Chapter 200: In Response to the Knight’s Plea

"Impossible. I refuse."

I told him without emotion. Impossible, impossible. Maxim’s people might already have captured Mother and the others — they might have killed them. Even if Maxim himself had no such intention, the soldiers who rose up might have acted on their own... my thoughts only went in the worst direction. And if Maxim were truly that outstanding, even without saying anything, a future in which he flourished as a national leader — if not the king — should already be visible, right? Did he want to become king that badly? Being king was nothing more than a stud horse — or rather a stud man — for producing children. If there were an outstanding chancellor and close aides, a king was nothing but decoration.

"Is it impossible? With all due respect, may I ask the reason?"

The knight clung to the subject. The face he raised was bright red with mud stuck to his forehead. Was Maxim worth becoming so earnest over?

"I was nearly killed by Prince Maxim’s agents. That was yesterday. While we were heading for the checkpoint ahead of the carriage, they suddenly attacked. There was no questioning like yours. There was no persuasion. It was sudden — they tried to kill me, a member of the royal family. I cannot even consider siding with a Prince Maxim who sends such people. Because I am still young, I do not possess a heart broad enough to simply obey the one who ordered my death. If I go to that commander, the only future I can picture is being killed. Therefore I refuse!"

From the middle of my speech the color of sorrow floated in the knight’s eyes, and at the end it changed to the color of despair.

The knight’s hand trembled as it stretched toward the hilt of the sword at his waist. And when at last he gripped the hilt,

"Wait. Do not take any further action!"

At my voice the knight started and stopped his movement. Was he going to try to kill me on the off chance?

"Even if you take the next action, I am stronger. These maids also possess strength equal to or greater than mine. Therefore you and your two attendants cannot defeat us. So stop. And think about it. Do you believe Prince Maxim would give important positions to those who have harmed the royal family? Do you believe he would use those who have committed the taboo of harming the royal family? Prince Maxim would surely think that their blades might one day be turned against him as well. In that case those who have harmed the royal family will certainly be punished. He will say, ’I intended to treat my younger brother favorably, but that person killed my younger brother. The punishment is heavy. Therefore I will punish that person. Let him atone with death.’ So do nothing further. Reconsider."

The knight stared fixedly at my face (I thought looking directly was disrespectful), and when the speech ended he hung his head.

The hand resting on the knight’s knee was trembling. Then his head dropped with a gaku.

"I understand. I believe it is exactly as you say. I will treat Prince Maxim’s words as if I never heard them. I am sorry. Please treat what I said as if you never heard it... I have never even met Prince Maxim. That Prince Maxim is an outstanding person is something I merely heard others saying. More than such a person, I can believe the words of Prince Robin, whom I am speaking with face to face right now. I have committed a grave discourtesy. I am truly sorry. Please forgive me."

The knight spoke as if wringing the words out. I could hear the knight’s sobs.

There an unpleasant premonition flashed through my mind.

"The attendant you sent ahead earlier — where did you send him?"

"Huh?"

The knight wore a face that asked what I was talking about.

"You definitely sent the attendant to the checkpoint, correct? He definitely went, right? Don’t tell me he went to inform Maxim’s agents!?"

I pressed the point almost excessively. Hearing that, the knight’s face suddenly went blue and he said,

"Y-eh, n-no, th-that, should be all right, I think? He probably went to the checkpoint."

He suddenly became incoherent. This was a bad sign.

"You cannot assert that he went to the checkpoint?"

The knight grew flustered and said,

"No, he has definitely gone to the checkpoint. Only..."

"Only?"

"I believe Prince Maxim’s people are waiting on the road that leads to the checkpoint..."

"And that attendant will definitely meet those people?"

"Yes..."

"And if he meets them, will he report that I have been found?"

"Yes... I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry!!"

"I see..."

Looking behind, I looked at Lily’s and Stevie’s faces, but both shook their heads. That meant we could not prevent what was about to happen. In any case, because Lily was marked, it could be predicted that this would happen sooner or later.

"Understood. There’s no point regretting what’s already done. Maxim’s agents will surely come to kill me. Even if your attendant does not report about us, they will surely come. At that time you will be killed together with us. So protect yourselves."

At my words he wore a face of complete disbelief and said,

"That’s absurd! They should try to secure Prince Robin’s person. They would never do anything so disrespectful! They should also know that I am at Prince Robin’s side!"

"If that’s the case it’s fine, but they will not take such a lukewarm method. You may not know, but I have already fought them and cut down several. I have earned their grudge. Even if they start out mild, once I fall into their hands, there’s no telling what will happen."

"That’s absurd..."

He still would not believe it.

"It’s better to think that these things will roll in the bad direction. Being lectured by a child like me is probably unpleasant, but anyway, think that the worst will occur. You have no choice but to protect yourselves."

The knight still wore a face of disbelief, but

"I understand."

he nodded. Reluctantly, but he did.