Sieg's told to cut ties with me or be stripped of his royal status! I make a hard choice, but as soon as Sieg makes his, we're stuck trying to figure out how to overthrow Ulrich from the outside. But when an old woman gives us some info, we're getting on the right track.
"Normally, I would strip you of your title and expel you from the royal family. But I'm giving you a chance," The King says, before glaring at me with bloodshot eyes. "Cut all ties with this girl at once! Swear to me that you will never see her again!"
What?! Now I'm worried. How can he put the blame on me when that cockroach is the one causing all of this trouble?
I look at Prince Sieg, who's biting his lip.
"Ngh…" Sieg mutters. "She's irreplaceable to me… I cannot do that."
"Are you disobeying an order from your King?" The King inquires.
Sieg clenches his fists, and his profile is definitely sad as he gives his own father a grim gaze. This is bad. But I know what I have to do.
"Sieg…" I begin.
I don't want to leave him, and I know the feeling is mutual, but if he were to be expelled from the royal family because of me, I'd never be able to forgive myself.
I turn to Sieg with a smile and then I say, "Sieg. I'm going to be okay. Please stay a member of House Lieben. You've got things to do as a prince. I want you to fulfill those responsibilities. If you were disowned all because of me, I'd never live with myself."
"Carly… But I…" Sieg begins to protest.
"It's going to be fine," I say, then turn back to the King, and bow. "Well… Excuse me."
However, Sieg grabs my arm and pulls me back.
"Stop." Sieg tells me.
"Sieg…" I begin to argue, but…
"I won't let you go again." Sieg murmurs in my ear.
"Hold it…" I try to say, but…
"Just be quiet." Sieg says, before gripping my hand tightly.
He turns to the King, and now he's going to be like a teen in his rebel phase.
"Your Highness, if by choosing her, I'm expelled from the royal family, then so be it." Sieg declares.
What is he doing?!
"Sieg… you…" The King begins.
"Hahaha… what a foolish choice." Ulrich chuckles.
Sieg gives him a defiant smile and says, "Foolish…? Don't make me laugh. Now I know what's true and what's important."
"You're going to be defiant to the bitter end… You are banished from this castle!" The King declares.
Prince Sieg goes down the hall at a quick pace, still holding on to my hand.
"Sieg, you have to go back! If you go back now, you'd be able to…" I protest.
"It's fine like this." Sieg says.
"How can it be fine?!" I say. "Something's not right with the king! If you don't do something, you'll be doing exactly what Ulrich wants!"
"I know that. That's why I'm doing this." Sieg says to me.
"Say what?" I ask. Now I get it! He's going to play into Ulrich's hands to end up stopping him.
"Sieg!" We hear Hans shout as he comes over to us.
"Hans." Sieg says. We turn and find Hans coming after us, and he's pretty frantic.
"Sieg… do you really mean to leave?" Hans asks us.
"Yeah." Sieg says.
Hans hesitates to speak.
"Don't look like that. It's fine with me. Thanks for everything." Sieg says to Hans.
"No, I'm coming with you." Hans says.
"You're employed by the royal family. You stay here and continue your work." Sieg says.
"Sieg…" Hans states. "You have an idea, right?"
I see a knowing eye in Hans' expression. That's something I've never seen before.
"You really know me, Hans." Sieg says.
"Of course I do… I serve you every day." Hans says.
What a guy… Sieg chuckles, and then he places a hand on Hans' shoulder, and Sieg whispers in his ear, "I want you to stay here and report everything that happens. I'll gather information from outside."
"Understood." Hans says.
"I'm counting on you." Sieg says, in reply.
"Just try not to put yourself in danger." Hans tells us.
"Don't worry. If anything happened to me, I wouldn't be able to keep my promise to Carly." Sieg says.
I blush in response.
"R-Right…!" Hans says.
Okay, now I'm both embarrassed and a little worried.
"Let's get going." Sieg says to me.
"Right." I say.
"Please be careful, both of you." Hans says.
