* * *
“Your Highness, having the Second Prince and Lord Dowoon in the same place is risky.”
As soon as Anna left, Philip stepped closer to Yigang, concern in his voice and a grave look on his face.
“If it’s because of Aquila, there’s no need to worry. According to Asel’s report, Aquila isn’t potent enough as a toxic plant yet.”
In truth, Aquila was extremely toxic on its own, even without passing through Piel’s hands.
But since Dowoon wasn’t an ordinary human, as long as he took his antidote regularly, he wouldn’t face much danger.
But Philip’s uneasy sigh hinted that he wasn’t concerned solely about Aquila.
“It’s not only that… I’m worried the Second Prince might notice Lord Dowoon’s power. Not only does he see the future, but his skills far surpass those of an average Wizard.”
It was precisely for this reason that Yigang had gone to such lengths to keep Dowoon’s existence concealed.
Dowoon’s abilities were far too conspicuous; if he were exposed, it was impossible to predict what chaos might ensue.
For now, Yigang had been carefully allowing him limited freedom under strict surveillance… though his frequent teleportations remained an exasperating issue.
“You’re overthinking.”
“My apologies. However, given that shadowy beasts in the form of crows continue to linger around Lord Dowoon, caution is still warranted.”
Philip, despite apologizing, was someone who always spoke his mind.
It was thanks to this fortitude that he’d managed to stay by Yigang’s side, enduring his fierce temper over the years.
Knowing Philip’s nature, Yigang clicked his tongue briefly and turned his head the other way.
“Asel.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Go to the Magical Department and retrieve the latest records of unusual activity detected around the palace.”
With that order, Yigang tossed something toward Asel—a small insignia symbolizing the authority of the Crown Prince.
These records, tracking sightings of unidentified creatures potentially classified as dark beasts, were highly classified documents relating to palace security.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Accessing and transporting such sensitive materials required appropriate authority.
After completing his paperwork, Asel stood up, the insignia in hand.
“A shadowy beast in the form of a crow…”
Yigang muttered under his breath.
That accursed thing was clearly one of Piel’s underlings.
However, there was no solid proof, nor had he seen it himself.
Without visible evidence, capturing it was naturally challenging.
Mages of all kinds had reported sightings, yet strangely, Yigang himself had never encountered it.
Even non-magical shadows claimed to have seen the dark bird.
All this pointed to one conclusion: this creature deliberately avoided certain people.
And it seemed obvious that one of those people was Yigang.
“We’ll see if that’s the case in the records.”
Asel returned promptly with the documents.
Yigang, indifferent to the red seal marking them as confidential, opened the folder and began reading, his brows gradually knitting together.
Sure enough, the creature’s appearances overlapped significantly with Dowoon’s movements.
It would vanish without a trace whenever Dowoon returned to the Crown Prince’s palace.
It was clear the creature avoided approaching the Crown Prince’s palace.
Did it know about the barrier?
Though it made sense for a dark beast to recognize the presence of such a barrier, it was strange that it avoided the area entirely.
So, the fact that it was steering clear of Yigang’s palace indicated that it was avoiding something specific there.
And that something was likely…
“…me.”
It was improbable that the creature avoided the Crown Prince’s residence purely because of the barrier.
There were countless layers of protective magic all around the palace, and any place of significance or treasure had extra layers of protection.
This suggested that the creature wasn’t avoiding the barrier itself.
The only things in the Crown Prince’s palace were the barrier and Yigang himself, which left only one answer as to what the creature was avoiding.
While strictly avoiding Yigang, it relentlessly trailed Dowoon, its target painfully clear.
“I should have confined him for this exact reason.”
The more he thought, the clearer the unwelcome conclusion became.
Shadows darkened Yigang’s face.
“…Is that… really food?”
“Hmm? I told you, I wanted to have dinner together.”
At first, I thought he might be up to something, but it turned out Piel genuinely wanted to have dinner with me and was waiting with a fully set table.
I sat down anyway, but… what if the food’s poisoned?
