As the annoyed voice of the guard rang out, Nelia thought Layton might make a scene, and she had no choice but to get up.

She had intended to drop by home today to vaguely tell Layton about the events at the Duke’s, but he had barged into the palace instead.

When Nelia approached the back door, her eyes met Layton’s.

Layton’s face lit up instantly.

“Nelia!”

The guard looked at Nelia and mumbled among themselves.

“Isn’t she… Duke Hart’s maid?”

“Seems like it.”

Though she had never used the back door and was unfamiliar to the guards, it seemed news about her had spread quickly.

The guards glanced at Nelia a few more times before approaching to ask, “Do you know this man?”

“…Yes.”

Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

Nelia once again vowed to catch Layton in some big mistake and lock him away in a monastery.

“Heard her? Let him go!”

As Layton struggled, the guard let go of his clothes.

“As I said, without a pass, you can’t enter.”

“Ah, fine! I won’t go in!”

Layton glared at the guard.

Sighing, Nelia led Layton to a remote corner outside the castle. It was a distance that wouldn’t affect the Duke.

“Why are you here?”

“You’ve been missing since the lunar eclipse. Do you know how worried I was?”

Pondering her response, Nelia found an appropriate excuse.

“I tripped on my way to the Duke’s and hit my head on a tree, knocking myself out. It was so dark I couldn’t see well.”

“What?!”

“Luckily, a butler found me unconscious and took me to the Duke’s.”

Although Layton scolded her for being clumsy, Nelia paid little attention.

She had one more explanation to make.

“And Layton, about that night. You said you saw the Duke bound in chains, entering a building.”

“Ah, right. What was that all about?”

“It was just the Duke moving some chains to the storage. The suspicious people you saw were priests preparing for a memorial service for the late Duke.”

Nelia clarified, concerned Layton might spread rumors.

Fortunately, Layton didn’t seem suspicious and mumbled, “I see…”

“Anyway… did you really come all this way to see me?”

Nelia couldn’t quite believe Layton had come to the palace just to find her.

He could’ve gone to the Duke’s earlier, but it seemed like he hadn’t.

“Ah… well, just because.”
Layton’s answer was lukewarm.

He had been subtly glancing at the inner palace for a while now. His gaze had even become quite blatant.

“More importantly, Nelia.”

“Why?”

“Is it true that you can’t enter without a pass?”

Ah… Nelia sighed and touched her forehead.

It seemed that coming to see her was just an excuse after all.

“What are you curious about?”

“No… I wanted to see the necklace I dropped that day once more.”

Nelia snorted.

“Are you out of your mind? You almost swung a fist at the Crown Prince because of that! If it weren’t for me, your neck would have been severed by now!”

“I know, I know… but I heard something else.”

He keeps hearing strange stories from somewhere and bothering her.

Last time, it was his curiosity about the Duke, and now Elena’s tears?

“Don’t joke around and leave. I have work to do.”

“Nelia, just once! You’re close with Duke Hart. Can’t you ask him… Ah!”

While grabbing Nelia’s arm and pleading, Layton was suddenly flung and slammed onto the ground by someone.

“The audacity to loiter near the palace.”

Nelia looked with a stunned face at the man who had just slapped Layton away.

The blond and supremely handsome man was wiping his hands, as if he had touched something untouchable.

Upon seeing him, Nelia asked in astonishment.

“…Your Highness the Crown Prince?”

Yes.

The person who had casually thrown Layton to the ground was Crown Prince Carlos.

Carlos finished wiping his hands and approached Nelia.

“Was he harassing you? If so, throw him into the dungeon immediately.”

For a moment, Nelia felt tempted but seeing Layton gripping his waist and moaning, she came to her senses.

Ah… As embarrassing as it is, she would have to reveal that this ruffian was her brother.

“Your Highness, thank you for the help, but that man… is my brother.”

Carlos’s eyes turned toward Layton. When their eyes met, both twisted their faces.

Because, naturally.

Of course, that doesn’t mean they will greet each other amiably.

Carlos cautiously asked.

“Why are you here?”

Getting up from the ground, Layton brushed off the dirt on his bottom.

“I came to see my sister. She collapsed on the street the day before yesterday and hasn’t returned home.”

Nelia clicked her tongue internally.

Worried about her? He came to see Elena’s tears.

“Then you should have left courteously.”

Carlos folded his arms and spit out a cold voice.

“The guards won’t let me in, so how could I… I mean…”

Suddenly raising his voice in frustration, Layton seemed to realize his opponent was the Crown Prince and quickly lowered his tone.

Nelia, worried he would cause another scene, intervened.

“…Layton, go home. I will come by today.”

Fortunately, Layton seemed to catch on and nodded.

About to leave, Nelia jabbed Layton in the side and whispered.

“Politely greet His Highness before you go.”

Layton pouted but soon composed his face and looked at Crown Prince Carlos.

“It was an honor to meet you again, Your Highness. I apologize for causing trouble today. I will take my leave.”

“… ”

Carlos neither acknowledged the greeting nor changed his expressionless face.

Layton rubbed his butt as he disappeared. Watching his retreating figure, Carlos turned his head and spoke to Nelia.

“Sometimes it’s helpful in life to sever old ties.”