Rudiger's Sevran army was approaching.
King Maxim, her father, was taking a defensive stance, while her two half-brothers—Crown Prince Jules and Second Prince Valerian—seemed eager to sally forth.
"It seems Rudiger has decided to move."
"Yes. I'm grateful he trusted us."
Diane was watching the city from atop the castle walls with Giselle.
The Surlyton royals were all moving about frantically. Her father King Maxim must have realized there was no turning back now.
As she observed the city, a voice suddenly called out to her.
"It seems this castle is destined to fall soon."
"Marquis Hugel, when did you arrive?"
Marquis Hugel, who stood there, was of the same generation as Diane's father. A nobleman of refined bearing, he had once served the Tredorio royal family—like her father Maxim.
She had heard that when her father destroyed the Tredorio royal family, he was the first to switch sides. A man who would easily betray his master for self-preservation—that was his reputation.
For this reason, Diane didn't think very highly of him. Soon, she would likely receive similar judgment, though.
Marquis Hugel ran his right hand through his short-cropped hair. He seemed deep in thought.
"Soon, this castle will fall."
"You think so...?"
Her father, while perhaps not the greatest king, was a capable military commander. That's why Rudiger had struggled to take the castle despite advancing this far.
That's precisely why she had taken such measures—to prevent the people inside the castle from becoming more exhausted.
"This castle's defenses are solid. I personally oversaw their improvements during the Tredorio era, so I'm certain of that. However, it will fall soon. King Rudiger is a capable man."
"...I see."
Diane didn't know how to respond to this man.
She had heard that if he had resisted more, the Tredorio royal family might not have fallen.
Surely, this man would—betray her father too, given the opportunity. She was suddenly struck by this premonition.
If so, they just needed to create an opportunity for him to betray. Her father and half-brothers—once things turned against them, this man would surely abandon them quickly.
"...I'll return to my room. Please take care, Marquis."
Diane couldn't tell if he had caught the meaning implied in her words.
"Princess, so this is where you were—ah, Marquis Hugel."
Giselle frowned upon seeing Marquis Hugel. She held no fondness for him. Giselle's parents had served the Tredorio royal family in the past.
The reason she served Diane so well was solely because Diane carried the blood of Blanche, the former Tredorio queen.
"The Sevran army has just finished setting up camp. It seems His Majesty doesn't intend to sortie."
"Perhaps... he no longer has the spirit for it."
Their footsteps echoed through the stone corridor. Though soldiers should have been rushing about preparing for battle, it was eerily quiet.
"Father has aged. He's probably on the defensive. Trying to hold out for a while and extract concessions from Rudiger. At least, the castle is well-suited for defense. Though according to Marquis Hugel, it won't hold for long."
She hadn't expected her father to take such a defensive stance.
Perhaps years of living in luxury without directly engaging in battle had made him hesitant.
"Anyway, let's do what we must do. We need to time the gate's opening carefully."
But when they returned to their room, someone was standing in front of the door.
Half-leaning against the door, he raised his head as if noticing their approach.
"Jules... Brother..."
"Where were you?"
"...I was watching the city from the walls. The battle will begin soon, they say. And I met Marquis Hugel. He says he knows this castle well—"
There was no point in lying, so she told him what she had actually done. Jules furrowed his brow with a snort.
They say his features strongly resembled their father in his youth. His dark brown hair fell carelessly across his forehead, and his sharp eyes emanated a light that seemed to miss nothing.
He was tall, with firm muscles covering his entire body. Diane knew of several servants who had been helplessly tormented by him.
She wondered what expression her half-brother would make if she succeeded in bringing in Rudiger.
"What are you planning?"
Jules brought his face so close their breaths nearly mingled. Diane stepped back.
"Wh-what do you mean... We're short on medicine. And bandages. And if the siege continues, won't we quickly run out of food?"
"That's not for you to worry about."
He pushed her shoulder roughly, forcing her back two more steps. She nearly fell, but Giselle hurriedly caught her.
"Princess, are you alright!"
"I-I... I'm just doing what I need to do."
She stopped Giselle with her hand as she tried to step forward, glaring at Jules.
She understood that her half-brother was showing some restraint. If it had been any other servant, they would have been struck in the face without mercy.
"What are you planning to do?"
"I... nothing different from before. I'll tend to the wounded. We're running low on bandages, so I'll go get some."
Saying only "excuse me," she passed by Jules.
He made no attempt to stop her. There was something unsettling about his silence.
"Giselle, be ready to leave at any time. Keep watch outside the room—though I don't think we're suspected."
"...Did he notice something?"
Giselle's expression grew anxious as they walked side by side.
"I don't know. More importantly—let's prepare bandages and medicine before we go. Even if we open the gate, there will definitely be casualties."
If they acted differently from usual, Jules might realize their plans.
They headed to the castle storehouse and carried medicine and piles of sheets to her room. These could be cut to serve as bandages.
Two years since returning to the castle. This room had been the center of Diane's life.
The furniture in this room was all of high quality, but all ornate decorations had been removed.
Not even a single flower adorned the room, making it an austere sight hardly befitting a young lady's chamber.
The medicine they brought was stored in a locked wall cabinet. The collected sheets were placed on the table. Some were cut into strips to be ready for immediate use.
"Princess, it's almost time."
"Yes... It seems my brother didn't notice anything."
If necessary, Jules could have locked them in their room. But since he hadn't, they probably weren't under suspicion.
She changed into clothes easy to move in and took up her sword. From outside the castle, the voices of soldiers could be heard.