DTRAF 27

~Chapter 27~

How did this happen?

I looked at two people who seemed like they didn’t belong in the same space together.

Crown Prince Bastian and Viscount Garnet were sitting face to face, drinking tea.

It looked as strange as a prince and a bandit sitting in the same frame.

“Lady Amelie is lucky. She has a father who drops everything and runs to her like this.”

“Ah, y-yes… that’s right…”

Bastian put down his teacup and spoke. I forced a smile.

It seemed he hadn’t heard me and my father shouting at each other earlier, like we were competing over who could yell louder.

‘Is the Crown Prince’s palace soundproof?’

That silly thought hit me, and suddenly I felt embarrassed about how I had acted earlier. I glanced sideways at my father.

But the moment Viscount Garnet met my eyes, he quickly turned his head away.

‘…Is he sulking right now?’

With that big body and stern face, is he really sulking just because he argued with his daughter?

“A very good father indeed. He cares so much that he doesn’t even let me go outside.”

“…Ahem.”

I exaggerated on purpose, saying it with sarcasm. My father coughed loudly in warning.

‘And you think I’ll stop there?’

“After this incident, he seems even more worried. He told me not to step foot in the Imperial Palace ever again…”

“When did I ever say that?!”

Ahem!

Viscount Garnet jumped up, angry, but then quickly sat back down when he remembered Crown Prince Bastian was watching.

‘So even his fiery temper doesn’t work in front of young royalty… Status really is everything.’

And I had decided for today—

“I’ll use this noble Crown Prince as my shield.”

“Hahaha. So that’s why the two of you were arguing loudly just now.”

“…Did you hear everything?”

“If I didn’t, then it means my ears don’t work, Lady Amelie.”

Bastian laughed cheerfully, leaving me no room to deny it.

‘Well, of course. No way he didn’t hear us. Not only my father, but I was also shouting my lungs out. Anyone in the hallway must have heard it too.’

“Your Highness, to be honest, this incident happened because of the palace’s poor security.”

My father suddenly spoke, while I tried to hide my embarrassment by drinking tea.

It was true, but… saying that so bluntly? Wasn’t that dangerous?

But Bastian didn’t look offended at all. Instead, he listened seriously.

“Another problem we must mention is the knights.”

My father continued firmly.

“No matter the reason, a knight lying and putting a lady in danger is unacceptable.”

“That should never happen.”

“And the leader of this was supposed to be under house arrest. Yet, just because he’s a Duke’s son, he came and went from the palace freely. That’s unfair.”

There wasn’t a single wrong point in what he said.

Even Bastian stayed silent, deep in thought.

Finally, he spoke:

“Everything you said is right, Viscount Garnet.”

“The guards released part of the security too easily, and the knight order’s old problems caused this incident. One reason I came to see Lady Amelie today is to apologize for that.”

“What? There’s no need! Prince Richard already apologized. Please, Your Highness, you don’t have to do that too!”

The moment I heard the word apology, I panicked.

‘Please stop. I’m just a normal citizen at heart, and too many apologies from royalty are overwhelming…’

But Bastian didn’t stop.

“As Commander of the knight order, it is my duty to apologize.”

“I-I already received enough apologies…”

“I sincerely apologize for letting you suffer because of my shortcomings.”

“…Yes.”

“This is a new form of torture—being attacked with apologies by royal brothers.”

“Richard may have told you, but we’ve already decided to increase security across the palace. You won’t be in danger, even at the knight training grounds.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“And the knight order will be reorganized as well.”

“That’s—”

“Excuse me, but my daughter will not be visiting the knights anymore.”

Just as I was happy with that news, my father cut in again!

Seriously, can’t he ever let things go?

“Viscount Garnet, I understand your care for your daughter. But strict control will only bring the opposite effect. Lady Amelie is already an adult.”

“Exactly! That’s what I’ve been trying to say!”

I felt such relief, as if I had been suffocating and finally got a sip of fresh water.

“She has always been weak since childhood. If she pushes herself helping the knights—”

“I will discuss that matter directly with Lady Amelie. So you need not worry, and you can return to your work.”

“What?”

“You left your work to rush here, didn’t you? It’s fine to return now.”

“But still—!”

“I also have things to discuss with Lady Amelie. Please, go.”

Bastian smoothly pushed my father out, no matter how he resisted.

It happened so fast I just stared blankly at the empty seat my father left behind.

“At last, we’re alone. I’ve wanted to speak with you for some time, but the chance never came.”

“Ah… you said you had something to discuss with me?”

Being left alone with Crown Prince Bastian filled me with tension.

“I heard you’ve changed recently. Is it true?”

“Ah… yes.”

Finally, it was here!

The event that fooled me before—was it finally happening for real?

I looked at him with the purest eyes I could, waiting for his next words.

“They say you once made Lysa uncomfortable.”

“Yes… that’s true.”

“And your relationship with Richard wasn’t good either?”

“Yes… that’s right…”

“And now, suddenly, you regret it and get along well with both of them? Do you really think that’s possible?”

“That is…”

My confidence crumbled.

Even though he asked with a slight smile, something about him made me shrink.

It was less about proving myself now—more about hoping he wouldn’t drag out all my past mistakes and scold me.

‘Wait… was him defending me earlier in front of my father just bait?’

“Keep staying with the two of them, Lady Amelie.”

“…Sorry, what?”

I thought a warning was coming, but instead—he told me something unexpected.

“Keep going to the knight order. Don’t leave Richard and Lysa’s side.”

“But didn’t you just say it’s strange I get along with them now?”

“The past should stay in the past. I don’t want you to grow distant from them.”

I couldn’t understand him at all.

Normally, if someone bullied the people you care about, you’d want them far away.

But he was telling me to stay close?

‘Wait… could it be?’

That uneasy feeling returned, along with a forgotten suspicion.

Above Bastian’s head, I saw a lock emoji appear.