After becoming ‘Angelica,’ I had experienced a fair share of surprises, but what was unfolding before me now was arguably the most shocking of them all.

The unexpected return of Philipp Schujen, who I thought had fled after being fatally wounded, and leading the Imperial Knights at that.

I glanced up at Hades. What could he be thinking right now?

‘……?’

I blinked. Hades’ face was utterly composed. It was a challenging expression to maintain unless he had anticipated Philipp Schujen’s abrupt reappearance.

“Welcome back, Count Schujen.”

As if that weren’t enough, he even greeted Philipp Schujen with an impassive voice.

But not everyone could maintain their composure like Hades.

“How dare you show up here, Schujen!”

One of the more senior knights stepped forward and erupted in anger.

“Watch your mouth!”

The Imperial Knights that Philipp Schujen had brought with him were also not idle.

Philipp Schujen turned his head to restrain them.

“Let’s calm down; there was a misunderstanding.”

“What misunderstanding are you talking about? Why should the Count receive such treatment……!”

“Quiet, Charlie. Or I’ll send you home.”

The knight called Charlie clamped his mouth shut but still shot us angry glances. I felt terribly wronged. Philipp Schujen was the one at fault, yet he acted as if he were magnanimous.

Philipp Schujen stepped closer to Hades and spoke.

“Where is the traitor?”

Hades’ lips twitched.

“You’re too late, Count. He has already escaped.”

“……!”

My eyes widened. Tobias was undoubtedly tied up in the dungeon, so the ‘traitor’ they were talking about was…

Hades looked around at Donovan’s knights.

“Allow me to introduce Count Philipp Schujen, the ‘real’ Count we were supposed to welcome.”

I opened my mouth but closed it again.

Everything began to make sense.

The odd behavior of Philipp Schujen that Hades had been puzzled about, his reckless actions despite being backed by the Empire, and the teleportation stones he had prepared as if planning to escape from the beginning.

William, equally baffled, questioned.

“I heard there’s magic to change one’s appearance. But it’s impossible to match height and voice with Count Schujen, Your Highness! Don’t fall for their outrageous excuses!”

Philipp Schujen stroked his chin.

“Your Highness’s loyal Knight Commander is correct, except for the part where you all thought the person posing as me changed his appearance through magic.”

I licked my lips. I began to understand what Philipp Schujen wanted to say. If my thoughts were correct…

“The person you saw is also Schujen. He is my twin brother.”

“……!”

At that declaration, not just Donovan’s knights but also the Imperial Knights began to murmur. Judging by their reactions, it seemed the Imperial Knights had no idea what the twin had been up to.

“Is this explanation sufficient?”

“More than sufficient, Count.”

Not sufficient at all!

Yet, no one dared to contradict Hades. He ordered the knights to assemble the ministers in the conference room and headed there with Philipp Schujen.

Naturally, I accompanied him.

I tried to indicate that I’d prefer to stay in the room, but Hades had no intention of letting me out of his sight.

“Every time you’re out of my sight, something happens. Who’s to say it won’t happen now?”

“And who’s to say it will?”

“……Saint.”

Hades’ voice took on a pleading tone.

“At least until that Schujen is captured, listen to me.”

I swallowed dryly. Had Hades outright coerced or commanded me, I would have resisted. But how could I ignore his concern expressed in his plea?

“Alright.”

I answered slowly.
“But if we find Shujechin, then you have to let me roam alone from then on. I can’t live like this forever.”

Hades shrugged his shoulders.

“Anyway, it’s not like there’s much life left for you. So, you can live like that for a lifetime.”

“Hades!”

Hades smiled.

“Now you always call me that way.”

I licked my lips. Come to think of it, I had been calling him by his name without any hesitation. Of course, I addressed him as ‘Your Highness’ in front of others, but the fact that his name had become so casual indicated something.

Unlike how Hades was still wary of me, I had become very comfortable with Hades.

‘It shouldn’t be.’

It wouldn’t matter if Hades trusted me as much as I trust him. But for whatever reason, Hades had not let go of his suspicions about me.

The fact that I had unconsciously let my guard down with Hades meant that I could be led around by him in the future.

‘…I should leave.’

Thankfully, if the story of the game has not changed, the protagonist and his party will soon reach the duchy. If I leave with them, I won’t have to worry about Hades anymore.

The conference room we finally reached was already bustling with arrived bureaucrats. Hades sat at the highest seat, to his immediate right sat me, and to his left sat Shujechin Byeonbaek.

After letting in a few, including Sir William, Hades sealed the conference room door.

He opened his mouth with a stern voice.