I still do not understand why he cherishes me so dearly. I have no inkling how his feelings ignited, nor what processes they underwent to grow.
At Heinrich's confession, surprise outweighed flutter, and embarrassment outweighed joy.
"It would be better for you to desire power instead."
Heinrich, perhaps having already anticipated my answer, showed no surprise. Instead, he bitterly shook his head and ended the conversation.
That he so easily predicted my answer was also surprising to me. Each such gesture served as proof supporting his claim of having great interest in me.
Ultimately, he failed to persuade me. However, he clearly expressed his intention that he did not want me caught.
So I decided to accept his help while in this city. At the very least, he certainly knew about Maxel's official schedule and several imperial countermeasures related to me.
I propped my chin on my hand and sat motionless. Had it not been for Tristan's ceaseless wing sounds, I would have fallen into endless contemplation.
[I think I'll continue guarding the farm tonight. They said they're staying overnight in the farm buildings.]
Tristan, in the form of a bumblebee, came in the evening to report the situation.
Zigor was keeping Durahan hidden, but knights were positioned around the farm, making quiet movement difficult.
Judging by the atmosphere, it seemed they intended to put on some sort of show now that they'd come this far.
It was likely a scheme to quell the ominous rumors—the Crown Prince personally stepping forward to display a trustworthy image and win public favor.
This meant that if I took the crying Durahan away, all the credit would go to Maxel.
The rumor would surely spread that after the wise and excellent Crown Prince visited, something evil—whether monster or ghost—fled in fear.
What should I do? I didn't want to see that outcome.
"Zigor. Are you still close with the queen bee?"
[Pardon?]
"It's a flower farm, so surely you went prepared to get stung by bees."
[……Pardon?]
"You have nerves of steel to not be surprised by a headless woman, yet you're making a fuss about staying there."
[I'm sorry, Captain. I don't understand what you mean…….]
"That Durahan, has it calmed down now?"
[What? Yes. Zigor barely managed to soothe it.]
"What shall I do about owing Zigor now."
Tristan gave up answering at my incomprehensible words.
Well, he'll find out soon enough, so there's no need to explain.
"I'll have to go there again."
Would it not run away crying if it saw me again? If it doesn't run, I can just order it to go on a rampage.
I glanced outside and saw the sky had turned pitch black.
"A perfect night for ghosts to appear."
* * *
'Attacking' is not permitted.
Maxel is the Crown Prince, and those guarding his side are nobles and knights.
But no one would interpret being stung by ordinary bees as an assassination attempt.
Besides, bumblebee stings don't kill. And if one sees a ghost and flees in fright, could there be a more disgraceful spectacle?
However…….
"You absolutely must not reveal yourself. Even if it means setting all your subordinates forward!"
"If something happens, just set the entire farm ablaze. If you say divine punishment descended, complaints toward Maxel would pierce the heavens."
"Do you know how hard I've worked to flee quietly all this time, and you say such things without knowing the circumstances?"
"Your journey doesn't strike me as a particularly quiet escape."
I'm not sure if leaving these two together is the right thing to do.
[Don't worry. If something happens, I'll bite that uninvited guest to death.]
No, Nesi. That would cause even bigger problems.
I looked at Nesi with troubled eyes, then turned away.
The two decided to distract the knights surrounding the farm. They had important roles, and being sensible adults, surely they wouldn't cause internal conflict.
"Absolutely do not remove this magic tool. With this, even the knights won't detect Lady Anneli."
Zenon tied the ribbon around my neck firmly. It was the same type Nadav was wearing—he had wanted to tie it on my head, but I insisted on the neck, worried it might come loose.
As I reluctantly received his ministrations, in that moment, I saw Heinrich frowning as he looked this way.
He seemed to have much to say, but soon his lips pressed into a thin line as he held back. Instead, he reiterated what he had been emphasizing.
"If anything seems off, definitely send a signal. I'll set fire near the farm entrance."
Seeing him keep trying to burn a perfectly fine farm, Heinrich must have accumulated considerable stress.
Though I understood his feelings, what I wanted to present to Maxel was shameful memories and rumors.
I hoped he would stay buried in the imperial palace for a while. So that this kind of pointless coincidence would never occur again.
After confirming the two had left to lure the knights, I mounted Nadav and departed slowly. Tristan was following me with noisy sounds.
"Tristan."
[Yes, Captain.]
