"His Majesty the King has ordered me to return with His Excellency the Grand Duke, so I will wait a few days until the Grand Duke returns."
Therefore, he was a little confused by the words of the messenger.
Even if Meridy's visit was an official itinerary, there was nothing good about it being known to the royal family now.
Theodore looked around, trying to hide his expression.
"I know that you went to look at the mines of Thebes. The palace of Jantar is much closer to Thebes, so I will send a falcon there."
However, despite Theodore's words, the chamberlain shook his head.
"Young Master Halias, thank you for your consideration, but I also hold the King's command. Moreover, the Grand Duke has bitten the King's name more than once or twice."
The consequences of his father, Grand Duke Halias, quietly ignoring the King's order were harsh this time.
What if Liana bursts into tears in the room while he's in Halias?
So what if it is discovered that Halias is secretly carrying Meridy's blood?
Liana is taken to the royal family, and Halias may be accused of kidnapping.
The opponent was a royal nobleman who could not be killed under the guise of an accidental death, and a relative of the King.
If you give him a guest room at the far end of the upper floor, the guards will guard the door day and night.
"Haha."
Theodore laughed as he pretended to be relaxed.
"The royal family's trust in our Halias was that much, so I have to reflect on it. If you do, do as you see fit."
The chamberlain sat down at the table without knowing the speed of others and picked up the tableware with a relaxed face.
A chef wearing a high hat appeared on a large plate with ornate guinea fowl.
"It's called Gunner Burger, the chef of Halias Castle. It's been a long time since I've had a royal guest, but some things are lacking in the rush to prepare. Thank you for your understanding."
The chamberlain chuckled.
"Is this an inadequate dish? There is no way not to envy the absent Grand Duke."
Looking at the chamberlain, who seemed to be in a good mood all the time, only Theodore let out a secret sigh.
***
Late that same day, Theodore walked quietly past the chamber where the
Chamberlain was sleeping.
He quickly passed through the escort knights and went to Garcia's West Tower.
When he had no father or brother, Garcia was the only one he could turn to for advice.
When he reached Garcia's residence at the top of the tower, a small shaman smiled as if she had been waiting for him.
"The royal guest has arrived."
Theodore sighed comfortably.
"That's right, Garcia. The Royal Chamberlain is on the same floor as Liana. Did I make a mistake? I think I should move Liana to the servants' quarters now, but I'm afraid she'll be surprised."
Instead of answering, Garcia turned and looked at the sky.
It contained enough stars to pour down in the clear summer sky.
"Mmm..."
The shaman didn't answer for a long time, and finally turned to Theodore.
"I protect her. You should take the chief of the chamberlain to the royal city."
"Empty your nature? But Garcia..."
Theodore hesitated, but when he saw Garcia's green eyes sparkling as much as the stars, he stopped talking.
Then he asked another question.
"How does Garcia look? I brought Liana to Halias. Is it okay for her or for us?"
Garcia hardened her expression in surprise, then burst into laughter.
'I didn't know that Master Theo had such a problem."
Of course, Theodore often brought something or someone he liked.
"Don't make fun of me, Garcia... There were always circumstances that had to be like that..."
Garcia couldn't wipe the smile off her face when she heard Theodore's excuse.
"She will be here for a long time. Don't worry, you're doing your job.
Garcia's wrinkled hands slid against Theodore's high shoulders.
Theodore flinched and grabbed her hand.
"It is enough. Garcia has a lot of work to do here, so you're going to save your energy. I will protect my body."
The shaman withdrew her hands and folded them together for a moment, as if in prayer.
"Take care of yourself, Master."
***
The next morning, a little after hours, I heard the sound of horses' hooves again.
"Phew."
I breathed a sigh of relief and tried to look out the window, but Dorian pulled me close to the window.
"You have to be careful because you don't know who's leaving, baby."
I was surprised at the nanny's caution.
She seems to be kind and gentle, but she is still a person from Halias.
After some time, I heard a knock.
Knock.
"Nanny, baby. It's Suzy."
We were holding our breath just in case, but we were finally relieved by a familiar voice.
