Sieg and I are heading off to Swili, and Hayden and Oliver stop by to help us out. But when we learn that we don't have anything to fear from the rest of the Bosch family and learn more about Ulrich's past, then we're more than ready to try and stop him! But when Sieg tries to get me to stay behind at our hiding place, I insist on coming along! But what now?


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.

The next day, Sieg and I are making our preparations to travel to Swili.

"Seems like it's quite a remote place. Pack accordingly." Sieg says.

"Ten-four!" I say, packing some food and water.

However, we're interrupted by a knock at the door; is it the landlady?

"Who is it?" Sieg says.

"Sieg? It's me." Someone says; that voice is familiar…

The door swings open and the most unexpected people are behind the door.

"Hayden? Oliver?" I ask, in surprise.

"What are you doing here…?" Sieg asks.

"Ooh, a secret vacation, how romantic!" Oliver says, trying to lighten the mood.

"We were worried, so we came to check up on you. Hans told us where to find you." Hayden explains.

"I see…" Sieg says.

"The others are worried, too." Oliver says.

"Sorry to worry you, and for ditching my Expo work." Sieg says.

"It's fine; you need to focus on what's going on here." Hayden says.

"It's all very strange. The citizens have no clue that their princes was expelled from the castle." Oliver says.

"The town's packed with people for tomorrow's commemoration ceremony," Hayden says. "How ironic."

We can all see the DresVan national glad flying in the streets from the window. Prince Hayen is staring out at it in frustration.

"By the way, why are you two packing?" Oliver asks.

"We…" Sieg begins, and then he fills Oliver and Hayden in on what's been happening.

"So you're going to this Ulrich guy's hometown?" Hayden asks.

"But this family must resent the Lieben family. Won't it be dangerous?" Oliver inquires; he has a point.

"Will you take a guard?" Hayden asks.

"Now, we'll be fine. We want to draw as little attention as possible." Sieg says.

"Then take the car we've been using. It's a regular car," Hayden says. "It'll at least be helpful for you to have a driver."

"Yeah, he's right," Oliver says. "You've got Carly with you too, remember?"

"Let us do that much for you." Hayden requests.

"Thanks." Sieg says.

We're riding to Swili in the car, and then I decide to speak up.

"Hayden and Oliver were a big help." I say.

"Yeah, we owe them." Sieg says.

"They're true-blue friends; they came out all the way here for you." I say.

"Yeah, I've known the two of them, and Kuon since I was a child." Sieg says.

"So you grew up together as heirs to the thrones of your nations." I say

"Yeah. I don't want to do anything that would upset them." Sieg says to me.

"We're going to learn something by going to Swili; no doubt about it." I say.

"I agree," Sieg tells me, before putting an arm around my shoulders. "It'll be a long drive. You should rest."

"Okay." I say, and then I end up nodding off.


We soon make it…

"Sieg… is this Swili?" I ask.

"Yeah, should be…" Sieg replies, looking at the map.

This is more of a small settlement than it is a village. All I see are some scattered houses.

"This is where Ulrich was born?" I ask. It doesn't seem like the type of place to be the birthplaces of such a powerful aide to the King.

"Sieg, try to stay out of sight. I'll check out the surroundings." I say.

"Who are you?" Someone says.

I turn around to see a little boy with silver hair. Yep, silver hair; definitely a Bosch trait.

"Where did you come from?" He asks me.

"Um…" I say, trying not to give away our mission. However, he gives me an innocent smile.

"Hey, what's going on? Is someone there?" I hear someone else ask.

"Grandpa, it's a visitor." The little boy calls back.

The man he was talking to is approaching us, and his hair is silver, as well.

"Are you… Prince Sieg?" He asks.

I slap myself in the face; busted right from the get-go already?! And considering the history between house Bosch and house Lieben, who knows what we're in for?!

"Well, it's the highest honor for us to welcome a prince out here," The older man says. "What could possibly bring a noble person such as yourself to a place like this?"

Okay… I didn't see that coming. He's actually being quite respectful. What's this about?

I can tell Sieg's thrown for a loop, too, and he says, "We came to ask about Ulrich."

