🔊 TTS Settings
chapter 42
Ruewenhart sat down with a displeased expression. The knights had already finished their duties long ago. At this late hour, Tesia was with Redford—just the two of them.
“Do you want some tea too, Hart? Since it’s late, maybe caffeine-free would be better?”
“Yes. Thank you, Tesia.”
“No problem. Wait a moment.”
Of course, Tesia probably didn’t perceive their current meeting as a romantic encounter. She was likely only focused on quickly resolving this kidnapping incident. The real issue was Redford. Unlike Tesia, Redford certainly harbored some ulterior motives. After all, the one who constantly monitored him under the pretense of being an old friend was none other than Redford Umberto.
Soon, Tesia brought freshly brewed tea to Ruewenhart. Ruewenhart stared at the teacup for a moment before speaking.
“You must have been quite busy, Tesia, staying with the Knights at this hour.”
“Yes. I caught a clue, so I had to reorganize the entire duty schedule.”
“I see. May I take a look?”
“That would be difficult, Prince Ruewenhart.”
The one who answered wasn’t Tesia, but Redford. Ruewenhart looked at Redford. From the moment Ruewenhart had entered the room, Redford had maintained a completely expressionless face—but now he spoke.
“To be honest, I cannot show the duty schedule to a prince from Tiranavan.”
“Diddi!”
“Tesia. It’s better to mention this beforehand.”
Redford cut Tesia off firmly, her face turning pale in surprise. The prince was now a representative of outsiders who had joined the Valkyrie Knights. Redford thought Ruewenhart could easily become the strongest suspect, despite Tesia wanting to trust him.
“The duty roster will be announced on the morning of each duty day. This is to prevent another incident.”
“That’s a good idea. But am I really in a position where I can’t even see the roster that comes out tomorrow morning?”
“Let me ask you in return. Why does Prince Ruewenhart want to see the Knights’ duty roster? Surely, as a magician, you wouldn’t need to perform security duties.”
“I am a knight too.”
“But you are an outsider as well.”
Ruewenhart’s brows twitched. Right now, Redford was rejecting him simply because he was from another country. Given the severity of the mass kidnapping incident, such caution was reasonable—but it wasn’t the attitude Redford should have. Redford was someone trusted by Tesia. Soon, he would even be the formal fiancé of Tesia. Besides, if we talk about outsiders, isn’t Redford, who has just come from studying abroad in a foreign country, more of an outsider than Ruewenhart?
Ruewenhart let out a bitter laugh.
“Have you forgotten that during the previous Kroil kidnapping incident, I personally infiltrated the guild to find clues?”
“But if the prince had been on their side, it would be a different story. In fact, you were rescued without a scratch, while the others were all found dead.”
“Umberto, Marquis!”
“This decision was also agreed upon by Tesia.”
Did Tesia agree to watch over me? Ruewenhart glanced at Tesia, hurt. Tesia bit her lip. True, as Ruewenhart claimed, he had personally infiltrated the guild to help her during the last incident. But apart from that, Tesia agreed with Redford’s reasoning this time. Regardless of how Ruewenhart felt, the new outsiders in the Knights were few, and he had spent the most time with her—the highest-ranking knight alongside her. If necessary, he could easily access internal information.
‘I don’t think Hart would do that…’
But as the commander of the knights, she couldn’t make decisions based solely on emotion. Tesia quickly turned her head. Seeing her look away, Ruewenhart’s face darkened.
“Tesia…”
Ruewenhart’s voice trembled pitifully. Memories of what he had endured in Tiranavan surfaced—the realization of being abandoned and rejected by those he loved. That bitter experience had driven him to Estonia. Yet, here he was, facing a similar situation, this time with Tesia, whom he had truly come to care for.
A strangled sound escaped Ruewenhart.
“Tesia. It’s not me.”
“…Cooperate with Redford. There’s nothing I can do about this.”
Until he could be proven innocent, she had no choice but to avoid him. Even if she protected him, rumors could spread elsewhere. Avoiding Ruewenhart was the way to protect him. Ruewenhart’s heart sank at her words. What if she knew he had considered using her engagement for his own advantage? Even if it was unrelated to the real culprit of the kidnapping, she would be deeply disappointed. He realized now was the time to withdraw.
“Understood. Then I, as an outsider, will take my leave.”
