Vandel Arrives

And so.

Five days later, we finally passed through the Kingdom of Luminous and returned to the Kingdom of Tidros.

We urged our horses onward without stopping, and of course, the place we headed straight for was…

The villa with a pool prepared for us by the Crown Prince!!!!!!!

“Is that really all right, I wonder?”

Raul, who was riding beside me, said it as if grumbling.

“What are you talking about?”

More than that, I was so restless, wondering if the villa would come into view soon.

“I’m talking about Mone and Roze. They were originally the ones who tried to assassinate Princess Consort Shitoen, you know? And they still haven’t said anything about that…”

“It’s fine, isn’t it? Right now, they feel indebted and have sworn loyalty to Shitoen. Oh, make sure the rumors are spread. Say the female assassins were brutally, well… executed by me? Slaughtered?”

Externally, we had to make people think they were dead.

“We don’t know when they might change sides.”

He said it with a sigh, but I did not get that feeling from them.

Mone, whose life had been saved, had now recovered enough to live normally, and together with Roze, she was taking care of Shitoen and keeping her company.

Judging from that atmosphere, I did not think the sort of situation Raul mentioned was likely to happen.

Because.

Those sisters were very much looking forward to life in the Kingdom of Tidros.

Even Mone, though Shitoen’s treatment had been swift, must have recovered this much because she herself strongly wished to live.

A new life with her younger sister.

Mone had bet on that, and she was sincerely grateful to Shitoen for giving her that future.

Whenever Shitoen told them about the Kingdom of Tidros, their hearts danced, and they also obediently followed Eaton’s instructions.

To begin with.

Before trying to kill Shitoen, Mone had respected Shitoen.

Until now, she had been shackled, and whenever she tried to escape, she had been whipped, so she probably had no choice but to bare her fangs.

If those shackles were removed. If the ones swinging the whip were eliminated.

Mone and Roze, both of them.

Wouldn’t they follow the gratitude they had in their hearts?

…Well, the Crown Prince would probably be appalled and call me “soft.”

For now, the members were also on guard, so there were no people who would get strange ideas about those sisters. That was very good for discipline too.

Above all, if they would protect Shitoen, then I welcomed them wholeheartedly.

“They won’t betray the person who saved their lives.”

“I wonder about that.”

“You’re so suspicious, maybe that’s why no wife comes to you.”

It really was mysterious. Why was such a good man not chosen? He should have had his pick of brides.

“Please leave me alone. More importantly, that over there. Isn’t that a welcome party?”

Raul pointed his riding crop forward.

Indeed, I could see several mounted figures at the end of the mountain road.

“You’re right. If they’ll even guide us along the road, then…”

Just as I thought that would be helpful, one rider came galloping toward us.

The man stood up with both feet still in the stirrups and waved his hand wildly…

“Hey, my best friend! I’ve been waiting for you! The Crown Prince asked me to guard you, so I rushed here!”

It was Vandel…

“Whoa!!! Captain, stay strong!!! Hold the reins tightly!”

For a moment, I almost fell off my horse.

“All units, halt! Halt!”

Raul turned his horse around and rode off.

Without that signal, I surely would have fallen from my horse and vanished like seaweed beneath my own knight order.

That was how completely drained of strength I was.

…Why was he here?

“Well now, my best friend, it has been a while! Since the wedding, perhaps! I missed you!”

Vandel brought his horse closer and spoke to me cheerfully.

“Why are you here?!”

I shouted without thinking.

If this guy was here, my lovey-dovey time with Shitoen would definitely be interrupted!!

But he tightened his expression and brought his face closer to mine.

“I heard. In Tania, Princess Consort Shitoen’s life was targeted.”

“More importantly, don’t breathe on me! Where did you hear that?!”

I ended up asking in an interrogating tone, but I realized it right away.

“My report, huh…? The Crown Prince contacted you?”

“That’s right. His Highness the Crown Prince moved quickly and ordered me to guard the villa.”

He whispered into my ear again, but…

Was that necessary?! Couldn’t he just say it normally?!

By the time I shoved him away with a thud, Raul had returned.

“So, how are those female assassins? You have them accompanying you, don’t you?”

When he asked that, Raul and I looked at each other.

“I… think there is no problem.”

“I think they need to remain under observation.”

“Hm,” Vandel said, folding his arms and looking at the carriage from atop his horse.

“Ah, that’s right. On the Crown Prince’s behalf, one of my subordinates sold off the buckle and pendant in question. With plenty of embellishment added, of course.”

“I see. Sorry about that. So, how did it go?”

“The rumors have spread. Don’t worry.”

What I had asked the Crown Prince, along with my report, was this: “Please ask someone to sell the golden buckle Mone had and Roze’s pendant at a place that handles stolen goods.”

At that time, I had asked them to say, “Apparently, the owner of these was tortured terribly and died. Even then, it seems she never said a word.”

According to Vandel, Mone and Roze’s torture deaths had spread, and they were currently tracking where the buckle and pendant were being moved.

“Well… In any case, from now on, my unit will take charge of security. You lot can relax.”

“Huh. Really? Your unit will handle it?”

“Of course. I won’t let even a single ant get near.”

Vandel nodded with full confidence.

“Rest assured, Saryu. Naturally…”

“Naturally?”

“The pool has been drained and cleaned. You can use it as soon as you arrive.”

“Vandel!! You are my best friend!!”