Darius briefly glared at Allen before holding up his hands and forcefully plastered a smile on his lips.

"I heard from Allen that you wanted to go sightseeing outside? I'll allow it!" He said cheerfully to change the mood, waving his hands idly.

My head shot up to look at him with sparkling hope in my heart.

"Really?"

Darius grinned at me, reaching out to lightly press the tip of my nose. "Of course. A little sibling date wouldn't be so bad. I've always wanted to bring you out somewhere to enjoy a long vacation. Being the Holy Maiden pestered by that stupid Church must be exhausting."

Allen frowned at his direction. "Hey, who told you that you can decide that on your own?"

"What? I'm the one in charge of the security—"

"Yes, your duty is to oversee the security of our home." Allen cut him off with a tired sigh but Darius kept going.

"—for little Fiore. Hey, stop cutting me off, you asshat, and listen to what I have to say."

"No matter what you say is stupid and dangerous, so why should I listen? Have you forgotten that your security was lacking?"

"You're such a control freak. No wonder you hit it off well with Konrad. Aren't  you two best friends? He even brought his work here to stay close."

Allen raised a hand to hit Darius's shoulder hard, making Darius and I wince at the sharp sound.

Darius then scooted over to my side, dragging his chair with loud creaks to get away from Allen.

"Hey, father and I got rid of the remnants of that little Principality who dared to harm our little Fiore."

"Stop using Aine as your shield." Allen told him as he gently shook his hand to relieve the stinging. "And by bringing that same Principality into our jurisdiction, do you want me to die of overwork?"

"You always turn violent when you deny your closeness to that brat. You've liked him as a younger brother and actually treated him better than you treated me, your own blood-related brother, before he pulled that stupid stunt." Darius retorted. "Beside, Konrad said it was okay to take it. I guess he's trying to win me over by letting me do what I want."

Allen stood up at that, his murderous glare making me wonder if he'll actually shed his own brother's blood.

I can't have that. Darius is the only one who'd taken my side and even volunteered to be my tour guide, so I need to save him from this predicament.

Tilting my body sideways to get Allen's attention and to slightly shield Darius from his gaze, I gave our eldest brother a sweet smile.

"Wouldn't it be okay? It's not like we're going to a different territory or country. Now that I've regained my eyesight, wouldn't it be better for me to see the common folks' lives instead of being cooped up here? It would also lift up my mood and finally put the issue of my memory loss behind me."

Allen chewed on his lower lip at that, his pupils shaking at my words.

I met his eyes with mine, a gentle smile on my lips even though I feel like I'm scamming or manipulating him; I pushed down that guilty feeling, telling myself that it'd be for the better of our lives if I could quickly get my hands on people who will get the information I needed for my survival.

They suffered because I created those suffering for them. If ensuring my survival means alleviating that biggest suffering, it's like hitting two birds with one stone.

"All I want to do now is to make new memories instead of clinging to the past…"

Allen's gaze softened at my words, his shoulders relaxing. However, his face turned dark when Darius wrapped his arms around me and pressed kisses onto my head.

"I always knew I'm the favorite brother. It doesn't matter if you didn't prepare a feast for me, since we're going out on a date!"

"Hey." Allen's tone was dangerous but Darius only raised an eyebrow at him as if purposely provoking him.

"What is it, Your Grace?"

"Who said you'll go out with her alone? I'm coming as well, since Father's home and can take care of things with Konrad."

"What? No. You can't come. You'll bring the whole mood of the date down!"

Allen flashed me a smile. "A sibling date wouldn't be a sibling date if one is missing, yes?"

"Ack! Don't bully our little Aine!" Darius exclaimed as he held up a hand to cover my face.

"Well…I don't mind." I told the two of them. "I did say I want to create new memories…but what is this Principality you are talking about?"

Our Holy Kingdom of Aletheia is one of the oldest in western continent, even much older than our neighboring Empire, Roentia.

Sure, there are other kingdoms and the like around us, but the main focus of the story is between the two mentioned territories.

If anyone would try to harm me, and indirectly cause harm to our kingdom, it would be someone from the Empire.

The only reason why the Empire and our Kingdom hasn't gone to war is because of the barbarians that had taken the central plains that sits between our territories and caused each side numerous headaches with their raids.

Why would they mention a different location?

Unless the Empire had annexed that territory and had them do their dirty laundry?

"The Principality of Soir to our north had planted their people into our staff beforehand to kidnap you." Allen replied curtly.

"But…didn't I get into an accident because I went out in secret to meet someone?" I frowned. "The only reason why I'd be stubborn is because of Konrad. I don't know how the Principality would be involved…?"

That's right. According to the diary, in the weeks leading up to that accident, the original Aine had been lonely since Konrad hadn't visited or even sent a message to her.

"I went to meet with the Prince of Soir to negotiate in Konrad's place before." Allen grumbled. "I thought things went well so I returned to the Royal palace to deliver the news but…I didn't expect that same Prince to go behind my back and do such ridiculous action. The Prince used his people in our ranks and pretended to be Konrad to lure you out."

Kidnap?

Did I hear that right? It wasn't because someone tried to assassinate me or something?

I stared at them blankly but Darius only huffed.

"To be fair, former Prince Kieran would have been better for our Aine. I like his guts and straightforward personality, though it is unfortunate that the scuffle our knights had with his own resulted in our little Aine's accident. Konrad's a little too obsessive for my taste."

Huh?

"Darius…what…?"

Darius blinked at me innocently. "I guess your head's so full of Konrad, you don't really care about other guys. Former Prince Kieran sent a marriage proposal, even though it's common knowledge Konrad called dibs for your hand."

☆☆☆

It was late into the night, with Konrad staring out of his window and idly thinking of visiting Aine's terrace again when a respectful knock interrupted his peace.

"Come in."

His silver  haired knight entered quietly, his head bowed in respect.

"The culprit has been found, Your Highness."

"Really? I don't see anyone with you, though?"

"It is inappropriate to track filth in your in-laws' floors, Your Highness."

Konrad stared at his dead serious knight before bursting out in light laughter.

"I forgot…you also care so much for Aine and her delicate disposition."

"Your Royal Highness, please don't assume such things that will put my life at risk. Shall we get going?"

Konrad hummed cheerfully at that, taking the coat slung over a chair.

"Yes, it's impolite to keep a guest waiting."