Crushing flags and claiming the Villainess - Chapter 91

Chapter 91: Chapter 90- Departure already?

[A few minutes ago]

In the reception hall, only two people could be seen.

On the Queen’s orders, Sebastian followed her, and for the past five minutes, all the lady did was sip on her tea.

“How have you been doing recently, Sebastian? Does my son trouble you?” She spoke for the first time.

Sebastian honestly responded, “No, Your Majesty. He is a very sensible person for his age.”

Sophie’s left brow went up, “Are you sure we are talking about the same person?”

Sebastian expertly held a slight laugh as he responded, “Indeed, madame. Although the young master had a bad temper initially when I started serving him, recently, his personality has changed for good.”

“Talking about recent activities, you stopped reporting about Austin.” She said, but it sounded more like a question to the butler.

“I was forbidden by the master I serve, Your Majesty.” Sebastian simply responded. He was not forbidden by his lord to hide the fact. However, even though Austin never told him not to tell anyone about the contract, Sebastian wasn’t going to mention it to anyone.

The silver-haired woman gave him a side-long glance before asking, “What exactly has he been doing that he told you not to inform us?”

Recently, she heard that Austin was involved in some mess in which the Prince of Hener got blamed. She doesn’t have the information about the whole incident since her husband refused to tell her, but she already assumed that it must be Austin’s fault.

Sebastian remained staring at the woman for a moment longer than what could have been regarded as appropriate before he uttered,

“He has been involved with several events recently. For example, when he won the trials of the Tournament-”

“Austin won the trials?” Sophie asked in surprise.

With a smile, Sebastian nodded, “Yes, and he is participating from the elite division.”

For a moment, Sebastian saw the glimmer of warmth and fondness in Sophie’s eyes for her son…but like it was nothing but an illusion, her cold look returned.

“Must have been favored by the headmaster…anyway, once Austin graduates, you need to return to the capital and help Aiden in handling the administration.”

Sebastian held a sigh. The Queen has already declared the next king in her heart. How…strange.

“As you say, Your Majesty.”

°°°°°

“Robert.” The personal butler of the King flinched upon finding someone appearing behind him without him noticing.

“…brother…” Thankfully, the amount of people who could achieve such a feat was still one.

“You have adapted to your role as a butler quite well.” Sebastian praised his little brother with a proud smile on his face.

Robert allowed a rare scowl to appear on his face, “This uniform is so goddamn tight. And there is a restriction on so many things.”

Sebastian chuckled. It was not surprising to see that his brother was suffering slightly in this new job.

For someone who has been working as a mercenary for the past eight years, it was understandable why he hates rules so much.

Resting his hand on his brother’s shoulder, Sebastian spoke, “You are doing a fine job, brother. There are many who want to take Your Majesty’s life; that’s why I assigned you since I knew only you can be trusted with this job.”

Robert heaved a sigh, “That’s true…recently, I discovered that he was being fed poison through his food.”

Sebastian frowned. He knew that something was up, but he still didn’t have the details, so he asked, “Did you catch the traitor?”

Robert shook his head, “He was dead, the newly assigned cook.”

Sebastian’s frown deepened. He had a hunch that it must be the newly assigned cook since the other cooks and chefs were recruited by Sebastian after careful consideration and thorough background inspection. They would end their life rather than choose to betray their Lord.

“Did you find any traces?”

Robert shook his head, “None. I went to check where he lived, and from what I got, it seemed the bastard was not from the capital but somewhere outside. No lead about the true culprit.”

Sebastian narrowed his eyes, ” Bringing a foreigner to the capital and giving him a job in the palace…surely someone with authority could do that.”

Before Sebastian could ask, Robert told him, “I couldn’t track who recruited him. Upon asking, one signaled towards the other…”

Sebastian nodded, “Naturally if they are conspiring against the King, they must have been thorough in their planning.” he concluded with a frustrated sigh.

Unfortunately, Sebastian couldn’t stay in the capital and investigate the matter himself, or he might have found some clue.