"Ulrich…?" The man asks, while his eyes go wide.

He brings us into the house he lives in and then he introduces himself, "My name is Uwe. I'm as close as Ulrich has to a father."

The thought of coming into the same house as Ulrich's family is a little uncomfortable.

"I had no idea that Ulrich had become the King's aide. We don't have a television here, so news is slow to reach us." Uwe explains.

"Ulrich is using his position to plan something; something that could turn this kingdom upside down. We came to investigate this conspiracy." Sieg explains.

Uwe looks shocked for a moment, but then he sighs heavily.

"I see, so that's what Ulrich is doing… But, I can see why. That boy hates the royal family." Uwe explains.

"Isn't this true for the whole family?" Sieg asks.

Sieg, just because someone belongs to a particular group of people doesn't mean they think the same way.

"No, not at all! Only Ulrich." Uwe says.

"But the Bosch family was exiled here by the Lieben family, weren't they?" I ask.

"That's true, and my ancestors hated them for it. But it was those very ancestors who started the dispute in the first place that led up to the expulsion. We understand that fully. So, we don't have any grudges against the Lieben family, and we just continue eking out a living." Uwe states.

That's actually quite relieving to hear. When someone understands that it is their own fault for something that led to severe consequences that means they have the maturity to live out normally.

"So why does Ulrich still hate the royal family?" Sieg inquires.

"I think he has a superiority complex," Uwe says. "He can't stand the fact that he's more talented and comes from noble lineage, and yet is forced to live a life below ordinary. Especially since King Joshua came to power. His kingdom has been peaceful and prosperous, and yet our family continues to live in poverty."

That explains quite a bit. Now that I remember it, I heard Ulrich singing when I was kidnapped. The lyrics said something about his family being in exile and being isolated this way. So this is what he was talking about…

"And he also wasn't pleased that the King welcomed an ordinary woman into the royal family. I heard him complain about how he was of noble blood, yet so far from the royal family. When he was young, the knowledge that he was a descendent of nobility was always at the forefront of his mind." Uwe says.

I get it: this is why he's manipulating the King as if he's a marionette. So he can push me away from Sieg.

Sieg faces Uwe, and says, "Could you tell us what Ulrich might be thinking that that he's the King's aide? I heard what he's planning is… 'Destruction'."

"Destruction…? He used to say that idiots were running the country and that he'd show them how it's done. And that when he did, it would be something public and dramatic." Uwe states.

"Public and dramatic…" Sieg says.

"The commemoration ceremony tomorrow!" I say, in realization.

"Yeah, the ceremony is the perfect stage for him." Sieg says.

"That explains when he wanted you to stay in Nobel Michel." I say.

"Carly, let's get back to town." Sieg says.

"Say no more!" I say. "Thanks for your help, Uwe."

"Wait!" Uwe says.

"What's the matter?" Sieg asks.

"Ulrich was always a good boy," Uwe says, as he's looking out the window, sadly, watching the little boy playing. "He lost his parents early… and he despised this sorry existence. It left a dark stain upon him."

"Is that supposed to be an excuse for what he's doing?" Sieg asks.

"No, of course not. It's just… Prince Sieg, you have to stop him. Please…" Uwe says.

We soon head back to the car, but…

"Huh? You're leaving already?" The little boy asks us.

"We are." I say, sadly.

"Come back again and we'll play together." The young boy says.

His innocent smile against the backdrop of their lives is stuck with me.

Sieg is mulling over this information, and he's silent on the way back. I really wish I knew what he was thinking… So, I take his hand into mine for comfort.

He remains silent, but he squeezes my hand back, and I look at him with worry in my eyes.

However, his cellphone ringing interrupts us. He picks it up.

"Hello? Oh, Hans," Sieg says; Hans is calling? "I see. Understood. Okay, see you."

"What was that?" I ask.

"There's something he can't discuss over the phone. He's gonna tell me in person." Sieg says.

"Serious?" I ask.

"Maybe something's happened at the castle." Sieg says.

We soon make it back to the employee room, and Hans meets up with us there some time later.

"Sieg! Miss Carly!" Hans shouts, as he rushes into the room. "Sieg, you've lost weight…"

Hans is definitely getting emotional again.