"Did you attach the bumblebees properly?"
[Yes. I attached them on both sides. None of them noticed at all.]
Both Zenon and Heinrich worried about me, yet they stepped forward to help with this night prank.
And I secretly attached surveillance to both of them. These were bumblebees Tristan had secured cooperation from.
Neither knew that while they were aware I could converse with animals, insects fell within that category as well.
The moment I heard their answer to help me, I thought. I should attach surveillance just in case.
So I could abandon both and escape alone if problems arose. That's why I insisted on entering the farm alone.
"……I see."
Before, I would have considered such behavior natural and moved on. But now it kept weighing on my mind.
I felt that I, and my actions, were too abnormal.
[Captain, are you alright?]
"I'm fine. Let's hurry."
I put strength in the hand holding the reins.
It's not strange.
Constantly doubting and being wary of people's true intentions is a process more natural to me than breathing.
* * *
Durahan was not visible.
Originally, the farm was merely the most recently sighted location, so perhaps it had moved elsewhere. Or perhaps such a monster never existed from the start.
Maxel could not sleep late into the night. Others, judging that Durahan was not here, rejoiced with relief, but Maxel felt deep disappointment in that moment. Only then did he recognize the anticipation hidden within himself.
After rubbing his face with his hand, Maxel finally rose.
"Your Highness, you must bring an escort."
"It's fine. Haven't you all already searched the farm interior? I merely wish to take the air for a moment, so I'll walk alone."
Along with the night air, thick floral fragrance washed in like waves. The moon was bright in the sky, and thanks to that, the surroundings were illuminated without need for torches.
Signs of intrusion remained near the greenhouse, so the knights maintained heightened vigilance.
So Maxel headed toward the flower beds. Anyway, all that could be seen around were flowers, so wherever he looked was comfortable.
Deciding to stay the night here was an impulsive choice. He could have simply looked around appropriately and returned with no issues, yet he insisted on remaining.
Thanks to that, he knew well the hardship of those who came to assist him, preparing temporary lodgings in his absence.
Yet Maxel did not retract his decision.
'A farm in the quiet countryside…….'
Thinking how pleasant it was to have his mind organized calmly, he walked slowly.
"Anneli."
A name that suddenly emerged seeped into the quiet night air.
Honestly, when Maxel took command of the imperial search party capturing Anneli, he harbored some arrogance within.
Even if Roam or the Temple let Anneli slip away, he would not—a baseless confidence that she would not escape from him.
In that sense, if she had truly been kidnapped by Durahan, and if the Durahan said to appear here was the very monster that kidnapped her…….
'I thought I might be able to meet Anneli.'
Maxel had imagined on his way here.
Imagined himself rescuing the kidnapped Anneli. And thus witnessing again Anneli's cold love.
Such imagination was not bad at all. If Anneli clung to him, if she sought love again, he thought he might somewhat accede to her wishes this time.
Since she died and came back to life, surely this time she would abandon excessive greed.
She would only ask to be looked at, to be kept at her side—wouldn't she plead so? If so, he had a mind to reluctantly accept her.
How should this feeling be defined.
"Hah."
If only she had acted a bit warmer and more affectionate, how nice it would have been. Then he wouldn't have succumbed to Lilia's smile.
If only she had acted a bit more gently, leaned on him with a fragile appearance, things wouldn't have twisted this far.
If she had melted his heart well, he would have tried to stop the beheading in the final moment.
Rustle.
From somewhere came the sound of stepping on grass. Maxel quickly turned his head. Unaware, he stood alone in the center of the flower field, quite far from the buildings.
In the cool, faint breeze, dense flower scent spread.
Suddenly, the rumor that perhaps what appeared at this farm was not a monster but a ghost came to mind. Words he had dismissed as nonsense.
Rustle.
The sound came again.
Maxel surveyed the surroundings with a coldly hardened face. Unfortunately, the moon was half-covered by clouds.
In a dark corner of the flower field, he saw a black shadow he hadn't known was there. The distance was considerable, making it hard to identify at once, but it seemed to be a person.
Maxel narrowed his eyes and slowly approached the shadow. At the same time, he gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist with one hand.
"Who's there……!"
The sharp voice stopped abruptly. It was because he saw silver hair glinting in the faint moonlight peeking through the dusky clouds.
Maxel, frozen with widely opened eyes, spoke with a trembling voice.
"……Anneli?"