“Delfina, do you know how the daughter of the Feregrino family died?”
I asked Delfina like someone hypnotized. She was startled and quickly shook her head. His fingers trembled constantly, clearly showing fear.
“I-I, I… about that unrest…”
The girl who was about to become the Prince's Princess died at the hands of the cursed Prince. The rumor spread everywhere, and until now I still believe it to be true.
“Did Cesar… really kill her?”
Was the Cesar I met really so cruel that he would kill?
Of course, he is somewhat aggressive towards others. In fact, there had been conflicts with the Queen's knights, and before that there had been conflicts with the guards. In the process, someone was injured.
But it was not an act of intentionally harming others, but almost an attitude of self-defense.
That, I can guarantee.
Cesar always has a reason for every time he attacks others.
“Cesar really… killed someone…”
I muttered, and Delfina looked down as if confused. Her hands tightened on her apron.
“Like I… I didn't know…”
That scene made me unable to ask more questions. In my head right now there are only dark clouds of dark thoughts.
“Yeah, I said something weird.”
“……”
We finished our early morning makeup session in awkward and extremely unusual silence.
All day, I had to go around the Emerald Palace looking for Cesar who disappeared without any explanation. I don't understand where he went and skipped breakfast.
“Today I was going to learn something new, but where did you go…”
Suddenly, in front of my feet, a small pebble fell. Looking up, I saw Cesar. Feeling relieved to find him, but the location is dangerous.
He was hanging on the top of the highest tower of the Emerald Palace. So tall that he looked as tiny as a little finger.
"Oh my God!"
Looks like there's just enough room to sit. Just move a little and you will fall to the ground and be seriously injured. Yet Cesar still waved to me.
I shouted, my voice sharp as a knife:
“Cesar, it's dangerous!”
My whole body shivered and I got goosebumps. But he didn't show any fear. I was worried he would fall to the ground, his feet continuously hitting the floor.
Not caring about my worries, Cesar prepared to jump.
The situation before him was unbelievable, he jumped from the top of the tower.
“……!!”
I didn't understand what I looked like, I just closed my eyes tightly, not daring to scream. I don't want to see people fall to the ground and die.
But wait forever, no sound
poof
or any collision? Only heard light footsteps approaching.
"Lace."
The whisper calling my name from Cesar was like the last words... last words?
"EH?"
Opening my eyes slightly, I saw Cesar standing there. Whole body intact. I blinked a few times, wondering to myself: is this an illusion?
He was still standing there, completely intact.
“Hehe.”
Hearing that light laugh, a new feeling of reality rushed back. My heart skipped a beat, I felt lightheaded.
“Tsk…”
Heart pounding, shoulders shaking. I wanted to say something, but kind words couldn't come out, only panting.
“You idiot!”
I screamed without realizing it. Cesar was startled, his eyes opened wide in surprise.
“What if… what if I fall!”
My voice mixed with crying, I quickly ran to him, feeling all over his body looking for wounds.
No matter how closely it is inspected, there are no scratches and are still completely intact.
"It's OK."
But hearing that, I became even angrier.
"It's okay? How can you jump from such a high place!"
Looking up at the top of the tower, I felt dizzy and wanted to sit down. At least four or five stories high. Normal humans cannot jump without danger. How can he get down?
“I… it's okay…”
Maybe because I raised my voice, Cesar was a bit frustrated. Imaginary ears and tail appeared again, drooping to the floor.
“……Idiot.”
Looking at that scene, I was both angry and helpless. Who is the one scaring others? Tears welled up in my eyes.
“You're really not hurt, right?”
"YES."
Using my sleeve to wipe away his tears, I examined his body more closely, probing every crevice with my hands, in case I missed any injuries. But Cesar was still completely safe.
“How is that possible?”
How could he jump from that high and still be intact? Is he really human?
Cesar glanced at me as if understanding my thoughts and sighed. I really want to sigh with him but don't know what else to say.
“What is the guardian doing like this?”
As the feeling of panic subsided, anger was directed at the knight. They let him jump from that high without any care? Their role is to protect their master, but…
Looking from afar, the group of knights approached. The 2nd Company of the Knights of the Rosy Cross, directly under the Queen's command.
Walking slowly, they arrived at their destination, making me wince. Too late, there are no words to describe it. I walked up and the company commander, white and familiar, came out.
His arm was wrapped in bandages, a mark of his previous battle with Cesar.
“Are you okay?”
How can it be okay? I pointed to the roof of the tower, my hands shaking.
“Did you know Cesar jumped from up there?”
But no one answered. I looked back. Their faces were stiff and motionless. I can't give up either.
“I ask, do you know what just happened?”
Asked again, their lips twitched in unison. The atmosphere changed immediately.
The company commander stepped forward and looked at me with arrogance.
“It's fine if nothing happens. From the looks of it, there's no problem.”
He pointed at Cesar, his voice as if to say: Even if someone jumps from the top of the tower, don't care.
“Maybe your mission is something, right?”
Hearing that, they stopped laughing. Am I laughable? Not at all. Anger reached its peak.
“I will report this.”
The company commander smiled crookedly and coldly.
“You have to know moderation.”
Shocked by these words, I lost my soul. Looking closely, all the knights looked at me, smiling arrogantly.
“What?”
“So who are you going to report?”
I hesitated for a long time, then replied:
“Coming, Queen….”
Mentioning the Queen, the company commander burst out laughing, then stopped and said contemptuously:
"The Queen only ordered this place to operate normally, but didn't care. It would be different if the Great Prince reported directly, but what should I do with such a clumsy prince?"
Laughing at Cesar's clumsy tone, the group laughed loudly again. They were sent by the Queen to the Emerald Palace, but had no reason to protect me. Cold down my spine, I gritted my teeth, trying not to show my fear.
I walked forward, put Cesar behind me, then took a step back.
The company commander smiled contemptuously. He stepped forward, his voice threatening:
"Princess, it seems you don't understand worldly things. Do you know?"
“W-what?”
"Even if you disappear here... no one will care. You're just the fifth Prince."