TCRDG 12

Chapter 12

There were still many places I hadn’t explored yet, and I wanted to look around more, but if I wanted to leave before sunset, I had to hurry.

I walked toward the detached palace, reinforcing the imperial palace map and other locations I had memorized long ago.

It was quite a distance, enough that it would take time to return. As I walked, I spotted a low wall and a gate I hadn’t seen earlier.

“Where is this?”

It didn’t seem to be on the map. Curiosity pulled me closer, but suddenly, a sharp voice rang out.

“Get lost this instant! I don’t even want to see your face!”

The voice was so cold it conveyed outright disgust, and it carried clearly beyond the wall.

I erased my presence as best I could, crouched down, and crept closer to the gate.

“What choice do you have? The war is over now, so there’s nowhere else to send me. Even if you hate me, you’ll keep seeing me.”

“It’s horrifying, how you always crawl back alive from everywhere. That tenacity—did you inherit it from your lowborn mother?”

It felt like I was overhearing something I definitely shouldn’t. I tried to turn away quickly.

But I stepped in mud, and each step made a sound, so I froze again.

“Why do you always covet what isn’t yours? You have no place in this palace, and you know that.”

“I’ve never coveted anything. Things simply appear along my path.”

“…Remember this well. Someone born of lowly blood like you will never become Emperor. That seat belongs only to my son—Clione’s son.”

“How arrogant. I assume Her Majesty the Empress’s pride comes from her prestigious lineage?”

The man’s voice was thick with barely contained fury, on the verge of exploding.

“Leave the palace on your own. Swear you’ll never pose a threat to Arthur, and I might let you live.”

“Heh. Who’s letting who live here? We’ll see. You won’t be so high and mighty for much longer. Enjoy it while you can.”

“You lowborn scum… I will throw you out of this palace again, even if I have to wager everything my family and I have. I’ll see you on your knees begging for your life.”

“Who knows, Your Majesty? Someday, you might be the one begging me to spare that precious younger son of yours.”

It was a draining exchange, filled with hatred and anger.

And the two involved were undoubtedly the current Empress Clione and the Second Prince—Bidler. That man I’d met before.

I didn’t want to confirm it, but through the slightly open door, I saw the two facing off.

Actually, there were three of them: Prince Bidler, the Empress, and a child holding her hand.

“Hyung!”

The child cried and reached for Bidler, but the Empress coldly yanked the child away and left.

“I’ve definitely seen something I shouldn’t have.”

It was the kind of situation that could easily be misunderstood. I silently prayed Bidler would walk away in the same direction as the Empress.

But the moment she disappeared, he turned his head toward me.

Of course. A man of his skill would never miss my presence.

Startled, I pretended I’d just arrived and began walking awkwardly.

But with a few long strides, Bidler was already at the gate. Our eyes met through the opening.

“What are you doing there? Why are you here?”

Just as I recognized him, he recognized me.

“I got lost.”

“In the Imperial Palace? Did you come in with Seniel?”

“No. I tried to use Seniel’s brooch and was misunderstood, so I got dragged in.”

Our eyes met in a dry, emotionless stare. For a brief moment, as the sunlight hit his crimson irises, I thought they looked beautiful.

“If you tried to use Seniel’s brooch, I can see how that might happen. Where were you headed?”

“To see Seniel.”

“Our paths align. Follow me.”

He pushed the door open, and sunlight flooded in. I squinted slightly at the sudden brightness.

Walking through the light, he tilted his head, expressionless, to signal me to come.

I had wanted to explore a bit more of the palace on my way to the detached residence.

It was disappointing, but since I’d claimed to be lost, I had no excuse not to follow.

Bidler was tall, and his strides were long. I had to walk briskly to keep up.

We walked in silence. We weren’t exactly the type to make small talk, but after the earlier incident, I decided to speak up first.

“I actually overheard your conversation. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. Everyone already knows the Empress and I don’t get along. Plenty of eyes around here—rumors must be flying.”

