After Putting the Slayer of the Night to Sleep, I Ran Away - Chapter 82

“No.”

“What did you say?”

Tatiana’s voice trembled with anger.

Alexander gently held her hands to calm her and spoke quietly yet firmly.

“It’s for Edward.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Don’t you understand? The moment that child tells Leonard, Ed will lose everything!”

“Even so… we can’t kill someone he cares for.”

At those words, Tatiana froze.

She opened and closed her lips as if at a loss for words, staring at him before finally widening her eyes in disbelief.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Ed has feelings for Ayla.”

“…What?”

As Tatiana asked blankly, Alexander muttered gloomily.

“We know, Tia. How painful it is to be forced apart from someone you care about because of your parents.”

He never wanted to become that kind of parent. Never…….

Stepping away from the bustling palace during the Art Festival into the garden, Edward paused at the message delivered by an approaching knight.

Someone had requested to meet him.

“Let them in.”

Following Edward’s acceptance, shortly after, Rodrigo approached and bowed respectfully.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”

His expression was calm, but his eyes seemed to hold some hidden agenda.

“Yes. You said you have something important to tell me?”

“Indeed. It is… a matter of utmost importance that Your Highness must know.”

Edward, who had been pondering for a moment, turned his gaze to the knights and quietly commanded.

“Ensure no one approaches.”

“As you command.”

The knights immediately withdrew and began thoroughly guarding the perimeter of the garden.

Edward shifted his gaze back to Rodrigo.

His eyes held a balanced mix of curiosity and doubt.

Though they weren’t particularly close, Edward knew Rodrigo was Ayla’s former fiancé. Rumors of his promiscuous lifestyle had long circulated, and it was said that Ayla had called off the engagement because of it.

He didn’t know if his uncle had approved of the situation leading up to this point, but regardless, she was now set to marry Leonard.

“Now, speak, Lord Rodrigo.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Rodrigo took a deep breath and began.

“Before that, I’d like you to know one thing. That I am firmly on Your Highness’s side.”

“On my side. How interesting.”

A mysterious smile appeared at the corner of Edward’s lips.

Could it really be that easy to become an ally?

“I know your father is a noble who follows my mother. Naturally, you’d be on my side. I assume there’s a reason you’re emphasizing something I already know.”

“I’m ashamed to admit it, but yes. However, it also means the information I have for you is of considerable value.”

“For that to be true, the information must be quite significant.”

“I possess information that could aid Your Highness in the Crown Prince competition.”

“…Aid in the Crown Prince competition?”

Edward raised an eyebrow slightly, looking puzzled.

The situation didn’t inspire much trust.

How much could Rodrigo possibly know that he didn’t?

Yet Rodrigo’s attitude was overwhelmingly confident.

Edward smiled faintly and nodded as if intrigued.

“Alright. Let’s hear it.”

“If this information proves helpful, I ask that you grant me one wish.”

“…A wish.”

“It will not be any trouble for Your Highness. In fact, it may even be beneficial.”

“Fine. As long as it doesn’t harm me, there’s no harm in it. Provided your information truly helps me, of course.”

“It will undoubtedly be of help.”

The corner of Rodrigo’s lips curled arrogantly.

He was proud of himself for devising the perfect plan to get revenge on Leo and reclaim Ayla at the same time.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend, after all.

Currently, Edward was in a position to have his Crown Prince status snatched away by the suddenly appeared Leo. In that sense, their situations were no different both had lost Ayla to him.

Not that he was foolish enough to point that out.

Rodrigo tried his best to appear composed as he spoke.

“Your Highness, this information concerns a potential weakness of the First Prince.”

“A weakness?”

“Yes, Your Highness. It pertains to Lady Ayla Everett, who was also my former fiancée.”

At the mention of Ayla’s name, Edward’s expression hardened.

Rodrigo didn’t miss the opportunity and continued.

“What reason could the First Prince have for choosing Ayla Everett as his marriage partner? Isn’t it to suppress his own barbaric image by leveraging her reputation as the ‘Blue Rose of the Empire’? However, that is a grave miscalculation. Because……”

Rodrigo’s lips twisted into a smirk.

“Ayla Everett is a fake.”

“…A fake?”

“Literally. The Lady is the illegitimate child of the Duchess of Everett.”

Edward’s gaze froze. His mind raced chaotically, yet one thought emerged clearly:

‘Then she’s not my cousin?’

A desire to believe the information Rodrigo spat out clashed with the spark of doubt questioning how he could trust it without evidence, igniting a fire within him.

Rodrigo, as if enjoying his confusion, continued with an amused smile.

“As expected, even Your Highness didn’t know. Then Her Majesty the Empress likely doesn’t know either. It seems the Duke of Everett kept this fact completely secret.”

Edward still couldn’t find his words.

Rodrigo laid out his prepared plan step by step, whispering smoothly.

“Your Highness. You must be shocked, but I discovered this fact by chance during my engagement to Lady Ayla. The only ones who know the truth are the Duke and Duchess of Everett and the Lady herself. If this fact were to reach the First Prince, do you think he would still proceed with the marriage to Lady Ayla?”

At Rodrigo’s words, Edward slowly regained his composure.

Interesting remarks followed.

“He would likely cancel the marriage immediately. The upcoming consecration ceremony would be called off as well. He might even fly into a rage over being deceived. If the discord between these two, who are currently the center of attention in high society, were to become public, the First Prince’s standing would undoubtedly be shaken. Wouldn’t this be sufficient help for Your Highness?”

Edward, who had by now recovered his rationality, asked.

“And what benefit would you gain from such a situation?”

At the arrival of the moment he had hoped for, Rodrigo’s eyes gleamed.

“It’s simple. Your Highness should step in and resolve the Lady’s marriage issue. Frame it as though, despite the broken engagement with the First Prince, you feel pity for the Lady, whom you’ve known as a cousin, and return her to her original fiancé.”

Edward let out a short sigh.

Now he understood.

What Rodrigo truly wanted was none other than Ayla herself.

Naturally raising his guard, Edward listened as Rodrigo continued with a sly smile.

“It would be an excellent opportunity for Your Highness to solidify your public image, and I would be able to reclaim my lost fiancée. Wouldn’t that be beneficial for both of us?”

Evening, as darkness gradually descended.

Ayla, having finished viewing the Art Festival with Vivian, was leaving the Ceres Palace to return home.

“Architectural sculptures, they were truly unique. At first, I wasn’t sure, but I think I understand why Ayla decided to sponsor them.”

“Is that so? Actually, I felt more drawn to it because the sculptor is from the northern regions.”

While discussing the sculptor she had decided to sponsor and heading toward the carriage, Ayla suddenly stopped when Ian blocked her path.

“Captain Ian……?”

Then, from behind Ian, an awkward voice was heard.

“I was merely waiting because I had something to say.”

“To the Lady?”

“Yes. So, step aside, would you?”

Recognizing the familiar voice, Ayla tapped Ian’s back.

“I’ll be fine, please step aside, Captain.”

“…Understood.”

As Ian stepped aside, Alexander stood before Ayla with an embarrassed expression.

“Lord Alexander.”

“Haha. I didn’t mean to startle you, my apologies. I just had something I needed to say.”

Alexander’s expression was gentle, but his eyes revealed a resolute determination.

Ayla hesitated for a moment, then guided him toward the carriage.

She had a feeling it was about that day’s incident.

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