"So what have you found out, Hans?" Sieg asks.

"Yes, Ulrich has made a move." Hans says.

"What do you mean?" Sieg asks Hans; I can understand how vague that is.

"I spotted him slipping out of the castle in the middle of the night. I followed him," Hans began. "He was talking with a dangerous-looking man."

"Did you hear what they were saying?" Sieg asks.

"Yes. 'The preparations are complete'… But I couldn't get close enough to hear the details." Hans admits.

"No, you did well," Sieg says. "The preparations are complete…?"

"Sieg, does that mean what I think it does?" I ask.

"Yeah, it must be tomorrow." Sieg says.

"Do you think he's going to try something at tomorrow's commemoration ceremony?" Hans asked.

"It's very likely." Sieg says in reply.

"Actually, there's a rumor at the castle that at tomorrow's ceremony Ulrich's appointment as the next Chief Cabinet Secretary will be announced," Hans says. "If that goes ahead, then Ulrich will gain even more political power."

"Chief Cabinet Secretary…" Sieg begins.

"I'm assuming that's trouble?" I say aloud.

"Yes, it is," Sieg says to me. "That's almost the same amount of political power as the King! We have to stop him, no matter what…"

Sieg starts looking off into the distance, and he's brooding. I'm so worried about him.

That night, I'm sleeping in the bed, but some kind of noise wakes me up. I can see it's still dark out, and I don't feel Sieg's body head beside me. I sit up and I see Sieg moving about the bedroom.

"Sieg?" I say, tiredly.

"Sorry for waking you." Sieg says to me.

"What are you doing?" I ask him.

"I'm going out. You stay here and sleep." Sieg tells me.

"Where are you going at this hour?" I ask.

"To the castle; I'll sneak in before it gets light." Sieg informs me.

"Excuse me?!" I ask.

"You stay here." Sieg asks me.

"Why are you leaving me out of it this time? I'll go with you." I say, getting out of the bed.

"This is trespassing. If you were caught, you'd be imprisoned. I can't drag you any further into this." Sieg says to me.

"Now hold on…" I begin.

"I have to stop Ulrich's plan even if it means I have to break the law," Sieg says. "But… I don't want you to become a criminal. That's why I want you to trust me and wait here."

He gives me a really heartbreaking look.

"If I'm captured, Hans will come get you. Don't worry. Then you can go back to Nobel Michel and work at that cake store. And fulfill your dream of someday owning your own store." Sieg says to me.

"No… I can't just sit idly by!" I say. "I trust you and I know you can do this, but… I can't just leave you behind!"

Forget the cake store! I want to be there for Sieg!

"Please understand, Carly." Sieg insists.

I get that he cares about me, but sheesh…

"You're the one who doesn't understand! I want to stay by your side and help you out! I don't just want you to protect me…" I say.

~Sieg's POV~

I try appealing to Carly, but the personality traits of hers, being so stubborn, are what's making my heart pound.

"Let me come with you!" She begs.

"Carly…" I say, but she's about to cry. This is why I fell in love with her. "I'm no match for you." I tell her.

I bring my face to hers and give her a kiss on the forehead; I feel her face heating up, too.

"What's with that reaction? Disappointed?" I ask; I'm anxious to see her reaction when I give her a smooch on her lips. "Did you want me to kiss you somewhere else?"

"H-Heck no!" She stammers.

"Your face is redder than an apple. I think I hit the nail on the head." I tease her.

"You're the one who was teasing me," She says. "You said you weren't going to do anything until all of this was resolved, didn't you?"

"Yeah, now that you mention it, I did say that," I say, giving her a soft stroke on her cheek. "I'm so happy I met you."

"Sieg…" She says.

There's music in the air and then she begins to sing…

~End of Sieg's POV~

"In a perfect world… One we've never known… We would never need to face the world alone…" I sing, taking Sieg's hand into mine. "They can have the world… We'll create our own… I may not be brave, or strong, or smart, but somewhere deep inside my heart, I know… Love will find a way…"

I put my hands on his chest and sing, "Anywhere I go… I'm home… if you are there beside me, like dark… Turning into day… Somehow, we'll come through… Now that I've found you… Love will find a way."

