Chapter 10

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Translator: Diva
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: They Say a nnn-Year Age Gap Doesn't Mean Incompatible
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nnn살 차이는 궁합도 안 본다는데

10화

I deliberately averted my gaze from that pitiful face and pulled a sharp iron needle from my space bag.

Magic inevitably leaves traces behind, so in situations like this, I preferred the old-fashioned approach.

'Compared to the traps scattered throughout the labyrinth, this is a piece of cake.'

With a soft click, the door swung open in an instant.

"……?!"

Elhart's eyes widened in surprise.

'Cute.'

No, why was I thinking that again?

'This isn't the time to get distracted.'

I needed to quickly search the place before the shift change and get back to my room.

"I'll check the desk."

Meaning, you check somewhere else.

"Sounds like a good plan."

But Elhart just followed right behind me.

"……."

I couldn't tell from his expression alone whether he was doing this on purpose or if he was just clueless.

'…Well, having him here might help. I can't verify the authenticity of the documents on my own.'

I started scanning from the desk and quickly moved on to the documents in the file cabinets.

They'd used some contraption to hide them well, but that was nothing I couldn't find.

Elhart helped me sort and select the documents we'd uncovered.

And then…

'What the hell is this.'

Less than five minutes into the search, a surge of intense anger washed over me.

'Internal Bardia Finance Ministry documents? Top-secret military budget plans just rolling around on an enemy nation's desk?'

My hands trembled with fury.

I didn't know how many traitors there were, but this went beyond selling information—they were practically handing it over on a silver platter.

'Royal asset investment plans? Those are nearly impossible to obtain without direct royal blood ties.'

Even more shocking was that Elhart didn't seem particularly surprised by any of it.

He must have known about all this already.

"Why aren't you rooting out the ones selling off our secrets and just letting them be?"

"Right now, Bardia's government is in the hands of those who support becoming a vassal state to the Cradion Empire."

"Not a single person trying to defend the country?"

I gritted my teeth as I asked, and a bitter smile tugged at Elhart's lips.

"Of course there are. They were just purged first, that's all."

"…Like you?"

"Yeah, like me."

A brief silence fell between us.

I quietly peered into Elhart's still eyes.

'You haven't given up yet.'

There was no resignation or despair there.

Just the resolute determination of someone facing what must be done.

'Let's go back together, Elhart.'

It was too soon to say it aloud, so I repeated it to myself.

'I'll stand by your side.'

I swore it on the Founding King: when I returned, Bardia's traitors would forfeit their heads.

And it wouldn't end there.

Their hoarded wealth, power, honor—all of it would be stripped away.

'First things first, though. Time to clean up here.'

So they'd never dare invade again.

'These guys have Bardia's internal situation down pat, like it's an open book.'

Looking closely at the documents, there were puzzle pieces that traitors alone couldn't have completed.

I pulled out a few that highlighted this especially well and showed them to Elhart.

"Do you know who drafted these?"

"Viscount Marcel and Count Cohen. Both are close aides to the emperor."

"Have they ever visited Bardia?"

"Not that I know of."

I committed their names—along with Foreign Minister Raedric Bellow—to memory.

"We should head back soon… Wait."

Elhart's expression hardened, mirroring my own sudden unease.

From what I'd learned, the Central Palace locked down completely from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

They reassigned all internal patrol personnel to outer security and installed security magic on the building itself, with alarms set to trigger if tampered with.

Thud—thud—

Which meant the footsteps echoing now pointed to one of two possibilities.

'Either the owner of the Central Palace's security magic… or intruders like us.'

Neither was welcome.

'Where to hide…'

As I anxiously scanned the room, Elhart tugged at my sleeve.

He pointed to a cabinet.

'Can he even fit in there…?'

I had my doubts, but with no other options, we had to try.

Thankfully, the interior space was deeper than it looked.

Elhart still had to fold himself up like crumpled paper, but it was just enough for both of us.

'I noticed last time, but his body temperature runs hot.'

Pressed together almost in an embrace, the heat radiating from his body seeped through my thin clothes.

'Good thing he's flexible.'

He seemed a bit tense, understandably.

'Worst case, I can knock them out before they spot us.'

Still, I doubted they'd bother opening this cabinet full of random supplies in the foreign minister's office.

I wasn't worried about getting caught sneaking in.

'I'm not that incompetent.'

I was just curious who was wandering around at this hour.

'They're not even trying to be quiet, so probably security personnel.'

Make that security personnel plus one more.

'Someone accustomed to moving silently.'

Only now, as they reached the corridor right outside the foreign ministry, did I sense their presence—someone skilled at suppressing their mana…

'Wait… this mana scent…?'

I recognized it immediately from the man I'd eyed earlier that day.

'It's the crown prince. Why is he here at this hour?'

I tilted my head back to look up at Elhart.

Even in the pitch darkness, his golden eyes gleamed clearly, already fixed on me.

I met his gaze and mouthed the message: 'A-u-r-e-l-l.'

It was dark, but we were close enough for him to read my lips.

"……."

Elhart stared intently at my lips, his throat bobbing with a heavy swallow.

I could feel the frantic pounding of his heart where we touched.

Maybe I shouldn't have said anything. Now things were getting messy.

At this rate, his agitation alone might give us away.

I mouthed, 'It's fine. Nothing will happen,' then carefully reached out to pat his back reassuringly.

Elhart's lips parted slightly, as if to respond.

But right then, the outer door to the foreign ministry office creaked open from the corridor.

Of all the luck—they had business in here too.

I instinctively held my breath.

Elhart followed suit; his chest stopped rising and falling.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness. It was my failing that led to this mistake…."

"Everyone makes mistakes."

Their voices filtered faintly through the door.

"Just remember—sometimes a small slip can cost lives."

The voice was cold and icy, utterly unlike the one I'd heard earlier that day.

"Yes, I'll keep that in mind."

A low chuckle followed the terrified reply.

"No need to tremble like that. Just do your job well, and that's enough."

"Y-yes, of course."

"Good. Which means tomorrow, you absolutely cannot afford any mistakes."

Tomorrow? What had he tasked the mage with?

"You memorized their appearance, right?"

"Of course."

"If they refuse, don't push it—just report back to me immediately. Remember, you mustn't arouse any suspicion."

"Yes, Your Highness."

It might have nothing to do with us, but it nagged at me anyway.

Especially after that sudden invitation to the palace banquet.

Wonder if Elhart had any guesses.

"……!"

When I pulled my ear from the cabinet wall and looked up, I froze in shock.

'S-so close….'

Had Elhart leaned in to eavesdrop too?

His face was right there, inches from mine.

His trembling red lips drew my eyes.

The glimpse of neat white teeth through the slight parting was oddly appealing.

And his breath washing over me felt hot… sweet…

'Wh-what the-?!'

I jolted back, whipping my head away in panic.

'Have I lost my mind?'

This had to be… the aftereffect of years of forced celibacy.

Or maybe a side effect from wielding those greedy demons' authority.