Considering all the things he’s done with that innocent-looking face, I can’t exactly trust him!
As I was glaring suspiciously at the piece of meat on my plate, I heard Piel chuckling from across the table.
“What, are you worried I might’ve poisoned it?”
Then, he casually took a bite from the food on the table without hesitation.
All of this wariness on my part was, after all, because of how openly he had revealed his intentions to me the other day.
He’s probably well aware of that… but strangely enough, he’s acting as if he doesn’t know.
Back then, he’d stir things up between Baek Yigang and me, trying to drive a wedge between us, but now he’s all calm and composed.
Honestly, I can’t keep up with him.
Even as I sat there, blankly staring at the food, Piel continued eating quietly, not showing any other reaction.
He’s… eating pretty well, so I guess there’s no poison in it.
Just as I was thinking that, our eyes met.
“You’re the type whose thoughts show on your face. Not necessarily a bad trait, but it won’t be easy surviving in the palace like that.”
What’s he talking about? I’d probably get by just fine if he weren’t around.
If Piel weren’t here, I wouldn’t have to worry about preventing the creation of black magic detection crystals at the Magic Department, or watching out for lurking demons, or wondering if anyone had made a pact with the devil.
All in all, if he weren’t around, most of my issues would be solved.
…Well, anyway, the meat didn’t do anything wrong, so I’ll eat it. Tsk.
“Does it suit your taste?”
“Yes, it’s delicious.”
Seeing me eat so well seemed to amuse him.
Piel stopped eating, resting his chin in his hand and watching me with a slight tilt of his head.
“Good to hear. Glad the poison suits your taste.”
“Cough!”
What? Poison?
Hey, you just said there was no poison…!
And besides, you ate it too!
“I’m immune to poisons.”
Reading my startled expression, Piel gave a gentle laugh and responded simply.
Oh, right. Royals are immune to poison!
“Haha, it was just a joke, just a joke. There’s a bit of innocence in you. Haha.”
When I put down my fork in shock, Piel burst into a fit of laughter, enjoying himself.
But seriously, that jerk has the audacity to joke about food…!
“There’s truly no poison, so please, eat at ease. Even I can’t go around poisoning people on a whim.”
Seeing my annoyed expression, Piel—looking as nonchalant as ever—personally placed a variety of dishes in front of me.
I’d sooner believe Baek Yigang’s words than his!
But since it seems there really isn’t any poison…
Glaring at Piel, I picked up my fork again.
Surprisingly, the food went down quite smoothly, despite my initial worries about indigestion.
“So, how are things with your older brother?”
“How do you mean?”
“Has he told you anything at all? It must be frustrating.”
After taking a sip of water, I met Piel’s curious gaze with a calm look, signaling it wasn’t an issue.
“Oh, if that’s what you mean, I’m fine.”
“…Fine?”
“Yes. His Highness doesn’t have to tell me everything. It’s not like anything would change just by knowing more.”
With that, I took another bite of the steak.
They really do know how to cook meat here.
“Even so, don’t you feel left out as the person closest to him? These matters are usually shared with the advisor or bodyguard, after all.”
“I’m neither his advisor nor his bodyguard; I’m his strategist. So it’s alright.”
At my answer, Piel’s expression turned even more perplexed.
“…Do you even know what a strategist is? They’re usually the first to know these things.”
“Clearly, you don’t understand. Strategists don’t hold that kind of position in the Crown Prince’s palace.”
After savoring the last bite of meat, I looked up slowly, meeting Piel’s puzzled gaze.
“Then…?”
“I’m a servant.”
Piel’s neatly groomed brows twitched momentarily.
He seemed to think I was joking.
I wish I were kidding.
“…A servant?”
“Technically, a paper servant. I’m buried in documents all day… you know, something like that. Hmm, this salad is delicious. Looks like the chef really put some effort into it.”
Munch, munch.
In the silence that followed, only the sound of me enjoying my food filled the space, while Piel sat there in silent shock.
* * *
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