Ail, seated in the Emperor’s office and receiving reports, suddenly stood up just as the sun was setting. He had felt an inexplicable unease all day, making it impossible to concentrate on his work. The incident involving Elsen and Erita’s escape had various motivations, one of which was to use it as an opportunity to discreetly seize control of the government. And that plan was progressing well. Using the Emperor’s illness as an excuse, they extended their influence not only over matters related to the fugitives but also over military affairs, leaving Ail with no choice but to spend entire days at his desk.

But today, he couldn’t focus. The news that Ruth had left the palace weighed heavily on him. Though Ruth had taken the Third Order knights with him, which should ensure his safety, Ail couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something might go wrong.

Staring at the sky painted crimson by the setting sun, Ail impulsively left the office and returned to the Golden Palace. After canceling his remaining schedule for the day, he went to his room and gave an order to Kaelen, who was guarding his side.

“I’m going incognito. Prepare everything.”

Kaelen appeared slightly taken aback by Ail’s sudden command but quickly composed himself and replied, “The coming-of-age ceremony is just ahead. There’s a chance something dangerous could happen.”

“I’m going to the Kaizel estate to bring Ruth back. Ten men should suffice. It won’t take long, so prepare quickly.”

Ail’s voice carried a resolute tone, leaving no room for argument. Kaelen bowed his head in reluctant acknowledgment.
“I’ll prepare immediately.”

Kaelen had no authority to refuse Ail’s orders. In the past, Ail had expressed similar intentions to go incognito, but each time, Ruth had vehemently opposed the idea, causing the plans to be abandoned. However, Kaelen couldn’t do the same. Unlike Ruth, he wasn’t asked for his opinion—he was given a direct order.

Knowing he couldn’t defy the crown prince, Kaelen quickly readied the knights. Since the mission was merely to retrieve Ruth from the Kaizel estate, he figured there wouldn’t be any major problems.

Neither Ail nor Kaelun could have anticipated how long and tumultuous this night would become.

—

Ruth, who had left the estate in the physician’s carriage, switched to Kamiel’s carriage near the estate. Before the switch, Ruth had arranged to meet the physician at the same spot in three hours. Once aboard Kamiel’s carriage, it started to move slowly. Meeting in person to talk somewhere was too risky, so they decided to converse inside the moving carriage.

“Did you come back?” Ruth asked urgently as he removed his hood. Kamiel silently handed him a letter. Ruth took it, and as he read its contents, his face turned pale.

Watching Ruth’s expression shift, Kamiel began to speak calmly.
“We’re heading there now. But I think we’re already being followed.”

The letter, slightly damp, bore Elsen’s handwriting. It stated that he and Erita had been confined in Salina’s villa but were now staying in an inn in the capital. The letter pleaded for Ruth to come before the night ended, as they were being tracked and wouldn’t be able to remain at the inn for long. It also explained why they couldn’t surrender themselves—Elsen suspected that this entire situation had been orchestrated by Salina and Ail working together.

“Why would His Highness do something like this?” Ruth muttered.

Kamiel, who had evidently already read the letter, replied in a heavy tone.
“If your suspicions are correct, and he truly is as cunning as you’ve said, it’s plausible. The most likely explanation is that he’s using this incident to suppress the Kaizel family and consolidate power under the pretext of the Emperor’s illness. It’s a calculated move, given that His Highness hasn’t had many opportunities to directly intervene in government affairs until now.”

It was true that Ail had been unusually busy since the incident. Furthermore, his use of the Emperor’s office was symbolically significant. While Ruth understood this, he found it hard to believe.

“But His Highness was set to assume regency after the coming-of-age ceremony anyway,” Ruth argued.

“You never know what could happen during the ceremony. For now, he’s securing his hold on power. It’s why the Kaizel family is lying low.”

Kamiel’s reasoning was sound, but Ruth didn’t want to believe it.
“That can’t be true…”

“You were the one who told me not to trust him, Ruth. And I’ve thought this through carefully—this is the most plausible explanation. The Jenin family’s name has already been tarnished by Erita’s disappearance, and the Kaizel family is under scrutiny due to the incident in the Virel region. Even if Elsen and Erita return and prove the Kaizel family’s innocence, no one will believe them. The only ones who’ve gained anything from this are His Highness and Salina Astro.”

At this, Ruth flinched.

“His Highness has gained control of the Emperor’s office, and if Erita is officially disgraced, Salina will have a chance at becoming the crown princess. In fact, society already sees her as such.”

At that moment, Ruth recalled Salina’s visit to Ail two nights ago. She had seemed flustered and pale.

“Elsen… did he escape two nights ago?”

“Probably. The timing fits perfectly. They must have traveled through the night to leave that letter and reach the capital.”

Kamiel’s explanation left little room for doubt. The evidence aligned too well.

Clutching the letter tightly, Ruth began to mumble incoherently.
“Two nights ago… Salina came to see His Highness. Late at night, looking incredibly urgent. His Highness said she had asked for a favor… Was this what she asked for?”

“… Most likely,” Kamiel replied.

In that moment, Ruth bit his lip in anguish.

Yes, when put that way, everything fit together perfectly. How foolish had he been? He had willingly walked into the trap laid before him, even kneeling before the one who had set it. It was as if he had approached a thief and falsely confessed to the crime himself.

Stupid. Foolish. The self-loathing tore at his heart.

He felt as though his head might explode with rage.

“For now, we need to ensure Elsen and Erita’s safety before thinking about what comes next. At this point, it might be better for them to leave far away,” Kamiel muttered, pressing his temples as though grappling with a headache.

Kamiel was in the most difficult position of all. He was part of the royal family, and his wife, Princess Lindsay, was Ail’s older sister. Kamiel was bound by duty to support Ail in these matters. While Kamiel was determined to remain loyal, Ruth knew he couldn’t involve him any further.

“Kamiel, drop me off and go back.”

“No. I need to meet Elsen too. I need to understand the situation in more detail to figure out how to handle this.”

“No. It’s too dangerous for you to get further involved. We need to leave an escape route.”

“Ruth, both you and Elsen are my friends. You’re the people I care about most. I’ll do anything I can to help.”

“No. That’s why you can’t. At least you need to stay where you are. In the worst-case scenario… if something happens, you’re the only one I can ask to look after Mother and Leia.”

“But—”

“Two is better than one because one can cover the other’s back. Please.”

Ruth recalled the time he had said those very words to Ail. He forced a faint smile, bitterly realizing he never imagined he’d use them again in this situation. The memory made his heart ache, and he closed his eyes tightly.

“After I meet Elsen and hear him out, if there’s no other choice, we’ll leave the capital tonight. If possible, we’ll head to Vera.”

“All the capital’s soldiers have been mobilized. Escaping won’t be easy.”

“I’ll figure something out. Just drop me off at the inn and return to the estate. If I don’t return to the palace, I’ll leave the aftermath to you. Make sure the physician and my mother aren’t implicated in this.”

Ruth trusted Kamiel to handle things, allowing him to focus entirely on Elsen and Erita. Sensing this, Kamiel asked worriedly, “You’re… not planning to leave, are you?”

“… I don’t know. If it comes to that, I will. But there’s something I need to confirm first. After that, I’ll decide.”

Leaving could wait. First, he needed answers. Somehow, he had to meet Ail and confirm everything. He had to know if this was truly his doing—and if so, why it had to be done.

Though his mind burned with anger, a flicker of hope remained. He desperately hoped Ail wasn’t behind this. At the very least, he wanted to confirm that it wasn’t Ail’s true intention.

Without knowing why, Ruth fervently wished that Ail hadn’t orchestrated this.