“Your Highness Theodore!”

“… Hi sister-in-law.”

It was Theodore, Arnold’s brother, who captured Rishe.

Had he just returned from his official duties? He was wearing an outdoor cloak, and his lips were bent at the sight of Rishe.

It was clear without asking him why he looked sullen.

“They found out? The man-dressing thing.”

“I’m sorry!”

Theodore removed his hand from Rishe, crossed his arms, and stared down at her.

Even so, he still spoke in a whisper so that the knight guards couldn’t hear him. Facing Theodore like this, Rishe could only apologize flatly.

“I’m very sorry. You’ve even done so much for me…”

“It’s inevitable that you’d get caught. Even if you managed to fool Brother, it’s not that complicated. But that’s not the point. What’s with your reaction? It’s not like you’re the only one having fun!”

“What do you mean having fun…?”

“I mean, why would Brother go to visit the cadets? He’s never done that before. I was doing official business in the favelas when I got a report about it, but I wasn’t too freaked out deep inside.”

“Your Highness, about that…”

“Arnold told me that he came to check on the cadet that you recommended because he was concerned about it.”

After hearing that, Theodore went silent for a good few seconds, then covered his face with his hands and looked down quietly.

“Your Highness Theodore?”

“… Wait, it’s a bit hard to digest that account, so let me put it aside for now and don’t think about it… I’d like you to tell me again at a later date, not now, about how Brother reacted…”

Ta, that sounds like a lot of work…

It seemed that a lot of things were hard to swallow right away because of all the things that have happened over the years. Looking at Theodore’s back, which was almost drooping, Rishe asked, “Nevertheless, weren’t you out at the favelas? How could the news of His Highness Arnold’s visit reach you so quickly?”

“My ‘vassals’ are proficient at what they do, and I have a complete network of information so that I can find out about any incidents related to Brother even if I’m down in the castle.”

Theodore said with all seriousness. As expected of a prince, he had enormous power as a prince, but he only poured his abilities into his brother.

The “vassals” he was referring to shouldn’t be pointing to knights who serve the imperial family. He must be referring to the people of the favelas and lowlifes who were indebted to him.

“It’s not just about Brother, I’ve done a thorough investigation on the backgrounds of the trainees as well. I also monitor their behavior during their stay in the castle to see if they pick up some strange plays.”

“I see. As His Royal Highness, you’re watching over the knights’ in the making in the shadows, right?”

“Well, that’s part of it.”

“?”

When Rishe tilted her head, Theodore said reluctantly, “…I sent my sister-in-law over. If there’s a strange person mixed in with that group and something happens to you, I’d be sorry for my brother.”

“Your Highness…”

Apparently, he was watching over Rishe as well.

“Thank you, and I’m sorry for worrying you.”

“I’m not worried about you. All of this is for my brother, of course.”

“Fufufu, I understand… Then, Your Highness…”

Rishe’s cheeks reflexively relaxed, but she looked up at him with her smile gone.

“Could I borrow some of your proficient ‘vassals’ for a while?”

Theodore’s eyes widened at Rishe’s request.

“I’d like them to report directly to me, not to Your Highness. All I ask of them are simple tasks. I can promise you they won’t be in danger.”

“…Let me ask you just one thing. Is that going to help my brother?”

“No. Rather the opposite.”

Rishe flatly said.

“To rebel against His Highness Arnold.”

“…”