"I am truly, truly sorry. Because I was only thinking about myself, I betrayed Princess Consort, even though she had trusted me. And yet, Princess Consort saved me. I am ashamed of myself… It's not an adequate apology, but I am prepared to receive any kind of punishment."

Still prostrating herself towards me, Miriallia said so.

"It's good you're prepared."

Who declared that was Bertrand, who had also come with us, as he moved in front of me.

He was coldly glaring at his little sister.

"Bertrand."

"Your Highness, excuse me."

Bertrand bowed to me and quietly drew his sword.

His eyes were burning with anger.

"I didn't think you were so foolish. Giving Princess Consort something you knew contained medicine… You had plenty of opportunities to turn back."

"Elder Brother. I am sorry…"

Bertrand pointed his drawn sword at his little sister while she continued bowing her head.

"Because you foolishly protected yourself, Lowe marquis house is finished. But before that happens, I must take care of my relative's blunder with my own hands. Are you ready to die, Milly?"

Hearing the word die Miriallia trembled for a moment, but she still gave a small nod.

"Yes… I was able to report to the Crown Prince about Princess Consort, so I have no regrets. I apologize for causing trouble until the end, but I'll be depending on you once more. I apologize to Father as well."

"You…"

Tightly biting his lip, Bertrand turned to me.

"Your Highness. You can censure me later. Now please let me take care of my relative's blunder."

"… Wait, Bertrand."

I understand his feelings, and I also can't forgive Miriallia, the direct cause of the kidnapping, but I still stopped him.

Bertrand was about to swing his sword, but he stopped moving, surprised.

"Your Highness? Why are you stopping me? My little sister did something unpardonable. At least, if her life…"

"Will you take the life Lidi saved?"

"Ah."

Bertrand and Miriallia stopped moving at my words. I fixed my eyes on them.

That's right. Lidi saved Miriallia's life without caring about herself.

If she was killed, Lidi's deed would be in vain.

Besides, when Lidi returns, if Miriallia was dead, she'd certainly cry.

She'd grieve that the life she should've saved was ultimately lost because of her.

I don't want to see her like that.

No matter how irritating it is, at least I don't want to make Lidi cry.

"The crime you committed is certainly unforgivable. But my consort would never wish for your execution. You'll be punished. But, not with death. ―― Bertrand, you understand too, right?"

"Your Highness…"

Listening to my words, Bertrand weakly lowered his sword. "Ah, ah, ah…", Miriallia made sounds that couldn't be called words and broke down crying on the spot.

"Freed…"

Behind me Alex squeezed out one word.

I turned to him and, looking him into eyes, nodded.

Alex too is a victim in his little sister's kidnapping. He must want to have the daughter of a marquis house who did something foolish executed.

Actually, Alex's expression was horrible, like he was forcing down his fury.

But Alex didn't go against my decision, on the contrary, he thanked me.

"… Thanks, Freed. You're right. Honestly, until a while ago I was thinking of cutting down that woman. However, it's as you say. Even if I'd done that, only I would feel relieved, Lidi wouldn't be pleased. Besides… Lidi will be saved by you right away, so there's no need to go that far, right?"

"Yeah. It's like that. I'll certainly save Lidi."

I firmly nodded to Alex's imploring words.

There's been no reaction from the Royal Flower yet. Lidi probably remains unconscious. When the effect of the medicine served to her ends and she regains consciousness, Lidi will surely call me.

It's frustrating that I can only wait.

If she calls me, I'll go immediately.

At that moment, I suddenly noticed. Hurriedly I asked Miriallia.

"Where was the place you met Andre?"

The probability he changed the headquarters is high, but even if the possibility is low, I want to investigate it.

I asked thinking so, but while heaving with sobs Miriallia shook her head.

"I, I do not know. I got on the carriage that came for me, and then… I couldn't see the outside the carriage until we arrived at the mansion…"

"I see…"

It was a predictable answer.

An ordinary young lady like Miriallia wouldn't precisely remember the mansion's location. I mustn't mind.

Even so, I can't stay still. While I was thinking about every place where Andre might be hiding, suddenly an earsplitting siren resounded throughout the castle.

"Ah!"

"No way…"

I exchanged glances with Alex at the all too familiar sound.

Bertrand too tightened his expression and scowled.

Only Sion and Miriallia made faces saying they didn't understand what was happening.

But looking at us, they must've immediately guessed it's not a trivial matter. Like us they strained their ears.

After a moment, a sound extended with magic resounded.

'Sahaja's declaration of war has been confirmed! Each leader is to gather in the reception hall immediately!'

"!!"

The announcement inevitably made each of us tense to the maximum degree.

I knew Sahaja would attack soon, but I absolutely didn't expect it to be at this timing. Next to me, Alex too clicked his tongue at their deliberate-seeming declaration of war.

"Why…"

"It can't be unrelated to Lidi's matter."

When I spat that out, Alex nodded with a bitter face.

The voice continued reporting information.

The general is the third prince, Prince Deschamps. They number fifty thousand and they probably just left the Royal Capital. The Segunda Chivalric Order that has the headquarters near the border with Sahaja is the vanguard. The backup will be the Magician Division and Primera Chivalric Order. The Royal Guard Chivalric Order will defend the Royal Capital. Everything was as expected, but the more I listened, the more my face distorted.

"Naturally the general is you."

"… Yeah."

In other words, it's that kind of thing.

I'm in a detestable position where I want to go search for Lidi, and yet I can't move.

I have to go to the reception hall immediately.

However, I can't give up no matter what. Sahaja's general isn't Prince Maximilian. What if Lidi fell into Prince Maximilian's hands while I was fighting with Sahaja?

If that happened, I'd be consumed by regret.

I wouldn't stop until I destroyed whole Sahaja and took that prince's head.

"…"

"Freed."

"I understand… But."

Lidi is the most important for me.

Because I managed to obtain her, the world has changed its colors and I've understood the meaning of happiness.

Lidi is my entire meaning of life.

I want to go search for Lidi immediately. Hug her, who's for sure worried, and tell her it's alright.

And yet, the position of the Crown Prince hinders me. It whispers to me that I shoulder the lives of all Wilhelm citizens.

I understand that. I have to fulfill my duty as the Crown Prince.

Until now I thought it to be natural. After obtaining Lidi, I meant to focus on it even more, because it led to protecting her.

However, the whole nation or Lidi.

I may be disqualified as the Crown Prince, but for me Lidi is incomparably more important.

I bit my lip, and blood ran. I have to go to the reception hall.

Lidi would want me to fulfill my responsibility as the general.

However, contrary to my intention, my body didn't move an inch.

How worthless I am. I bit my lip again, when――.

"Ah!"

Suddenly, throbbing pain pierced my heart. My whole body trembled.

As I spontaneously clutched my chest, I only thought, "I must go".

"O, oi."

Alex called out to me in an impatient voice.

However, while unconsciously clutching my chest, I initialized a magic formation.

―― She's calling.

My mate, Lidi is calling. It's transmitted from her Royal Flower. She's seeking help. She's calling me, not anybody else.

"I must go… Lidi is calling me."

To be edited