Dorian gently opened the door, and Suzy held out an envelope to me.
"...For me?”
"Master Theodore told me to tell you."
Suzy looked a little puzzled, but Theodore had been to the library with me.
You know that I read properly.
When I opened the envelope, I found neat writing.
[ Dear my youngest child, Liana,
The royal family's urgent call forced me to vacate the castle.
My father and brother are away, and I'm sorry that I'm leaving too.
Garcia will be responsible for the safety of your and Shion while I'm away.
Garcia is the guardian of our castle, so you can absolutely trust her and follow her.
She's one of the strongest I know.
I'll be back soon.
Your second brother, Theodore. ]
Let's put aside the little things like Theodore Halias called me 'my beloved youngest' or 'your second brother"
'Leaving for the royal family?"
Shion and I are just children, but all the proper Halias have vacated the castle.
Isn't there something terribly wrong?
Dorian's expression was also very dark as she read the letter with me.
"Doriyan..."
The nanny held my hand tightly
"It'll be fine, baby. Nothing happened."
"But..."
I wondered what kind of pretext the royal family had given Theodore to take him, but there was no way that Dorian, who had been with me the whole time, would know about it.
Even if she knew, she wouldn't be able to tell a three-year-old kid such an important thing.
"Liana, did you have a hard time?"
Dorian went outside to check on the situation, and then Shion came to me.
'It's hard.'
It couldn't have been hard to be locked in a room for a day.
I had a nanny, and she gave me so much to eat.
In my previous life, I had been locked in a meditation room for days, so the sight of Shion crying for me was awkward and a little strange.
I'm more worried about Theodore's departure than that...
I shook my head, and Shion looked down at the letter in my hand.
"Oh, he left me a letter too."
"...Really?"
When interest was shown, Shion opened the letter and began to read it.
"My beloved brother Shion... Please keep a close eye on the youngest Liana until your family returns."
Then he added gently.
"You're right. Now that I'm the only Halias in this city. I have no choice but to protect you."
The words made my mind flutter
'Is there only one Halias left in the castle...'
It was definitely an opportunity for someone.
I decided to attack Shion to find out the reality.
Dorian would hide the truth so as not to scare me.
I clenched my molars and let go, and then opened my mouth to appease Shion.
"Tion... Brother."
Of course, it was the first time I voluntarily called him my brother.
I deliberately smashed my pronunciation, but it was a shudder.
However, Shion's face was unraveled as expected.
"Hmm, why?"
"This is..."
I lowered my voice as if to tell a secret, and Shion leaned toward me and listened even more.
"Huh?"
"Brother Theo... Do you know why he went to the royal family?"
Shion shrugged his shoulders, sighed heavily, and stroked my head.
"You wonder about that?"
Then I lowered my voice and whispered.
"Actually, I heard it because I was begging the butler... The royal court sent a messenger to bring my father to him."
"The Grand Duke himself?"
Shion nodded.
"But you know, my father went to Meridy. He is probably still there, but it would be a problem if the chief chamberlain waited for my father in our castle. Liana, what if he finds you during his stay?"
So in the end, you went because of me?
From the moment I first read Theodore's letter, something that had been steaming in my heart stabbed me.
'I don't have a good feeling."
Again, I don't have a good feeling.
Shion saw my face, almost frozen, and changed his words in a panic.
"Oh, no.... I'm not blaming you, Liana. Absolutely not."
Then he quickly added.
"It's because you don't know our Halias, but there are no big humans who have invaded this castle anyway. If it's Alseid Halias, the monsters beyond the North Wall will tremble."
Shion kept trying to convince me
"It's His Majesty who can't do anything to my father. He must have sent his servant to take my father with him... Nothing will happen in Halias, Liana."
Yes, it should be...
However, there is a fact that the confident Halias rich have completely overlooked.
"Edipa Sischel."
If he had succeeded in returning to Bachel, he would not have died, and if so, he would surely return.
Like me in the past, he only knows the purpose.
He doesn't care how nasty the Halias are.
He's a puppet of Bachel, who is older than me.
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