It was true. I already knew this, so I nodded quietly.

“But forget what you heard. It’s not something worth remembering.”

“Okay.”

With my answer, Bidler fell silent again.

We resumed walking. When I’d walked alone earlier, the path had felt excessively wide. Now, it felt much narrower.

I was surprised at how strongly I sensed his presence. Not many people had that effect on me.

Though the atmosphere was awkward and quiet, I found myself slowly getting used to it.

As we climbed a gentle hill, a cool breeze brushed against my face. It felt refreshing, and my expression relaxed a little.

That’s when Bidler glanced at me, his face suddenly stiff.

“Why did you show up in front of Seniel all of a sudden? Trying to cling to your now-famous little brother?”

It sounded like he was picking a fight, but I didn’t sense any hostility.

I’d rather deal with blunt people than those who pretend. So I replied honestly.

“I wanted to see him. I’ll be leaving soon anyway.”

“If you’re thinking of using Seniel, forget it. He’s mine.”

Last time, he said Seniel belonged to him, and now again?

Now Seniel is “his person”? This man is seriously obsessive.

“Before he’s your person, he’s my brother. Seniel is just Seniel. Please don’t keep trying to trap him in your mold.”

Bidler’s eyes widened. His expression stiffened, and he turned fully toward me, stomping closer.

“Something’s not right.”

He towered over me, squinting down with intense focus.

“Have we met before?”

“Absolutely not.”

Worried he might recognize me from the abandoned house, I answered firmly.

Then, before he could think more, I quickly changed the subject.

“I’m not trying to use Seniel. Don’t worry.”

“…Fine.”

Thankfully, he didn’t push further.

We soon arrived at the detached palace, and Bidler, saying he had someone else to meet, told me which room Seniel was in and left.

Alone at last, I let out a sigh of relief.

“He didn’t figure it out, right? I probably won’t run into him again, but I need to be careful.”

Bidler must never find out I’m Prince. He’s close to Seniel.

I reminded myself to be especially cautious around him and knocked on the door.

Knock knock.

The one who answered was Orbis.

He opened the door laughing at something, but froze when he saw me.

“Huh? Rosia noona, why are you here…?”

“Noona?”

At the sound of my name, Seniel shot out from inside like a bullet.

“Noona! What happened? Why are you in the palace?”

I pushed both Seniel and Orbis into the room and closed the door behind me. Fortunately, they were the only ones inside.

“It’s a long story.”

“Sit down first. Have some water.”

“Thanks.”

I took a sip, then explained everything—from going to the boutique to ending up here.

“I’ll return the brooch. If I knew something like this would happen, I never would’ve used it.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think it through. I just wanted to give you a gift.”

“Your intention was enough.”

Maybe because I’d been treated like a thief, Seniel got all fired up, saying he’d storm off to that boutique.

“Tell me the boutique’s name and those guards’ names. Those blind idiots—I won’t let this go.”

“It’s fine. I got to tour the palace thanks to it.”

Honestly, getting to explore the palace thoroughly, even visiting the restricted research facility, was a major gain.

“Noona, can you list everyone you ran into in the palace?”

“Some guards, Lord Kayan, Prince Bidler… oh, and I saw Her Majesty the Empress and the young prince from afar.”

“You didn’t run into the First Prince, did you?”

“Nope. Never saw him.”

Only then did Seniel finally relax and warn me.

“Never run into the First Prince. If you ever spot golden hair and a sleazy face from afar, run.”

“Why?”

“He’s a major womanizer. If he sees you, he won’t let you go.”

“Really? I’ll be careful.”

Though I’d already heard the rumors, I pretended to be hearing them for the first time.

Then I glanced at the table cluttered with papers.

“What are all these documents?”

“Oh, I’m tracking a guild.”

“A guild?”

I knew nearly every guild on the continent, so I picked up one of the documents out of curiosity.