"Are you messing with me? Revealing that I'm back to the palace does nothing to you whatsoever, your highness, unless you enjoy screwing me over."

"Well, there's definitely something you're not telling me, little swan. Why are you so desperate to hide yourself?" Chevalier stares at her, trying to gauge a reaction which definitely worked, since Kaleigh's eyebrows creased together into a frown.

"It's none of your business. Isn't that what you usually tell others as well when they demand you an explanation, an answer or anything?"

"This isn't about me, little swan. And watch your mouth. You want your head on your neck, do you?"

Kaleigh rolls her eyes. Chevalier is so used to getting away with threatening people out of the blue already. This is one of the other reasons why she dislikes him as well. Still, his threat is quite effective as it makes her take a notch down on her attitude. It feels like she's standing in front of a true king with the regal aura he's exuding. She gulps nervously before speaking up to break the pregnant silence.

"I don't want the princes to know. Just yet."

"Just because it would be too much of a hit to your pride? What a foolish reason."

"Gugh..." Kaleigh grunt inwardly before pursing her lips into a thin line. "Allow me to explain before you jump to any nonsensical conclusions, your highness."

Kaleigh takes some time to organize her thoughts before she starts speaking:

"I had a bet with Sariel. If I can get the princes' approval for the spot of the king's counselor, then I shall be able to work at the palace under my own name, not under my family's. So please...I need you to pretend like you know nothing."

"Well, little swan, you're already losing, since I know who you are already." Chevalier scoffs, seemingly mocking the woman standing in front of him who's impaling him with her sharp glare.

"Who cares? I never play by the rules, because now's not the time and place to do that. I only lose when Sariel knows that a prince knows. By that logic...I can fool the easier target, can't I~?" Kaleigh sneers. She lays low a lot, but doesn't feel like it in front of Chevalier. If he'd know everything she's trying so hard to find anyone, why can't she just cards on the table? Surely better than knowing everything she did was futile in front of a genius.

"I will keep your secret, but with a price. I need you to keep a tab on someone who will soon visit the palace - the conqueror beast from Obsidian - Gilbert von Obsidian." Chevalier says plainly as if this task is just as easy as a piece of cake, or a walk in the park for him.

Kaleigh's expression visibly changes and her hands ball into fists. So this is what he wanted all along - to use her as his pawn!?

"Why me...?" was all Kaleigh manages to mutter. Ten years ago, during Bloodstained Rose day, the catalyst of her family's exile as well as a tragedy for Rhodolite, Obsidian, the bordering country of Rhodolite invaded Rhodolite land and made them lose many settlements. As a noblewoman, Kaleigh wasn't required to fight but her brother, her father had to fight. They all suffered various scars and injuries. Her family also lost everything in the pursuit of justice for the princes, for all the trauma they had to endure before and during the war. It was through this battle that the Moran family understood what kind of king they were serving under.

"I wanted to choose Belle at first - she seemed like someone who would be susceptible to orders and threats. But...little swan, you're the better option of the two. It's too risky to expose Belle so close to such a dangerous person, since our kingdom still has a secret to conceal, the king's death." Chevalier says as he mindlessly opens a book on the desk and flips through the pages. "Though I doubt he didn't already know the king is dead. He has spies planted here working for him - but we can't act too obviously."

"And I am in no position to refuse, am I not? When will he come here anyway?"

"3 days later. There will be a goodwill gala hosted for his and the other two princes' arrival. You will know them soon enough?"

"Really? No explanation? Not even a name dropped?"

"..."

Kaleigh rolls her eyes at the silence. Chevalier is just being himself - explaining absolutely nothing while wanting her to devise everything on her own.

"You know, since it feels like you can read my mind sometimes, can't you read that I need more information!? Details?! And more importantly, what goals are we even working towards here??" Kaleigh says with her barely restrained volume. But she tried her best to keep the sound polite and nobly.

"Eyepatch is plotting something that can shake the entire continent. Moreover, information about Obsidian is very restricted - it's dripping out drop by drop, and it's not in character for the emperor to do so at all. He's...flamboyant and showy. That's why we shall look into his son rather than him."

"Hah! So Gilbert wears an eyepatch! Got that."

Chevalier sighs in annoyance and looks at Kaleigh, returning her previous glare to her face while Kaleigh just adverts her eyes and hums nonchalantly. The second prince is speechless, massaging his temple and he doesn't want to waste a second longer.

"Now go. You got my order. And you are not to question me again with that attitude of yours."

Without waiting for Kaleigh to reply, Chevalier starts working on the immense amount of paperwork for his faction on his desk. Kaleigh also doesn't want to waste her breath on him, so she turns around and leaves with hurried strides. She should check on Emma now...! She's probably at some tavern with Leon, Clavis and Jin. But it will take some time to find them before the evening, so she better hurry!

When she was taken to the palace, Kaleigh thought she'd only look out for some of the princes she has been favoring since childhood, who are Clavis and Nokto, her classmate of some sort, yet, Kaleigh finds herself caring unexpectedly a lot for Emma. Maybe it's just her sweet nature...but there's more to that. Being Emma's neighbor for two years, Kaleigh has witnessed how selfless Emma can be and how hard she sticks to her ideals. So Kaleigh won't let any harm come her way!

-end of chapter 11-