The Princeliest Prince of All - Chapter 36
At the Crown Princess’s casual remark, the entire security force turned pale. Even Leticia was too stunned to react.
Only Sera remained unfazed, continuing smoothly.
“Mobilize all available personnel. The cost will be… charged to House Brandt.”
Without hesitation, she dumped the entire expense onto her older brother, Siannon Brandt.
What was he going to do about it? Complain?
If he had a problem, he could erase his name from the family registry and leave.
This time, the vice-captain hesitantly raised his hand. Sera generously nodded, granting him permission to speak.
He gulped before cautiously asking,
“If we find him… should we eliminate him?”
Eliminate.
At the extreme word choice, Leticia turned deathly pale. Her knees wobbled as if she was about to faint.
Sera’s eyes flashed dangerously.
“Are you insane?”
The man who had spoken hurriedly bit his lip, realizing his mistake.
Sera cleared her throat, covering up the awkwardness.
Okay, maybe accusing him of treason was a bit much.
“Ahem. Just detain him. I’ll interrogate him myself.”
“Understood!”
The soldiers shouted in unison before rushing out of the conference hall.
Soon, every guard in the capital would be tracking down one man—Theodoric.
Sera nodded in satisfaction.
She hoped it was all just a misunderstanding.
But if he really had done something to hurt Leticia, she wouldn’t let it slide.
What, did he think male leads were irreplaceable?
She could swap him out anytime.
Two, three, thirty different ones, if necessary.
Even if Leticia forgave him, Sera wouldn’t.
She stepped forward decisively.
“Let’s go too.”
The sweet and gentle female lead hesitated but followed without protest.
Their carriage left the security headquarters and began to wander the city aimlessly.
Leticia, as if hoping to find Theodoric before Sera could strangle him, kept glancing out the window.
Sera also briefly turned her gaze to the streets.
Spring had arrived, and the capital was buzzing with festival preparations.
She was suddenly reminded of two years ago around this time.
She had been stuck preparing for yet another tedious banquet when she suddenly insisted on going out to see the festival instead.
Of course, Leonard had freaked out.
“Do you have any idea how many people—and germs—will be out there?!”
Sera had known it was impossible, but she couldn’t help feeling disappointed.
This was a romance fantasy world after all.
Shouldn’t she at least do something fitting?
Sulking, she had locked herself in her bedroom… when Leonard suddenly appeared.
“I’m ready. Let’s go.”
His outfit that day had been absurd.
A white cloak with a hood, a matching mask covering his nose and mouth, and double-layered gloves.
Instead of a romance fantasy prince, he looked like a plague doctor.
But Sera hadn’t laughed.
Her nose had tingled instead, and she ended up grumbling all day to hide her emotions.
As punishment, she had forced him to eat festival candy.
It was the first time she had ever seen someone’s face turn that many different colors.
She had no choice but to admit it.
Even if he hadn’t completely overcome his phobia, his efforts had been sincere.
“…Sera.”
“Hmm?”
Lost in thought, Sera snapped back to reality.
Leticia was speaking in a low, gloomy voice.
“I’ve been thinking… I think Theodoric changed because of me.”
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
Sera’s brows furrowed deeply.
The female lead, blaming herself?
What kind of frustrating, suffocating plot twist was this, and after the main story was already over?!
But Leticia looked serious.
“He’s always adjusted to me. That’s just how our situation was… So I think I took it for granted. Maybe… this isn’t the life he actually wanted.”
“Don’t say something so ridiculous.”
Sera cut her off immediately.
No self-blame. No digging emotional holes.
Sera, who was always on Team Leticia, didn’t hold back this time.
“Leticia, I know you’re feeling hurt right now, but honestly? That’s just insulting. Theodoric isn’t an idiot.”
Leticia gave a small, knowing smile.
A moment of silence passed.
Had she overreacted?
Sera suddenly felt a bit awkward and pursed her lips.
After staring at her for a moment, Leticia murmured something completely out of nowhere.
“I understand why my brother likes you.”
“That’s because he’s a total idiot—”
Just then, the carriage stopped.
Knock, knock.
Hearing the sound, Sera turned her head.
It was the vice-captain from earlier.
She immediately threw open the carriage window.
“Did you find him?”
“Not exactly. But… we have a witness.”
Before Sera could respond, Leticia leaned forward.
“Where?”
“Well…”
The man hesitated, clearly uncomfortable.
Seeing him stall, Sera’s glare sharpened.
Pressured by her fierce aura, the vice-captain finally forced out an answer.
“He was seen visiting the refugee camp on the outskirts of the city.”
Leticia’s expression darkened instantly.
Sera glanced at her, worried.
Every year, during the festival season, traveling performers and refugees flooded the capital.
They set up temporary tents in the fields, hosting performances and small shops.
Most of them catered to poorer citizens, but not all.
And the most profitable attractions were the decadent shows aimed at adult men and women.
