What could spies from the empire be targeting in the kingdom? Probably something unfavorable for the kingdom and advantageous for the empire.

In fact, the previous life’s incident with the traitors caused a greater uproar when evidence of the spies attempting to kidnap the princess was revealed.

Daring to harm the forbidden flower of the royal family. The king’s wrath poured even on me, who was caught as an accomplice through my connection with the spy, resulting in an inevitable execution.

“They’ll probably try to touch the princess this time too.”

Karsatuna covered her mouth.

“Suspicious people! Is that really true, Ignazio?”

“Yes, so Princess….”

“I’ll handle it myself.”

A cold voice interrupted my words.

Princess Laratu raised her teacup with a slight uplift of her lips.

“Ignazio advises me just like my mother.”

Seeing her smiling grin, my mouth involuntarily closed.

“I seem to have said something beyond my place.”
In the awkward atmosphere, Karsatuna made an effort to smile and spoke.

“I think Ignazio is worried about the princess. Moreover, there have been suspicious people around. With the frequent outdoor activities lately, it’s also wise to be cautious.”

“We don’t even know if that’s true.”

Even Karsatuna, who was trying hard to change the atmosphere with Princess Laratu’s cold gaze, closed her mouth.

It was hard for Karsatuna, too, because of me.

“But what on earth is going on?”

Princess Laratu, who did not give me a glance, pressed her lips but couldn’t understand the reason.

Eventually, I decided to stand up.

“Princess, are you not feeling well today? It seems like I’m taking away your rest time, so I’ll get going now.”

“Can’t you endure this one thing?”

“What?”

The princess’s hand caught my eye. Her fingers were tightly gripping the teacup.

“Surely something is going on.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Yes, anything.”

Finally, her gaze landed on me.

“What’s the relationship between you and the prince?”

“…….”

My lips dried up. Along with the realization that it was because of that, a feeling of awkwardness rushed over me.

The relationship between Giovanni and me?

To put it grandly, it’s a national cooperative relationship. Since we are both nobles, one from the imperial family and the other from the kingdom. In short, it’s a business relationship defined by mutual benefit.

“Of course, there are various things involved, not just that. I received a scouting proposal, and on the day when Aris went wild…”

As Giovanni’s warmth came to mind, my thoughts abruptly stopped.

“Ha.”

Oops. The answer was late.

Seeing Princess Laratu, who was giving a forced laughter that was definitely not pleasant, my senses came back.

“Why don’t you go see for yourself?”

“…….”

“Stop it, Ignazio. The princess is not feeling well.”

Princess Laratu ended the conversation, turning her head.

A sigh escaped. Today was a disaster. Explanations and excuses would probably be in vain.

I left the sponsorship for the tea party. Not long after, there was a somewhat hurried sound of footsteps.

“Ignazio!”

“Karsatuna.”

“Don’t feel too bad. I’m sure the princess didn’t have bad intentions.”

I silently stared at her face, which was full of worries.

What could Karsatuna have done wrong?

Princess Laratu’s mind must be filled with thoughts of me and Giovanni.

“…It seems like something is bothering the princess.”

I smiled gently at her apologetic face.

In the quiet sponsorship where only the sound of water dripping from the fountain echoed, the tea table seemed to freeze in time.

Drip.

Karsatuna, who quietly pulled out a chair, sat down without making a sound.

“Ignazio left well, Princess.”

I said, looking at the quiet princess.

Princess Laratu, with her calm eyes, bit her lip and soon burst into laughter.

“Let’s go boating tomorrow.”

“What? Ignazio said it’s dangerous for a while…”

The expression on the princess’s face changed abruptly.

“Why should I listen to that brat?”

“…….”
“Someone who lies to me.”

“……. ”

“How can you believe them?”

Karsatuna asked cautiously.

“What lie did I tell?”

The princess just smiled without answering. It was a smile that didn’t feel sincere.

“Let’s go boating. Got it?”

Karsatuna could only nod her head.

A few days later, a letter arrived.

It bore the seal of the Duke of Lergatan.

It was a letter sent by Karsatuna.

Reading the contents, I rubbed my forehead.

“What? Went on a boating trip?”

I had clearly warned her that it was dangerous.

“Fortunately, nothing serious seems to have happened.”

I pulled out a new piece of paper. As I wrote down the identities of the unwelcome guests currently in the kingdom and how dangerous they were, I stopped.

“Should I believe this?”

Princess Laratu had a strong misunderstanding about me due to Giovanni.

‘No, I can’t exactly call it a misunderstanding.’

Because I couldn’t be straightforward with Princess Laratu. But I didn’t know what to do.

There was a high possibility that the princess wouldn’t believe what I said in the current situation where she harbored resentment towards me.

I even stared silently at the letter that mentioned another boating trip.

“Should I turn this into an opportunity?”

I muttered unintentionally.

The letter was crumpled in my hand.

“An opportunity to capture these guys.”

In the dimly lit prayer room at midnight, the sound of flesh meeting flesh echoed eerily in the sacred space where people prayed to the gods.

Thud.

Aris, whose firm cheek had been nicely burned, smiled with her lips pressed against it.

“Princess Laratu went on another boating trip. For now, I’ll do as you say, but can I leave it to your friend? Don’t let the princess get hurt. Just enough to scare her, okay? I have to play the role of saving her in crisis because of Ignazio.”

“This friend of yours is supposed to be a professional. You’ll be the princess’s new friend.”

“You said your friend is a bit rough.”

She muttered with a slightly uneasy expression.