Having confirmed that the dark red dot enveloping Lonowe had disappeared, I headed thoughtlessly toward Jeff’s office.

‘What’s going on? It went back to normal so quickly?’

What on earth happened? I crossed my arms and continued to steal glances at Lonowe’s back.

‘Could it be that the root of the notion is hiding within him?’

It was fascinating how his mood could suddenly shift, one moment talking about Scholar Pegel or whatever, and then quickly becoming calm, chuckling.

‘However, I can’t be sure, since it doesn’t seem like he’s been eroded.’

Something definitely seems to be going on with Lonowe, but there’s no way to know. After all, I had verified through Lilles that the book he was reading when he first expressed his notion had not been infiltrated.

Clunk—!

While lost in various thoughts, I was startled when the office door suddenly swung open.

Initially, I thought Jeff would come out making some loud noise to scare me, but the person I actually encountered was unexpected.

“Princess, this is a first for me to see such a scene.”

Caught off guard, I didn’t respond to Carlile’s question that suddenly came beside me.

Strong hostility hit me like an arrow as my eyes met those of the blonde maid—or spy—being escorted out by the knights.

“Why would a maid come out of His Majesty’s office in that state?”

“Exactly, Carlile. The atmosphere doesn’t look too good.”

Swallowing my saliva, I followed Carlile’s conversation flow so he wouldn’t notice.

Unless she’s insane, she wouldn’t attack here, but knowing she’s a clear enemy, I couldn’t keep a pleasant face.

“Humph!”

Whether it was because Poppy had once torn the hem of that maid’s dress, she made an unpleasant face, and fearing that Fleur would explain everything to the children, I opened my mouth to change the subject.

“Peekaboo~.”

And at that moment, Jeff made a hopping rabbit sound with his mouth, blocking the spy from my sight.

Without arousing anyone’s suspicion, he naturally drew close to the group, diverting attention away from the blonde maid.

“Our daughter’s voice led me here!”

Though I admired his intelligence, seeing him still with numerous ribbons in his hair evaporated my pride.

‘Oh my, does he plan to wear those ribbons forever?’

Why do I feel a headache coming on? I sighed, holding my forehead with one hand.

“How wonderful to meet such adorable friends! Shall we all go to the room and have some fun?”

“No, actually, we were—”

I tried to clarify our purpose, but Beris’s voice was louder.

“Really? I’ve never played with His Majesty before; this is exciting!”

Damn it, damn it! Frustrated, I made a sulky face.

“We’ll have to ask another time.”

“It seems so.”

Jeff, you’re complicating things!

I understood why he invited us to play in his office, but separately, I stood frozen, weighed down by fatigue. My feet simply wouldn’t move.

“Princess, please come in.”

“Alright, I’ll be there in a moment.”

Finally, I turned my body unwilling to answer Carlile calling me from behind. I didn’t feel exhausted enough to collapse, but my body felt as if it weighed a ton.

“As cute and charming as me, someone to do their hair~.”

“Here I am!”

And Jeff entertained the children well enough that I didn’t need to play the nanny.
Thus, the simple-minded children completely forgot about the toys, and Ronowe sincerely praised the strange hairstyle of Beris that Jeff had arranged.

“Why are you standing still, Your Majesty?”

Unable to bluntly say that he didn’t want to join their play, he hesitated.

“Ah! Maybe you don’t know what to do? Then Ronowe will help you!”

“Eh~?”

Then Ronowe, who had made the decision on his own, briskly grabbed his hand and led him forward.

‘Where on earth is this tiny body getting all this strength?’

Wondering if she was hiding some sort of power, he trudged along, matching Ronowe’s stride.

“Your Highness, make His Majesty’s hair pretty too!”

“Just a moment!”

And in the end, he had to suffer for several hours among Jeff and the children. When he finally gained his freedom, he skipped dinner and fell fast asleep, only to wake up when it was pitch dark.

Flutter[dash].

“Is the spy caught today in prison by now?”

Having woken up, he stepped onto the balcony for some fresh air.

The sky, a mix of dark blue, purple, and black, was densely studded with stars, as if various colorful jewels had been embedded.

“It seems they were trying to slander me.”

It would take some digging to find out who was behind it, but it was likely someone from a defeated country.

Pondering the information he’d belatedly heard from Hailey and Miranda, he tightened his grip on the handrail.

‘Was the intent to cause chaos by cutting off my lineage, as I am the only one under Jeff and Hecate?’

It was somewhat belated, but he thought Sasha had keen intuition.

“If I disappear, the privileged will vie for the crown.”

It was natural for those who bore grudges against Hecate and Jeff to target him as well.

“A power struggle would weaken the throne in no time.”