#108
“No. He must have escaped through the exit. He would have kept chasing the King of Monta. Since the King of Monta has joined the fleet, Anture must be there too. I’m sure of it.”
With those words, Enrique started walking towards the greenhouse entrance. Pol quickly followed, holding Bayan.
“Your Highness, Your Highness!”
Pol called out desperately. However, Enrique ignored him and headed for his father’s office.
“Father!”
As he entered the office calling out, the King of Shamier looked surprised. Then, seeing Bayan in Pol’s arms who followed, his expression quickly softened.
“Oh, our crown prince and heir have come.”
The King of Shamier rose from his seat and approached Pol. Pol habitually handed Bayan to the King of Shamier.
“Our little Bayan has come to see his grandfather.”
The King of Shamier looked down at the baby with a broad smile. Meanwhile, Bayan, who had woken up slightly, opened his small mouth wide in a lazy yawn. Seeing the smile blooming on his father’s face, Enrique thought it was good timing.
“Father.”
“Yes?”
The King of Shamier, whose attention was entirely focused on Bayan, answered a beat late.
“I’d like to go out for a while.”
“Oh, sure. Don’t worry about Bayan and enjoy your outing.”
The King of Shamier nodded casually.
“Thank you, Father.”
Enrique smiled, bowed, and turned around. At that moment, Pol grabbed Enrique’s sleeve and clung to it.
“Your Majesty, you mustn’t let the crown prince leave like this!”
Pol shouted, desperately holding onto Enrique. The King of Shamier made a face as if to say, “What nonsense is this?” Enrique glared fiercely, but Pol paid no attention and opened his mouth.
“The crown prince doesn’t intend to just go out nearby for a while, but to go to the Monta coast to look for the Ruben prince!”
“…What?!”
The King of Shamier’s expression changed completely. Enrique clicked his tongue softly, regretting the opportunity lost because of Pol.
“Enrique!”
At his father’s stern call, Enrique gave an awkward smile.
“Absolutely not. Absolutely not!”
The King of Shamier shouted repeatedly. Enrique approached his father, linking arms and clinging to him.
“Father, isn’t it the situation where only Monta’s fleet remains? I want to go and observe the situation and boost the morale of our troops. Besides, there’s no danger since we’ve already secured all the coastal cities.”
“No. Absolutely not.”
The King of Shamier was adamant.
“I really will just patrol the coast and come back. I’ll be surrounded by knights and soldiers.”
“Enrique!”
“Isn’t it going to be our Shamier territory anyway? As the crown prince, I need to personally visit, observe the local situation, and soothe the people’s hearts. Don’t you agree, Father? Moreover, while I’m gone, our Bayan will be by your side, so you won’t even have time to be bored.”
Enrique poked Bayan’s cheeks, who was in the king’s arms, and Bayan reflexively clenched and unclenched his fists alternately. The sight was incredibly cute.
“It’s becoming Shamier land, and it’s territory I’ll inherit and rule in the future. Isn’t now the best time while Bayan is still young and you’re in good health, Father? Please allow me.”
Enrique earnestly tried to persuade him. Despite being the crown prince, the king’s authority was absolute. If his father opposed, he couldn’t take a single step outside the castle. He had to get permission.
In fact, aside from his intention to search for Anture, everything he said out loud was true. According to the agreement before the war started, Shamier was to take Monta’s territory, so it was now rightfully Shamier’s land. As the crown prince, there was no problem in going there except for safety concerns.
“…”
“Father.”
Enrique called out to his father, who was deep in thought, as if urging him. Although it might seem annoying for a grown adult to do this, the king was clearly weak to Enrique, probably because he was his father.
“Go after assembling enough knights and soldiers. And you must absolutely stay on land. Don’t even think about boarding a ship.”
The King of Shamier finally gave his permission. Enrique nodded with a joyful face. Then, leaving Bayan in his father’s arms as a thank-you gift, he quickly left the office. He needed to prepare the escort as quickly as possible to depart.
Enrique, having quickly finished his preparations, left the royal castle without looking back. He was accompanied by about 20 knights and 200 soldiers. Enrique had initially thought of taking only the knights for faster travel, but was stopped by his father. He was only allowed to depart after including the 200 soldiers.
