Kays Translations

Chapter 77: The Royal Castle’s Seven Mysteries

When Chloe and Caro suggested continuing the dancing, I stopped them.

“At this rate, we’ll spend the entire day here. Weren’t we going to the highest tower?”

“Fine,” Chloe grumbled. “Then tomorrow we’ll hold a dance-practice gathering.”

“I’ll bring proper clothes and shoes,” Caro said.

Chloe made an expression no princess should ever display. More importantly, why were they arranging tomorrow’s schedule without asking me?

Caro appeared equally determined. Apparently, I had no right to refuse.

I was being swept along by Chloe, Caro, and Rosalia. Unless I learned to resist, the three of them would control my entire future.

Following Chloe, we reached a restricted corridor guarded by soldiers.

“Are we permitted to enter?” I asked.

“Of course. I obtained permission.”

Why did she look so delighted? What mischief was she planning? Surely she didn’t intend to leap from the tower.

“Caro, what do you think?” I whispered.

“You believe she’s planning something troublesome.”

“Exactly. Perhaps Chloe was a mischievous fairy in her previous life.”

Caro laughed. Chloe turned around suspiciously.

“Why are you whispering? I have permission. Come along.”

The guards saluted and allowed us through.

The stone passage beyond was cold. Our footsteps echoed through the empty corridor.

“This place is eerie,” Caro whispered.

“Scary,” Rosalia agreed.

They clung to one another while Chloe marched ahead without concern. Her fearlessness was itself frightening.

“What are you expecting to find?” I asked.

“I rarely receive permission to enter this area. There must be some secret.”

“What kind?”

“That’s what we’re here to discover.”

I nearly stumbled. She had no theory at all. Apparently, she wanted to invent one of the Royal Castle’s Seven Mysteries: ‘A treasure sleeps in the highest tower.’

“My guess is that the upper room hides something,” she continued. “Come on.”

She charged up the dark spiral staircase. Narrow windows admitted thin beams of light, making the stone steps look even more ominous.

I held Rosalia’s hand so she wouldn’t fall. Eventually, we reached a door.

“This is the room at the top.”

It was unlocked and opened with a long creak. Inside stood a bed, table, and several other pieces of furniture. Someone cleaned the chamber regularly; there was almost no dust.

Iron bars covered the windows, preventing anyone from leaning outside.

“The view is magnificent,” I said. “You can see the entire city.”

“Let me look, Big brother.”

Rosalia and I took turns at the window. For a room supposedly used as punishment, it looked surprisingly comfortable.

Chloe searched every corner. Since the room was small, she finished quickly.

“Strange. I expected a secret exit.”

“Why would a prison room include an escape route?”

“Then perhaps the ceiling conceals something. Julius, lift me onto your shoulders.”

Carry a princess on my shoulders? Even apart from the impropriety, the ceiling was far beyond our reach.

“Look upwards. Even on my shoulders, you couldn’t touch it.”

“You’re right. If only we could fly.”

What drove her so strongly towards adventure? Perhaps royal life really was suffocating.

“Julius can fly, can’t you?” Caro whispered beside my ear.

“I can, but—”

“I knew it.”

She smiled triumphantly. I had no intention of demonstrating here. Chloe eyed us suspiciously.

“What are you discussing?”

“If there’s a hidden route, it’s more likely to be in the corridor below,” I said quickly.

“You’re right. Let us go back.”

That diverted her. If Chloe learned I could fly, she would demand an immediate demonstration.

“I would like to fly too, Big brother,” Rosalia said.

“Perhaps another time.”

I had forgotten another dangerous audience member. Caro also watched me expectantly. I could probably no longer conceal the secret from Chloe forever.

Why had I answered Caro honestly? Perhaps I simply wanted to impress her. Wanting to look capable before a girl was normal for a boy.

We descended to the corridor, where Chloe began tapping the walls.

“Everyone, help me search.”

“What are we looking for?” Caro asked.

“Anything suspicious.”

Caro and Rosalia joined her. I quietly activated Search.

To my astonishment, there truly was a hidden route. It led to a small dead-end room, and something inside produced a distinct response.

“What’s wrong, Julius?” Chloe asked. “Did you find something?”

All three girls turned towards me.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter