If she hadn’t trusted in the Cavalry’s ability to protect the Empress and Kiole from behind, and in the Empress’s boldness, she wouldn’t have dared attempt it—but they executed it perfectly. So naturally, everyone believed that the monsters captured that day had been targeting the Emperor and Empress. Not one person suspected that Kiole might have been the true assassination target tangled up in the event.

Of course not. Monsters had shown up from the area where Duke Diarca’s private soldiers resided, right after the Empress secretly left in disguise. Who would think they were after anyone other than her?

“His Majesty commanded Kiole la Diarca to investigate the identity and motives of the monsters thoroughly, without overlooking a single detail. That’s why we’ve also taken turns, or at times accompanied him, to monitor his condition. Up until about a week ago, there were no issues.”

A week ago. That was more recent than expected.

“What happened then?”

“I was in charge of Sir Kiole la Diarca’s protection that day.”

Ever raised a hand and spoke.

“He went to meet with Duke Diarca for his investigation. However, he hadn’t sent any prior notice.”

“......”

There wasn’t a flicker of change in Kishiar’s expression. Ever calmly continued describing the events of that day.

“Just a little longer... Father will definitely come here.”

Previously, near the lake in District 4 of the capital where Kiole had once taken a walk with Duke Diarca.

Kiole, clutching tightly at the hooded cloak that concealed his face, was hiding behind a tree and exhaling nervously, trying not to be seen by any nobles.

“He might go to District 3 instead, but in this weather, he’ll probably come this way...”

It sounded like he was mumbling to calm his nerves, but Ever, hidden nearby, heard it perfectly.

‘He really looks like a weirdo... Hiding like that won’t help with stealth at all. Didn’t the Imperial Guard ever teach him this stuff?’

Ever had visited this area before and roughly understood the atmosphere. A tranquil lakeside retreat lined with lovely villas and old, high-end shops. Meeting someone skulking around like that here was... rare.

Crouched against the tree and muttering to himself, Kiole flinched when a leaf fell on his head and started swatting at the air, startling passing citizens. They whispered among themselves and made wide detours to avoid him. In a place where even strangers usually exchanged pleasant greetings, # Nоvеlight # Kiole la Diarca stood out like an outcast.

In short...

“Hello.”

“Yes, hello.”

Ever, sitting casually far enough from Kiole and greeting passersby, looked completely different. People assumed Ever was some leisurely noble lady and Kiole was just a clueless commoner who had wandered in. No one imagined he was that Kiole la Diarca.

It wasn’t what Kiole intended, but ironically, that very perception helped him hide perfectly from noble eyes. So conspicuous, and yet nobody knew who he was. It was almost laughable.

‘His stealth is a total failure, but at least no one’s approaching him, so he doesn’t have to talk to anyone... And looking like that, no one would suspect he’s a noble-born knight. So I guess in the end, he’s hidden. I can’t believe it even as I watch.’

Ever had seen Kiole escape attention like that more than once. Watching him eat, sleep, and relax in the emperor-assigned external residence made it seem laughable that anyone had feared he might be attacked again.

Of course, Kiole himself was trembling with fear every night in a room smaller than his own, but from Ever’s perspective, it all seemed peaceful.

Kiole, in fact, thought he was hiding flawlessly. Ever since the attempted assassination, he wore a perpetually solemn face and flinched at even the smallest sound, always scanning his surroundings. Despite never spotting any of the Cavalry monitoring him, he wasn’t aware of it—so there was no shame to feel.

‘Seriously... I don’t know. Is he doing it on purpose, or is he just that lucky?’

The doubt had grown so strong, she even wrote Yuder a letter about it recently.

At any rate, Kiole was terrified that assassins might come for him again, yet he had started conducting a bit of his own investigation. Coming here today without notice to find Duke Diarca was part of that.

From Ever’s perspective, it would’ve made more sense to just visit his own house for an investigation, but he was still too scared to try that. Even if it was frustrating, Ever couldn’t interfere directly, so she just watched.

“Ah!”

Just then, Kiole, crouched low, suddenly straightened up with a jolt. At first, Ever thought he’d seen a bug or something, but then she noticed a group approaching in the distance, someone under a parasol.

Duke Diarca, flanked by his soldiers and servants.

‘He really came. I guess he is still his father’s son.’

So far, Duke Diarca had only issued a dry “regrettable” statement about Kiole becoming a special investigator. His eldest son, Kiorne, who tried to kill Kiole, had gone into seclusion under the excuse of illness. Kiole had guessed that his brother was pretending nothing happened after the failed attempt, and had been furious—but the Cavalry watching them hadn’t thought that was Kiorne’s decision.

‘Anyone could tell this was Duke Diarca’s will.’

Duke Diarca didn’t seem to care one bit that his youngest son, now a royal investigator, had returned home. Ever didn’t know, but the reason Kiole hadn’t dared visit home yet was mostly due to that indifference.

Kiole looked ready to leap out, but then paused and scanned his surroundings, seemingly trying to calm himself. He waited for the right moment.

‘Oh...’

At that point, Ever activated the magical tool she wore on her wrist.

It was a disposable artifact given by the Emperor. A light twist would send a signal to others who possessed the same device.

‘The moment this activates, His Majesty will receive the report immediately... and Kanna should be here soon too.’

Since Kanna could read information, she’d find Ever no matter where she was. Just to be safe, Ever had left specific traces on certain objects along the way, so there was no need to worry.

Prepared to dash out at any time, Ever focused her attention on Kiole. He was scanning to see if any other nobles or siblings were with Duke Diarca.

The Duke was wearing a thick coat, likely due to the lingering cold. He was surrounded closely by guards, making it hard to see, but Ever could still tell he was giving orders to his servant.

The servants then ran off somewhere.

‘Where are they going?’

Just as Ever wondered, she heard Kiole’s dark mumbling again.

“When Father comes out for a walk alone, he always tells the servants to take a tea or coffee he picked depending on his mood and place it in the villa. Then he does about one lap alone without his guards...”

Ever noticed the servants were holding something. She hadn’t cared much about tea before, but recent outings with Kanna to popular dessert shops and Fruelle’s surprise gift had refined her tastes a bit.

‘That looks like the same tea Elre gave me last time. From the East... some kind of leaf blend...’

“Malgenin tea. So Father is unsettled... Today he’ll probably do two laps, taking the third path.”

‘Ah, Malgenin.’

Thanks to Kiole, Ever now knew the answer. Kiole read his father’s mood through his tea choice and, guessing the timing of the walk, scurried off in the opposite direction.

He must’ve thought he’d draw too much attention by following directly, so he’d cleverly gone the other way. Since the lakeside path looped around, he’d eventually run into the Duke naturally from the opposite side.

If only Kiole didn’t look so sketchy, he might have pulled it off.

But as it was...

“Who goes there?!”

He didn’t even get close to Duke Diarca. Of course he was grabbed by the collar by a soldier from so far away that his face wasn’t even visible.

‘Ugh.’

Ever, who hadn’t moved a step, already expecting this, let out a sigh.

“D-d-do you know who I aaam—?!”

“He’s a monster!”

At the same time, someone shouted in the distance.

Figures cloaked from head to toe began appearing all around.