Chapter 11
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Chapter 11
"P-Prince Leopold will not be able to attend the welcoming reception," Count Oslo stammered.
Count Oslo addressed the assembled guests at the ball with a flustered expression. One of the gentlemen nearby furrowed his brow and demanded an explanation.
"What do you mean? Has the Prince fallen ill? Surely you're not canceling the welcoming reception on such short notice?"
Count Oslo replied, his expression still bewildered by his own words.
"That is... Prince Leopold... is nowhere to be found..."
The woman beside the gentleman, apparently his wife, spoke in a sharp tone.
"What are you saying? Multiple people witnessed Prince Leopold arriving in London by ship this very morning."
"Indeed. I myself saw the magnificent procession as Prince Leopold made his way to Kensington Palace."
With that, the assembled nobility began pressing Count Oslo, each insisting they had witnessed Prince Leopold's grand arrival.
At that moment, Holland's knights entered the ballroom in formation. At their center stood a broad-shouldered man with a stern, imposing expression—clearly a Commander. He surveyed the assembled nobility before speaking.
"I have come to formally announce the cancellation of the welcoming reception for the Prince of Holland. His Highness has encountered an unforeseen situation. Further details will be communicated through the British Royal Court as the investigation progresses."
The assembled guests fell into stunned silence at the Commander's words.
"An unforeseen situation? What investigation?"
"Didn't Count Oslo say earlier that the prince had disappeared? Has Prince Leopold really gone missing?"
Some ladies murmured in surprise at the sudden news, and his followers, who had been eagerly anticipating seeing Prince Leopold, also became pensive and questioned the Commander.
The Commander spoke to the people in English with a Dutch accent.
I have nothing more to say to you all. I have only come to fetch the knights of Holland. All the personnel of the Holland knights assigned to today's welcome reception will be used from this moment on to search for the whereabouts of the Crown Prince.
With the Commander's final words, Holland Kingdom's knights hastily departed from the residence. The ballroom, which had been filled with anticipation and joy at the prospect of meeting the Prince, was now consumed by heavy silence and expressions of shock.
***
The grand ball, which had announced its brilliant beginning with such high expectations, reached its conclusion before it could fully blossom. After the initial shock subsided, the guests who had attended the reception began preparing to depart one by one, the atmosphere now desolate and oppressive.
"A neighboring prince visiting England has gone missing. And in the heart of London, no less...."
"It must be the work of those French dogs. They know the King cherishes Prince Leopold far more than our own Crown Prince—that fool."
Amid the fearful voices of people constructing their own theories, Charlotte too made her way back to her carriage.
'A sliver of hope, but I thought His Highness might appear at the ball looking perfectly fine....'
In truth, I already knew Leopold could not appear at the ball, yet hearing the news still unsettled my heart.
'But now that I've heard His Highness has gone missing, it feels real—the fact that I can see a prince no one else can perceive. And perhaps... His Highness might be in grave danger right now....'
Perhaps I had unconsciously believed that the Leopold I had met was merely a fantasy. Even as Philip escorted me to my family's carriage, I could not stop my thoughts from circling endlessly around Leopold.
It was then that Philip, who had been escorting me to the carriage, spoke to me, observing my now somber expression.
"It's unfortunate that we couldn't dance as promised today. But since this was a reception for Prince Leopold, we couldn't possibly continue the ball after hearing such news."
As I lifted my head, I could see behind Philip's worried face the servants of the Count's Residence moving torches back and forth, helping the guests board their carriages.
'Has His Highness simply fallen under some curse that renders him invisible to others? Or could he have been kidnapped, his very life in danger?'
According to what Philip had said, as many people followed Leopold, there were those who envied him. Most notably among them was Frederick, Leopold's younger brother and Crown Prince of Holland Kingdom, whose very existence threatened the royal authority.
As my thoughts reached this point, my chest grew tight. A prince of a nation—no, a prince of remarkable abilities—had become invisible to everyone's eyes in a single day. And the only person who could see him was nothing but a useless, tomboyish young lady like myself....
Unaware of my thoughts, Philip grew anxious upon seeing my expression grow even more sorrowful and added hastily:
"Please don't be so sad, Miss Charlotte. I shall ask my father to arrange another ball soon that will make up for this one. So you must promise to give me the first dance at that ball as well."
Unlike before, I could not show joy at Philip's dance invitation. Though I had not known him long, my heart was preoccupied with Leopold. I reluctantly offered Philip a faint smile in response.
