Tan nibbled on his thumb, staring outside the window of his bedroom upon his return while his brother went back to the celebratory hall to dismiss everyone from the party.

He couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy about the siblings going off like that, as if he’s missing a crucial clue from his dream of the princess’s collapse that he couldn’t remember.

While it is possible for the Duke to be ambushed, the messenger arrived a little too early as if someone had been waiting for the precise moment he was attacked and had hoped that the siblings would go to his aid.

Who would benefit the most if they were taken out…?

His immediate thought was the Ferrers.

Would they really dare to scheme against the Canaels to get Eufemia be crown princess? More than likely, if he’d base it off from his childhood prophetic dream where he was used and thrown away.

But would they dare do so blatantly in the open like this? The Marquis from his dream was more shrewd than that.

“Someone, get Javi for me.” He said out loud, staring at his door, knowing that a few knights were stationed there.

It took only a few minutes for Javi to appear before the prince. Tan was sitting on a chair, sipping his nighttime tea, glancing at aide for a brief moment. He let him stand there nervously for a good minute before he set down his teacup and sighed.

Javi flinched at his sigh. “Did I do something wrong, Your Highness?”

“I want you to tell me who was the messenger who came to you. Was it from House Canaels?”

The golden-curled aide nodded. “He was wearing the maroon colors of House Canaels. It was my first time meeting him but he recognized me as your aide.”

Tan raised his eyebrows at that. “You don't recognize him?”

Javi scratched his chin thoughtfully, his line of sight going up to the ceiling in a thoughtful manner. He also relaxed his stance as he flicked through his memories.

“I know Glenn’s face, the man who usually delivers Lord Mikael’s letters to Your Highness.” He started listing them. “Then there’s Oliver who would fill in on Glenn's absence. There's Richard too, but I don't like him. Hmm…who else? Ah, there's also Jenny who meets up with Fran for Her Highness’s letters from home. Sometimes Lucilica fills in for Jenny.”

Tan frowned. “Why would you know the maids that deliver to inso?”

Javi flushed pink and Tan immediately understood that as him having a crush on one of them. He dismissed the matter with a wave of a hand and went back to the original topic.

“The messenger tonight, did he tell you his name?”

Javi shook his head at that, giving him an apologetic look. “After getting the information, I rushed off in a panic. He should still be in the servants’ quarters, resting up since he also has injuries.”

“Bring him to me now. Don’t tell my brother.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

•×•×•

It took some time for Javi to return with the messenger, giving Tan some time to himself and check on his friend Mikael.

He didn’t tell anyone that the dagger also has a tracking spell, since it was an important item to Tan and he didn't want to lose it. He checked the tracker on a small magic orb that fits in his palm, and it seems like they’re making a steady march towards the Duke’s home in the Capital.

When Javi finally returned with the servant, Tan resumed his seat and rolled the orb carefully on his palm. He looked up to see a dark brown haired man tagging behind Javi, his shoulders hunched defensively.

The second prince also took note of how the uniform was a bit shabby and old, even a little loose to be called a proper fit for an employee of the prideful Canaels.

He motioned for Javi to stand to the side as he approached the messenger, handing the magic orb carefully to his aide.

“You’re not from House Canaels.” Tan said, making the messenger look up indignantly.

“I–I am, Your Highness.”

“Your clothes barely fit you and it’s old. I doubt the prideful Duke Canaels would let their servants go out in such a shabby way.”

The messenger flinched, his eyes darting around the room. “I..I just so happen to grab my old ones from the closet, Your Highness.”

Slightly annoyed, Tan scowled and would have physically assaulted the liar when Fran politely yet urgently knocked on the still open door.

“Your Highness, the Crown prince is looking for you.”

Tan frowned at her direction, vaguely aware of the flustered expression on Javi’s face.

“Why would he want to see me all of a sudden?”

“It’s urgent, Your Highness…it’s…well…Duke Canaels arrived moments ago. They’re in the crown prince’s office.”

Tan’s blood turned cold at that, his heartbeat going faster than normal; he could hear it pumping in his ears.

His immediate thought is Mikael is in danger.

“Drag him along.” Tan curtly said as he took the orb from Javi and strode out of the room.

Fran and Javi looked at one another for a moment before going after the second prince, and with Javi dragging the servant by the wrist, the hand holding him surprisingly tight and strong that it’s impossible to break free without injuring oneself.

Tan didn’t bother knocking on the crown prince’s office door and walked right in, in time to see grave expressions on his brother and the Duke’s face.

“Kuya.” Tan called out then stopped, not knowing what to say next.

It’s pretty obvious now that the message from earlier was a trap to lure the Canael scions out of the crown prince’s protection, and there’s nothing more to discuss about it for the moment.

“We’re assembling the second unit of royal knights right now.” Calisto said, turning his attention to his brother as he reached for his sword on the desk and belting it around his waist. “I want you to lead them, Tan. The Duke and I are going ahead first.”

Tan glanced down at the orb in his hand. They’re an hour behind and they might not make the rescue if he protests right now.

“As you wish, kuya.”

Calisto nodded at that, walking around his desk to pat his brother’s shoulder. He and the Duke didn’t bother with the late arrivals of Javi and Fran, along with the servant they had dragged along, and made their way to the courtyard where the Canaels knights were waiting for them.

Tan glanced back down at the orb, seeing that Mikael and their group have arrived at their destination, but have no way of knowing of what’s going on.

Gripping the orb tightly, he turned to Javi, who was still holding onto the messenger.

“Get the truth out of him, no matter what.”

“Sir?”

“The Duke didn’t bother looking his way, so he’s not one of theirs. I don’t care what method you use but get the truth out of him, but don’t kill him. I’ll let the crown prince and the Duke deal with that.”

Javi blinked, his expression changing ever so slightly to one that is cold and calculative. “Are you really giving me permission, Your Highness?”

“Are you deaf? Must I always repeat myself?”

“No, Your Highness but I just wanted to make sure.”

“Don’t kill him, that’s my ultimatum.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Fran felt shiver run down her spine and arms upon hearing the two converse.

Can that doofus sunshine really do something like torture?

As if reading her mind, Javi turned to her with an embarrassed smile.

“Oh, I’m not the one doing the torture by the way. I just happen to know a few people who have expertise in that area…”

Fran made a small ‘ugh’ as she stepped back a little away from him. “And I know people in different sectors. You’re not that special, Javi.”

Javi made a hurt expression at that, though he couldn’t deny that Fran must be well connected, seeing that she survived as the crown princess’s handmaiden for a good few years.

Because of their conversation, they had missed the worried expression on the second prince’s face as he gripped the magic orb in his hand tightly.