"Back when I said 'keep a close eye on her,' Your Highness," Duke Jenn's voice rang out in the reception room, laced with deliberate mockery, suppressed anger, and the ominous sense of an approaching storm. "I certainly didn't mean kidnapping my sister in broad daylight..."
Yet Prince Tales, seated in an expensive armchair across from the Duke, wore a blank, distracted expression.
Kidnapping?
Morning light filled the room. Tales stared at a cup of exotic flower tea on the little table, utterly exhausted.
Yes, kidnapping.
But kidnapped by what?
By assassins? Enemies? Power? Circumstances? By some strange, indescribable evil?
The Defense Lawyer's face appeared before his eyes—one moment screaming wildly and suffering terribly after losing control, the next giggling foolishly with innocent delight.
Tales's gaze settled on the reflection in the cup, seemingly real and illusory, impossible to distinguish.
Or was it by each person's own fate, from which no one could escape for the rest of their life?
Duke Jenn's merciless accusations continued. "As the prince of a kingdom and one who bears the dignity of a duke, you irresponsibly abandoned your planned itinerary, arrogantly shook off your escort, and went sightseeing among the common people simply to satisfy your curiosity, to 'rejoice with the people'..."
Abandoned the itinerary.
Shook off the crowd.
Tales drew a deep breath.
The monster's mad laughter amid the ominous white smoke seemed to echo faintly beside his ear, making him increasingly irritable.
Really?
He, Tales Starcrest.
What could he truly abandon?
And what could he truly shake off?
"Dressing up as a clown and a flower girl, seeking amusement in a place where all sorts of people mingled, performing in the street, brawling in poor alleyways, trespassing into private homes, leaving countless messes in your wake, and returning covered in injuries..." Jenn continued