“…… So, I’m thinking of moving together with His Highness the prince. His Highness has also granted permission.”

Perin Ilain’s face was clearly marked with anxiety as she delivered the news.

“I heard Lady Elaina is in the western region of Edenbell. The same goes for Prince Chaez. They’re probably trying to stage a hostage situation. That filthy bastard.”

“But to advance with only the minimum troops left behind. Are you saying Lady Anellie agreed to that?”

“That’s what I’m saying. Given Lady Anellie’s personality, there’s no way she would have……”

Voltaire and Dwain muttered in disbelief, and Perin shook her head slightly as if she didn’t know either, and continued.

“I heard there was a big commotion at the imperial palace over the matter. But anyway, since the advance was decided, it seems Sir Sinclair succeeded in persuading Lady Anellie. I think it’s a good thing.”

Perin, who was unable to witness the ‘big commotion’, let out a sigh of relief.

“Anyway, I’m going to the imperial palace now. I’m thinking of joining up with the private soldiers of the Ilain family. What are the rest of you going to do?”

“I will send my private soldiers to the imperial palace. The number isn’t large, but it will still be much more helpful than nothing.”

“I’ll have to talk to my father first. We should also check if there are any nobles harboring other intentions, taking advantage of His Highness the prince’s absence.”

Dwain and Voltaire answered in turn.

“Then Lord Ryan……”

Eventually, the gazes of the three turned to Ryan, who was sitting quietly without saying a word.

Ryan’s face was subtly hardened, as if he was lost in thought.

Rather than simply being surprised by the news of Elaina’s abduction, his face seemed to be filled with a sense of defeat for some unknown reason.

So the three didn’t press Ryan any further and quietly waited for his answer.

“…….”

Ryan, who had been biting his lip slightly, clenched his fist tightly on his thigh.

…… How miserable.

How stupid.

Having turned his back on his family and gone against his father’s will, he couldn’t ask the Henard ducal family for help either.

Even if he went and begged on his knees, the outcome would be the same. Duke Henard still disapproved of Ryan getting involved in political strife, and even now, he hadn’t revealed his political intentions.

But he couldn’t go and rescue Elaina together with Sinclair like Perin either.

The battlefield was a story far removed from Ryan’s world.

As a nobleman, he received basic training, but it was literally only enough to protect himself. His martial arts skills were far from being able to save or protect someone.

‘Damn it…….’

What have I been doing with my life? At best, looking into books and accumulating useless knowledge? What meaning did that have?

Throughout his life, this was the first time he felt such a deep sense of defeat. Ryan was painfully realizing his helplessness in not being able to do anything even in this situation.

For the first time in his life.

“Lord Ryan……”

As if understanding his feelings, Perin muttered in a troubled voice.

“…… I understand for now.”

And it was after a considerable time had passed that Ryan, who had been sitting still like a statue, finally opened his mouth.

“Lady Perin, please go to the western region with Prince Sinclair. Lord Dwain, support with private soldiers, and Lord Voltaire, inform your father of the current situation and grasp the movements of the nobles.”

“Yes, that’s what I intend to do.”

“…… I will observe the reactions of the imperial citizens.”

“The imperial citizens?”

Lord Dwain made an expression as if asking what that meant, and Ryan continued in a low voice.

“Even if the nobles are all brought together and Prince Sinclair returns safely with Her Highness the princess, if the imperial citizens are dissatisfied with the current situation, it will literally lead to a catastrophe.”

Yes, I can’t do anything.

I can’t fight on the battlefield, nor can I borrow the power of my family.

But he couldn’t just sit and wait, doing nothing.

So Ryan decided to do the only thing he could do now.

“Even though it has been revealed that Crown Prince Hister is the culprit behind the emperor’s assassination and a warrant has been issued, there will be people who don’t believe it all. The same goes for those who still suspect Prince Sinclair.”

“…….”

“I will go to the market, observe the public opinion of the imperial citizens, and try to persuade them.”

“But Lord Ryan, will it really be okay?”

