The atmosphere in the hall sank even more somber. Knights, including Machi and Rendolz, stared at the viscountess with cold eyes.

If she uttered nonsense, it seemed as if they would draw their swords immediately.

Cahilun’s expression remained unchanged. He just released his grip on the viscount’s neck mercilessly. With a thud, the viscount, who had collapsed to the floor, gasped for breath, holding onto his throat.

“Witness?”

Inquiry laced with a cold and indifferent tone made the viscountess shudder.

The viscountess, who had observed the First Prince for the past few days, thought the rumors surrounding him had been exaggerated.

Although he could be cold at times, his authoritative demeanor, typical of royalty, and unexpectedly gentle demeanor compared to the Second Prince made her think the rumors were blown out of proportion.

However, the once-relaxed atmosphere had disappeared entirely.

The now completely changed First Prince seemed like he could pierce her with his gaze. Despite having managed the upper echelon for years and dealt with numerous human situations, the man standing in front of her was someone she couldn’t handle.

Regret for causing unnecessary trouble welled up belatedly, but at this point, there was no way to step back.

“Yes, Your Grace. When Lady Vi left the mansion with Viscount Linton, there were people who followed them.”

When the viscountess subtly gestured, the butler brought the chambermaid and a knight. Sylvia, whose appearance was disheveled, kneeled with her knees to Cahilun’s feet, and the knight bowed his head with a fist pressed against his left chest.

“Explain the incident at the outpost to Your Grace.”

The viscountess demanded, but Sylvia, with a bewildered expression, only trembled without opening her mouth.

Unable to confess the truth about Reneola’s denial, Sylvia kept silent.

Fearing that if the First Prince sensed the truth, he might not leave Reneola alone, Sylvia tried to buy time. However, her actions seemed to support the viscountess’s claim even more.

While the knights were trying to conceal their confusion, Cahilun, with an indifferent expression, stared at Sylvia, waiting for her lips to part.

“Tell me what happened.”

“Well, that… it’s… that…”

Sylvia stammered and hesitated to continue her words. Frustrated and reaching the limits of his patience, Cahilun clenched his teeth.

Although he felt like grabbing her collar to forcefully make her explain what happened, she was someone Reneola cherished.

Cahilun turned his eyes to the knight bowing his head next to her.

Aware of the situation, the quick-witted knight looked up with an expressionless face.

“Your Grace, Lady Vi left the mansion with Viscount Linton. We immediately tried to follow, but unfortunately, we lost them. I apologize, Your Grace.”
It was a brief report, but the message it conveyed was clear. As the incident, once considered improbable, solidified into a fact through the words of a colleague, the knights’ shoulders stiffened.

“That can’t be. Is it possible for someone who was deeply shocked upon hearing about Your Highness’s accident to suddenly run away? It doesn’t make sense.”

“Yes, something is off.”

Machi and Rendolz objected, recalling Reneola’s last moments.

However, confusion also clouded their expressions as the one reporting the flight of the First Prince and Viscount Linton was none other than Cahilun’s knight.

Cahilun, who had been clenching his lips firmly, asked the knight, “Where are the others?”

“Yes?”

“I heard two knights were guarding Lady Vi.”

At Cahilun’s words, the viscountess gave a slightly puzzled look. She hadn’t yet mentioned the dead knight due to the First Prince’s return being faster than expected.

“What do you mean by that?”

The knight frowned.

“Is there someone else who guarded Lady Vi besides me?”

It was an unfamiliar memory. When the commander led the knights to find the First Prince, the knight who guarded the side of Lady Vi was the only one. Sylvia, looking below furtively, seemed puzzled as if unsure of what was being said.

Cahilun’s jaw tightened as he stared at the two. Observing the visibly anxious viscountess, Cahilun coldly asked, “Then, where is the person who reported about the landslide?”

“…He lost his life while receiving treatment due to severe injuries.”

Although it was a prepared answer, the First Prince clearly didn’t believe it. Sensing that things had gone awry, the viscountess clutched her dress. Cahilun glared at the viscountess and ordered, “Immediately close the Siez Territory, thoroughly search the mansion and its surroundings.”

“Yes!”

As the knights received the command, Cahilun spoke icily, “Detain the viscount and his wife, find the Siez Territory’s knight reported dead. Even if buried, bring him before me.”

Despite Cahilun’s orders, the rumor that the First Prince had closed the Siez Territory spread quickly.