He couldn’t blame Robert for not being able to find anything since his younger brother had to pay attention to the King’s safety, so it was understandable if he couldn’t reach the root of the problem.

After thinking for a few moments, Sebastian said, “Do you still have the Dectro?”

Robert rolled his eyes, “You still remember that name?” Saying so, he took out a small compass from his pocket.

Several memories came to his mind, seeing the compass in his brother’s hand. They used to play hide and seek in the past, and whenever Robert’s turn came to find others, he used the artifact he got from their father.

“Does it still work?” Sebastian asked and got a nod in response.

“Okay, so whenever the Queen talks or meets someone, you need to use Dectro to see if someone is using their Soul energy.”

Robert raised his brows, ” Did you sense something?”

Sebastian’s brows drew closer, “I can’t be sure…but I think the Queen is under the influence of a spell that is making her antagonize Young Lord Austin.”

Robert heaved a sigh, “But I don’t remain always around the Queen. It’s her personal maid, Vanessa.”

Sebastian flashed a teasing smile, “If it’s a woman, I think you can manage.”

The siblings shared a grin.

°°°°°°

“Are you returning right away?” Just as Austin got out of the room and began walking with Valerie by his side, Aiden appeared out of nowhere.

Austin heaved a sigh, “A competition is going on back in school, so I need to return.”

Aiden raised his brows, “You…really are returning to school?”

Austin, with a smile, said, “Want to drop me off at school, big brother?”

Aiden chuckled, “That’s too far away. I think you will be able to take care of yourself.”

Austin nodded, “Okay then, see you.” Without any further ado, Austin held Valerie’s hand and walked out.

As Austin walked away, Aiden’s smile dropped, as he muttered under his breath,

‘This is suspicious….I need to investigate this whole farce.’

Not in seven hell, Austin suddenly came here to just check on his father and would return to the academy just like that.

‘That old man must have informed Austin about the proposal from Hener…’ In that case, what Austin could do? Run away? But that would just give Hener the best opportunity to slay the rogue prince.

‘What exactly are you planning…’

°°°°°°

“My lord, are we leaving right away?” Sebastian asked as he spotted the young master and lady walking out of the palace.

Austin nodded, “Have you arranged a carriage?”

Sebastian was taken aback, “Are we leaving on a carriage?” Sebastian had no problem with that, but surely, in a carriage, it would take much longer.

“Austin is tired, so it’s better to travel in a carriage,” Valerie spoke, bringing a warm smile to Austin’s lips.

However, “That carriage would be a diversion, Sebastian. We are still traveling on horses.”

Sebastian raised his brows before he glanced behind the Prince, “Are we….”

Austin nodded, “Most likely.”

Valerie glanced between the two men, confused about what was happening.

Austin held her hand and interlaced their fingers before saying, “Let me escort you to somewhere safe.”

Sebastian had already disappeared and went to arrange the carriage while Austin and Valerie walked through the back garden of the palace.

“How was he? Your Majesty?” Valerie asked.

Austin raised his brows, “Still formality?”

Valerie lowered her gaze, a shy smile lifting the edges of her lips, as she asked, “How is he…father-in-law?” A gentle reminder that they are about to get married…yup, all her displeasure after meeting that pest has been wiped off.

“He is doing good…the poison would be negated within a few days with proper rest and adequate nutrition.”

Valerie raised her brows, “Is it safe for him to stay here when that person is targeting him?”

Austin nodded, “I trust Robert. He will take care of him.”

Valerie suddenly stood before Austin before saying, “What about your mother…it seems she is under Aiden’s influence, just as my father was. And late at night, in the bedroom, only a wife is allowed to enter the room.”

Austin’s brows drew closer. What Valerie is suggesting is true. During the night, even the closest servant couldn’t remain around their primary because of obvious reasons.

And if, under Aiden’s influence, the Queen ends up harming the King…

Squeezing her hand, Austin said, “I can just hope that my dear mother still has that much sanity to discern what is right and what is evil.”

°°°°°°°°