In a corner of the bustling lower district of the Royal Capital, where a mix of shops and old houses lined the streets, an unusual silence enveloped the town despite it being the afternoon.
The residents gathered at a distance, holding their breath as they watched one particular house. In front of it, a group of unsavory-looking men loomed ominously.
“That’s why I’m telling you, I don’t know anything!”
Chelsea, the owner of the house, shouted with a trembling voice, glaring at the men crowding her doorstep. Her shoulders and legs shook uncontrollably, but she fought to suppress her fear and anger, tears welling in her eyes.
“It’s quite troubling if you don’t know, young lady. Given the circumstances, you see,” one of the men replied, his tone deceptively calm. “Do you have any idea where Flora Cadira might be?”
Though his words were polite, disdain and intimidation seeped through his voice. Behind him, several tall men cast threatening glances, reinforcing the pressure. Ever since the moneylender had arrived, Chelsea had been caught in this relentless back-and-forth.
“You are, if I recall correctly, employed as a laundry maid at several wealthy merchants’ and nobles’ residences? If you can’t answer, perhaps it would be quicker to ask your employers.”
Chelsea paled at the man’s unpleasant smile. Although her employer had no direct connection to Flora, the man seemed intent on cornering Chelsea with baseless accusations, hoping to extract some information.
If they pursued this line of questioning, Chelsea, a lowly commoner, would not only lose her job but might struggle to find another. The truth was, she genuinely had no idea where Flora had gone. No words of response came to her, yet the men before her refused to relent, no matter how many times she insisted she didn’t know.
—What should I do? What should I do…? Kevin…
Her body trembled uncontrollably. She envisioned her beloved’s face in her mind, trying to hold on, but the dire situation left her unable to think clearly.
“If you can’t answer here, perhaps we should take you with us,” one of the men said, stepping forward into the house.
Just then, the atmosphere outside shifted abruptly, buzzing with commotion.
“Oh my, what’s all this ruckus?”
A high-pitched voice, unfamiliar to Chelsea, rang out, causing the men before her to turn their attention outside.
“Miss, could you please not interfere?” one of the men snapped.
“What on earth is going on here?” another asked.
“This doesn’t concern you. Leave!”
“With so many gathered, it must be quite the incident,” the girl remarked.
“Hey, wait! What are you doing?!”
“What’s inside this house?”
Ignoring the men’s attempts to silence her, the girl’s voice rang out, followed by a scream and the sound of a heavy thud.
“How rude! To push me aside like that!”
The girl’s overly dramatic tone echoed, followed by a calm voice from a boy.
“Assaulting a marquis’s daughter, caught in the act. All of you will be detained and taken to the dungeons.”
With that declaration, guards appeared from seemingly nowhere, swiftly apprehending the men who had been threatening Chelsea. As she stood there, stunned, two unfamiliar figures—a boy and a girl—now stood at her doorstep.
The girl wore a wide-brimmed white hat and a dress, while the boy had a bowler hat pulled low over his eyes, appearing to be the children of the affluent or perhaps minor nobility.
“Amada, are you hurt?”
“I’m fine, Alexis.”
“Honestly, you’re being a bit reckless…”
“Oh, I thought it was quite a performance.”
Chelsea, still trying to comprehend what had just happened, widened her eyes at their conversation.
—Amanda… the marquis’s daughter? The Crown Prince’s fiancée? If that’s the case, then the boy beside her must be…
Turning to Chelsea, the girl smiled gently and then coughed delicately.
“I apologize, it seems I’ve strained my throat a bit. If it’s not too much trouble, may I come in for some water?”
“Y-yes…”
Chelsea nodded, her mind still in a whirl, and led the boy, girl, and two young guards into the living room.
The fifteen or sixteen-year-olds carried themselves with an elegance that seemed out of place for their attire, revealing their noble lineage. Chelsea felt conflicted about serving them plain water in cheap cups in her modest home.
“I’m sorry for barging in like this. I’m Alexis, and this is Amanda.”
“Um…”
Given their attire, it seemed they were indeed incognito. As Chelsea hesitated to ask if he was the Crown Prince, Amanda chuckled softly.
“This is a private visit, and there’s no one around to judge. Please, feel free to relax without worrying about disrespect.”
Sensing that Chelsea had already figured out their identities, Amanda spoke, and Alexis nodded in agreement.
“Regarding those men earlier, the charges of assault against a marquis’s daughter are not strong enough to detain everyone present. However, I’m sure we can find other offenses if we look closely. You should feel safe for now.”
Hearing this, Chelsea finally felt some tension ease from her shoulders. However, Alexis’s next words made her stiffen once more.
“Actually, we came to see you to discuss Flora Cadira.”
—They’re suspecting Miss Flora too…?
The sudden turn of events made her blood run cold. The two before her seemed to ponder how to continue the conversation as Chelsea’s expression hardened.
As the living room fell silent, the front door burst open with a loud bang.
“Chelsea!! Are you alright?!”
“…Kevin…!”
Seeing Kevin, drenched in sweat and panting heavily, Chelsea instinctively stood up. The emotions she had been holding back surged forth, and she buried her face in Kevin’s chest, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Kevin embraced Chelsea, relieved to confirm her safety. He then looked up, his gaze landing on the figures inside, and his eyes widened in shock.
“…Huh? W-What? Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince…? What are you doing here…?”
Kevin was visibly shaken, his reaction bordering on disrespectful given the circumstances. Meanwhile, Alexis wore a troubled expression.
“This is troublesome. It seems the Royal Knights Order is here… I have a rather poor reputation with them…”