You, be my colleague (2)
I held onto the wall and went up the stairs, where I could clearly see the situation on the first floor.
The sofa had collapsed, the table had been pushed to the other side, the chess board that had been on the table was upside down on the floor, and the chess pieces were scattered in a mess.
Beside them lay Baba and Kalit, entangled. Kalit's sword pointed at Baba's neck, was still stained with blood.
"Your Highness!"
"Stop, Little Duke."
Ian approached but stopped in his tracks at the sight of Kalit. Rahon simply watched.
Baba, who was lying under Kalit, asked calmly.
"Why is our noble first Prince like this?"
"Halo died because of you."
"Halo? Who is that?"
"The servant who reported you to Oslo."
"Oh, that little rat had a name. I didn't know that."
"Halo Guiltimothy. If you kill someone, you should at least remember their name."
Now I understand the situation. Baba had reported the spy to Oslo, and it seemed that he was one of Kalit's men.
'I was planning to get revenge on Baba.'
So I let Baba get caught up in it.
I had a feeling that Kalit was not what his reputation suggested. I could see the blade hidden behind his lazy smile.
But I thought he would be cool-headed and calculating. I didn't know he would care enough about his own people to take revenge.
Baba's mask was soaked with moisture because the tip of Kalit's sword had stabbed his neck.
But Baba was relaxed. His body, slumped as if he was about to sleep, showed no sign of defense.
"So, you're trying to get revenge on me?"
"If you've been killing people, you should have expected that the same thing would happen to you someday."
"That's true. But wouldn't it be difficult if I didn't testify about the Third Prince's plan?"
"I'm not so incompetent that I would be at a disadvantage without testimony like yours."
"But I decided to hold hands with Young Lady?"
"..."
Kalit paused for the first time. I took advantage of the gap and made a noise.
"What's going on?"
"..."
Four men looked up at me as I stood on the stairs. Then they exchanged glances. Soon, Rahon nodded slightly and came up the stairs. His voice as he grabbed my shoulder was the same as usual.
"It was just a little noisy because I was cleaning up the living room. It's almost finished, so go in and sleep."
"Rahon."
"Huh?"
"I'm just blind, not deaf."
The living room became quiet. Rahon opened his mouth with a look of guilt but ended up not saying anything.
"Your Highness the First Prince."
"..."
"Your Highness"
Kalit, who had been staring at Baba without moving, slowly stood up. His gray eyes, still looking at Baba, were filled with quietly burning anger.
"Can you spare me a moment?"
"..."
"Please."
Kalit threw down his sword fiercely and came up the stairs. I could smell blood as he approached me.
"Come this way."
I felt my way back to Nicola's bedroom, following the wall. It wasn't until I was halfway down the hallway that I heard footsteps following me.
I went into the bedroom first and sat on the bed. Then Kalit came in and closed the door.
"Please sit down."
He was staring blankly at me, then he pulled up a chair and sat down.
"I feel a little excited to be alone in the bedroom with my Young Lady at this hour of the night."
Unlike his frosty face, his voice is affectionate.
He hid his true colors even in this situation. Well, he was the kind of person who spoke politely to Baba
"I want to hear an explanation. What happened?"
"Someone I care about has died."
"Is Baba involved?"
"He reported it to Oslo."
"... That's too bad."
"If you want to say that Baba is innocent because Oslo killed my man-"
"I did not mean to say that, Your Highness."
Kalit closed his mouth with a look of surprise.
I don't know how much Kalit cared for the man named Halo.
I had no right to judge why he was reacting so badly to the death of a mere child.
One of the reasons I want to take revenge on Oslo now is to protect someone precious to me.
I was no different from Kalit.
Of course, Baba is an important person in my plans, but that's just my business.
It was greedy to expect Kalit to take my position into consideration.
"I understand Your Highness."
"... It sounds like you're saying it's okay to kill him."
"If that's what you want to do, then yes, go ahead."
He stared at me quietly. There was a hint of exploration in his persistent gaze.
"I don't know. What do you want?"
Kalit is the person who became the most miserable because of me in my past life.
I sincerely wanted to compensate him for the ruin I had caused by giving him whatever he wanted.
"Your Highness, I wish to gain greater gain in exchange for Baba's life."
"The greater the gain..."
Kalit thought back on my words calmly. As expected, no matter how excited he was, he quickly regained his composure.
"Your Highness needs a solid power. A solid power that will establish you in a position that the Third Prince cannot even dare to step on."
"I will soon be crowned Crown Prince."
"Becoming the Crown Prince does not guarantee you the throne. It can change at any time, don't you know that, Your Highness?"
"... It seems like you're saying you'll give me that power."
"Something big is about to happen. How about exchanging that for Baba's life?"
Kalit laughed in disbelief.
"I guess Baba is important enough to violate your duty of neutrality."
Although it is not Baba himself but his other powers that are important. Anyway, Kalit's words were not wrong.
"Yes, he is important to me."
Kalit immediately raised his eyebrows. His expression of displeasure made me feel a little more sorry. You really must have cared for that Halo guy. That's why you don't like me trying to stop him from getting revenge.
Kalit nodded after a moment of silence.
"Okay, I'll give in this time."
"Thank you for your understanding."
"Instead."
"...instead?"
"I'll take whatever I want in return."
"Is there anything else you want?"
"Once I am crowned Crown Prince, there will be talk of an engagement."
"Well, I guess so."
Kalit still didn't have a fiancée.
Considering the royal family's characteristic of getting engaged when they were young and marrying as soon as they became adults, it was relatively late. Kalit held my hand still.
Looking at his face, I had a strangely bad feeling. Could it be because there was a meaningful smile on his lips?
"Get engaged to me."
For a moment, I didn't understand what he was saying. I asked stupidly.
"Just now what did you say?"
"You were the one who said I needed strength. If you get engaged to me, all my problems will be solved."
"Do you want me to violate my duty of neutrality again?"
"I won't ask you about the future. And you shouldn't tell me anything either."
Even without me having to divulge the future, Kalit could have gained a lot from just being engaged to me.
Suddenly, the thought of a private meeting with the Emperor came to mind.
"If the First Walker becomes engaged to the First Prince, all problems will be solved at once. The First Prince will be able to be put forward as the successor moderately and naturally without unnecessary fuss."
At the time, I thought it was the Emperor's joke, but could it have been something he had discussed with Kalit to some extent?
"Engagement?"
My mind went blank at the unexpected situation. I panicked and grabbed Kalit's fingertips.
"Your Highness, please reconsider. The information I have is far more important than the engagement."
"I'm sorry, but I'm more attracted to you."
"Your Highness..."
"It's a big concession, but it has to be worth it. I don't make moves that will result in a loss."
As he said that, I grabbed Kalit who was trying to stand up. I was so anxious that my mouth moved on its own.
"Your Highness, I want to marry the person I love!"
He smiled softly. I was bewildered by the smile that seemed completely out of place in the situation.
Kalit kissed the back of my hand.
"Love me."
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