The one who asked the question was Perin Ilain. With an unusually serious expression that didn’t suit her, Perin looked straight at Ryan and asked.

“Persuading the imperial citizens is not as easy as you think. Besides, they’ll find out anyway as you talk to them. That Lord Ryan is supporting Prince Sinclair.”

There was nothing wrong with what Perin said. Even now, with the situation being so turbulent, there was a considerable possibility of getting into trouble if he tried to persuade those who didn’t trust Sinclair.

“Many of the imperial citizens dislike war itself, regardless of the reason. And at the same time, they harbor resentment towards the nobles. It’s a well-known fact to everyone that you are the only son of the Henard family. Will it still be okay?”

“…….”

“If you’re doing this because your pride is hurt from not being able to do anything, it’s better to stop. I’m sincerely advising you. Sometimes, petty pride can ruin your life.”

At Perin’s sharp point, Lord Dwain and Voltaire looked at Ryan. They also knew. That what Perin said was right.

“It’s not just because of such pride.”

However, Ryan’s response was determined.

“Of course, it would be a lie to say my pride isn’t hurt. But I……”

“You?”

“…… I want Princess Elaina to be able to return to Edenbell safely and rest comfortably without any noise.”

“…….”

“If that’s the only thing I can do for the princess, I will gladly do it. That is my true feeling.”

There was not a hint of wavering in Ryan’s eyes as he faced them. So Perin realized anew that his feelings for the princess were genuine.

…… How pitiful. Of all people, it had to be the princess.

“Okay.”

Perin let out a short sigh and nodded as if she understood.

“Just in case, I’ll attach some of the Ilain family’s private soldiers to you.”

“I will also join immediately after discussing with my father.”

“Me too.”

With the agreement of Voltaire and Lord Dwain, Ryan slowly got up from his seat. Then, looking at the remaining three, he said.

“There’s not much time since the advance will happen soon. Let’s move right now.”

* * *

Unfortunately, with a broken leg, she couldn’t even draw attention for long.

Elaina ran and ran desperately with a limp, but not long after parting with Chaez, she was caught by the soldiers rushing towards her like a swarm of ants.

“Damn it!”

Slap.

With an unpleasant curse, Elaina’s head was violently turned.

“Where did you send the little prince off to! Speak up now!”

The soldier grabbing Elaina’s hair seemed to be filled with anger, his hand gripping tightly.

“Speak! I said speak!”

The soldier threw Elaina to the ground with all his might, then began kicking the fallen girl several times. But Elaina just curled up her body and endured the ruthless beating without giving any answer.

‘Judging from how they’re interrogating me about his whereabouts, he hasn’t been caught.’

“You crippled bitch, to the end……!”

Then did he manage to escape safely?

He must have.

Ignoring the soldier’s voice and immersed only in thoughts of Chaez, it was at that very moment. The surroundings became quiet, and the atmosphere turned chilly.

And Elaina finally realized that the soldier’s kicks had stopped.

“…….”

Elaina slowly raised her head with a swollen face.

Then, she saw Hister looking down at her with a stiff face.

Hister, who was biting his lips tightly, was missing one arm.

“Y-Your Highness the Crown Prince……”

The soldier, who had been violently attacking Elaina until just now, bowed his head and muttered softly, and Elaina tried to maintain a calm expression as she faced Hister.

“It seems you failed to take over the imperial palace after all.”

Then, she began to move her dry lips as if mocking him.

“You even lost an arm. Are you going to use me as a hostage now? Hister Butler.”

“…….”

“But even if you do that, it won’t be of much use. Because I have no intention of being used by you at all.”

Anger was clearly reflected in the golden eyes resembling Sinclair’s. But Elaina didn’t avoid his gaze until the end.

“Ugh……!”

And in an instant, Hister bent one knee, grabbed Elaina by the collar, and glared at her, saying:

“Are you sure about that?”

“…….”

“Let’s see. Whether you can still run your mouth like that after I break your other leg, cut off your fingers one by one, and crush your limbs.”