What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 590

Sub-Male Lead’s Hiatus – Episode 590 (590/920)

#590

The One-Man Army Prince (3)

Then David asked in his usual calm voice.

“…Who is up there?”

“Hukk.”

I gasped for air.

If I had just stood quietly and greeted them properly, things wouldn’t have turned out this way. The saying ‘a guilty conscience needs no accuser’ was made for me.

Of course, strictly speaking, I ‘gave’ the Aether and ran, so I’m not a thief—Je-seo, get a grip!—I was so flustered that I almost bit Perry’s ear.

But I was a grown twenty-nine-year-old.

I lightly slapped myself on the cheek and opened my eyes wide.

How can someone who’s been to the army be so weak-hearted? I need to act! Improvise!

“Oh! Suddenly, a stomachache…”

I made a groaning sound as much as possible, clutched my lower abdomen, and plopped down on the spot.

I wondered where I had heard this line before, but it was when our dear Lady Elizabeth had done the same act a long time ago.

Leah, who was watching quietly, tilted her head as if asking, ‘What are you doing?’

Perry smirked at me and haughtily fluttered his whiskers.

They’re both smart only at times like this, really!

-Kkiheo.

Just then, our leader stood up to help me.

I looked at the little divine beast with a trembling, clumsy act.

Demi approached with a leisurely gait, climbed onto my lap, and—

-Thwack!

“Ugh!”

He planted a cotton swab [referring to Demi’s paw] right into my solar plexus!

“Wow… This is really going to kill me? Am I going to explode, seriously?”

-Kkiyaa.

Demi cried out as if saying, ‘Don’t be such a drama queen, kid,’ and went down to the floor with a dignified air.

The day I was first hit in the stomach by him came to mind, and I let out a hollow laugh.

The nobles below the balcony seemed to listen to me for a moment, but after hearing my 100% pure painful groan, they completely turned a blind eye.

…Anyway, operation successful!

“It would be good to call the priests.”

“I will do so. Also, Archbishop Eugenie Keshie has requested a second audience.”

“Keshie?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Keshie, you say? I instantly forgot the pain and quickly peeked through the railings.

Come to think of it, her evil deeds, including acting as a spy for the Archbishop, have not yet been revealed here.

I heard rumors in our world line that she was executed, but I wasn’t sure because I didn’t ask my teacher or His Majesty the Emperor directly.

But they certainly would have done so.

Since Duke Sarnes volunteered in prison, they needed someone to blame for the crime of treason, and her charges as an accomplice were considerable.

“She still seems to believe that her granddaughter is a talented priest.”

“…Unfortunately, it seems so.”

David replied with the sneering tone typical of imperial nobles.

I missed that for some reason and smiled faintly, then realized that I was missing something very important.

Wait a minute.

‘Call the priests’? Why?

-Kkii…

You don’t mean you’re still looking for the owner of the Aether [magical energy source] from that night?

I gaped and shuddered.

Hundreds of LED lights flickered on in my head, which had been as dark as night.

And just as your eyes hurt when a dark place suddenly becomes bright, my temples also throbbed as if my heart had opened a branch office.

Of course, I could understand his actions rationally.

He must think that the priest saw his younger self, so his top priority would be to find them as soon as possible and silence them.

It’s even more so because you’re not just anyone, but now the Crown Prince of the Empire.

Still, man. How much does it cost when you’re being chased…!

-Tok.

“Ms. Ye-seo.”

“Ugh!”

I was startled again by someone touching my shoulder.

Still, it was a good thing that I only inhaled this time without making a loud noise.

Prince Ye-seo, wearing a luxurious bathrobe, was looking down at me with a puzzled expression.

The moist golden hair sparkled with a honey-like color in the moonlight.

I flinched back to reality at the drop of water falling on my cheek. Then he curved his eyes as if he found it amusing.

“It seems His Highness is looking for someone. Still.”

“…Yes.”

“Archbishop Keshie has come again…”

It was a friendly voice as usual, but there were thorns hidden in the following words.

His purple eyes, groping through the air, took on a venomous, chilling light.

I felt a strange feeling for a moment.

I quietly looked up at him and rattled off what I was thinking, just in case.

“Perhaps, Your Highness… Do you know about Archbishop Keshie’s secret?”

“…”

“Is that why you wanted to attend the shipboard ball? Did you get information that she was coming here? Not because you wanted to meet Lady Christel.”

“I certainly don’t think you’re a quick-witted person…”

Then the prince whispered softly. I frowned slightly.

Can you really say such things so openly?

“You’re extraordinary in many ways, Ms. Ye-seo.”

“Thank you, but I don’t know if that’s a compliment.”

“Hahaha.”

‘To be exact, I came in case there was a secret meeting between Keshie and Duke Sarnes,’ the prince added in a voice that could barely be heard.

I stared at him with wide eyes.

The war between the two countries at Toegye begins in earnest when Duke Simon de Sarnes’s treason is revealed.

In a completely different way from when we dragged a pirate ship into the middle of the Imperial capital’s sky.

Well, there are ships floating around here too, but the scale is quite different from the accident we caused…

Anyway.

“Thanks to you, I’ve gained a little confidence.”

The prince held out his palm to me.

It was only after a few seconds that I realized he was trying to help me up, and I quickly grabbed his hand.

I was inwardly shocked by the feeling of his solid arm pulling me up.

I swear he didn’t have much muscle, at least when I borrowed that body, it seemed similar to me, but where did this strength come from…

“It was just a suspicion to some extent. Even the Duke’s side was vague.”

“…”

I swallowed hard without a word.

It is mentioned in the story that the prince played a role in arresting Keshie, but I never thought he would already be suspicious.

And he already noticed that Sarnes was involved? He says he has no evidence…

Indeed, royalty who shake up the social circles of both countries are different.

Besides, this person seems to be very interested in politics.

As expected, the story here is progressing steadily. Regardless of our existence.

“…Does the Crown Prince know that too?”

“Maybe. If he’s smart enough to understand the clues I gave him.”

His voice fluttered like falling petals.

I frowned, thinking of the relationship between the two men that I might never understand in my life.

Around that time, the Crown Prince was striding towards the bow of the ship.

If I remember correctly, the man will probably meet Christel near there.

I’m not sure about the time.

That’s when it happened.

-Ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling…

“It’s eleven o’clock! Eleven o’clock!”

“It’s eleven o’clock!”

The sailors rowing the boats took out small bells from their pockets and shook them in unison.

I immediately turned to the prince.

He smiled like an angel and pressed his finger to his lips. ‘Shh.’

“Good children should go to bed now.”

*

The bedroom with the lights off was quiet.

I laid down on the bedding on the floor and quietly held my breath.

-Rustle, rustle…

If I closed my eyes and listened, I could hear my breathing the loudest.

Next, I could hear the lovely sounds of Demi, Leah, and Perry.

From outside the window, faint violin melodies and piano performances flowed in, and the sailors’ wonderful singing occasionally crossed the window frame.

Loud toasts and laughter only occasionally burst like fireworks.

The special room provided to the prince was an excellent place in many ways.

The window, which looked like ordinary glass, turned out to be magic stone [a material that blocks sound and attacks].

It was said to have magic that blocked not only sound but also possible external attacks. After hearing that explanation from Baron Bakari, I felt my heart rate quicken at the thought of my friends.

I know that worrying about ‘him’ is the most useless thing in the world, but I really couldn’t help it.

I kept looking at the clock.

-Tick, tock, tick…

It’s already 11:58. Our appointment time is exactly 12 o’clock.

“Hoo…”

I was calmly taking a deep breath when I heard a strange noise outside the door.

-Squeak, squeak, squeak…

It wasn’t a delusion. Demi and Perry were wiggling their backs at the same time.

I blinked, stopping myself from comforting Leah.

What is it? Is it the sound of the Imperial Guard walking outside?

They decided to leave the holy relic box in the middle of the living room and stand guard all night.

Lady Elizabeth had left early because the Crown Prince’s return was later than expected.

I carefully rolled my eyes and thought. No, that’s strange.

When the prince or I walk, there is no sound under our feet, and there is a nice carpet on the floor.

Then what is it?

It was a very eerie and ominous noise.

-Squeak, squeak, squeak…

“What is that sound?”

“I don’t know, is the mast swaying in the wind?”

“That can’t be. Peak, go out and check.”

“Yes!”

The sound seemed to be getting louder and louder, and finally, the voices of the guards followed.

I gritted my teeth, ready to deploy the sanctuary if necessary.

The opponent might not be my friend.

But even if something happens, I could easily protect the prince and the little ones by myself.

The problem is getting caught by someone if I use Aether.

“Squad leader, it’s not the hallway, it’s the window. Something like a cloth is shaking outside.”

“Good heavens. Is there really a problem with the sail?”

“Maybe. Since it’s a ship raised by magic, there might have been some strain on the hull…”

“That would be a big problem. Everyone must evacuate immediately.”

“Shall we open it once?”

“Yes. Check with your eyes and report.”

-Squeak, squeak, squeak…!

Busy voices whispered between the wall and the door.

And soon, the noise of opening the window touched my eardrums. Clatter, clatter!

“Squad leader, there’s nothing there.”

“Are you sure? Daroz said he saw a cloth.”

“Yes, there’s nothing here…”

“…”

“…”

In the darkness, the prince’s and my eyes met.

He also couldn’t sleep on the bed.

I carefully moved my lips.

I don’t think someone much more mature and calm than me needs my support, but still.

Because he might be scared. Adults can be like that too.

‘Everything will be alright. Don’t worry, I’m here.’

The amethyst-like eyes widened slightly. Soon, the second hand of the wall clock moved. Tick!

-Whoosh!

“Kuk!”

-Whoosh, whoosh, thud!

“Who’s there, ugh!”

At the same time, short, sharp moans began to erupt from outside the door!

I jumped up from my seat and hurriedly picked up the lesser pandas onto the bed.

After hiding the little ones in the blanket, I rummaged through the prince’s luggage and took out a paper knife.

I quickly handed it to the man, and he was startled.

This was really unexpected.

“Ms. Ye-seo?”

“Just in case, for self-defense. I secretly stole it from Juliette’s reception room—”

-Kwaaaang!

Before I could finish the sentence, the bedroom door was blown off.

I quickly stood firmly on my feet, blocking the prince’s path. Not so fast!

“…You’ve been doing well, Palace Lord.”

And my eyes met Sir Johann’s.

Hueok! I’m alive!