Fernando raised his sword and looked outside. Examining the carriage, he noticed a circular dent on its exterior. Clearly, something had flown and collided with it.

Observing traces of several impacts, Fernando discovered scattered pieces around him. Fragments of a fountain statue and wood-like objects were scattered everywhere.

If someone did such a thing…

“Please, save me.”

At that moment, someone’s pitiful moan grabbed Fernando’s attention. He saw a woman lying with her waist against a tree, reaching out towards him. Seeing her, Fernando raised his sword.

“S-s-save…”

Without clearing the wood aside, Fernando raised his sword, causing the woman to look at him with terror in her eyes. Tears welled up in her eyes, thinking she would die, disturbing the nobility.

In the swaying view, as the man swung his sword, the woman closed her eyes tightly. It sounded as if the sword was cutting through the wind. However, she felt nothing, and when she opened her eyes, she was surprised. She wanted to die, but for some reason, she felt light. Then, noticing the tree that had been pressing on her body was split in half, she expressed her astonishment.

“Get out.”

With the sword in hand, Fernando moved away as if to indicate that his help was done. Behind him, the woman pushed the wood aside and awkwardly got up, leaving the spot.

“What a mess.”
Fernando’s observation of the fountain was that it seemed to have exploded. Watching the shattered remains, he surveyed the surroundings.

The area was in chaos due to the explosion of the fountain. Fragments flew, and trees collapsed.

Cries for help echoed from various places. It seemed that there were people nearby who suffered injuries, but there didn’t seem to be many dead. Perhaps because the largest shard flew towards the carriage, they might have been spared.

What did that mean? Did it accidentally fly towards the carriage? Or…

Fernando’s expression hardened rapidly. He immediately rushed towards the carriage, leaving Etienne behind.

He had told her to stay in the carriage because it seemed unsafe outside. Could it be that it was a trap?

Fernando urgently approached the carriage and peered inside.

“…Etienne.”

Etienne was gone.

⭐⭐⭐

“What are you talking about? An explosion?”

“It happened in the city center, so the guards have been mobilized. They are investigating what happened.”

“Any casualties?”

“We are still confirming. No one caught in the explosion has been found yet, but many people have been injured by the aftermath.”

Upon Alex’s report, Leharht sighed.

“This should just be considered an accidental event, but why do I feel so uneasy about it?”
As if someone had taken action as soon as they appeared.

Understanding Leharht’s intentions, Alex nodded.

“I will check on the Second Prince’s whereabouts.”

“He was near the fountain earlier. So, we need to find out if he caused the explosion or if he was swept away by it. Since it’s the way to the royal palace, I will investigate. Assistant, find out the overall situation.”

“Yes, sir.”

As Alex moved away, Leharht gazed towards the city with a heavy expression. Such an incident happening before entering the royal palace…

“…Etienne.”

Many were heading home, just like him. He began to worry if something had happened to her.

Unable to decide whether to go to the city or enter the palace to investigate Rudvi, Leharht was lost in thought. Alex hurried back.

Given the short time to assess the situation, Leharht looked at him. Alex quickly reported, “There are people who were near the explosion and got caught in the aftermath. A young couple who got off a carriage… Currently, we are trying to identify them.”

Carriage, young couple… The ominous image of Etienne, who returned with Fernando, being involved in the accident flashed through Leharht’s mind. His thoughts turned white.

“I will check it myself.”

He couldn’t bear not confirming Etienne’s safety firsthand. ⭐⭐⭐
“Wouldn’t a welcome ceremony for me be nice?”

Rudvi, looking at the completely ruined fountain from a distance, spoke to someone.

“Since no one welcomed me when I came out, I thought I’d express my disappointment somehow. What else can I do when no one welcomes me?”

Rudvi smiled as if enjoying himself. One hand was propped against his chin, while the other extended a nail file to trim his nails.

His relaxed appearance made it impossible for anyone who had just caused a commotion to be seen.

“You’ve changed a lot while in the palace.”

A woman, watching the chaos centered around the fountain, spoke to Rudvi.

“Tell me how I’ve changed.”

“You’ve become scarier.”

At the woman’s honest words, Rudvi let out a short laugh.

“Being trapped in an empty palace leaves nothing else to do but think. So I thought, what did I do so wrong? I’m a prince, and I have a lot to hold on to. But I’ve come to realize my thoughts were short. I was indeed young two years ago. To openly cause a commotion like that… I don’t hold all the power, and I can’t just do as I please.”