Chapter 18
Even if he's the vice-captain of the Royal Guard, I feel like there's a limit to what he can do alone—but if having him nearby eases Rudo's anxiety, then I won't say anything.
While sipping the warm tea the maid brought and chatting idly to ease the excess tension, the unusually long alarm finally stopped.
"Is it over...?"
"Hard to say. Until someone comes, do not leave this room. If something happens, peel off that wallpaper and use the hidden passage to escape outside."
When I pointed and said "there," I meant the bookshelf, and since Rudo looked between me and the bookshelf with a puzzled "Wall?", I gave him a nod.
I explained that there was a door in the wall behind the bookshelf, normally hidden with wallpaper, and Rudo, excited, began staring intently at the bookshelf.
"There's a horse and supplies prepared outside. A messenger was likely sent to the castle in advance, so once we link up with allied forces, we'll be safe."
"You're quite informed."
Unlike his earlier monotone, the voice that murmured with what sounded like admiration made me flinch inwardly as I turned around and looked up at Altried, the owner of the voice.
"I've been taught all the escape routes and methods. You've heard them too, haven't you, Altried?"
"Yes, Rudo is also aware of the passage in the bedroom. And you don't need to use honorifics with me. Right now, I'm just a bodyguard."
"But..."
"Rudo is far nobler than someone like me."
Since he calls the Crown Prince just Rudo, I guess he's saying not to use honorifics with him either... This guy's expression barely changes, so it's really hard to tell.
"...But you're from a Duke family too, Altried."
"I'm the second son."
Second son or third, he's still far above a Count family—that much is certain.
If I'm not to use honorifics, then what should I call him...?
Altried-san? Or maybe just Al? Or even "Second Son"?... Yeah, no way.
(Why am I even in the same space as these people?)
Maybe they feel the same way—both the maid and the guards standing in the corner are all stiff-faced, trying to maintain a blank expression.
Wishing I could join their side, I sighed inwardly and stood up, approaching the window.
"......"
It's already been dozens of minutes since the alarm stopped, but Rona still hasn't shown up.
The firelight outside hasn't gone out—in fact, it seems to have increased. I squinted, and I could barely make out people moving in the darkness.
"Uh... Altried-san. Do you know anything about Srelan?"
I hesitated for a moment on how to address him and chose the safest option.
Since he's a Royal Guard, I figured he must know something, and I asked without ever taking my eyes off the window.
It's not that I'm afraid of being scolded for calling him something weird because I hesitated.
It's just that I can't look away—because gathering information about the outside is an important task. Yeah.
"I understand it to be a barbaric country where battles and wars are commonplace. In the Kingdom of Srelan, queens are not recognized, and only direct male descendants inherit the throne. However, they seem to value strength more than bloodline or character, so the order of succession changes frequently, and the struggle for the throne never ends. I've heard that in recent years, the First and Third Princes have been competing."
"Grandfather said that the western royals lead from the front lines."
"The battlefield must be the best place to demonstrate strength in terms of military power."
But strength doesn't just mean military might.
To rise in the line of succession, other factors like factions and supporters are also important.
"Who is the most influential person?"
"The Third Prince."
"What about the child of the legal wife?"
"The First and Second Princes, and the First Princess, are children of a princess brought in from another country. The Third and Fourth Princes are children of concubines, but since their mothers are from the Marquis families of their own country, their factions and financial backing are likely immense."
I listened, thinking there's no way I'd ever meet someone dangerous enough to rise by crushing their siblings—but if I enter military school and go to the battlefield as a trainee, I might encounter Srelan royalty.
I decided to ask Grandfather or Uncle Ruget about the Third Prince in detail later, and I held my breath as hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway.
"Celes!"
Without even knocking, the door burst open and Colonel Nick's face appeared.
"We're short on time and manpower. Hurry up and come!"
With no explanation, Colonel Nick just said what he wanted and turned his back. I let out a deep sigh.