“I’ll take care of Quinlen’s business myself, so you can go back to your room.”
“But–“
Amanda was having a brief argument with Oliver over disguising herself as Len.
The sound of someone pounding on the door interrupted the two. Amanda and Oliver glanced at each other, then Amanda quickly walked behind the drapery of the bed to hide herself. If they were forced to create an alibi that Amanda was spending the night here, it would surely spread widely throughout the Crown Prince’s palace by tomorrow.
Oliver glanced at the bedside where Amanda concealed herself, then turned back to the door and responded.
“Come in.”
It was Jobbers who hurriedly entered the room.
“I apologize, Your Highness. There’s an urgent report and I had no choice but to–”
Knowing that he was with Amanda, Jobbers’s lengthened his excuses, but Oliver cut him off coldly.
“Get to the point.”
“The Empress sent a search party to our area. They entered without permission. They said they were after a man that broke into the Empress’ palace, and it seems like they were looking for Quinlen.”
“So he must have escaped from the Empress’ palace. Where’s the search party now?”
“We’ve expelled them, but they are still searching around for him.”
“…Those insolent soldiers.”
Oliver’s eyes were like ice.
“Tell the spies you planted in the Empress’ palace to keep watch for Quinlen, and bring all the other men at the outskirts of the palace and organize a party. I’ll be there soon.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Jobbers bowed and left the room, and Amanda stepped from behind the curtain of the bed.
“Are you still going to leave me out of this?”
“…I’d like to, if possible.”
“Well, if you can’t lend me armor, I’ll get it myself. I’ll do it my way.”
Oliver hesitated at her words, and then continued with great reluctance.
“I see. Then I’ll give you some armor to wear. Just don’t leave my side this time.”
“Don’t forget our contract, Oliver. If you object to me being part of your guard, I’ll find another way to do it. And that may not be what you like.”
Oliver opposed her every time she raised a sword, making her job more difficult each time. They had already agreed on the contract, and she had already explained herself on Flower Bridge. Amanda had no more patience to persuade him.
“I know you are capable. That’s what worries me.”
“…?”
“I am afraid you will end up taking on a job that’s as dangerous as your abilities.”
“I am ready for it.”
“…I know. I understood the last time you said it. But please remember what I say now.”
Oliver’s blue eyes stared straight into Amanda’s red ones. She listened to him in spite of the darkness in the air.
“Don’t get hurt. If you are in danger, don’t look back and make sure you are safe.”
“Then–”
She was about to ask what the purpose of being his guard was, but Oliver continued in an even softer voice.
“I told you. If you get hurt…I might go crazy.”
He really didn’t know what would happen if she got hurt. It was highly probable it would be like the time he had cut off a nobleman’s head and brought it to a party.
Amanda couldn’t do anything else but nod for now, if only to reassure him.
“I understand. I’ll be careful not to get hurt.”
“Good.”
Oliver gave her a faint smile, and Amanda continued.
“Just as long as you’re not in danger. Because as soon as you are, I can’t help myself. Your safety is more important than anything to me.”
Oliver’s eyes widened slightly, and he turned his head away and covered his mouth with one hand. Somehow his ears felt a little red.
“…You say such sweet things so casually.”
“What?”
Amanda was surprised at his reaction to her remark. When she thought about it, she had said she would make him emperor because she wanted to become an empress, but she never openly said that his life was important to her. Amanda debated with herself whether she should explain herself more or not.
Oliver, however, had no intention of continuing this lengthy conversation, and pointed to the wall opposite of Amanda.
“There’s some armor over there, so you can choose something you like.”
There was a strange tension in the atmosphere, but Amanda nodded her head.
“Alright, then–“
As she walked in the direction he pointed, she somehow felt hot in the face. She was embarrassed because he was.
‘…With just those little words.’
Amanda was unable to adjust to this sudden shift in atmosphere from serious to strange.
She looked at the row of armor. Perhaps because his room was near the training site, Oliver’s armor was ready to wear. Amanda chose the smallest of them and placed a helmet over her head. She was grateful she could hide the blush on her face.
*
*
*
Oliver and Amanda arrived at the outer area of the Crown Prince’s palace, where Quinlen was believed to have last been seen. Jobbers, who had been waiting there, quickly approached Oliver and bowed.
“Who is this by your side?”
“You’ve seen him before.”
“From Flower Bridge…! Since when have you been inside the palace?”
Oliver glanced at Amanda and spoke in a quiet voice.
“He’s been doing some secret business for me for some time. That’s why he has to always cover his face.”
“Oh, I see.”
Jobbers answered affirmatively, but his eyes were still wary. It had been a long time, but Len was so different from Amanda that Jobbers didn’t notice.
‘You must hate me.’
It was when she was thinking about Jobbers’s disapproving eyes did she notice dozens of the Crown Prince’s other men were approaching. Among them was Morgan, a tall, powerful man who tried to argue with her at Flower Bridge. He waved at Amanda when he noticed her.
‘What? I thought he’d start arguing again…’
The group moved quickly to Oliver’s side and the leading man reported to him.
“Your Highness, we searched southwest and we found no sign of him.”
“Then let’s go northwest. “
Oliver took command, and the others followed after his lead. Among them was Amanda, who was right behind Oliver.
Her red eyes gleamed beneath the helmet. It was the beginning of the search.