Lilburn obediently showed them the paper in his arms. Adrian continued speaking to Layla, who was looking at it with wide eyes.

“You can send a letter to Cedric too.”

“Is that… really true?”

Even though Adrian had already created an unbelievable reality before her, Layla couldn’t easily believe it this time either.

Although he said he would look into Cedric, Fitzroy was the biggest rival of Hankin on the Damvernant continent. Naturally, she thought it wouldn’t be easy even if she asked. She thought it couldn’t be helped if no news came.

But to think a letter had come from Cedric.

Adrian stroked Layla’s head as she was lost in thought, then turned to look at Lilburn. As Layla rejoiced, Adrian’s expression was also unprecedentedly relaxed.

Lilburn inwardly thought, is he that happy, as he handed Cedric’s letter to him.

“Since young Cedric is in a slave state, his hands and feet are not free. So he said he dictated it for someone else to write.”

Disappointment and concern mixed on Layla’s face upon hearing the explanation. Adrian also hesitated as he was about to open the letter.

“Then isn’t there a chance the letter could be fake?”

“Do you think I would use someone unreliable for such an important task? And there is Cedric’s signature at the end, though it’s quite messy.”

Before Isabella headed to Wessex, she thoroughly replaced the people around her. It was a move made conscious of information constantly leaking to Adrian.

It doesn’t mean she was careless before, but because of that, security became even tighter, so he had to put in even more effort.

Adrian stared at Lilburn for a moment before unfolding the letter. As Lilburn said, neat handwriting was arranged in the middle, and at the end, though barely legible, the word ‘Cedric’ was written.

After skimming through the contents of the letter, Adrian judged there was no problem and asked Layla.

“Is it alright if I read it to you?”

Layla hesitated for a moment at the unexpected question, as she had been waiting for Adrian’s reaction ever since Lilburn took out the paper from his chest.

But somehow feeling that Adrian really wanted to read it, she nodded despite some discomfort.

It probably wouldn’t be too bad to hear it in his voice.

Dear elder sister Layla,

I’m truly glad to be writing this letter to you.

Actually, I’ve been losing sleep worrying about you. When I was caught by the princess, I faintly heard her saying to find you.

But you have someone caring for you by your side. I’m relieved.

Although it was disappointing that it wasn’t Cedric’s handwriting, it was certainly a combination of words that child often used. Because of that, Layla had no doubt that this was really Cedric’s letter.

But the content was still…

I’m currently by the princess’s side.

Don’t worry too much, I’m not starving. And though I was nervous at first, the princess doesn’t particularly make me serve her in bed.

Although I’m in a situation where I can’t write with my own hand to send to you, it’s not the absolute worst, so please don’t worry.

Though he said it wasn’t the absolute worst, it didn’t say how he was being treated. Layla discerned that there was something more hidden that couldn’t be written in the letter.

As a slave, Cedric should originally be doing hard labor. Or as Frederick once told her, there was a high probability he would be used to create a new Tuner.

Because among the siblings, Cedric exhibited the most outstanding ability in tuning.

But since the latter was explicitly mentioned not to be the case, was he doing labor after all…

But I think it might be difficult to write letters in the future because I’m being watched all day.

There might not be a reply, but I won’t be disappointed. I’m grateful just to have had the chance to write to you.

I don’t know who the person by your side is, but I’m somewhat relieved. They must be an amazing and kind person, to come find me and let me write a letter.

Stay healthy, elder sister. And I love you.

If we can meet next time, let’s both take care so we don’t cry.

― Cedric Wessex

Only the part where the name was written at the end had a different handwriting. But whether his hand was shaking a lot or he could barely move, even though it was just writing his own name, the letters were flying off.

So when she received the letter and skimmed it again with her eyes, she stared at that part for a long time. Like someone who thought if she stared hard enough at those letters, she would know all about Cedric’s well-being.

But there was nothing in the letter to guess what kind of work Cedric was doing. Swallowing her disappointment, Layla turned to Adrian.

“This letter… may I keep it?”

It was a cautious question. Even Layla thought it seemed reckless to leave such an item in her possession, which made her even more careful.

Adrian also seemed to ponder before reluctantly shaking his head.

“Regrettably, we have to burn it here immediately.”

It’s true that Adrian has a spy by Isabella Fitzroy’s side. As such, Isabella’s spy is likely somewhere in the Hankin Imperial Palace as well. Perhaps even in the Crown Prince’s quarters.

It’s not that he doesn’t trust Layla, but the very fact that this letter exists somewhere was dangerous.

Because the people who can access Cedric are limited, the discovery of the letter would mean Adrian’s spy would also be exposed.

He loves Layla, but it’s a matter of life and death. Furthermore, he couldn’t leave behind a spark that could ruin future plans.

Because she clearly understood this fact, Layla rather had a gloomy expression.

“Yes, I understand.”

“Thank you, Layla. In exchange, you can write a reply too. I’ll make sure it’s delivered to Cedric without fail.”

“…There won’t be a second time, will there?”

“I’ll try, but I can’t be certain. If this kind of thing is repeated, the chances of someone noticing are quite high.”

It might sound forced, but even just Cedric’s expression improving might make someone suspicious. Suspicion always blooms from small signs.

Layla nodded obediently in understanding. It was sad that she only had one chance to communicate with her younger brother, but as Cedric wrote in the letter, she should be grateful even for that one time.

“Is it alright if it’s long?”

“Of course, Layla. If you want to think carefully and write, let me know. I’ll prepare all the stationery and pens.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Adrian looked with pitying eyes at Layla, who had a sad expression even as she said that to him.

With an apologetic heart, he took the letter from Layla and burned the paper in the candle flame on the side table.

Layla stared intently at that scene.

Cedric was the youngest after all, and because his abilities were outstanding, he grew up receiving a lot of love.

But even without giving a reason, he was a child you couldn’t help but like. He was kind, bright, and lovable.

Just imagining what kind of hardships such a Cedric might be going through made her heart ache.

As she watched the white paper fall as black ash, Layla asked.

“What kind of situation is Cedric in now?”

Lilburn answered this question.

“Young Cedric is currently imprisoned.”

“So he’s not doing labor. I don’t know if I should say that’s fortunate…”

At Layla’s murmur, both Adrian and Lilburn closed their mouths heavily.

Cedric was currently understood to be in a state where his body was badly damaged due to torture. From what they heard, under the constant watch of guards, his body would worsen again just as it started to improve a little.

He was barely living, so soon his mind would likely break down too.

Perhaps it should be considered fortunate that he was still able to coherently convey messages at present.

In fact, when faced with similar situations before, Adrian usually told the person involved all the facts without mixing in emotions.

But in front of Layla, he was unsure whether to tell her or not. This was especially so because it was a situation that couldn’t be resolved immediately.

The rescue operation itself would premise numerous sacrifices, but if it was carelessly carried out and discovered, it would lead straight to war.

But was it right to tell such unfortunate news to her, who looked like she might cry just from one letter?

Adrian thought it was… impossible, at least from his own mouth.

He hoped she would understand his feelings, but it was obvious he would face even greater resentment if she found out later.

Nevertheless.

‘I don’t like seeing you cry, Layla.’

Adrian chose that path instead.

Even if something happened to Cedric later, he hoped that her resentment towards him would at least keep her from giving up on life.