leash chapter 5

“Your Highness, are you all right?”

As soon as Arlenrose exited the Crown Prince’s study, Carmine approached her and draped a towel around her shoulders. The thin cloth greedily absorbed the moisture that had soaked her from the rain, and it quickly clung to her body.

“You’re drenched, and your body is cold. I’ll have hot water prepared right away, so you should take a bath first.”

Carmine, who had been worriedly examining Arlenrose, paused when she saw her cold expression.

“Your Highness, you don’t look good. Did His Highness the Crown Prince say something unpleasant to you?”

“Carmine Modreo.”

Arlenrose turned to him and lifted the corners of her lips slightly, barely managing a smile as she added, “Sir Carmine, won’t you help search for the Demonas spy?”

Carmine briefly stiffened at her unexpected words before furrowing his brow.

“Why all of a sudden….”

“I’m anxious.”

“Your Highness is anxious?”

“Yes. The thought of a Demonas spy lurking in the castle, spreading word of what was said at the ball and causing nobles to be hung upside down from the castle gates, is terrifying.”

Arlenrose continued, looking at Carmine as if appealing to him.

“You heard me say at the ball that the leader of Demonas, Diabolus, should be punished as an example. I’ve earned his grudge, so I might be the next one hanging upside down from the castle gates.”

At those words, Carmine gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist.

“I will protect Your Highness from suffering such a fate.”

“Of course, I trust you, Sir Carmine. But I think I’ll feel much more at ease if we simply eliminate the root cause altogether.”

“And that’s why you want me to help with the search?”

“Yes. We’re struggling to search with our current manpower, but if Sir Carmine helps, we’ll definitely find them in no time.”

“Your Highness.”

Carmine called her with emphasis and looked at Arlenrose. After scrutinizing her expressionless face, he let out a sigh.

“The Crown Prince must have pressured you.”

“Oh, no. Sir Carmine, I really…”

Arlenrose hurriedly tried to deny it, feeling flustered inside, but Carmine closed his eyes tightly without listening further.

“I understand, Your Highness. If I were to insist here, Your Highness would be troubled.”

“Sir Carmine…”

“Then, while I help with the search, I will have the vice captain take over your escort duties.”

The vice gaptain of the Royal Guard, Baker, was a trustworthy man. However, instead of agreeing, Arlenrose looked at Carmine with a hint of apology in her eyes, her eyebrows furrowed.

“No, the entire Knights Order should be mobilized for the search. This matter is not to be taken lightly.”

“But Your Highness, I cannot yield on this.”

Carmine’s expression was resolute. Arlenrose stared at his determined face for a moment before lowering her gaze.

“Sir Carmine. Are you trying to make things difficult for me?”

“Your Highness…!”

Carmine’s eyes wavered greatly. Arlenrose couldn’t bear to meet his gaze and hung her head. It wasn’t that she didn’t feel a pang of guilt, but there was no other way to persuade him.

Eventually, Carmine let out a long sigh and declared defeat.

“Yes, I understand.”

“Oh. Thank you, Sir Carmine.”

Arlenrose smiled with a brighter expression, but Carmine’s face remained stern.

“However, I must confirm this. Who is the knight who will take over the escort duty for Her Highness the Princess?”

“The vice captain of the Crown Prince’s Guard, Sir Mark Fowards.”

“Sir Mark… He will suffice.”

Only then did Carmine’s expression soften a little.

Mark Fowards was a veteran knight who had served the royal family for a long time. He had recently stepped down from the position of Captain at his own request, but there were still few knights in the castle who could surpass him.

In that case, the reason for him to withdraw from the search and escort the Princess was understandable. He was a man of gentle but firm character, so he could be trusted.

“Then, you don’t have to worry. Sir Carmine, please do your best in the search.”

Carmine resolutely saluted at Arlenrose’s words.

“Yes, I understand. I, Carmine Modreo, will definitely find the spy and offer the glory to Her Highness the Princess.”

“Carmine…”

Arlenrose quietly smiled as she watched Carmine kneel before her.

“Thank you, Carmine Modreo.”

He truly was a steadfast man. How could she resist her feelings for him when he was like this?

* * *

To put it bluntly, it was a lie.

“My name is Ray Luciana. Sir Mark Fowards has suddenly fallen ill, so I have come in his stead.”

A blatant lie.

Arlenrose moved her cold eyes over the man standing before her.

His bright red hair and piercing blue eyes made for a striking contrast. His long, slender eyes and straight nose were also quite striking. He was too handsome to be a knight.

If he had been a royal knight, there was no way she wouldn’t have noticed him before. Arlenrose frowned slightly and took a step closer to him.

“Luciana… I’ve never heard of your family… Where are you from?”

“Oh, I’m just a mercenary. I’m originally from Profton in the west, but I’ve been traveling around so much that I don’t really have a hometown.”

Mercenary. At that, Arlenrose swallowed the laughter that was threatening to burst forth. It was the moment when the little bit of surprise she had left completely vanished.

It was fine that Mark Fowards hadn’t come as an escort. In the first place, it was strange that Enrique would send Fowards, so it didn’t surprise her now that it was a lie.