"Your Highness, what are you suddenly talking about?"
"I mean it literally. Please, help me!"
"It's difficult for me to comply when I don't even understand what you're saying all of a sudden…"
Despite having rushed here under the escort of the knights, my path was now completely blocked. I cast a troubled glance at the knight commander beside me.
"Ahem."
Unfortunately, the person obstructing my way was neither a bandit nor an uncooperative checkpoint guard, but rather the first in line to the imperial throne. As a result, the knight commander merely cleared his throat awkwardly and looked away.
"I'm begging you! You're the only one who can resolve this situation!"
"Haha…"
"If you help me this time, I will remember it well and properly reward you. I swear it in the name of Kendrick Winter Clouds!"
And just like that, I found myself ensnared by the prince. Considering how he had been acting so familiar with me all day yesterday, it was only now that he revealed his name and clung to me desperately. I forced a smile and spoke.
"Your Highness. First, I need to know exactly what you want my help with."
"Oh, right. That's true."
As if finally realizing the absurdity of his actions, the prince momentarily wore a blank expression. After taking a deep breath to compose himself, he spoke in a more subdued tone.
"You remember that terrible incident from yesterday, don't you? It seems people have started to suspect that I was involved in it."
His voice was still trembling slightly.
"Just so we're clear, I'm innocent. But from what I've been hearing, the evidence that's being discovered is all pointing at me…"
"Hmm…"
"Us… Usually, in times like these, I would consult with my dear friend, Lord Mayer. But for some reason, I haven't been able to reach him at all…"
His lament, though somewhat disorganized, was easy to understand.
In short, this man was about to be framed for everything.
"Hasn't it only been a few hours since you've lost contact with him?"
"My communication crystal isn't even connecting to him at all…"
"Ah."
If Mayer had cut off the prince so completely, despite his usual talent for using people to his advantage, then the situation was all but confirmed.
'As expected, the emperor is ruthless.'
The prince was indeed first in the line of succession, but that was only because the emperor had permitted it.
If the emperor had truly intervened in this matter, then the prince's political standing wouldn't just be unstable—it would collapse in an instant.
"As unfortunate as this is, I don't believe there's anything I can do to help, Your Highness."
"Sir Whitney?"
There was nothing I could do in this situation, nor any reason for me to go out of my way to assist the prince. So, I simply gave a vague response and attempted to walk away.
"W-wait, why are you acting like this?"
But as the prince desperately clung to my arm, his next words made me stop in my tracks, leaving me utterly dumbfounded.
"I-I know the truth. I know that His Majesty favors you."
"…Pardon?"
"Otherwise, why would His Majesty have taken the trouble to discreetly warn me about you?"
What the hell is he talking about now?
"His Majesty… spoke about me?"
"Why do you think I was so… I mean, why do you think I was looking out for you yesterday? Haha…"
I stared at him in confusion as he continued speaking. Then, before I could stop myself, I let out a soft chuckle and shook my head.
'I didn't think he was 'this' lacking in discernment.'
If what he said was true, then it meant the emperor had secretly ordered him to keep an eye on me.
Yet not only had he misunderstood that order entirely, but he was now foolishly confessing it to 'me', the very person in question?
No wonder the prince was treated like an absolute fool both in and out of the game.
"I heard you have an audience with His Majesty today… Please, I beg you, speak well of me!"
"Hmm…"
"Please… I will make sure to reward you. Okay?"
But looking at it differently, this was actually good news for me.
I didn't know why the emperor had ordered the prince to monitor me, but I could figure that out over time.
More importantly, if I played into the prince's misunderstanding, I might be able to squeeze a significant advantage out of this situation.
'He's usually just a tool for villains, but if I make him 'our' tool, there's plenty to gain.'
Prince Kendrick was easily swayed and timid, but once he was on your side, he could be quite generous.
That's precisely why Mayer had been keeping him under his thumb.
'Besides, the emperor hasn't decided to completely discard the prince just yet.'
From what I recalled, the prince maintained his status as the first in line to the throne until the latter stages of the game, even though he was thoroughly exploited along the way.
That meant if I pretended to do him a favor now, I could gain a valuable asset to use early on—beyond just my connection to Lady Meredia or the "hero" title the emperor had orchestrated.
"It seems you've found yourself in quite a predicament."
Of course, to truly make use of him, I would need to manipulate him just as skillfully as Mayer had.
