As I got permission, I have been walking in the gardens daily at the main palace… or the place where I am staying at now after that day.

Today was no exception as I try to make my way towards those very gardens.

But….

Someone has been keen on following me for a while now.

Judging by the steps it is likely to be the ‘maid’ or rather the assassin from yesterday evening.

Believing it to be so, I then turned the hall and walked neither slow nor fast.

Taking a couple more detours, I payed close attention to the 'fly' that was busily buzzing near my ear.

Soon after, further memorizing their footsteps and even micro expressions I came to a conclusion that it is one of the maids that serves me.

‘I hate to do this but... I don’t really like loose ends all that much.’

After I turned to the corner of the hedge, as we have already reached the gardens at some point, I could tell the slight change in the assassin’s breathing.

The footsteps seem to be in a hurry as they try to make their way towards the corner of the hedge to follow me.

…They are currently nervous.

So…the best chance to strike was now….

While I was thinking so, the assassin had already reached the corner and thus looked frantically for me not even realizing that I was just right below them.

Taking that chance, I pulled out the hidden dagger from their pocket and instantly stabbed their throat.

It is a pity that I couldn’t prevent the blood from dripping on me.

But...Maybe it is better this way, as it can also serve as a warning to those other 'flies' that were busily buzzing about.

Staring at the now corpse of the 'fly', I stabbed the dagger down their throat deeper and circled the neck with a thin laceration.

With all my strength, I thus cut off the assassin’s head while gripping at its hair.

Throwing the now useless dagger I then proceeded to drag the head along with me as if I was playing with a new toy I had just found.

The head still having traces of blood, soon dyed the halls red…Like a long majestic red carpet was following my every step.

I soon caught the growing stares and looks from the servants that I pass by.

It was an undeniable mixture of fear, concern and pity….

While some even gave me stares filled with resentment…. I bet the ones giving those looks are the colleagues of the pest I just beheaded…

Otherwise, it seems that some spies have entered the palace.

Seriously… is the King even managing his territory right??

As I was thinking those idle thoughts, it looks like the saying: [speak of the devil and thus he will appear] was right on point.

It seems that after noticing the commotion (that I have graciously made), the King promptly made his way towards my general direction.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

While the servants that were once busy with their gossips all shut their mouths, proceeding to bow in respect and courtesy once they saw even a bit of the King’s hem.

Elt who was by the King made his way towards me and meticulously wiped my face clean from the blood that have sprayed on me earlier.

After finishing doing so, he looked at the King and then nodded as though he had understood the King’s intentions.

He thus proceeded to ask me some questions.

“May I please inquire of the thing in your hands?”

“…Follower.” Opening my mouth, seemingly still challenged with speaking, I then looked at the thing dangling from my hand and stared back at Elt.

“Where did you find it perchance?” Elt then in turn stared back at me.

“Gardens. Noisy.” I then proceeded to point outside while showing an annoyed look on my face.

“Then, who did that….?” He stared at the detached head I was carrying around.

“…” I stayed silent, smiled brightly and looked at him in the eye then I turned towards the King who was staring at me from behind Elt.

Seeing this, the King was silent, he seemed to be pondering things as he surveilled me.

Finally, opening his mouth as he seemed to have reached a conclusion, he then ordered Elt to…

“Take the child back and bathe him clean.” At the King’s words Elt carried me to the room I am staying at and filled the tub as he washed me.

After feeling refreshed I ordered Elt to be excused as if I didn’t want to face him right now, maybe in fear of hearing anything about what happened that day.

"Then, rest well dear Prince." Elt greeted me a farewell for the night and promptly closed the doors to this room.

As the door closed I collapsed on the uselessly large bed.

Singing the melody again as I try to sleep…But I couldn’t help but let my mind drift off to the King’s actions earlier which made me feel all the more confused.

Honestly I was a bit afraid that I would get scolded or worse yet imprisoned but he instead increased the number of guards and replaced most of the staff serving me.

He sure does work fast…He even precisely removed the spies.

Even the ones that were the least bit suspicious weren’t spared.

This may be the only night I have slept somberly after what happened at my birthday.

‘….I guess I won’t be celebrating it for a while.’

….

…

..

The next day I woke up to 3 presents beside my bed, I’m sure one of them is from Elt but the remaining 2 looked suspicious.

‘…I’ll just keep them all at the closet for a while.’ Shoving the presents inside the big closet I stared out of the window.

The wind was blowing fairly, neither strong nor weak as the sun above was beginning to rise to the blue skies.

At the distance though, I could see a flock of birds heading towards somewhere in the palace.

One in particular was flying straight to my window.

I panicked as it was flying really fast towards the glass.

But as I was about to open the windows, the blue feathered bird passed through it unscathed.

On closer inspection, its feathers move around like liquid and its eyes are like beaded obsidian…. Rather it looks like a gem I haven’t seen before…

Or rather… the gem looked really familiar, I mean isn’t it scattered all over the castle or what not?!

While thinking so, I unconsciously tapped on the ‘bird’s’ head.

Soon it glowed as words like shapes appeared and soon the ‘bird’ scattered to flowing lights.

Leaving behind a perfectly dry letter, an ink tube and a blue feathered quill pen tied with a yellow ribbon.

Looking at it closely…It was a letter from Klutzs.

Hesitation was visible on my face as I turn to the closet where I stored the presents I had received earlier, deciding to finally open the letter I could smell ash and a slightly metallic scent.

[“May XXX

Dear Prince,

I am sorry that I wasn’t able to celebrate your birthday last year, we just made it to the borders and didn’t have enough time to write you letters, this may seem like an excuse but I have no complaints if you think of it like that.

Although it’s late, Happy birthday to our young Sun.

From your loyal subjects,

Klutzs and the knights of the Prince’s palace.”]

I didn’t know why, but tears slowly begun to swell and run down my face.

Maybe I was sad or maybe I was touched as a thought clicked in my head.

....That’s right.

I still have some of my people, Elt is also still here even if he doesn’t visit much.

‘This time… I have to protect them well… especially since the ending of this Otome game world is like that.’

In the little amount of time I have spent in this new room I realised that 4 months since that day had already long passed.

My perception of time had dulled to the point that I only noticed the amount of time passed that I have spent wasting, when I saw the date on the letter Klutzs had sent.