We're soon in the town, and Sieg is in clothing that doesn't get him recognized.
"Well, now what, Sieg?" I ask him.
"First, we need to find somewhere to lay low in town." Sieg tells me.
"That sounds like a good idea." I say.
"Right. This place will do." Sieg says, pointing to a door to a restaurant. I see that there's a notice stuck to the door.
"It says 'Now hiring for live-in help'…" I say.
"That ensures us both food and board, killing two birds with one stone." Sieg says.
"You want to work here?" I ask, a little surprised.
"I'm confident in my cooking skills. Is there a problem?" Sieg asks me.
"Are you sure you're okay with this?" I ask.
"Yeah. It's the perfect place for me to hide." Sieg says to me.
We go and talk to the landlady about the job, with the intention of her hiring the both of us.
"Huh? Both of you?" She asks. "Unfortunately, I'm only looking to hire one person."
"Can't we change your mind about that?" Sieg asks.
"I'm afraid not… You're a handsome lad, and I'd really love to have you work here, but…" The landlady says, but she then stares at Sieg before her eyes go wide. "I can't believe this… Are you… Prince Sieg…?!"
"Eep!" I say, before giving her a hand gesture to get her to keep her mouth shut.
Seriously?! Busted already?! What else is going to happen to us?
"Please keep that on the down-low." I say.
"Okay, I get it! I won't say anything," The Landlady says to us, lowering her voice; her eyes are still alight with excitement. "This is so thrilling! I'm a huge fan of yours, Prince Sieg!"
"Thank you." Sieg says.
"But what on Earth is a prince doing here…?" She asks.
"It's… an unusual situation." Sieg says.
"Could it be an elopement… or a secret love affair?" The landlady asks us.
"Yeah, you could put it like that." Sieg replies.
"Sieg?!" I ask, in surprise.
"What? It's the truth." Sieg says.
Okay, he's right, that's not completely off-target, but still…
"Alright, leave it to me! I'll hide the two of you. You can both stay in the live-in room." The landlady says.
That's a relief.
After I take a bath, I sit down at the table in our room.
"Talk about the best luck we've got. That was convenient that the landlady was such a big fan of yours." I say.
"I guess I have a load of good karma." Sieg says.
I hesitate to reply. The landlady isn't really in the know of what's happening.
"What's that look for?" Sieg asks me.
"It's nothing… Let me get you some tea." I say, before standing up.
"Thanks." Sieg says.
I hear the sound of pouring water echo through the room, and at the same time, I feel a wave of sadness hit me.
"Sieg?" I ask.
"What?" Sieg inquires to me.
"Are you sure about this? Are you really okay with leaving the castle?" I ask him.
"I didn't expect that from you." Sieg says to me.
"What are you talking about?" I inquire.
"You've been so optimistic up until now. Are you anxious?" Sieg asks me.
"I'm more worried about you than I am anxious. You've lost your life as a prince, all because of me…" I say.
"I have no regrets. I was expelled from the castle, but I still have my pride as a royal. I love this kingdom more than anyone, and I'm concerned about its future. No matter where I am or how I'm living, I was still brought up as a member of the royal family." Sieg says to me.
"Oh, Sieg…" I reply, feeling touched.
"I've realized that there are things I can do whether or not I have the title. It's because I met you…" Sieg says to me, and I feel the determination in his calm, but direct gaze. "I've stopped moaning about how unnecessary I am, or about how I'm just a title. You taught me that I have my own value as a person. I've found my strength in you."
"Sieg…" I say, feeling my heart beat fast.
"That's why I want to face up to them as my own man." Sieg informs me.
"Don't worry; I'll help," I tell him. "I want to be by your side through this chaos."
"I thought you'd say that." Sieg says.
We give each other a big smile and I feel my heart brimming over with love for him.
"Well, we should get to bed." Sieg says.
"You're right about that." I say.
Sieg climbs into bed as though it's been decided. I mentally face-palm myself, because it's not only a one-person room, but it has one bed.