"Of course, Philip Oslo. I do hope we can dance together next time."
At that moment, Charlotte realized she had failed to meet the friend Leopold had asked her to see today.
'Oh no, what do I do? I forgot His Highness's request because of that incident with Count Oslo's solar plexus. He specifically asked me to build a proper acquaintance with that gentleman through this ball....'
Charlotte bit her lip, reproaching herself. Leopold had already helped her twice—first with the Count Oslo statue incident, then with studying etiquette. Yet she couldn't even fulfill his one and only request.
'I should have searched for His Highness's friend the moment the ball began. What was his name again? It was a French name... Ro, Roche...?'
Charlotte was just about to board her carriage, her brow furrowed in thought, when the sound of a champagne glass shattering came from the carriage beside hers, followed by the rough voice of an intoxicated man.
"That's what I've been saying—something must have happened to Leopold! All this time, he wouldn't listen to a word I said...."
At first glance, the man possessed an unmistakable air of nobility. He was a handsome young gentleman with naturally wavy hair cascading over his forehead, his refined features marred only by drunkenness. Despite the brief reception, he had somehow consumed an alarming amount of alcohol, and now he was shouting while pushing away the uniformed servants who tried to support him.
"Even if I seem like a wastrel, my father is a French nobleman! How dare you ignore what I say? Blast it!"
As Charlotte paused before boarding her carriage, Philip, who had been seeing her off, spoke upon seeing the intoxicated man.
"Ah, that's Armand Rochefort."
Philip continued with a somewhat uncomfortable expression, as if apologizing that Charlotte had to witness such ungentlemanly behavior.
"Rochefort is a French nobleman. I heard he and Prince Leopold became acquainted when the Prince was studying in England. It seems he's upset after hearing the recent news about the Prince."
'Rochefort!'
Charlotte's heart cried out upon hearing Philip's words.
'So Armand Rochefort was the person His Highness asked me to build an acquaintance with!'
She immediately stopped boarding her carriage and began observing Armand's carriage intently. Unlike what Philip had suggested, Armand appeared less angry than deeply sorrowful. As the servants transferred him to his carriage, he continued his outburst until the very end.
"Count Oslo! Royal Noblemen! If you truly wish to find Leopold, tell me! This is surely the work of those who conspire against him. Moreover, I know all of Leopold's enemies!"
With this final cry, Armand seemed to lose all his strength and went limp. From his condition, it appeared impossible for Charlotte to approach him and have any meaningful conversation at this moment.
With no choice, Charlotte boarded her carriage again and asked Philip a question.
"Philip Oslo, is what that gentleman just said true? Did Rochefort somehow know in advance that something had happened to Prince Leopold, and does he really know all of the Prince's enemies?"
Philip took Charlotte's hand and helped her into the carriage before responding.
"I wish that man possessed some clue regarding the prince's disappearance, but... well, judging by the rumors surrounding him, he doesn't seem like a particularly trustworthy individual."
Philip sighed with genuine regret as he spoke.
"Some say Rochefort is a notorious philanderer among the ladies, while others call him a pitiful man too busy squandering his father's wealth on extravagance. So it seems he's merely boasting about a brief childhood acquaintance with Prince Leopold as if it were a genuine connection to royalty."
"I see... He spoke as though he knew a great deal about Prince Leopold's disappearance..."
Charlotte trailed off as she settled into her seat in the carriage.
'If he's truly such a contemptible person, why would His Highness Leopold ask me to meet with him?'
As Charlotte fell into contemplation, Philip spoke to her.
"A disappearance must certainly be shocking and frightening news for the ladies. However, since the missing person is Prince Leopold himself, I'm confident that the British Royal Court and the knights of Holland will spare no effort in finding His Highness. Myself and other English nobility and naval officers will volunteer for the search as well."
Philip spoke with conviction, hoping to reassure Charlotte. Then, stepping back from the carriage door as it prepared to depart, he added earnestly:
"So I do hope you and your family won't be too frightened."
Though she wasn't truly afraid, hearing Philip's words brought some comfort to Charlotte's heart.
'Philip Oslo is right. This is the disappearance of none other than the prince himself. Now that everyone knows, it's only a matter of time before the Royal Court and the knights unite to find His Highness Leopold.'
"Thank you, Philip Oslo."
Charlotte smiled for the first time since hearing the news about Leopold. With that smile, the carriage began to depart from Count Oslo's House.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org