Ch. 31: Doubt [1]

I quickly recovered myself and lowered my body to make a bow.

"I greet the Emperor of the Chrono Empire."

"You may rise."

I straightened my back and met his magenta eyes.

"I will get to the point. You foolish son. I will leave my Knight here to prevent you from doing something stupid again."

With that, the Emperor walked to the door and left. Err... just, THAT? As he left us stupefied, we couldn't help but exchange glances with each other before the Knight that was left by the Emperor broke the awkwardness with a couple of coughs. He approached me and bowed his head.

"I greet His Highness the Prince of the Chrono Empire. My name is Ulrich and I will be your temporary escort Knight assigned by His Majesty the Emperor."

"Sir Ulrich you may rise."

He straightened his back and a young man around his late twenties with baby blue-haired and light green eyes came into view. Just look at him, the Imperial Coat of Arms on his chest that gave away his identity without even being asked.

'He is an Imperial Knight that served directly under the Emperor.'

Damn. I wanted to curse right now. Was it really okay to have him as my escort Knight? Even though it was temporary, it was still too much in my opinion.

"I will be in your care, then."

"If you need anything, please feel free to call me."

I nodded and he left the room. I turned to Fedel. Let's get back to business again.

"Fedel do you remember the book given by Alexander? I can't find it. Could you look for it?"

"As you wish."

I rolled my feet to the couch and sat. Picking up my teacup, I sipped my tea whilst waiting for Fedel. Not long after, he handed me the book. I placed down my teacup and upon receiving it, I looked at my head butler.

"By the way, Fedel. I'm so sorry for the trouble I've caused."

He smiled.

"It's alright, Your Highness. Doing things wrong and making mistakes isn't a bad thing, it is simply part of the learning process."

"Thank you."

"You are welcome. Then, I will excuse myself. Please call me if you need anything else."

I nodded and Fedel left the room. As I flipped the book, suddenly Fedel opened the door that he just closed a few seconds ago and approached me. I was confused seeing his strange behavior.

"Count Andreas has come to visit, Your Highness."

I sighed and put the book on the table. There were surely a lot of visitors today.

"Let him in. Also, the tea was cold. Please assign a maid to replace it."

"I understand."

Soon afterward, a handsome young man with blonde hair entered the room. His smile bloomed like a flower in the spring season. Somehow I wondered if his cheeks ever felt numb? 

Upon arriving before me, Chislon bowed.

"I greet the Prince of the Chrono Empire." 

"You may rise and please have a seat."

The Count sat across from me. Maids immediately arranged refreshments and poured tea for us then left the room. We enjoyed our tea before starting the conversation.

"It's been a long time since we met, Your Highness."

I nodded in agreement.

"Yes. It's been a long time, Count Andreas."

"I'm so glad to hear that you finally regained your consciousness."

"Thank you."

Chislon heaved a tired sigh.

"Your Highness, please be mindful of your actions from today onwards."

"I will."

As if memorized something important, the Count's expression abruptly lit up.

"Oh! Also regarding--"

However, he didn't continue his words. His serene-looking face was nowhere to be found, and even his smile also vanished. This was the first time I saw his expressionless face. I trailed his eyes and the Count could be seen gazing at the book on top of the table. He turned to me.

"Your Highness, where did you get that book?"

"Alexander gave it to me."

Chislon massaged his temples.

"Your Highness, you should not blindly receive random gifts especially, given by Desdemona's Family members. For your information, that book was banned hundreds of years ago by the Empire."

I was dumbfounded at the sudden revelation. If this book was banned, how come Alexander could get his hands on this book?

"Why is the book banned?"

"It has controversial contents. I highly recommend for Your Highness to throw away that book."

–Tuk –Tuk –Tuk

I tapped the book as I stared at it before switching my attention back to Chislon.

"Have you read this book?"

"Yes, I have. That's why I recommend for Your Highness to throw it away."

I glanced at the book once again. I couldn't throw this book away. I hadn't even read a single letter from the book. Just what kind of book was this? A controversial content that could shake someone's sanity? I was curious. 

"For now, I'll just keep the book and I will decide later on, whether I should keep it or throw it away."

"Fair enough."

Chislon lifted his teacup and took another sip of the tea.

"Just make sure Her Majesty doesn't know about it."

"As long as you don't report it. I guess I'll be fine."

The Count abruptly looked at me in disbelief. 

"Oh, my goodness! Did Your Highness just doubt me?"

"Hmmm..."

I shrugged and drank my tea. A brief silence filled the room before finally Chislon opened his mouth. Of course, I didn't miss his change of expression and tone.

"Your Highness, if you don't mind, may I ask something?"

"Sure."

The handsome blonde young man stared right into my eyes.

"How did Your Highness manage to kill the assassin?"

"First, let me ask you something. How did you know I killed the assassin?"

"Her Majesty requested a custom-made Telesphere with a tracker plant inside it. Not long after Your Highness's disappearance, we were able to track Your Highness and we followed after."

I see. It made a lot more sense now. I presumed that they found Trickster's corpse but failed to find me as I was found and saved by Alexander.

But, why did he save me? No matter how much I think about it. It didn't make sense at all. The one who fated to kill me was now saved my life. Somehow, I couldn't seem to comprehend the way he thinks.