“Yes, yes. Your Highness… may I ask what this is about specifically?” Davis broke into a cold sweat.
As a very ordinary Director of City Security in the small White Stone City, the highest-ranking people he had ever met were a few nobles. He had never seen a member of the royal family with his own eyes.
“The human you caught in the forest outside the city last night is one of mine. Now, I need you to release him immediately. Leave no records, and do not mention this to anyone else.”
“Only those already involved should know; I don’t want anyone else finding out about this.” Flora’s tone was sharp and bone-chilling. The air seemed to grow cold under the weight of her presence.
Davis’s pupils shrank, and he immediately bowed. “Understood, Your Highness. I will see to it at once. I promise there will be no trace left behind.”
“Also, give him some food so he can safely return to the human territory. If he doesn’t want anyone following him, then do not follow him.”
“As you command! Please wait here for a moment, Your Highness. I will handle it right away.”
Davis did not want to offend a member of the royal family. Usually, in these situations, the consequences for doing so were dire.
“Very well. Remember, I was never here today, and you never saw me. Director Davis… I will remember your performance.”
Upon hearing this, Davis paused for a second before hurrying out of the room.
Seeing Davis leave, Flora sat down on a nearby sofa and took a deep breath.
‘This is the first time I’ve used the power that comes with being a princess. It’s the first time I’ve acted with such majesty.’
‘It’s so exhausting! I wonder if Mother feels this tired every time she puts on her dignified front. It’s a strange feeling, hard to put into words.’
The dark prison cell was somewhat damp, but it wasn’t exactly eerie or terrifying. There was still a bit of light.
After all, this wasn’t a place for hardened criminals; it was only for temporary detainees or those with very minor offenses.
Kaan sat on a chair inside with his head down, the fingernail of his right index finger repeatedly scratching against the specially reinforced wall.
He had been locked up for six or seven hours now. He estimated that in another day at most, he would be “sentenced.”
His finger continued to move against the wall, tracing out the names of Owen and the others.
‘It looks like this is the final goodbye. I don’t even know if I’ll ever see them again, or if they’ll even remember me.’
Just then, Kaan thought he heard the faint sound of a conversation.
In the absolute silence of the prison, even the smallest whisper could be heard, though the dialogue was muffled.
“I really don’t know what Her Highness is thinking.”
“Who cares? That’s royal business. It’s not like we can do anything about it anyway. Just do as we’re told.”
Kaan heard a pair of footsteps approaching. The sound grew clearer and clearer until…
The footsteps stopped right in front of his door.
‘What are they doing?’
Kaan held his breath. They hadn’t come back once since they finished interrogating him and locked him up. ‘What’s happening? Is my sentencing coming this quickly?’
Kaan heard the sound of a key turning in the lock, and then…
The prison door swung open.
Kaan stared blankly at the doorway.
Two men walked in without giving him much of a look.
“Don’t move,” one of them said to Kaan.
Then, the man searched for a key and unlocked the handcuffs on Kaan’s wrists.
“Go on, you’re free,” the man said to Kaan.
Kaan sat there in a daze, his brain completely overloaded. ‘What is the situation? Why are they releasing me out of nowhere?’
Kaan didn’t move an inch, his head still lowered as he stared at the table.
“Don’t just sit there. Hurry up and go. Follow us.”
Kaan patted his chest through his clothes, realizing that this was all real. He quickly stood up as he regained his senses.
“Seriously, I don’t see what’s so special about you that the Princess would value you so much. To think Her Highness would personally come here to have us release you.”
‘What? The Princess?’
Kaan felt a momentary sense of vertigo.
‘Did they say… their Princess personally came to have me released?’
‘I don’t even know her! No, that’s not the point. The point is, why would a princess of the demon race release an ordinary human like me, and even come here in person?’
‘Could it be related to that time I stole the demon heart flower? The Demon Queen saw me back then, and it was also strange that no pursuers came after me after the theft.’
It was all too strange.
‘What should I do? I’m suddenly just… free?’
“Here is some food and water. Now get moving. Her Highness said you are to return safely to the human territory.” The talkative demon soldier handed Kaan some provisions.
Kaan stared at the food, speechless.
“Your Highness, everything has been handled. According to your instructions, we have released the human and provided him with plenty of food. He will return safely to the human territory,” Davis said respectfully.
“Mhm, you did well. Since everything is settled, I’ll be going now.”
“Of course, Your Highness. Shall I see you out?”
“There’s no need, Director Davis. I can find my own way.”
Flora walked out of Davis’s office and headed toward the main entrance of the Security Department.
As she reached a corridor intersection, Flora caught a glimpse of Kaan being led by two soldiers. His face looked tired and haggard.
“Sigh…” Flora let out a soft sigh and then walked quickly past, disappearing into the hallway.
The moment Flora walked ahead, Kaan quickly turned his head to look.
At the other end of the corridor, he saw a figure in a cloak. The figure was slender and appeared to be a woman before vanishing down the hallway.
“What are you looking at? Keep moving,” the demon soldier said, tapping Kaan on the shoulder.
“Right…”
Flora found a secluded spot to revert to her disguised appearance. She changed back into the clothes she had been wearing when she left and headed toward the inn.
***
It was 11:00 AM. It was time to go back and prepare to leave with Lena.
Flora pushed open the door to the inn room.
“Lena, I’m back.” Flora acted calm, returning to her usual state.
“Mhm, Your Highness was out for quite a while.”
“I just ended up looking around for a bit longer than expected. Did you do anything while I was gone?”
“No, I spent most of my time here. I got a bit bored, so I tidied the place up.” Lena gestured toward the room.
Flora noticed that the room was indeed much cleaner and more organized. She smiled and said, “Lena, your ‘professional habits’ are showing again.”
“Haha, Your Highness, I just didn’t have anything else to do, so I did a little work.”
“Right. We don’t have much time left. Go check us out of the room, and then we’ll buy a little something to eat. The carriage ride back will take all afternoon, and we won’t be able to eat again until we get home.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Lena said with a smile.
Afterward, Lena went to check out. The two of them grabbed a bite to eat and, at Flora’s suggestion, bought some travel snacks. They then headed out of the city to catch a carriage.
“Your Highness, have you enjoyed these past few days?”
“They were quite good.”
“Well, regardless, it’s time to go back now.”
“I get the feeling you’re really looking forward to going back.”
“Haha.”