As we were out of the palace grounds, Akira asked me a question I didn't see coming.
" Do you work elsewhere besides the palace?"
…
I understood where his question was coming from. In all the turmoil, I forgot that he was with me and divulged info that I wanted so much to keep a secret. I made a huge mistake without even realizing it.
(As it came to this, I might as well play it cool.)
" Yes! I'm covering for my brother, remember?"
…
" My brother is out of town and won't be back for a couple of months. To not leave his work unattended, it was decided by the police department that I would cover for him until he's back in town."
…
" The empress dowager learned of that fact and fired me, thinking I would neglect his highness due to my duties as a temporary police officer."
…