"Come on, get in." Sieg says, beckoning me to sleep with him.
I climb into bed, and lie with my back to Sieg.
"Are you nervous?" Sieg asks me.
"Of course I am." I say.
He gives a snort of laughter and then he sits up before looking at me.
"Everything was left up in the air after the commotion on the train… Shall we continue where we left off?" Sieg asks me.
"U-Um…?!" I begin, a bit flustered.
Sieg strokes my cheek tenderly like he was doing earlier, and now my heart swells with anxiety. Crud, I'm not ready.
I squeeze my eyes shut, but I fail to feel his lips touch mine. What the…?
"Just kidding. I won't do anything until this has all been resolved." Sieg says to me.
"Okay…" I say, but then Sieg lays his head on my shoulder.
"But for now, can we at least do this?" He asks me, and then his arms take me in from behind.
My heart begins pounding at the sensation of his strong arms and his head against me. It's very comforting and then I close my eyes, as the pleasant sensation swirls around.
The net day, I'm working in the restaurant, and I'm on desserts, as always. Meanwhile, Sieg is investigating Ulrich outside.
"Carly, have you finished the creme brulee?" The landlady asks.
"I sure have!" I say with a big smile.
"You can tell this is the work of a true pastry chef! Our regular customers are already raving about your desserts." The landlady tells us.
"Really?" I ask.
The landlady changes the subject and asks, "Is it really okay for you to work for free?"
"Yes, it's thanks for hiding us." I say.
I hope that Sieg hasn't gotten himself into any scrapes. I warned him not to go outside, but he didn't listen to me. The customers can at least give us information. I just need to keep doing what I can.
"Well, you can east as much as you like here." The Landlady asks me.
"Thanks very much." I say with a big smile.
"I'm home." Sieg says, as he comes into the live-in room.
"Hey, Sieg. You look tuckered out…" I say.
"Nah, you're the one who's been working all day. You must be more tired." Sieg says to me.
"Not even close… But that aside, did you manage to find anything?" I ask.
"I secretly met with an old acquaintance of mine from the aristocracy. It seems like Ulrich hasn't always been a part of the political world. He appeared from nowhere and quickly became one of the King's aides." Sieg explains to me.
"People find that strange, don't they?" I ask.
"There seem to be, but that man has a way of controlling people. It seems like all his detractors are charmed over to his side with the work of his 'prophecies'." Sieg explains.
"Mind expanding on that?" I ask.
"Yes. The predictions he makes seem to come true," Sieg says to me. "People are wondering whether Ulrich has some kind of special power. Seems like they really believe it."
"Seriously? I don't think that power really exists." I say in response.
"You're right about that. But someone with a keen perception can see through people's personalities and motives pretty easily. But when it's cloaked in mysterious circumstances one can be convinced that it's some kind of divine prophecy." Sieg says.
"I guess after listening to Ulrich's predictions and seeing them come true, the King was probably convinced, too." I say.
"That's right. He was strangely vacant and irate." Sieg says.
"The King also kept repeating that it was for the nation's sake." I say, beginning to pace around.
"No doubt that's what Ulrich has been telling him. He's being brainwashed…" Sieg says to me.
I draw in breath as I realize the gravity of the situation.
"Anything I say to the King right now is pointless." Sieg says to me.
"Like leeches on a corpse. In that case, we're going to have to get through to your father by taking Ulrich out of the picture from the outside." I say, crossing my arms.
"I'll find out exactly what he's plotting and destroy his scheme. Then I can open the King's eyes to his brainwashing, and return the kingdom to normal. And then I'll make him accept you, too." Sieg says to me.
The days come and go and both Sieg and I are looking around to find information on Ulrich and what he's up to.
"Here's your crème brulee, sir." I say, giving a customer a crème brulee dish.
"Oh, thank you. I'm addicted to your desserts!" The client says.
"Thanks; it really makes me happy to hear that." I say.