“Hart.”
“It’s fine, Tesia. The real culprit will be discovered soon anyway…”
Ruewenhart swallowed a bitter smile. He reached out and gently stroked Tesia’s hair.
“Don’t stay out too late. Take care of yourself while working.”
Even at a moment like this, he was concerned about maintaining his image. His ingrained habits showed. Although they were in Estonia, it felt like he had walked straight out of Tiranavan’s social circles. A night of defeat slowly passed.
The next day, the revised duty schedule, as announced by Redford, was distributed to the knights. The knights chattered loudly as they checked their individual schedules. Viktor was among them. According to the original schedule, he was supposed to work with Tesia that morning. However, in the new schedule, Tesia was absent from all assignments. The changes didn’t stop at Tesia’s schedule.
“The duty schedule will now be distributed every morning. Duration: adjustable depending on circumstances.”
Both the posting method and the schedule had been completely revised.
‘All the rosters I gave to the commander are now useless.’
Viktor ran his hands through his hair at the sudden shift in the Knights’ operations.
‘I’ll have to be careful for now. I should tell her not to move too much either, if she doesn’t want to get caught.’
He sighed deeply, realizing he had to see that troublesome woman again. The commander was nervous and impatient, always eager to make progress, constantly nagging him. That she enjoyed the commander’s trust was laughable, but true. As Viktor stepped back to reconsider his next moves, Ruewenhart passed by on his way to work. Usually dressed flamboyantly, today he looked dazzlingly stylish. Ruewenhart held something in his hand, reading as he walked. Viktor’s brows furrowed.
‘What happened to seducing the princess? Use a proper plan!’
The commander’s annoying voice rang in his ears. With the Valkyrie Knights on high alert, food supply would be hard to come by for now. And trying to get at the princess had already failed. If the princess was off-limits, then he could aim for the prince. The goal was to make Prince Ruewenhart’s movements impossible. With his calculations made, Viktor moved from his spot.
“Good morning, Prince Ruewenhart.”
Ruewenhart, walking toward the lab, turned when Viktor called out. The letter in his hand fluttered in the wind, and he tucked it safely inside his coat, returning a picturesque smile.
“Good morning, Sir Viktor.”
“I’m honored that you remember my name!”
“We’re both from Tiranavan. Besides, serving together in the Valkyrie Knights, I should remember you.”
Ruewenhart smiled gently. Of course, he conveniently left out the fact that Viktor was a candidate for Princess Tesia’s fiancé. Viktor bowed.
“I should have greeted you first, but I was late. My apologies.”
“This isn’t Tiranavan. No need to worry.”
“No. Even though it was brief, as someone who once served in Tiranavan’s royal knight corps, I should have been formal with you first, Prince.”
“Hmm.”
“So, Prince, if it’s alright… would you join me for a meal?”
Viktor carefully threw the bait. Ruewenhart tilted his head slowly.
“A meal?”
“Yes. I’d like to offer you lunch. I don’t know if my salary will suffice, but please accept it as my sincerity.”
“If it’s just lunch, there should be places to eat within the Knights’ quarters.”
“Isn’t the atmosphere tense lately?”
Viktor whispered cautiously. Rumors of traitors within the Knights weren’t exclusive to Ruewenhart; other knights had heard them too. The Valkyrie Knights’ atmosphere was undeniably on edge. Being a valuable healing magician and a rumored fiancé of Princess Tesia, Ruewenhart’s case wasn’t so severe, but for Viktor, an ordinary knight, it was different. In the end, Ruewenhart agreed to Viktor’s proposal.
“Very well.”
“Thank you! Then I’ll bring you to the lab at noon, Prince!”
“Alright.”
After the brief greeting, Ruewenhart turned toward the lab. Watching Ruewenhart leave, a sly smile crept across Viktor’s face.
That afternoon, Tesia also learned that Ruewenhart had gone out with Viktor.
“They went out together for a meal?”
“Yes. The doorkeeper confirmed it.”
“What will you do now, Tesia?”
Tesia’s expression grew serious in response to Redford’s question. Since she had confirmed that the culprit was within the Knights, any changes in their schedule would trigger the culprit to act. That was why she had monitored the Knights’ movements while excluding herself from all duties. The first news she received was that Ruewenhart and Viktor had been seen going out together.
