After a moment, Raymond nodded calmly and, with his trusted entourage, continued walking in the opposite direction.

"I wish you success. Commander Levim and I have some matters to discuss. Now, finish your work, Butler Paul."

"Yes, Your Highness." Paul bowed again.

Only when the dense footsteps disappeared at the other end of the arch did he slowly rise and turn to Morian.

"That was the second prince, who volunteered to come and perform the ceremony for His Highness Eric," Paul said in a low voice.

"A voluntary request..." Morian paused for a moment, then noted the information down.

"And the officer half a step behind him was Levi Cons, one of the commanders of the Royal Guard Division, known for his strict military discipline."

"He seems to be a high-ranking military officer with real power?" Morian asked casually.

"Yes, Livim controls a portion of the capital's military force, is a strong supporter of the Second Prince in the army, and is a very important figure in their faction."

"...Does His Majesty the King have great confidence in his rule by dispersing military power among the various princes?" Morian thought silently to himself.

Next, Paul led him on a quick tour of the other areas, and about an hour later they returned to the original west corridor.

During the hour they spent there, Morian estimated that they had only covered half of the White Rose Palace, which shows how vast the palace grounds are.

"That's the general layout, Mr. Tias." Paul stopped beside a colonnade.

"Thank you very much for your detailed explanation, Mr. Paul," Morian said sincerely. "I already have a basic understanding of the main areas, and now I'd like to wander around on my own to reinforce my impressions."

Paul looked at him for a few seconds, then finally nodded and said:

"Alright, but please be careful not to step into sensitive areas. When it's lunchtime, the waiter will bring your food to your room."

"Understood," Morian replied politely.

After watching Paul leave, Morian continued to familiarize himself with the surroundings. As instructed, he only walked through the public areas he had previously visited, constantly refining the map in his mind.

These seemingly meaningless actions may, in many critical moments, save one's life.

Intelligence and information are of paramount importance in any operation.

After wandering around for about half an hour, Morian felt that his initial observations were sufficient, so he touched the token in his inner pocket and decided to go out for a trip.

After walking for less than twenty minutes along the route I remembered, I saw the entrance gate on the west side, with guards on both sides.

Upon seeing someone approaching, one of the guards immediately spoke up to stop them.

Morian calmly took out the dark brown rose token. The guard took it, examined it carefully, nodded, handed the token back, and opened the double door next to it.

He carefully put away the token and stepped out of the White Rose Palace.

As the first rays of morning sunlight fell on the stone pavement, Morian took a breath of the relatively "free" fresh air and headed toward the "Schramberg" café, the agreed meeting place.

It was a small shop located in a middle-class neighborhood, known for its quiet environment and high-quality coffee beans. The location was a bit secluded, but it suited my taste perfectly.

Morian walked for half an hour, then turned into a quiet street lined with sycamore trees, until the dark black sign of the café came into view.

As I pushed open the door, the copper bell on it rang crisply.

The coffee shop is dimly lit and filled with the rich aroma of freshly ground coffee beans. There aren't many customers, just a few scattered around small tables covered with checkered tablecloths.

Several female shop assistants were talking behind the counter, their faces beaming with happy smiles.

The customers who come here are very quiet. Although the shop is not big, it has a warm and comfortable atmosphere.

Morian's gaze swept across the counter and then landed on a corner by the window, where he immediately recognized Charlotte.

Today she was wearing a pale yellow dress, with a blue bow tied in her light brown hair, and a steaming cup of strong coffee in front of her.

Upon hearing the bell, she quickly turned her head towards the door and saw that a blond, blue-eyed man had entered. She then slightly turned her head to look out the window.

Morian's lips curled slightly, and an idea suddenly flashed through his mind. He took a few steps forward and sat down opposite her.

"Waiter, I'd like a black coffee." He picked up the menu from the table without any hesitation and called the waiter over.

This sudden move startled Charlotte on the other side, her beautiful eyes fixed on her slightly open gaze.

Do I know this overly friendly gentleman?

She searched her memory at lightning speed, but still couldn't recall anything.

Morian, whose voice and facial features had been completely altered, smiled mysteriously and couldn't help but speak:

"Miss, would it be convenient for us to get to know each other?"

"Excuse me, I'm still waiting for someone." Charlotte shook her head politely in declining, then cautiously inquired, "May I ask who you are, sir...?"

Just to be on the safe side, she decided to ask first to avoid any misunderstandings.

Although I don't remember it, it's possible that the two of them knew each other a long time ago.

"A detective, a part-time journalist, and now a psychologist," Morian said, blinking gently.

Upon hearing this, Charlotte immediately realized what was happening and a warm, familiar smile bloomed on her face.

"Congratulations on solving another case, Mr. Morian!" Charlotte's emerald eyes lit up as she congratulated him in a cheerful tone.

"No, the matter is not completely resolved yet."

Morian smiled in response, just as the waiter brought the coffee. He thanked the waiter and waited for him to leave before continuing in a low voice:

"I just met the Second Prince Raymond, and his trusted confidant, Levim Cons of the Royal Guard."

"Prince Raymond?" Charlotte asked, feigning recollection. "This prince is quite an ambitious and cunning heir, while Levim commands a considerable military force."

"Why did you meet them, sir?" she pressed.

Morian picked up his coffee cup, took a sip despite the rising steam, and then gave a wry smile. It was unclear whether he was troubled by the events he was facing or because the coffee was too bitter due to the lack of sugar.

It's a long story.

He leaned back in his chair and recounted the reasons for Diana's breakdown and recovery, including his own battle with her.

She then clearly recounted the cruel traditions that Princess Eric faced, and the prince's intention to send the knight away to save her.

Of course, it doesn't mention those so-called "white lies," but only emphasizes that Eric wanted to help his knight leave the Kingdom of Hiran and escape punishment.

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like