Chapter 32: No Way? Even After Leaving the Palace?

To discuss the events of the previous night, a quiet place without a third party was necessary. After leaving the Royal Palace, Caine followed Altina to an inn a few kilometers away and booked a standard-sized room.

Although Altina did not explain, Caine understood that she was doing this to avoid drawing attention. Staying near the Royal Palace or booking a luxury suite for nobles would be far too conspicuous. By staying at an inn a bit further from the palace, they could pose as out-of-town tourists visiting the Royal Capital.

It was a standard-sized double room. Although the area was not as large as Caine’s private quarters in the Royal Palace, it was decorated quite comfortably, and the room was very clean. Caine even felt a sense of familiarity with such a room and had no complaints. A standard room was supposed to be like this; as long as it was quiet and had a bed to sleep in, it was fine. Caine could go straight to sleep after they finished talking.

“Now then, let us get to the point, Lady Altina. Regarding last night’s incident, do you have any supplementary explanation?”

Sitting on the clean, crisp white sheets, Caine politely and earnestly questioned the Cold-blooded Young Lady who had accompanied him, checking to see if she had any new information.

“I apologize, Your Majesty. Currently, I have nothing to add. Though I questioned the maids on duty at the time, they were all completely unaware and saw no outsiders enter my room.”

Altina continued her solemn and frigid act, respectfully telling her lie to Caine.

“I see. It seems that if the culprit isn’t someone very familiar with the Royal Palace, then they must be a Great Mage capable of invisibility or teleportation magic.”

Hearing Altina’s words, Caine did not feel disappointed. He simply lowered his head, feeling slightly helpless. He had never actually thought he would catch the person so easily. However, it seemed the culprit was certainly no small fry. It was one thing to use a “guest” like him to plot against the Queen, but now they even dared to use someone of Altina’s caliber. They were truly audacious.

‘Or could it be that the Queen herself did this?’

“Your Majesty, were you waiting until morning?”

Unlike Caine, who was troubled by the mysterious woman’s identity, Altina was not worried about it at all. After all, in her eyes, that person didn’t exist—unless you counted her. Rather than such trivial matters, she was more concerned about whether Caine had slept the night before. Thus, while gazing at Caine with her clear, calm, lake-blue eyes, she parted her lips slightly to ask about his rest.

“Yes, but unfortunately, I never did catch them. Speaking of which, do I look exhausted?”

Caine smiled, appearing as though he wasn’t particularly sleepy.

“No, you look the same as usual, but it would be best if you rested early.”

Now that she knew Caine had indeed stayed awake, Altina felt relieved. She immediately suggested that he rest.

“You’re right. I might not feel tired, but it’s best to get some rest. I’ll leave the continued investigation of this matter to you, Lady Altina. I’ll just rest here for a bit.”

The defenseless Caine nodded. After politely asking Altina to continue the investigation, he patted the mattress, satisfied with the room. He indicated that he was going to sleep and that Altina could go about her own business.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Altina placed one hand diagonally across her front and bowed respectfully to Caine, as serious as a subordinate accepting a command from a true king. Caine was already accustomed to her solemn mannerisms, which lacked any hint of personal emotion. He could already envision the Cold-blooded Young Lady turning to leave the room with precise steps, as if every stride were calculated, to go back and handle government affairs. Meanwhile, he could rest and consider whether to continue stakeouts tonight.

“…”

“…”

“Um, Lady Altina? Is there something else?”

However, the scene Caine imagined did not occur. Altina did not turn to leave; instead, she looked up and stared straight at Caine’s face. Even if there was no emotion in her gaze, and it merely reflected Caine’s silhouette like a clear lake, being stared at by such a tall, calm, mature woman in black stockings made Caine feel somewhat uncomfortable. Therefore, he gave a slightly awkward smile and asked if there was anything else she needed to explain.

“To answer Your Majesty, today is actually my day off.”

“Ah, I see…”

Altina’s answer left Caine somewhat unsure of how to respond. He didn’t see the connection between the two points. Even if she was off today, there was no reason for Altina to remain in this room.

“So, I plan to visit various blacksmith shops and stores to look at swords. Please rest here; I have already paid for the room.”

Sensing Caine’s confusion, the Cold-blooded Young Lady quickly added a supplementary explanation.

“I see. You really do love swords, Lady Altina. Actually, I’m not entirely without interest myself. If there’s a chance next time, let’s go together.”

Seeing that she had provided a reasonable explanation and that the atmosphere was no longer strange, Caine quickly played along. However, he was only speaking out of politeness; Altina, on the other hand, had no intention of taking it as a mere courtesy. Of course, she didn’t show it immediately. She simply nodded to show she welcomed the idea and finally turned to leave.

“Phew, she’s finally gone. But that silence just now… it felt like there was more to her words than met the ear. She couldn’t possibly have wanted to stay and protect me because she wasn’t comfortable leaving me to rest alone, could she?”

After seeing Altina off, Caine talked to himself while relaxing his body and mind, collapsing onto the inn’s bed. Looking at the clean ceiling and thinking of Altina’s cold, solemn, and beautiful face, Caine laughed again. This time, however, it wasn’t a polite smile but a sincere, self-mocking one.

‘Ha, though I certainly needed protection the past two nights, there’s no way I need it now. That person couldn’t possibly track me to this room. Lady Altina worries too much. Does she really see me as the Majesty she owes loyalty to?’

After a moment of self-deprecation, Caine began to take off his coat and settled into the bed to rest. Strangely enough, while he hadn’t felt sleepy before, a wave of drowsiness surged over him the moment he lay down. Perhaps it was the sense of security; before long, Caine drifted off to sleep.

— And then, he really was attacked.

.