Meeting didn’t end until late in the evening. The visitors had already left to return to their homes, and perhaps have a close talk with their family. It was a time of war, after all. It could be the last time they would ever see their family. There were still preparations to be done, so the nobles that were to be sent out could use that time to be with their loved ones.

There was one exception who would certainly stay, of course, as being the head of intelligence and the supervisor of logistics. Namely Meril.

Given it was nighttime, in the lobby, there had been no one else except for the king, the first prince, Meril, and Vernon.

Vernon, in particular, was requested to join them, for there was to be a meeting later. But they were waiting for someone that should arrive shortly. At least, that was their expectation after he was told to return.

Meril sighed as he sat on a chair. He was obviously tired. “We have not faced danger of this scale in our time. It is a volatile situation. That is why, Leodoule,” he stared at the king. “You sit tight here in the palace.”

The king frowned. “Why are you telling me that?”

“Because I know you. You seek the thrill of battle. And I’m telling you beforehand, even if the enemy got halfway through the territory, don’t even try fighting them off.”

“... If it helps us win, I will fight if I have to. My power alone can help turn the tide.”

“We can’t risk losing the king, even more so now.”

“I don’t intend to die.” He crossed his arms with a displeased expression. “Have a little faith in my ability. Besides, we have a crown prince to take my place just in case.”

Eleden’s eyes widened. “Father! Don’t say that. I’m not losing you too.”

“He’s right,” Meril added. “Even if we have an heir prepared, the word of the king dying would send shockwaves all over the nation. It will give the impression that we’re losing. So don’t be foolish. Strength may be great, but we still need someone to lead the entire nation. And Eleden, admittedly, is not ready yet to take all of that burden, especially in this time of war.” He turned towards Eleden. “Nothing personal.”

“No, Uncle… You’re right. I know my flaws… I’m not ready yet, and I don’t think I’ll be for some time…”

Meril faintly nodded and returned to look at Leodoule. “Do you understand?”

“... Fine. I understand.”

Eleden lowered his head. “If my sister was here… Perhaps…”

Meril sighed again. “She’s not here. That’s why we’ll put to use the plans she had made, and make decisions we think are right. We can’t let her absence affect our confidence and judgments.”

“Yes…”

Perhaps they have grown too reliant on the specific plans and instructions she laid out. Now that she wasn’t here, they must do everything on their own. Think for themselves. Not doing so would be an absolute failure on their part. Estelia had already made the tools, they only had to use them at their disposal.

In fact, whether they knew it or not, that was Estelia’s intention. She never wanted everyone to be too dependent on her. It would be prone to failure. Everyone must be able to decide and think for themselves, one that could help the kingdom. She never had the intention of personally leading the war or anything. Imagine if she was absent one day, and they had to wait for her to allow one action, then it would be inefficient.

She had no use for stupid and useless sheep. She wanted smart and reliable sheep.

For what she was intending on doing while everyone else was busy, well, only she would know.

That being said, she was not too worried about this matter. She knew her father and everyone else would do what was needed. She would only need to give them the tools they might require. They weren’t idiots.

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But there might be others outside her family that were idiots. An ally’s stupidity is the greatest bane one could have. Thus, she must minimize it as much as possible. She would prefer to completely remove it, but stupidity would always persist.

A group of horses arrived and stopped in front of the open doors of the palace. As they had expected, the second prince had finally returned, the one they had been waiting for. The king directed a tired look towards Estevan, going down his steed and leaving it to a knight.

The second prince was wearing his armor, and he removed his helm, revealing a haggard face. His hair was a mess. He immediately went and entered the palace, from where the faint dark circles under his eyes became obvious. He paused and stared curiously at the four waiting in the lobby.

Leodoule walked a little closer to Estevan and gave him a displeased expression.

“I requested your presence. Did the herald not find you?”

With an annoyed face, Estevan averted his eyes away. “He found me.”

“Then you knew we had an urgent meeting. Why didn’t you follow the request?”

“Aren’t I here now? Besides, you already know why.”

Leodoule mildly shook his head in exasperation. “Our meeting was incredibly important. Your presence as a prince is mandatory. Are you even aware of what’s going on?”

