<span>Elise, the maidservant, and Kamil, who had been in charge of Rishe’s guard for a while now, were two people that Theodore has long been acquainted with.


    <span>The two were born and raised in this fav, and lived in a desperately in need of food.


    <span>Theodore, who has secretly frequented this fav for a long time and took advantage of the inhabitants in exchange for money, gave them a beautiful smile.


    <span>“Then again, I didn’t expect this chance toe so soon. I never thought she’d fall ill and pass out, creating the perfect opening to kidnap her.”


    <span>“Yes. Rishe-sama’s body search has been done. She has no weapons or other means of escape.”


    <span>“Perfectly done!”


    <span>Theodore then looked at the maid.


    <span>“Elise is looking so much better. It’s a relief to see that you’ve been eating properly.”


    <span>“It’s all thanks to Theodore-sama for rmending me to the castle as a maid through the church.”


    <span>“It’s no big deal. It was a great opportunity to get a spy close to my brother’s fiancée. I’m very grateful to you for having done a marvelous job of earning Rishe’s trust.”


    <span>Theodore then looked at the knight, Kamil.


    <span>“Besides, Kamil, I’m sure you’ve had a hard time with your escort mission, too, have you? My sister-inw seems quite a bit active.”


    <span>“It’s nothing. Thanks to being assigned to escort Rishe-sama, I was able to fulfill Theodore-sama’s orders.”


    <span>“Hahaha. I was unhappy when you joined the Order and was selected as Brother’s knight guard. I even asked you to be my knight, but you simply refused.”


    <span>Was that about two years ago?


    <span>Theodore’s request was denied and the gossip about the Second Prince wanting his brother’s knight guard and throwing a tantrum, etc. circted. But in reality, Theodore knew the knight beforehand.


    <span>“I can torment my brother owing it to you, being his knight guard. Thank you so much.”


    <span>Theodore took out a leather bag full of gold coins and handed it to them both.


    <span>Elise and Kamil bowed reverently and received their reward.


    <span>“Thank you for all your hard work, keep up the good work.”


    <span>Theodoremended them and left.


    <span>***


    <span>“Oh! It’s Theo!”


    <span>On the way home, a boy dressed almost as much as a rag came running up to Theodore’s side.


    <span>“Hello, Vim. Is your house-sitting duties going well?”


    <span>“Of course! I’ll keep Anna safe until motheres home from work!”


    <span>“As expected of an elder brother, good job!”


    <span>Theodore bent down and caressed the boy’s head repeatedly.


    <span>The boy was grubby, and an ordinary person would be hesitant to touch him, but Theodore didn’t mind.


    <span>“But it’s gettingte, so you’d better go do the rest of your mission setting the futon.”


    <span>“But, but I have to wee Mother first…”


    <span>“Sleeping with your sister is the most important task for a brother.”


    <span>“…”


    <span>The boy still looked contemtive, then obediently nodded in understanding.


    <span>“Alright, I’ll get on with my futon mission. Good night, Theo!”<span>


    <span>“Good night, sweet dreams.”


    <span>Theodore stared the boy’s back until he disappeared. He watched him enter a shabby building and straightened up.


    <span>“It’s an elder brother’s job to sleep with his younger sister, right? But my brother has never done that for me.”


    <span>“Theodore-sama.”


    <span>Theodore’s shoulders were drooping when his tall guard called his name.


    <span>Theodore first came to this shanty town when he was a child. He held hands with his mother, who was now deceased, and set foot here to give alms.


    <span>This cesspit of a city that existed in a corner of the rich imperial city was estranged from everyone else.


    <span>“To my brother, the inhabitants of this town and I are the same. As long as he’s there, I have to show that I’m willing to take action to help one way or the other, but the truth is he really doesn’t care. That’s just the way it is.”


    <span>Theodore looked down and muttered to himself.


    <span>“However, with this counterstrike, I wonder if I get to see a bit of my favorite look on his face that he’s fond of showing me.”


    <span>***


    <span>Inside a dimly lit room, Rishe was desperately trying to stay conscious.


    <span>This ce seemed to be in a building on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital. Trapped in a room that was akin to a storage room, Rishe had been waiting for ‘that moment’ for a long time.


    <span>The door was locked from the outside. There was a window, but she seemed to be on the third floor of the building, so it was a long way to the ground.


    <span>Outside the door and below the windows, sentries with weapons seemed to have been set up. The guards were poorly dressed and resembled savage thieves.


    <span>Rishe squatted in the corner of the room, battling with her whirling vision, lethargic body, and headache.


    <span>Finally, the long-awaited moment arrived.


    <span>“Hello, sister-inw. How does it feel to be betrayed by your maidservant and guard?”


    <span>“Your Highness Theodore…”


    <span>Rishe spat a short breath at the entry of the person she’s been waiting for.


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