets and weapons, they’re likely knights of Haron.”
“What are those bastards doing on our land?”
Micklock ordered new parchment and began writing to Duke Zenon—ordering 100 elite knights stationed at Freetan Castle to assemble in the 11th district.
He turned to William.
“Eat quickly. We move south right after.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“We’ll stop this here before it spreads any further.”
“Yes, sir!”
Of all times for Leia to be in the Haron Empire… having trouble tied to Haron made Micklock uneasy. The only way to ease that fear was to finish this quickly and get to her side.
His heart beat faster than ever.
“Princess Shine, do you understand everything I’ve explained?”
“Of course.”
After Leia’s party left, Robbie hurriedly shared his plan with Shine. She listened with sparkling eyes and a smile.
Her easy acceptance made Robbie uneasy—it seemed too quick, too willing.
“The setup might be unpleasant for Your Highness. If you have a better idea, I’ll listen.”
“What’s there to be unpleasant about? It’s just acting.”
“So you agree?”
“Yes. Shall we begin?”
Without hesitation, Shine stood up and turned her back—then started taking off her dress. When she faced Robbie again in only her undergarments, he was already shirtless.
Her eyes narrowed as she studied his bare chest, and she murmured in surprise,
“Hmm… better physique than I expected.”
“Ahem.”
Under her bold, unashamed gaze, Robbie’s neck flushed red.
“Shouldn’t you take off your pants too?”
“…Do I have to?”
“It has to look real.”
Just then, chaos erupted downstairs. Butler Hans was shouting, struggling to hold someone back.
Then came heavy footsteps pounding up the stairs toward the third-floor study.
“Search every room!”
The threatening command echoed, followed by doors slamming open one by one.
“No time. Hurry, Lord Stone.”
Throwing off the last of her undergarments, Shine wrapped her arms around Robbie’s neck and pulled him toward her.
“What is the meaning of this? This is Count Stone’s estate—you can’t just barge in like this!”
Hans and the servants stood their ground against the invading knights who had broken down the mansion doors.
About twenty of them, clad in black armor and helmets, their affiliation completely unknown.
Brave Hans confronted the one who seemed to be their leader, hoping to buy time for Robbie and Leia.
“The Count is away, but once he learns of this outrage, he won’t let it go unpunished!”
“And what if he doesn’t?”
The leader sneered, staring him down. Hans clenched his trembling fists, summoning courage.
“State your names and purpose! Show some respect to this house!”
The man smirked, then gestured to his subordinates. The knights shoved aside Hans and the servants and began tearing through the second floor.
“Captain, nothing on the second floor.”
“Then check the third.”
“You can’t! There’s a patient there who needs rest!”
“Oh? Then that’s exactly where they are!”
They threw Hans aside and stormed upstairs.
As they flung open doors one after another, they finally burst into the study—
“Kyaaahhh! What are you doing!?”
A woman’s sharp scream rang out. The intruders froze at the sight before them: a man and woman, stark naked, entangled together in broad daylight.