"But don't worry. I believe I can help you, Your Highness."
"R-really?"
"I actually know that all these accusations against you are nothing but slander and lies."
A spark of emotion flickered in his eyes as I feigned sympathy.
"Especially those vile rumors about your fiancée… They're utterly ridiculous."
"Sir Whitney…"
As I subtly defended him, his expression grew even more moved.
"And this is a secret… but I also happen to know where your fiancée is."
"W-what? Truly?"
"So don't worry. It will be difficult, but I will bring her back. Once she returns, your innocence will be proven in no time."
"I-if that's really true…!"
I had just leaked a small, insignificant piece of information—something I would never have revealed otherwise.
"But in exchange, I must ask one thing of you, Your Highness."
"Huh?"
"As they say, give and take."
The prince stiffened as I gave him a serious look, reeling in my bait.
"What do you mean?"
"I would like you to share with me the secret that only Lord Mayer knew about you."
His face went pale, and his mouth hung open in shock.
'So there is a secret. Was this originally supposed to be revealed in a DLC?'
All I knew was that Mayer had used this secret to control the prince like a puppet.
And in the late game, once it was exposed, the prince lost his succession rights and fell from grace.
But if he took the bait I had just dangled, I could take Mayer's place—not as a manipulative villain, but as a useful ally.
"I have great respect for both you and Lord Mayer. I only wish to be a friend to you both."
"H-hiek!"
"But of course, if this makes you uncomfortable, you're free to refuse…"
I did feel a slight pang of guilt—this was akin to trapping him in a deal where I held all the cards.
But so what?
Unlike Mayer, I had no intention of treating him like a disposable pawn.
"Since what I'm offering is highly sensitive information, I simply need a guarantee of trust, Your Highness."
"I-I don't know what you're talking about…"
"Lower your voice."
"S-Sir Whitney?"
"Please, Your Highness. We wouldn't want anyone overhearing, would we?"
The prince was reluctant, but ultimately, he had no choice.
"Now, let's talk about that secret, shall we?"
°°°°°°°°°
How much time had passed since then?
"Huh?"
Meredia, under the guise of being escorted by the First Knight Order but actually under strict surveillance, arrived at the entrance of the imperial palace. Upon seeing the scene before her, she couldn't help but doubt her own eyes.
"Sir Whitney! My eternal friend!"
"Haha, Your Highness. We may have just become friends, but that doesn't mean you need to embrace me."
If anyone other than Meredia had seen the crown prince, who was supposed to be locked up in the palace, awkwardly trying to hug her fiancé, they too would have been dumbfounded.
"I—I now owe you a great debt!"
"Well, I suppose you do?"
"H—How can I ever repay this favor…?!"
As expected, even the Second Knight Order, who had been keeping their distance due to the difference in status, was now watching the scene in shock from afar.
"In return, Your Highness, you must trust me completely and support me with everything you have."
"T-That goes without saying. I shall do my best."
"No, no."
Due to this, no one seemed to notice that the usually arrogant and overbearing crown prince was actually quite terrified.
"It's not about doing your best. You must do more than that."
"W-What?"
"Our dear prince is quite capable when he sets his mind to it."
Whitney, who was undoubtedly the reason behind this change in the prince's demeanor, smiled and patted the prince's shoulder as if he were an old friend.
"I-Is that so?"
"Of course, Your Highness."
The sight was eerily identical to the image of Duke Mayer that was imprinted in Meredia's mind.
"Ah, Lady Meredia!"
"You're here?"
Just as Meredia's expression darkened, Whitney noticed her and greeted her with a bright smile, waving his hand.
"His Highness the Crown Prince has something he wants to say to you."
"To me…?"
Hearing Whitney's words, Meredia's expression turned puzzled for a moment.
"I—I'm sorry."
"...?"
"I… I had misunderstood you all this time."
The prince, cautiously watching Whitney's expression, hesitantly stepped forward and spoke in a trembling voice. Meredia's face flickered with surprise.
"I apologize for the rudeness I have shown you."
"What are you talking about…?"
"I—I was arrogant enough to assume that you had feelings for me. I apologize."
At the very least, Meredia had never once imagined that the prince would acknowledge his mistakes and apologize so readily.
"…Sir Whitney?"
Of course, it wasn't just Meredia who was surprised. A heavy silence settled around them.
"D-Did I do well?"
"Yes. You did very well."
