“What absolute nonsense,” Kayan muttered, but his gaze moved to the door.
This was the direction in which the cringing woman disappeared.
“My apologies, Your Highness,” said Liam, Duke Blair’s monocle-wearing aide, bowing low.
But things are in the past. This disaster was a completely unexpected mistake.
“Who would have guessed that my shadows were just decoration?” Kayan asked, his voice tinged with sarcasm.
“Should I put them back out?” Liam offered.
“No, the Salt King is not a fool.”
Their original target was the precious First Princess. Tighter security will certainly make any further attempts futile.
Caian Blair, the master of a vast region that rivaled most kingdoms in size, was leaning back in his chair, and let out a bitter laugh.
His shadows had kidnapped the wrong person, a woman whose lies were as funny as their misfortunes. Despite her disheveled appearance, she had a certain dignity that was far from ordinary for someone who was supposed to be a slave.
Her clear pale skin and light blue eyes, characteristic of the royal Soult lineage, revealed her identity. Even with her disheveled hair and dirt-stained face, her beauty was breathtaking, attracting Kayan's keen attention.
If his guess was correct, the kidnapped woman was not just a maid or slave, but the illegitimate daughter of the King of Soult, who had recently been brought to his attention in reports.
Thinking of the woman, Kaiyan's expression became ambiguous.
“By the way, there's something fishy I didn't mention earlier,” Liam interrupted.
"What is it?" Kayan asked.
Spies at Salt Royal Castle report that Princess Lemia is ordinary and uninterested in her duties. It seemed like a huge mistake, but… Liam hesitated, adjusting his monocle.
The eyes behind the monocle became serious.
“According to the shadows, that woman was seen approving documents in the princess’s office earlier.”
Not only did her appearance resemble that of a princess, but she was also wielding the royal seal, which caused the shadows to act confidently.
But what they failed to take into consideration was that her clothes were very ordinary and did not belong to a princess.
After adding these details, he bowed his head towards Kayan.
“So... it might be wise to consider the possibility that this information is accurate.”
The Crown Prince of the Kletan Raiden Empire desired Princess Limia, who had shown exceptional skill in diplomacy over the past few months.
However, Salt King Berga was biding time, seeking greater gains through his daughter. He allowed meetings between Raiden and Limia, but refrained from giving any definitive answers. Recently, he even ended up completely imprisoning Limia inside the royal palace.
Did this push Raiden, who was used to getting everything he wanted, to the brink of madness?
He has ordered Kayan Blair, the Duke with the power to send elite knights, to kidnap Limia in exchange for a secret deal.
But… what if, contrary to Raiden's expectations, Limia turned out to be nothing more than an idiot who stole the credit for other people's achievements?
“She said with her mouth that she was a diligent slave.”
Remembering the previous situation, Kaiyan's lips curved into a slight smile.
A trick in the trade negotiations with Princess Limia this time. Do it smart. It is enough for a competent person to notice it.
“As you command, Your Highness.”
Kayan knew well.
Wise Crown Prince Raiden was not pursuing Limia out of love or emotion, but merely out of practical interest.
If the woman he desires turns out to be a worthless illusion, will his irrational obsession continue?
Boom.
The heavy double doors closed, leaving Kaien alone in the spacious room. His gaze automatically fell on the bag lying on the ground.
"Send me back? I don't even dare ask for it. I'm hardworking—really! If you let me live, I'll gladly work without pay!"
Her face was as wrinkled as that sack.
Her behavior - for all its subservience - was a far cry from what one might expect from a royal family. Usually, even a hint of noble blood gave her an aura of arrogance.
If he were to judge honestly, she didn't look like a noble woman at all.
If it were not for her distinctive features and rare beauty, he might have accepted her claim to be a slave without question.
Swoosh.
Kayan got up from his seat and picked up the bag.
When he turned it over, he noticed tear stains in the shape of her face.
“…ha.”
A quiet laugh escaped him before he could stop it, echoing through the empty room.
* * *
“You are not allowed to leave this room until the investigation is complete.”
"…concept."
“Even if the need arises to go out, it will not be possible without the express permission of His grace.”
“I got it...”
Honestly, the words of the man with the glasses did not reach my ears.
My view was entirely fixed on one thing...
“I just want to lie down.”
Bed.
The huge bed in the room I was taken to.
If you try to escape, we cannot guarantee your safety. In this case, you may find yourself in underground dungeons—
“Excuse me...”
The man stopped talking, pushing his monocle up with his middle finger.
Is this a habit?
Fortunately, finger movements like that didn't mean anything offensive here.
He turns a blind eye.
With my very innocent expression, I asked the important question that had been on my mind the whole time.
“When's dinner?”
If you're thinking of using the dining room as an escape, stop thinking. Meals will be served here.
“Oh, I see.”
I lowered my head, feigning despair.
“Even better.”
I could barely suppress my smile, and internally celebrated.
For some reason, the man with the monocle seemed pretty sure I was going to try to escape.
Why? What's the point of returning to Salt at all? If I succeed, I will return to being a slave.
I knew that better than anyone else. My father, the Salt King, would not suddenly change his treatment of me, the illegitimate daughter, just because I was kidnapped and brought back.
“…Are you really listening?”
“Y-yes?”
His grace does not waste His mercy. Be thankful for the life you have survived, and be humble—
I felt a little sorry for the man, but his words passed lightly through my ears.
My attention was fully focused on the bed in front of me, and my concentration had become like a spider's thread.
jingle.
“...I'll watch.”
When the door finally closed, I pressed my ear to the crack to make sure there was no sound coming from the hallway.
Step, step.
My bare, bruised feet sank into the comfortable carpet.
The man's long words left me with only one clear message.
In summary…
“I'm trapped, aren't I?”
The room was very huge - so much so that I could liken it to a sports field compared to the storeroom I had in the Royal Palace of Soult.
When I looked away from the bed, I noticed a small door leading to a bathroom and a bookshelf full of books.
Trembling, I clenched my fists tightly.
I was trapped. Confined.
I won't be able to leave no matter what. All meals and activities will take place in this room.
There was no telling when I would get out, or if I would be released. The so-called “investigation” they mentioned seemed to have no specific timeline.
In this case…
“Let's sleep.”
plop!
I threw myself on the bed, and the soft mattress welcomed me as if it had been waiting for me the whole time.
The luxurious comfort of the high-quality covers almost brought tears to my eyes.
"Yes."
Who would have thought that kidnapping and detention could be so luxurious?
I celebrated silently, smiling widely before falling into a deep sleep.