I'm about to cry, when something unexpected happens: Sieg also begins singing.

"I am not afraid… Yet I realize… Love is never wrong… And so it never dies," He sings to me, as he puts his hands on my face. "There's a perfect world shinning in your eyes…"

This time, we end up in a duet, and we both end up singing, "If only the King could feel it, too; the happiness I feel with you, they'd know… Love will find a way. Anywhere we go, we're home…"

We start holding hands and slowly moving around the room, about to get ready for our little trip, but we keep singing, "If we are there together. Like dark turning into day. Somehow we'll come through, now that I've found you… Love will find a way… I know love with find a way."

"Well, I suppose you've made up your mind." Sieg says to me.

"Of course I have, Sieg." I tell him, as I take his hand.

We soon leave the house in a quick, quiet manner, and we slip out into the darkness.

"Carly, this way." Sieg says, as he and I are silently running through the streets, planning our break-in of the castle.

After what seemed like half an hour, we're in front of the castle.

"We'll go around the back." Sieg says to me, as he leads me to a wall with a rope ladder hanging down the side.

Since it's such a high wall, I'm worried how we're going to be able to climb all the way up. I give Sieg a look and he also seems to be frowning up at the ladder.

"I'll head up, first." I say, and then take hold of one of the rungs.

"Why?" Sieg asks.

"You look worried." I say to him.

"No, that's not is… It's just… No, it's nothing…" Sieg tells me.

He does this a lot… About to say something and then he cuts it off.

"You go first. I'll be behind you in case you get into trouble." Sieg says.

"Yes, sir!" I say with enthusiasm, while trying to keep quiet.

While I'm scared, I climb the ladder one rung at a time and then when we get to the top, I see Hans waving at us from the other side of the wall. Did he know we were coming?

"Miss Carly, jump!" Hans says. "I'll catch you."

"Jump? From here?" I ask.

This is going to be weird, but here it goes…

"Miss Carly. Someone will come if you don't hurry." Hans says.

"Here goes nothing…" I say, and then I jump, keeping my mouth shut; I can't scream in this situation.

I end up landing on Hans and he's groaning in pain. What was I thinking?!

"Hans… You okay?" I nervously ask.

"Yes, I'm alright. Are you?" Hans asks me.

"I'm fine, but I'm more worried about you; you broke my fall…" I say, as I sweat drop.

"So it seems." Hans says.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Sieg says from behind me; he grabs my shoulders and pulls me up, and I see Sieg has the rope ladder around his arm.

"Hans caught me…" I said.

"I know that, but get off him! And you, Hans!" Sieg says, as both Hans and I end up standing up.

"S-Sorry…" Hans says, a little flustered.

"Sieg, now's not the time…" I say.

However, a flash of light appears in the distance and a flashlight beam turns on us; now I'm scared.

"Hey, who's there?!" A guard says.

"I-It's me. Hans!" Hans says, as he stands up, showing himself.

"Oh, Hans? But what are you doing out here?" The guard asks.

"I was asked to patrol, too. Nothing out of the ordinary here." Hans says.

"So they even have you doing the rounds now too. Things are tough for us with the ceremony coming up." The guard says.

"Yeah… shall we check over there?" Hans asks, as he lead the guard away from us.

"That was too close for comfort…" I say, as Sieg and I hide elsewhere. "Hans certainly saved our butts back there."

"Yeah, the guard is heavier than I expected." Sieg told me.

We look around grounds through the bushes and we see a number of flashlight beams through the dark. I'm a little tensed up.

"Let's stay here for a bit," Sieg tells me. "It's best to wait for Hans' signal."

"Yes." I say.

We soon hear rustling in the bushes and I get nervous. I hear it coming from the nearby bushes and then our guard is up.

"Meow…"

I see a tiny, white kitten creep out of the bush.

"Oh, phew, just a cat; nothing to get excited about. Sheesh, that scared me, Sieg…" I say, then turn around to see him moving to hide behind me.