The prince, stealing another glance at Whitney, lowered his voice to ask. Whitney nodded, responding in a gentle voice.
"You just need to continue like this from now on."
"R-Right."
At that, the prince flinched at Whitney's characteristic, subtly menacing smile.
"Well then. Lady Meredia, I hope you two have a wonderful time together."
"Aha… of course."
"I-I have urgent business in the restroom, so I must take my leave."
With a face that seemed noticeably deflated, the prince hurriedly bid his farewell and rushed toward the garden at the back of the palace.
"What on earth did you say to him to make him wag his tail like a puppy that just found its master?"
"Nothing much."
Watching the prince disappear, Meredia turned to Whitney with a sharp voice. Whitney met her gaze and answered as if it were no big deal.
"I simply shared my plans and the current situation of his fiancée, without any embellishments."
"Of course, you must have lied, right?"
"How could I dare? I told him the truth—that she is currently staying at our estate."
"…Are you insane…?"
Despite Whitney's casual demeanor, the content of his words was shocking.
"Ah, don't worry. You are completely uninvolved in this matter. I wouldn't put the future head of the household in danger."
"You seem to be misunderstanding something."
Noticing something amiss, Whitney tried to quickly explain himself, but Meredia cut him off with an annoyed expression.
"You and I are now practically one."
"Aha."
"If you get into trouble, my reputation suffers too… And why are you smirking like that?"
Just as she was speaking, Whitney, who had briefly looked stunned, suddenly flashed a sly smile. This made Meredia pause and glare at him.
"So, you've decided to go through with the engagement contract?"
"…What?"
"I'm relieved. After what happened at the engagement ceremony, I was worried you'd end up breaking the contract."
Whitney grinned mischievously, and Meredia fell silent, staring at him intensely.
"…So, what exactly do you plan to do with that hopeless fool?"
However, she soon realized that winning a staring contest with Whitney was pointless, and giving him the answer he wanted was even worse. So, she looked away and changed the topic.
"Well, I do agree that His Highness is quite the lost cause."
"Then why…?"
"I believe people can change, Lady Meredia."
Meredia turned back to Whitney, narrowing her eyes at his words.
"At least, those who still fall within the category of 'people.'"
Whitney's voice dropped to a whisper, his expression unusually serious.
"But how can we be sure that idiot will keep a secret?"
"Oh, don't worry about that."
Meredia, watching him carefully, raised an eyebrow. Whitney's usual smirk returned as he lowered his voice further.
"I happen to know His Highness's greatest secret."
This time, his expression was openly sinister, making all his previous smiles seem gentle in comparison.
"…Though I only just found out myself."
Meredia, instinctively flinching at his words, was too shaken to catch Whitney's muttered remark.
"I'm starting to find you terrifying."
"Haha. Please don't joke about something so ridiculous."
"That's the real joke here."
Whitney put on a disappointed face at her words, and Meredia scoffed before looking away again.
"Anyway, if you're done dealing with the prince, it's time for you to answer my question."
"What is it? We should really be heading inside soon."
"This handkerchief you tied around my wrist yesterday."
The knights standing behind them were beginning to grow impatient, but Meredia ignored them and continued.
"What exactly did you—"
"The Emperor is arriving!"
"…What?"
Had it not been for that sudden announcement from ahead, their conversation might have continued for quite some time.
"The Emperor is coming here?"
Hearing those words, Meredia, uncharacteristically flustered, instinctively stepped closer to Whitney and muttered.
"But he was on his deathbed…"
"Rumors."
At that moment, another voice rang out.
"There are often exaggerations."
This time, however, the voice was neither shrill nor panicked. Instead, it was cold, level, and enough to strike fear into the heart of any noble.
"Follow me."
"…!"
"A place has been prepared for the two of you in the garden."
Lilieth Winter Clouds, the Emperor—one of the most powerful rulers in the empire's history—left behind a group of deeply bowing officials and moved forward.
°°°°°°°°°
Meanwhile, at that very moment…
"Sniff."
Hiding away in the palace garden's restroom, Prince Kendrick shut the door hastily.
"I—I wrapped my chest tightly…"
Sitting on the toilet, he lifted his shirt with teary eyes and mumbled.
"How… h-how did he notice…?"
Not as Prince Kendrick, the image he had presented to the world since birth.
But as Princess Katarina Winter Clouds—a secret known only to a handful in the entire empire.