Crown Prince

"I ask, why should I do that?"

"W-what?"

She looked at me in disbelief and I glared at her.

I've been far too quiet this whole time, but today is an important day for me seeing as I'm trying to meet the Crown Prince.

"Alma, I've been quiet all this time because I don't want to get in trouble. But today isn't your lucky day, and you won't be able to order me around."

I took a step forward and leaned in closer to her, and she instinctively took a step back in panic.

"If you get in my way, I'll kill you."

I spoke in a low, threatening tone that caused the color to drain from her face and fear to cloud her gaze.

"I'm just—"

Her throat was wrapped in fear, and her voice was filled with raw panic. I used to be irritated whenever I looked at her, but now I'm content to see her frightened expression.

(So this kind of threat did work. Good job me.)

Even if I feel compelled to praise myself and celebrate the fact that I was able to hit her without really hitting her, but the time does not allow me to do so.

Alma froze in her position, her eyes wide with dread as though staring at a monster.

"If you understand, then shut up and let me go."

After saying that with a sharp gaze, Alma was rendered speechless to the point she didn't even responded that I walked away.

The maids standing behind her were puzzled and questioned Alma whether she was alright. I ignored them all and continued walking toward my destination.

(Time is precious after all.)

***

People were walking or dancing along to the music across the town. Around every path I passed through, there were either food or souvenir stalls.

(It's really lively here.)

Although I have the urge to buy some street foods and souvenirs for Nokto, unfortunately I can't waste any time.

(I should probably buy that after I'm done with the crown prince, now let's look for him.)

I swung my head around, looking for Isaac von Sol, the crown prince.

As the novel described, he has brilliant blue hair and dazzling grey eyes. It was characterized and mentioned multiple times that he's good looking.

(It won't be hard to search for him. He must be wearing a hood since he's in town.)

I tried to find Isaac by focusing my gaze on each person. Isaac did say that he and his knights were attempting to apprehend the culprit. So it means that he's walking in a group.

(I must find him. I'm aware that finding him here is a 1% chance. But I bet on that 1% that he's tracking down that noble who was operating an illegal casino today, the first day of the festival.)

(Since it caused a significant loss and disadvantage to the townspeople, I'm sure Isaac would prefer if the matters were handed quickly.)

I nodded to myself and continued walking, ignoring everyone else and concentrating on Isaac's appearance.

(Blue hair and grey eyes.)

As I was about to turn around the corner, I suddenly bumped into someone that caught me off guard.

"I apologize, miss."

The apologetic voice as we bumped into each other made me a bit curious about his appearance.

(Eh...?)

I gradually raised my head to be greeted by a pair of gentle grey eyes and dazzling blue hair hidden below his old brown hood.

(Oh my God!)

I felt a weight lifted from my soul as joy surged up inside of me. My face quickly brightened.

(It's Isaac!)

Even though I can't believe such a miracle has occurred, I don't have the time to reflect on it. Later, in my room, I'll reflect on this experience.

(But still... he's really handsome. He even went above and beyond my expectations!)

With a serious expression on my face, I cleared my throat and looked him in the eyes.

"Bell Gratia greets his highness the Crown Prince."

I curtsied respectfully in front of him, which caught him off guard and caused his eyes to widen in surprise.

That gentle gaze he had shown me shifted into a gaze full of suspicion mixture with wariness.

He immediately took his sword from his sheath so rapidly that I couldn't keep up, and the tip of the blade was pointed at my neck in the blink of an eye.

(... I expected this reaction, but facing it in this manner is rather different! He'd behead me if I made one wrong move!)

"An assassin?"

I gulped and raised both hands as a show of defeat as he lifted his brow at me with a frown on his face.

"I'm not an assassin, and I'm not carrying any weapons. Your highness can check it himself."

I said calmly, or more accurately, I was attempting to calm myself down from the building panic inside of me.

(I can't die here. Not in Isaac's hands, one of my favorite characters.)

"After all, why would an assassin reveal their identity?"

I gave him a charming smile, my arms still lifted in defeat. He looked at me cautiously and ordered one of his female knights to examine me from head to toe.

(As a crown prince, I understand that many wants to assassinate him. He even mentioned this in the novel.)

Even though he is sly and cunning, Isaac is a figure filled with justice in [Blessings of Glory].

He exposed every noble's dark deeds and had them executed. In fact, the Emperor was merely amused by his son's actions.

As a result, numerous aristocrats with nasty secrets are plotting to assassinate him if he shows signs of knowing about their crimes.

He was suspicious of everyone and everything, even me at the time.

"Your highness, the lady doesn't have anything that could be a threat. We only found a few silver coins."

The female knight reported to Isaac, whose gaze is still wary.

"I understand. Let me talk to her privately."

Isaac nodded to the female knight and walked toward me.

"Since you revealed your name and know my title, I'm sure you want something from me."

"Yes, I do."

I nodded, and Isaac gave me a brief look before moving his head around and returning his gaze to me.

"Let's talk in a place where there are fewer people."

"Of course, your highness."

He led the way through the forest, where there were no other people. It was a long way from town, but not too far, as it could be reached on foot rather than by horse.

It was quiet and pleasant, with the moonlight shining brightly in the sky, contributing to the serene atmosphere.

"Introduce yourself."

"My name is Bell Gratia, daughter of Baron Gratia. Although my father is a baron, he is a fallen noble. I'm currently working at the Libertas mansion as Nokto Libertas' personal maid."

Isaac's eyes observed my gaze, trying to figure out whether I was giving him a fake or true introduction. As I stared back at him, my gaze stayed firm.

Isaac finally nodded his head after making sure I wasn't lying in any way.

"I understand. Daughter of Baron Gratia and a personal maid of Nokto Libertas, the abandoned son of Duke Libertas."

(It's scary how he knows everything and everyone.)

"You're an interesting fellow aren't you?"

He placed his hand on his chin, looking at me with a calculating smile.

"Did Nokto Libertas send you here?"

(Now you're suspecting Nokto?!)

"I came here of my own free will. My master is uninvolved in this. In fact, he is unaware that I'm here."

(Whether or not he will believe this, but I need his help desperately.)

"Right. So, tell me what is your goal to approach me like this?"

He asked, putting his hand on his hip, looking at me with a smile that deepened. But I could see how cold his eyes that looks at me.

"I need help from you, your highness."

"Help?"

I nodded my head.

"There's something I would like to say to his majesty the Emperor. I want your highness to arrange a meeting between me and the Emperor."

My gaze became serious and determined, but I continued my sentence before he could even respond to my words.

"Of course I won't ask you that without anything in return. According to my informant, your highness is currently on the lookout for a noble who was operating an illegal casino near this town. I understand it's difficult to find the true mastermind because it was operated by a few nobles."

He was taken aback after I finished my sentence, but he swiftly concealed his real feelings.

As he studied me with a scrutinizing gaze, his eyes remained unwavering.

"Your point?"

"I know who's the noble his highness is looking for. In exchange for revealing the true criminal, I request that your highness arrange a meeting between me and the Emperor."

Silence filled in between us and I found myself trembled out of nervousness, but I pressed both of my lips together, unable to back down.

"Why would I trust the information that came from your informant?"

(... What?)

"I am the Crown Prince of this Empire. I used all the information I needed to find the culprit. So how could you, a mere maid of a fallen noble obtained such important information from this informant that you mentioned?"