We easily got permission from Uncle.
But Aria and the others were reluctant to let us go, so they asked if they can go. And they were easily rejected.
Only I and Kirt were permitted by Uncle to go.
Sir Evans brought us to the scene, using his beloved horse who he named Euphona, where we three rode.
I nearly puked on Sir Evans back, if it wasn't for Kirt. He kept on covering my mouth with his hands, throughout the travel.
Well, kinda lot happened but we had reached the scene.
Kirt helped me go down Euphona, while Sir Evans went to greet the Knights. "How's the search going on?" he asked one of the Knights that were there.
"Sir, a few knights are on their way to follow the tracks which we think will be our lead to the whereabouts of the Duke" The knight stated.
Sir Evans mumbled, "I see" while Kirt sighed in relief.
I seriously thought that Duke Erio's life might be in great danger, but I guess I was a bit hasty with deciding things.
Just when I was thinking about that, a sudden explosion was heard somewhere near.
We all looked at where the explosion happened, and saw a black smoke coming out from that place.
The knight looked at that place with a terrible face. "What's wrong?" Sir Evans asked him. "S-sir! That's where the few knights went to!" the knight stated.
"Huh!?"
Then, that means that the explosion is done by the people who took Duke Erio? My feet quickly dragged me to run to where the explosion happened.
"Your highness!" Sir Evans called, as Kirt followed after me. "Kirt, you too? Ah, geez. What are you all doing? Hurry up, we are going to follow them!" he stated.
Looks like I wasn't hasty, at all!
Soon, I reached a small hut that had the black smoke coming out from the hole on its broken roof.
I went inside and saw knights shaking a man who resembled Kirt a lot.
The man was sitting down with his back leaned on the wall. And blood was flowing out from the few large wounds on his body.
Kirt arrived. "Dad!!!!" he shouted, as he quickly went to where his father was.
Following Kirt, Sir Evans and the other knights came as well. "Secure the Duke and quickly bring him to my Euphona!" Sir Evans stated.
While the adults took the matter on their hands, I suddenly noticed something inside the small hut.
I picked up a torn off white cloth. "What is this..?" I mumbled to myself.
We quickly went back to the Zircon Palace. And much to our relief, Duke Erio managed to survive, despite the severe wounds he suffered from.
"A white cloth?" uncle mumbled, as he looked at the white cloth I found at the small hut.
He looked at me. "You're saying that this can be our lead to who attacked Erio?" Uncle asked, and I nodded.
"By the look of it, I think that it is from a cape or a cloak. The knights of the Zircon Palace doesn't have their capes white, right?" I stated.
Uncle pressed his hand to his chin.
'But, if we are going to say that this is from a cape, then I can't help but wonder why a person or let's say people who are planning to harm a Duke would wear a white cape" he stated.
I asked, "What if it was some kind of a strategy to lure the Duke?"
"The carriage Duke Erio was riding on was destroyed, we can't forget about that fact" Uncle stated.
That means that they either ambushed the Duke or attacked him…
"Then, what if they had to wear a white cape?" I mumbled. "Had to..? For what reason?" Uncle asked.
I rolled my eyes, "Their responsibilities..?"
"If wearing a white cape, no… If wearing something white is our suspect's responsibility, then that would only mean one thing" Uncle mumbled.
I gulped.
That would mean that our enemy is someone from the empire's cathedral.
"Well, we don't know for sure, if this white cloth is from a cape. Maybe, it is from the enemy's handkerchief. Judging from its size, that is believable" Uncle stated.
I giggled. "That would mean that our enemy is cute. After all, the enemy has white as a handkerchief" I stated.
"Maybe it is a girl" Uncle chuckled. "I wouldn't hope so" I shrugged.
…
The next day, it was time for us to go to our main destination, the Emerald Palace.
"You're leaving already, huh?" Uncle stated. "Well, it's not like we have that much time. Our time for vacation is limited, after all" I stated.
"You're not going to wait for Erio to wake up, Kirt?" Uncle asked. "Even if he woke up he still has jobs to do, right? More now thanks to the accident" Kirt stated.
"Well, he is an important person to this accident, so you can't blame Erio" Uncle stated. "I won't, so don't you worry, your majesty" Kirt turned his back against Uncle.
I raised my right hand, "Right, Uncle!" I called. "Kirt's father is a duke, right?" I asked him, and Uncle nodded.
"Most of the dukes and duchess are relatives of the royal family. So, I was thinking if he is one" I stated. "He is" Uncle nodded.
"Erio is my and sis's cousin. So, that would make Kirt, your and Aria's second cousin" Uncle added with a smile.
"Eh?" I mumbled, as Kirt turned to look at Uncle and spoke, "It's my first time knowing that. I did kinda knew that Dad and you, the King had a family-like relationship, though"
It's my first time knowing that, as well
"I did know it, though" Aria boastfully stated. "Well, you guys didn't ask, so I though you two knew" Uncle chuckled.
So, I am related to Kirt… Somehow, it feels right and feels wrong.
Well, like that we departed onto our main destination. The Emerald Palace, which is the place I grow at.