“I heard the Monta coast is so beautiful. Do you think the king might grant a coastal estate as a reward?”
Kisha asked subtly. Knowing that Enrique, as the crown prince, had considerable discretion, she was making a subtle request.
“If it’s for Duke Duvain’s merits, of course he would grant a desired estate.”
Enrique responded positively. Kisha smiled brightly. She seemed to be already imagining frolicking on the beach.
Kisha was a kind of uninvited guest who jumped into the carriage at the last moment. She had left her child with a wet nurse and boarded the carriage without warning. Her reason was that she needed to see her husband’s face, whom she hadn’t seen for a long time. At first, they tried to send her away, but Kisha clung to their arms and begged, so they decided to let her come along. There was also a calculation that traveling with a friend would reassure his father more.
As they entered Monta territory, the knights and soldiers became extremely alert. However, contrary to their tension, Monta’s land was peaceful. This was partly due to choosing a route that passed through territories that had already declared surrender. It was also quite enjoyable to see the Monta landscape untouched by war.
The journey continued smoothly. It felt like they were on a picnic. Kisha’s presence was a great help. Enrique chatted with his friend in the carriage, and when they stayed overnight, they played cards or had a light drink together, continuing a daily routine as if they were on a picnic.
Of course, his deep inner feelings weren’t as peaceful. Enrique had the knights discreetly inquire about Anture in every region they arrived at. However, there was no news of anyone seeing a group that included a man with black hair and black eyes. Every night, Enrique lay awake wondering if Anture was really somewhere in the secret passage or if he had gone after the King of Monta.
Thanks to hurrying along the road except during rest times, they were able to reach their destination before long. It was a coastal city with a large trading port. Perhaps because Monta’s fleet was camped nearby on the coast, allied soldiers were patrolling the streets thoroughly. Enrique and Kisha headed straight for the castle at the center of the city.
“I greet the Crown Prince… Kisha?!”
Duke Duvain’s eyes widened as he was paying respects to Enrique, who had just alighted from the carriage. Kisha, who had followed out of the carriage, rushed towards Duke Duvain without warning. Enrique had to witness the annoying scene of Kisha being embraced and spun around in Duke Duvain’s arms. Duke Duvain showered Kisha with intense kisses before coming to his senses and paying respects to Enrique again.
The coastal city where the allied forces were stationed maintained excellent security. The castle, which they had completely taken over, was also in pristine condition. Enrique was immediately guided to the lord’s office. As he sat down at the desk, the Shamier commanders stationed in the city all paid their respects at once.
“Your Highness. Although the allied forces have completely taken control, Monta’s fleet is still camped on the coast. How could you come to such a dangerous place in person?”
“I even commanded from the rear at Francia Castle. Is there any reason I can’t come here?”
At Enrique’s words, everyone fell silent. As he said, Enrique had gone through the capture of Francia Castle and its defense while pregnant. There was no reason he couldn’t come to a city already under control.
“Indeed, Your Highness even safely gave birth to the heir amidst such danger.”
Duke Duvain nodded and said. Then he asked in succession:
“But what is the reason for your coming all the way here?”
Enrique recited to Duke Duvain exactly what he had told his father.
“This is now Shamier territory and a place I will inherit and rule in the future. As the crown prince, don’t I need to personally visit to observe the local situation and soothe the people’s hearts?”
“Yes…”
Duke Duvain nodded, his face suggesting he already guessed Enrique’s deeper intentions.
“I won’t interfere. Don’t worry about me. You all go about your business. I’ll tour the city with my escort on my own.”
Enrique said this and immediately stood up, as if not allowing any objections.
His patience had already reached its limit just enduring the journey here. Enrique set out into the city, leading some of the knights and soldiers. Befitting a city with a thriving trading port, both the streets and buildings were clean and prosperous. The expressions of the people on the streets were somewhat stiff, but not terrified. Even the merchants were still loudly calling out to attract customers.
“Let’s go to the port. I need to see Monta’s fleet with my own eyes.”
Enrique ordered firmly. The loyal knights turned their horses towards the port, guarding the surroundings.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
