‘Someone as gentle as Grandpa would never do that.’
“Ughhh!”
Pierrot’s hands blurred as they moved faster than the eye could follow.
Swish-swish-swish-swish!
‘Huh?’
Balloons materialized instantly……
Theo gaped in amazement, clapping with childish enthusiasm.
‘They’re really dedicated to customer satisfaction.’
Well, of course. These children would grow up to become parents who’d bring their own kids here someday.
It was a visionary business strategy. Mr. B’s personnel management skills seemed exceptional too.
‘Ugh. But this isn’t the time.’
I sat hugging my knees amidst the endless cascade of balloons.
‘That boy earlier.’
Jet-black hair and crimson-glowing eyes flashed through my mind.
‘What exactly was he?’
Forget about him pretending to be an awkward prince.
The memories that struck like lightning when we met – what were they?
“My regrets, sir. I never imagined eliminating you this way.”
The deep, frigid voice kept reverberating in my skull.
‘Eliminate?’
I gnawed my lip.
‘Who’s being eliminated?’
My eyes squeezed shut involuntarily.
The vision reappeared against the darkness –
A vast secret chamber.
A man’s upright silhouette clutching a ruby-encrusted sword. Crimson blood snaking down the pale blade.
Its tip aimed at a man radiating utter exhaustion……
Duke Calek Wintervalt.
“After Mother died, – died too, then losing – and even –. How could I stay sane?”
The scene I’d replayed endlessly continued unfolding.
No warmth remained in Father’s voice – only bottomless anguish.
“Give me one reason not to destroy this empire.”
I’d always wondered:
Who was Father speaking to at the end?
And who could possibly kill the continent’s strongest man?
Now I knew.
‘Prince Arjen.’
That boy would grow to murder Father.
Ice shot down my spine.
“Sweetheart? Ririn?”
Grandpa turned, sensing my distress.
“Are you… unwell?”
“N-no!”
I pressed against his worried frame, forcing cheer into my voice:
“I thought Pierrot would drop the balloons!”
His mountain-like bulk steadied my racing heart.
‘This is terrifying.’
Just imagining Father’s death made me tremble.
This was merely a possible future, I knew.
By all logic, Arjen wouldn’t be wrong – Father must’ve done something terrible to warrant execution.
But instinctive revulsion remained.
‘He’ll become my enemy.’
Potential or not…
‘He warrants caution.’
There was another reason too.
“This novel’s amazing!”
That mysterious voice mentioning “novel”…
The ever-present page-flipping sounds in my visions…
What if these weren’t premonitions, but forgotten memories resurfacing?
‘Maybe I’ve lost something crucial too.’
Sigh.
What am I?
My lips puckered. More clues were needed.
‘But that boy triggered everything.’
Conclusion:
‘I must meet Arjen again!’
Rubbing my eyes, I took a stabilizing breath.
Recovery complete!
Gripping my bag strap, I ignored the object rolling inside.
‘But how to meet a prince sequestered in the imperial palace?’
Father’s documents mentioned only the First Prince attending meetings.
Ugh. Should I camp outside that bewitched toy store?
…That’s what I’d thought hours ago.
“I’ve searched everywhere!”
“Huh?!”
Our eyes locked – his strikingly feline gaze freezing me.
“I thought you’d gone home…”
Arjen smiled faintly, eyes fixed on my bloodied hand.
“Why are you in trouble?”
“That’s my line!”
‘Weren’t you yawning about going home, Your Highness?’
So…
What’s happening?
The boy’s head lolled.
“He’s out.”
“Yaaawn. Notified the palace?”
One servant stretched while another answered:
“Told them His Highness is asleep – oral exam canceled.”
“Perfect! Drinks first!”
“Wise?”
“Who cares? Anyway…”
Servant Bern waved before Arjen’s closed eyes.
“Dead to the world.”
“That jelly’d keep him under through a thunderstorm. Ugh. Always disappointing His Majesty…”
Another mockingly patted Arjen’s head.
“Babysitting’s beneath me! I was meant for greater things!”
“Says the kitchen thief!”
“Says the woodcutter-beater!”
Their bickering faded as they conspired with the coachman.
These servants – palace rejects – served not the Second Prince, but whoever planted them here.
Arjen’s mind briefly touched on that benefactor’s face before suppressing it.
The carriage halted in an alley.
‘Late again.’
Arjen’s porcelain features remained calm.
‘Tonight’s investigation: eastern maid quarters.’
After servants slipped away, he finally opened eyes softened by disheveled black hair.
‘At least I disposed of the poisoned jelly.’
Throwing tantrums to visit the toy store served this purpose well.
‘But that girl…’
Pink curls haunted his vision.
‘She didn’t tell.’
He’d overheard Duke Wintervalt’s explanation to the Emperor:
“She retrieved my lost item south. Stranded after the Beast Maze incident.”
‘Why did I say “See you again”?’
Arjen tilted his head.
Meaningless words – she’d never know his identity.
“Why dwell on it?”
He shook his head sharply.
‘No time for distractions.’
Biting his lip, Arjen retrieved his motivation – a crumpled note from his pocket.
