Baron

Just as Eric placed his hand back on Alina's shoulder, ready for the teleport, she looked at him with wide, worried eyes.

"Wait!" she said again, looking around the empty clearing as if expecting someone else to appear. "Are you coming alone? Just you? Where are your Royal Guards?"

Hearing her question, Eric paused. She had a point. He was a Prince, even if people thought he was useless. Going alone to confront a potentially corrupt and dangerous Baron seemed… well, a little foolish. Shouldn't he bring backup? He remembered Roald, his trainer, mentioning that he and other guards were busy with the King's special investigation. 

Eric frowned, realizing the likely truth. 'Roald said Father sent him on a special mission,' he thought. 'And the System said Father and my brothers are busy investigating all the nobles…' He pieced it together.