In the royal palace infirmary was an unexpected patient: Prince Oz.
“Ah, Lady Europa,” he said. “It’s...been a while...”
Goodness me, he’s obviously on the verge of death! Europa thought, gasping at the sight of Oz wheezing weakly before her.
The prince, famed for his youthful beauty, now lay in bed, emaciated and ashen, with large and heavy dark circles under his eyes.
Perhaps having noticed Europa’s shock, Oz smiled weakly. “My stomach hurts. It’s just stress... It’s nothing serious...”
The stern-faced physician attending his bedside spoke up. “His Highness might not make it till morning.”
Oz laughed feebly. “Truly, it’s nothing seri—”
“His condition is critical.”
It’s critical!
Europa had originally come to the palace to investigate and report back to Evelyn; she hadn’t expected to find Oz dying. She’d always known he was a hard worker, but this exceeded all of her expectations.
“Lady Europa... Why are you covered in mud?” Oz asked.
“It’s sacred mud,” Europa explained. “It smells and feels amazing.”
“I see... And...my brother is covered in blood because he’s with you.”
“Exactly,” Igna confirmed. “My blood pumps only for Europa.”
After the physician left the room, Europa hesitantly asked, “Your Highness, why are you unwell?”
“I’ve been so stressed that it’s wrought havoc with my digestion, I’m afraid,” Oz replied, exhausted. “Although, well, my troubles would be almost entirely solved if only Saint Evelyn were here.”
Europa’s eyes widened.
“My brother is head over heels for you,” Oz said with a soft smile. “Surely he’s told you everything.”
“Ah, yes, he has...” Europa confirmed. She’d come all the way here, after all—she couldn’t play dumb.
Oz then directed his gaze at Igna and narrowed his eyes. “So, brother. Was Saint Evelyn in Semme?”
Europa gulped, startled.
Though Igna had acted flippant about it, Oz and the others at the basilica were indeed frantically searching for Evelyn. She was, after all, the magnificent, classy, cute, beautiful, revered saint. Any reasonable royal would understand that the Holy Kingdom of Snasile could only function thanks to Evelyn’s presence.
How will Prince Igna dodge this question?!
With Oz, Europa, and all the guards watching him intently, Igna casually said, “Nope. She wasn’t there at all.”
He just lied with a perfectly straight face! Europa thought, shock evident on her own.
Igna’s knights were all equally flabbergasted that Igna could lie so nonchalantly to his deathly ill brother.
For the first time in her life, Europa found herself admiring Igna. Oh, Prince Igna. You’re keeping quiet for St. Evelyn’s sake, aren’t you...?
She’d always thought of him as a worthless, perverted nosebleed fountain. How moving it was to see he had at least some qualities!
But Oz must have been desperate. He pressed, “Th-Then, did you at least find a clue as to her whereabouts?”
“None whatsoever.”
“Please, try to think! Even the smallest thing would suffice...!”
“Nothing at all. Neither hide nor hair.”
“Ah... I see...”
Europa was starting to feel sorry for Oz. Careful not to let the younger prince notice, she leaned over and whispered to Igna, “Your Highness, I didn’t know you were so good at lying.”
“What do you mean, ‘lying’?” Igna replied. “I’ve never met this Evelyn.”
What is he talking about? Europa wondered, dumbfounded.
Igna continued as though her surprise were the real curiosity here. “My mind is full of you, Europa, and nothing else. Now that I think about it, while I was walking through the woods, I believe I heard someone shout, ‘Kiraaa! Kiraaa!’ but it was probably, I don’t know, a forest ghoul or something.”
He was serious. He meant it.
“I. Cannot. Believe. This!!!” Europa exclaimed, eyes wide.
“Wh-What’s gotten into you, Europa?” Igna asked.
“You had the blissful privilege of seeing my beautiful, lovely, stunning Evelyn! You heard her pure, innocent cries! And you don’t remember?! I’ll gouge out your useless eyes! I’ll tear off your worthless ears! Maybe then you’ll learn something!!!”
“Ngh...! Yes, please!” Igna exclaimed as he dropped to his knees.
The pristine palace floor was rapidly growing red with blood.
“Your Highness!” the knights exclaimed. They rushed over frantically as Europa backed away.
This man’s brain is on vacation! Also, why does he get to hear Saint Evelyn cry out and I don’t?!
Europa clenched her fists in anger and disbelief. Maybe she should be killing Igna before his older brother!
Lost in her anger, she’d failed to notice one small detail.
“Um, Lady Europa?” Oz called out.
She turned around to see the young prince staring at her with a dumbfounded expression. “Yes, Your Highness?”
“Did I imagine it, or did you mention an Evelyn just now...?”
Ohhh no.
Though Europa was a sheltered young lady who lost awareness of her surroundings when excited, she wasn’t foolish enough to let her panic at her mistake show. She whipped out a fan and covered her mouth as though embarrassed about having raised her voice.
“My apologies, Your Highness. Prince Igna and I were discussing Evelyn, whom we met in Semme.”
“Ah! Evelyn! So is the saint in—”
Europa chuckled elegantly. “There are fifty-six Evelyns in Semme.”
“B-But surely only the saint would have you so—”
“This Evelyn has a beautiful, long, fluffy white mane, and she’s all cuddly and adorable and likes to yip, ‘Kiraaa, Kiraaa,’ in a very distinctive way,” Europa declared, telling no lies whatsoever.
Oz thought for a while, then muttered hoarsely, “Oh... A dog...”
The youngest prince’s condition worsened further, and Igna and Europa were quickly shooed out of the palace.