He seems a little jumpy. It just occurred to me that he asked about whether or not someone had a cat a while back when he once took me to that wine-tasting event a while ago. Could he…?

"Sieg… Don't tell me… You're scared of cats?" I say, and then pet the cat a bit. "They're just so cute…"

It closes its eyes in bliss as I rub my hand on it.

"What's cute about it?" Sieg asks. "Cats are nasty! They act nice and then turn on you."

"Where'd you get that idea?" I inquire.

"That's what my grandfather taught me." Sieg informs me.

"King Joshua?" I ask him.

"Yeah. My grandmother liked cats. There was one in the gardens she tried to make me pet. But as soon as I got close, it went for me." Sieg explains.

"Sheesh… No wonder." I say, shuddering.

"That's when I realized that my grandfather was right." Sieg says.

I giggle a bit, but I try to keep my voice down.

"D-Don't laugh." Sieg says, and then looks away in embarrassment.

"Did you play here in the garden as a child?" I ask.

"Yeah, since I couldn't freely leave the castle grounds." Sieg asks.

Comes with the territory, I guess.

"Really?" I ask.

"When I didn't feel like studying, I'd hide myself in these bushes and play with my toys." Sieg says to me.

"So you were a bit of a rebel at times?" I ask with a giggle.

"Usually I was a studious kid, but yeah, sometimes," Sieg says. "When I played hide and seek, I would sometimes get scolded for falling asleep where I was hiding."

"Must have been a lot of fun; looks like you have a lot of memories of this place." I say.

"Yeah… I never thought I'd end up hiding here under these kind of circumstances… It's laughable… Until recently this was my castle…" Sieg says, while looking up at the sky with a sad smile.

I guess it really does hurt to be exiled by his own father. I take his hand.

"I can imagine what you're thinking right now." Sieg says to me.

"Er…" I begin, feeling a little anxious.

"That sometimes I should just let you comfort me." Sieg says, as he comes closer and leans against my shoulder. I feel his breath tickling my neck.

"Sieg…" I begin.

"Mind if I stay like this for a bit?" He asks me.

"No problem." I tell him.

"You're so warm…" Sieg says to me.

"I could say the same about you…" I tell him; we begin sharing our body heat, and his warmth comforts me, and unease is gone.

However, as my eyes are about to close…

"Sieg, Miss Carly…" Hans says, appearing with a paper bag.

"Oh…" I say, and then quickly pull away from Sieg.

"E-Excuse me." Hans says.

"No, it's okay. What's the bag about?" Sieg asks him.

"I'm sorry, but would you mind changing into the staff uniform? It'll be easier to get into the castle that way." Hans requests.

"Alright. Carly, you too." Sieg says to me.

"I'm on it; thing is…" I say, looking at the uniform.

"What? You never seen a maid's uniform before?" Sieg asks me.

"Not the issue…" I begin. This thing is frilly; really embarrassing. This isn't the time to be a picky pastry chef.

"Hurry up. Put it on and show me." Sieg says.

"Pardon?" I ask. Don't tell me…

"It'll be much sexier than your pastry chef outfit." Sieg says to me.

"Now's not the time for that, Sieg…" I mutter.

"I was just trying to lighten the mood." Sieg says.

"Miss Carly, hurry before someone comes!" Hans says.

"I'll change over there." I say, then move away from the men to start changing into my uniform, when…

"Do it with this." I hear someone say.

"Yes, sir, understood…"

Crud, Ulrich?! I then take a peek out from behind the bushes, and I see Ulrich handing over what looks like a bag over to a really large man.

I don't know what it is, but I know it's bad. My skin is crawling. I lean forward, albeit I'm not thinking at the time, and then I end up shaking the bush because I lost my balance.

"Is someone there?!" Ulrich shouts.

I know just what to do!

"Meow!" I say, trying to be as realistic as possible.

"Oh, a cat… Ulrich says.

That's a relief…

"Hey, go and check the bushes, just in case." Ulrich says.

The larger man replies with, "Yes sir."

Oh, crud! As the footsteps come closer, I'm about to panic, but…

Sieg comes out of the bushes and says, "Hey, over here."

I'm about to shout out, but Hans covers my mouth.

