The Lowest Royal Returns

It didn't take long to arrive back at the mansion, and the moment they did, Isabel turned toward him and extended her hand, as if asking for something.

Raelis tilted his head, puzzled.

"Need anything?" he asked. "I don't have any money, if that's what you're asking for."

"The gun," Isabel replied. "I'm confiscating it. Now."

"I already burned the gun as well," Raelis said plainly, causing a dumbfounded look to appear on her face.

"Seriously... you Varekans just burn every problem you can, isn't that right?" Isabel said, then halted. "Sorry... that was a bit insensitive of me."

"It's fine. You're right, but I'm not the same," Raelis replied. "Believe it or not, there was ink on the barrel, and—"

"Ink on the barrel?" Isabel cut him off. "Did the ink have a shape?"

"What...? It just looked like a splatter," Raelis said. "Do you think the Eternal Scribe is behind it or something?"

"Well, I might've been able to tell had you not burned the fucking weapon," Isabel replied with a scoff. "Anyways, just stay away from any ink you see. Otherwise, you might be suffocated while you are asleep."

With those final words, she vanished from sight, but after hearing the clanking of a window, he realized she had simply gone back to her room.

While he did expect her to be somewhat special, he was definitely not expecting her to be that special.

But alas, having an ally as strong as her was worth it, so he didn't pay it any mind and jumped into the shadows, slowly entering the mansion.

He made his way through the halls, and eventually, he arrived in front of Lydia's room.

This was the only pit stop he wanted to make before heading out. After all, during the talk with his mother, he had told her he wasn't going to be staying the night.

She was persistent about him doing so, but after a few somewhat convincing attempts, she gave in and told him to be careful on his way back to the academy, and of course, to be careful while dealing with the demons in a week's time.

Nonetheless, he knocked on the door a few times, then stepped inside.

Unlike Isabel, who was prepared for Raelis to enter, Lydia was clearly just lying on her bed, snoring loudly.

He approached her, then opened her window, causing her to wake up, startled.

"W-W-Who's there!" Lydia yelled. "I have a knife! N-No, I have two knives! But... oh? Raelis?"

She spotted him, a small smile forming on her face. "Apologies I didn't notice you sooner. I would've come to greet you earlier today as well, but it is my genuine oversight."

"I didn't inform anyone that I was coming here. You're not at fault," Raelis replied plainly. "I came here to ask you a few things, and I want you to be brutally honest with me."

All of a sudden, ten knives came out of his shadow and floated just above his head, forming a crown.

"Whose side are you on, Lydia?"

"Side...?" Lydia tilted her head. "I'm loyal to you and Miss Sophia... Did I do something wrong?"

"Have my siblings contacted you?" Raelis asked. "Any attempts at contacting you at all?"

"Young Master, no one even knows we are living here," Lydia replied truthfully. "I couldn't even be a traitor if I wanted to. That's because I wasn't allowed to even step a foot out of this household. I serve Lady Sophia to the best of my abilities, and while you're in this manor, I will serve you too."

"What about in the past, Lydia?" Raelis asked. "Back when we still lived in the palace?"

Her expression noticeably turned hesitant, but she soon nodded.

"Young Miss Zeri contacted me three times... I went to her tea party once," Lydia said, feeling guilty. "S-She tried to bribe me with riches, and..."

"You accepted," Raelis finished for her, taking a few steps closer. "I saw you had new earrings when I first awoke from the coma. Were they Zeri's?"

Lydia lowered her gaze. "That's right, Young Master. But... I can promise you that ever since we left the palace, I've been nothing but loyal to you and your mother. I've come to care for her as much as I once cared for you when you were a child..."

A single tear trickled down her cheek. "So even if Young Miss Zeri were to seek me out, I would decline her request."

Hah... if Zeri were to seek you out, then it's to kill you, Raelis mused inwardly.

After all, the way they parted wasn't exactly very pleasant. If anything, he was fully expecting Zeri to try to kill him once they were out of the academy.

But it seemed like that would have to wait for the time being.

Still...

"Your loyalty is appreciated," Raelis said coldly. "But a person whose loyalty can be bribed by money serves no purpose to me."

Lydia's eyes widened as she scrambled to the edge of her bed, tears streaming down her eyes.

Raelis approached and extended his hand, causing one of the knives that had been hovering above his head to glide down to the tip of his fingers.

"P-Please... Young Master, I promise that was just a mistake! I'm loyal to you now!" Lydia pleaded. "Please give me a chance to prove it!"

Raelis listened to her bickering before letting out a sigh.

"You've been given many chances, Lydia."

With those final words, he sent the knife flying toward her throat.

But just as it was about to kill her, the knife froze in midair as Lydia's door suddenly swung open.

In the next instant, the head maid, Noa, walked into the room, a cheerful smile on her face.

Since Raelis didn't want to be spotted, he hopped into the shadows and watched the two of them from the side.

"Huh?" Noa halted, puzzled. "What's up with you? Did you have a nightmare?"

Lydia flinched.

"A nightmare...? Y-Yeah... something like that."