The empress looked back at the pink haired noble man who was silent up to now in his fear that he might offend the empress if he were to interrupt his conversation with someone else.
"Viscount Taylor, this young lady is my honored guest, Lady Emond from the Loate kingdom"
I waved my hand towards the viscount.
"I-I see. It is an honor to see you Lady Emond. I apologize for my behavior earlier"
"It is fine, Viscount Taylor"
"I will send a letter to your manor, viscount. Let us talk about it at some other time"
"Of course, your majesty"
He bowed and left the room.
"What do you think about him lady Emond?"
"To nobles, he is... decent, I suppose. But based on his expression and attitude just now, I think he likes to discriminate those who stand lower than him that it just became a natural thing"
"Almost correct. The Taylors, ever since three hundred years ago, became obsessed with their title of 'nobility' and started to hate commoners and treat them as such"
After her explanation, we went back to watch the auction which was nearing its end.
...
After the auction, Sir Aiden escorted me back to the emerald palace as the empress and the prince still have some political matters to attend to, especially tonight's event where there were intruders from the kingdom of Mheodure without being noticed and that an outsider like me who was under surveillance was able to acquire this information.
"Sir Aiden"
"Yes, my lady?"
"The young man that we encountered earlier?"
"He is currently on the second floor at the eastern wing, third room from the right. He is being watched by four imperial knights"
"Let's go there first"
Upon entering the room, four knights have drawn their sword as a young man eats his meal. This was the scene that greeted me after opening the door.
"All of you go out"
The four knights went out as ordered.
Sir Aiden entered the room after closing the door.
I pulled out the ceremonial dagger I got from the auction thanks to the empress.
"That's...!"
"Yes. The dagger from Mheodure, ninth prince, prince Samuel de Mheodure"
He flinched back.
"H, how do you know that?!"
"Don't worry, other than the king of Mheodure, you, me and the guy behind me no one else know about this"
He wasn't exactly part of the novel, rather, he was never mentioned. The only reason why I know about him is because I was the one who made him. By the request of my friend, the author, I created three characters for her story. One major character. A side character. And a character that was never mentioned.
Though it was mentioned that the kingdom of Mheodure had nine princes, his name was never disclose or anything about him.
So, as the one who created him, it would only make sense that I know him better than the author.
"Do tell me if what I am about to say is wrong okay: Age is fifteen. Half royal, half commoner. Current situation; Being blackmailed by the king to do something for his own selfish reasons, as always. The man who raised you until now who is your father figure is being kept watch as a means to shackle you and become the king's dog, correct?"
Though frustrated from the amount of question arising from his mind, he nodded as a response to my question.
"Let me tell you something, prince Samuel. I will give you two choice: First, you will abandon your name and title as prince and become my servant, by doing so I can guarantee the safety of the man who is a father to you. Or second, you can just die here by law upon the empress' command"
"...."
"And of course, I don't need to tell you that your father figure will die if you don't come back to the kingdom of Mheodure, right?"
Samuel placed his bowl aside.
As he came closer, Sir Aiden drew his sword if ever anything happens.
He knelt down.
His breathing was muffled as he began to cry.
"Please... anything... I will do anything you want. Just make sure papa is alright. He has done so much for me already. I can't bear to see him suffer anymore because of me!"
He pleaded with his forehead on the ground.
I can tell that it was extremely painful for him as he was operated just a few hours ago.
"Please stand up, your wounds will reopen if you do a position like that"
After persuading him to go back to bed and comforting him, he wiped the tears on his face. His expression was a bit more alive than when I first met him.
He was like a dead fish when I saw him back in the underground prison.
"Putting the fact that you know so much about him aside, my lady, how will you be able to save his father?"
"About that... actually, he is currently in Loate right now"
"W, what do you mean by that?"
"I can't telly you guys how. If you want me to tell you, you will need to earn my trust before knowing it"
I stood up and walk towards the door.
"Let's talk more tomorrow. If you strained yourself any further, you will die. So do what the doctor is saying. After all we have a lot of free time tomorrow"
As I waved my hand whilst looking at the door in front of me, I could tell that the tension inside Samuel vanish.
He felt relieve that someone was on his side. Though doubtful, it's not like he has any other choice. He already knew that the moment they were caught, both him and the person who took care of him since he was young would die a gruesome death.
Clinging into hope that might be fabricated rather than choosing hell is what people would do most of the time. No one is immune to 'happiness' after all.