"Well well, it's Prince Sieg. Although, it's just Sieg now, isn't it?" Ulrich begins. "I didn't expect to see you here… What business could you have here, after being expelled from the royal family? Skulking around in the bushes… Benno, check the bushes, there might be another one in there. A girl."

"Yes, sir." The man, now identified as Benno, starts towards my spot.

Oh, man, he's on to me!

"Ulrich, don't you also understand the pain of being exiled by the royal family? I came here today to talk to you about that, man to man." Sieg says to Ulrich; I keep my mouth shut.

I see Ulrich's eyes glint sharply; I guess that hit a nerve.

"Benno, seize this man!" Ulrich shouts.

Benno tries to grab Sieg's arm, but SIeg dodges it nimbly. I want to be able to breathe, but I really can't, not in this situation, at least.

Sieg glances in my direction for a second, and then he dashes off into the gardens.

"After him! Don't let him get away!" Ulrich shouts.

"Yes, sir." Benno replies and does such.

Once the footsteps stop, Hans removes his hand from my mouth, and I get worried.

"We gotta go and help Sieg!" I say, about to go after him.

"Miss Carly, please calm down." Hans says to me.

"But what will that cockroach do if he gets Sieg?!" I ask, tears in my eyes.

"Sieg offered himself up to save you," Hans says. "Don't let that be in vain."

I then get the point and relax a bit.

"Now, please hurry up and change," Hans says. "I'll take you somewhere you can hide."


I change clothes and then I follow Hans through the castle corridors; I keep my head down to avoid being recognized.

"Keep your head down and walk quickly." Hans tells me, and I do as told.

One of the staff members greets Hans with, "Good morning, Hans. You're up early, as usual."

"Yes." Hans says.

"Oh? Is this a new maid?" The staff member asks, looking to me.

"Yes, she is. She'll be working at the ceremony today." Hans says.

"Good morning." I say.

"Nice to meet you." The staff member says to me.

Once we get into Hans' room, we both let out a whoosh of breath.

"Thanks goodness we made it." Hans says.

I get what he's saying, but sheesh, I'm so worried about Sieg.

"Well, shall I get you some tea?" Hans inquires.

"Thanks…" I say; Hans deftly pours me a cup of tea, but I'm too hyped up. I can't relax.

"Miss Carly… are you angry?" Hans asks me.

"Of course not, Hans, I'm just worried sick about Sieg!" I say.

"I understand," Hans says to me. "But Sieg won't let himself get caught that easily. Sieg can use his own strength to overcome anything. He will protect his kingdom."

"Hans…" I say; I guess he really believes in Sieg. "You certainly have a strong bond with Sieg. It's like you're his brother."

"Brothers… far from it!" Hans says, but he has a big smile on. "I was hired by the Lieben family straight out of butler school, so I haven't worked for him that long."

"Serious?" I ask.

"Actually, the first time I met him, Sieg was still in school," Hans informs me. "He was striving every day to become a fitting person to succeed the throne, and battling the pressures that come with carrying the fate of a nation on his back. It was very difficult for me to see him like that… But recently, I think he's changed a bit."

"Changed how, exactly?" I ask him.

"Yes, perhaps I could say that he's softened… He looks more at ease these days. And he's also more lively… He seems like he has more confidence than before," Hans says, before taking a sip of his tea and smiling warmly. "It's all because he met you."

"What? Me?" I ask.

"Yes. Even when you two were nestled up to each other earlier, he looked so happy." Hans says.

"I see…" I say, and then I remember he saw us when he brought the clothes.

"I've never seen Sieg show his emotions around other people like that… Especially not with women. That's how important you are to him." Hans says to me.

I feel my chest growing warm as I hear Hans out.

"Until Sieg returns, I'll protect you with my life. That's the one thing I can do for him right now." Hans says.

"Thanks, Hans; I'll watch the ceremony and trust Sieg." I say.

He gives me a smile and then glances out the window.

"It's dawn. The ceremony will be starting soon." Hans tells me.

Here goes nothing…


Next time, the ceremony is about to start and when I see that Sieg isn't there and Ulrich looks to have won the fight, what happens?!