"Oh, right. If you don't mind, I'd like to ask a favor of you." The customer asks me.
"What's the favor?" I ask with a smile.
"Well, an old friend of mine is living nearby. She's very old, nearly a hundred, and she's lost her appetite lately…" He explains.
"Sheesh… I'm sorry to hear that's what's going on." I say, sadly.
"But I'm sure she'd want to eat your desserts. She loves sweet things. I was wondering if you could make something nutritional for her?" He asks me.
"I'll conjure something up." I say with a smile.
"You made a fruit cake?" Sieg says to me, as he comes back from his day.
"I sure did." I said.
"It looks great." He says, as he's looking at the cake on the table.
"It's a gift," I explain. "I set aside a slice for you over there."
"A present?" Sieg asks me.
I give him the slice of cake I set aside and then I tell him about the customer's request.
"And you're going to deliver it yourself?" Sieg asks me.
"Yeah; since it's so close, I think it'd be okay." I say.
"… Then I'll go with you." Sieg tells me.
"Are you sure?" I ask.
"I told you there's no way I can let you wander around by yourself. Knowing you, you'd probably get lost." Sieg says to me.
He's worried about me.
"Thanks." I say to him.
The next day, Sieg and I go to the old woman's house and we go incognito for safety reasons. Needless to say, the old lady was certainly happy to receive it.
"Oh my, I'm so happy you came all the way here to bring me this!" The old woman says to us. "I don't have many young visitors these days. Would you like some tea?"
"Oh, please, don't go to any trouble." I say.
"Not at all, I'd love it if you'd stay and chat." She says.
"Well, if you insist." Sieg says; he's in disguise for obvious reasons.
After she makes the tea, the old woman has us sitting on the sofa.
"Ooh, you two lovely young things are just the perfect couple, hehe." She says, teasing us.
That word rungs through my head; that isn't out of the question, but I look at Sieg in embarrassment. However, he's staring at the TV.
On the screen, I can see the King chairing a conference with that rodent, Ulrich, standing behind him like a shadow.
"Ulrich…" I mutter, pretty upset.
"Oh, yes, that Ulrich fellow… He's always shown next to the King these days. And to think someone from the Bosch family would reappear in politics." The old woman says.
This catches my attention; Sieg and I both look at her abruptly. This could be a clue!
"Bosch…?" I ask; I've never heard that name.
"You know who Ulrich is?" Sieg asks.
"No… It's just with that silver hair he must be one of the Bosch descendants. Everyone from the Bosch family has that silver hair." She explains.
"Who is the Bosch family?" Sieg asks her.
"A very long time ago… when I was a little girl, the Boschs were a noble family who held a lot of power. But there was some dispute, and the King exiled them." The old woman says.
"Exiled by the King…" Sieg says.
This could be one of the reasons Ulrich is doing this, but we don't know for sure.
"Where are they, now?" I ask.
"They were driven off to some poor area near the border of Nerwan. I think it was a village named S… Swili." The old woman tells us.
"Swili…" Sieg repeats.
He kneels down to the old lady and says, "Thank you so much for that story."
"Not at all! You came come to me anytime you want to hear stories about the past." She says to us.
Once it's all said and done, Sieg and I make our way back to the restaurant.
"Talk about luck," I say with a smile. "I'm surprised we got such important information on that cockroach from that old woman."
"It's all thanks to you. You were kind enough to deliver her your cake. And we ended up getting some completely unexpected information." Sieg says to me.
"I don't think it was my doing… But this is quite a twist: he's a descendent from an exiled noble family…" I say, running the information through.
"Since it happened so long ago, only an older generation would know about it… I still don't know enough about this country…" Sieg says, chewing his lip with regret. "Carly."
"What's up?" I ask.
"I'm going to the village of Swili… to Ulrich's hometown." Sieg says to me.
Now we're getting somewhere with this! Sieg and I headed to Swili to get more info on Ulrich, but since we're going into the territory of an old foe of Sieg's family, we're king to be prepared for the worst.
