“I appreciate you making time for me, especially now when things must be hectic,” I said.
“Not at all,” Crown Prince Aleis replied with his usual calm grace. “If His Highness Cecil says it’s an important matter, then finding time for it is only natural.”
The day I met with Prince Ramtak, I immediately sent a discreet message to Aleis, asking for an urgent, private audience with him and Lysonna. I’d labeled it a “matter of great importance,” but honestly, I’d expected it to take several days before they could receive me.
They’d only just finished their wedding ceremony, no doubt still caught up in the whirlwind of postnuptial duties and eager to enjoy their first days together as newlyweds. Even Bertia, who used to host tea gatherings almost daily, hadn’t held a single one since the ceremony.
However, Aleis was far more capable than I’d anticipated. When Zeno delivered my message, Aleis had immediately adjusted his schedule and sent back a reply: “Tomorrow before noon, if that suits you.”
Efficient and decisive. It made my job much easier.
So, the following day, before noon, I paid a quiet visit to the Crown Prince’s office. Unlike when I’d gone to see Ramtak, I didn’t bring a full escort this time, limiting my company to only Zeno. I trusted him more, and besides, the fewer ears, the better.
Aleis, to his credit, seemed to understand the nature of such meetings perfectly. The only others present were Princess Lysonna—whom I had specifically asked to attend—and a man I didn’t recognize, who stood beside Aleis with a soldier’s composure.
“Prince Cecil,” Aleis said, gesturing toward the man, “this is Holsa Jems. He assists me with my work. He’s one of the most reliable men under my command.”
“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness. Holsa Jems, second son of the Count Jems family,” the man introduced himself, bowing with crisp precision.
“Cecil Glo Alphasta, Crown Prince of Alphasta,” I said in return, inclining my head. “This is my attendant, Zeno. He’s someone I trust completely. I hope we can work well together.”
Strictly speaking, Zeno isn’t a “person,” I thought, though that was a truth best left unsaid for now.
When I smiled and extended my hand, Holsa blinked in surprise. He hadn’t expected me, a foreign crown prince, to initiate the handshake. After a heartbeat, he recovered and clasped my hand carefully, his grip firm but courteous.
“Then… forgive me for asking, but if possible, may I have him remain present for the discussion as well?” Aleis asked, glancing toward his aide.
He was being properly cautious. Since I had requested this meeting to be confidential, it was only natural he’d hesitate before allowing even his most trusted man to stay. Still, Crown Prince Aleis was no fool. I had faith in his ability to read people. If he deemed someone trustworthy, I could accept that judgment.
“What I’m about to discuss,” I said quietly, “concerns matters that could affect the future of this kingdom. Some actions will likely need to be taken behind the scenes. So, if you’re certain he can be trusted to keep absolute secrecy, I have no objection.”
The weight in my tone wasn’t accidental. Confidential could mean anything from a polite political favor to something that might topple alliances. I wanted to be sure they understood the kind of conversation this was. Once knowledge like this entered someone’s head, it couldn’t be erased.
At my words, Holsa drew in a quiet breath, but almost instantly, resolve settled across his face. He turned toward his liege for approval. Aleis met his eyes, nodded once, and then looked back at me.
“Please proceed, Prince Cecil.”
At his invitation, I took a seat on one of the sofas in the study. The atmosphere was hushed; even the soft ticking of the clock felt subdued. The maids had already been dismissed, and when Princess Lysonna rose to pour tea herself, Zeno smoothly stepped in.
“Allow me, Your Highness,” he said with practiced grace.
Lysonna smiled faintly, yielding the pot to him, and by the time Zeno had served everyone and taken his usual place—just behind me and to the right—the room had settled into quiet readiness.
“Then,” said Aleis, his expression steady but his tone serious, “may we hear what matter prompted this urgent meeting?”
Across from me, the Crown Prince and his consort sat close together, their posture composed yet attentive. Behind them stood Holsa, shoulders squared, the air of a man who knew he might soon learn something he’d rather not.
Now then… where to begin?
“First,” I said slowly, choosing my words, “there are two main topics I’d like to discuss. One of them, however, may be closer to a request than a consultation.”
“Two matters?”
It was hard to tell whether Aleis found that number excessive or unexpectedly few, but his expression remained grave as he gestured for me to continue.
“Yes,” I replied. “Let’s start with the simpler one—the one that’s easy to grasp.”
I raised my right hand slightly, signaling Zeno. At once, he stepped forward and handed me the documents I’d asked him to prepare in advance.
“This is the first.”
I placed the bundle on the low table between us. Within the documents were the compiled records of Prince Ramtak’s deeds. That was what I needed to discuss with them first.
Aleis accepted the stack with a polite “Allow me,” while beside him, Crown Princess Lysonna leaned closer to read. Behind them, Holsa peered over their shoulders, tension radiating from his posture. It wasn’t exactly the picture of perfect etiquette, but with only one copy of the thick dossier available, it was the most efficient way to proceed.
“Prince Cecil, this is…”
Aleis’s voice faltered as his eyes raced across the pages. His usually composed expression hardened into disbelief. Behind him, Holsa’s jaw tightened. Lysonna, having spotted the emblem of her homeland on one of the attached reports, brought a trembling hand to her lips, struggling to stifle the gasp that escaped her. Her complexion drained to a sickly white.
“I see you understand,” I said quietly. “My dear wife has been terribly worried about her friend, and she’s been wishing for her continued happiness. So, I decided to… investigate a little.”
“A little? With all due respect, this doesn’t qualify as a little, Your Highness.” Aleis exhaled sharply.
I smiled, light but deliberate. “Oh, come now. Prince Ramtak isn’t exactly a master of subtlety. A few discreet inquiries were enough. You could have uncovered most of this yourself, if not for your… inconvenient position.”
I tilted my head slightly, watching his reaction. Aleis didn’t deny it. He merely gave a strained, almost embarrassed laugh.
“Well,” I continued, “you may recall I already passed a portion of this information to you earlier, so that your officials could begin preliminary action. Many of those sites have since been dealt with.” I leaned forward a touch, voice lowering. “But this…” I tapped the document still in his hand, “is the proof linking those operations directly to Prince Ramtak. The evidence you’ve been lacking.”
Aleis gave a strained smile, but his eyes were sharp, measuring me in silence, clearly deciding how to respond.
Of course, he was wary. Even though I had brought him exactly the evidence he wanted, he couldn’t simply trust my motives. For all he knew, I could be luring him in with bait, offering him the information only to demand something outrageous in return. His caution wasn’t insulting; in fact, I found it reassuring.
“Actually,” I began, keeping my tone light, “there are two reasons I’ve decided to cooperate with you so openly.”
“I see,” Aleis said carefully. “May I hear them?”