“... No.”

“That’s why you should have come!”

Estevan’s face contorted. “Will you get off my back about this?!” He raised his voice, like thunder incurring silence. “I don’t have time for anything else. All of you know that I’m searching for Estel!”

“Don’t raise your voice at me, boy,” Leodoule warned.

“Am I the only one worried to death about Estelia?! We know nothing of where she could be, not even a trace. We don’t know what kind of danger my poor little sister could be in!”

“Of course we’re worried about her. But you have your responsibility as a prince!” He pointed a finger at him with a glare. “Leave the task of searching for her to the knights.”

“No no no no. You focus on the little things. I’ll find my sister.”

Leodoule’s eyes widened in astonishment. “Little things?! Our entire kingdom is in jeopardy, and you make trivialities of it?” He was furious to hear those words from his own son.

“You can handle it without me just fine.”

“Stubborn boy. You’re barely present with cleaning up the palace. You’re barely home. And clearly you hadn’t properly slept. You’re rarely beside your late mother.”

Estevan clenched his fists. “... Right now… I think looking for my sister is more important. The more time wasted, the more in danger she can be.”

This was how Estevan had been ever since the princess’s disappearance. He barely rested, always worried. It was almost like he was so obsessed with searching for his little sister. Instead of grieving for his mother, he was doing all that.

“Listen, my son. Despite how much you want to find your sister, you still have a responsibility to this kingdom. Don’t be like this,” Leodoule tried saying as softly as possible. “Rest, leave the rest to our men.”

“I’ll rest when I have found Estelia.”

“Then I’ll release an order forbidding you from leaving the palace grounds.”

His eyes widened. “What?! You can’t do that!” His face turned into anger, glaring intensely at his own father.

“I can and I will.”

Estevan gritted his teeth for a moment as he fell into deep thought. “... Fine, then I’m leaving. I would rather sleep outside and set out to search immediately.”

He turned around, and he began walking to the outside. But Leodoule raised his hand and urgently shouted at the knights outside.

“Don’t let Estevan out of the palace!”

The knights were confused for a second, but considering that it was from the king himself, they immediately lined up to block Estevan’s path.

“Get out of my way,” Estevan said, but the knights didn’t move.

Eleden quickly rushed to Estevan’s side and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Brother, calm down. You don’t look well right now. You’re not what you’re used to.”

“Unhand me, brother.”

He tried pulling away, but Eleden kept a tight grip on the metal of Estevan’s armor.

“No, I won’t let you go…” They glared into each other’s eyes before Eleden continued. “Look at you… You think Estelia would be happy to see you like this?”

At that, Estevan’s eyes softened slightly.

“... She would want you to rest. Please, go to your room. We’ll talk later.”

Estevan took in a deep breath and lowered his gaze with a hesitant face.

“I beg you, little brother.”

Estevan closed his eyes for a brief moment. “... Alright.”

Eleden let go of Estevan’s shoulder and he watched as the prince began walking away. They all silently stared at him until he disappeared from sight.

Meril heaved a long sigh. “I never imagined he would end up that way.”

Eleden lowered his eyes. “He loves Estelia so much. He had cared for her closely ever since she came to this world.”

“... Of course. Guess only the four of us will be discussing the matter.” Meril shrugged. Estevan was not in a state to undergo a rational discussion at the moment.

Leodoule approached the knights. “Don’t let Estevan leave the palace. If he tries, force him back in. Make sure the other knights know about this order.”

The knights glanced at each other for a moment, conflicted about the order. It was not exactly an easy thing to do, Estevan was a powerful knight, and no less a prince. Was it even right to be violent against him? The king sensed their hesitation and gave them assurance.

“I know it will be tough if that happens, but do your best. Do what you have to do.”

“Y-Yes, Your Majesty.”

With a nod, Leodoule returned to Meril. “Shall we go?”

“Alright.”

“Uh, Father,” called Eleden. “Can you give me a moment? I would like to talk to Estevan first.”

Leodoule paused for a moment and glanced in the direction of where Estevan went. “... Very well. But don’t take too long.”

“Of course.”

With that, Eleden made his way to Estevan’s room.