Chapter 80
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Chapter 80
Chesa blinked for a moment.
She couldn't believe she'd heard correctly.
'Is this some kind of joke?'
Karha was imprisoned?
Of course, the boy did have a tendency to draw his sword before his words.
But to end up in prison for it....
'He might have.'
Memories of everything that had happened flashed through her mind.
Especially vivid was the image of him drawing his blade at Count Rudin and his wife without hesitation or restraint.
At the time, Karha had at least shown some courtesy by presenting the sheath rather than the blade itself.
But realistically speaking, even that alone would normally land someone in prison.
Chesa pressed her palm to her forehead.
'He's in prison, he's actually in prison.'
She had no idea how to handle this.
Kieran, Belzeon, and Ishuel were all away.
At least Ishuel should be taking lessons at the Ibroyel Duchy Mansion, so it would be worth contacting him and bringing him back.
"But why did he end up in prison?"
"He apparently got into a quarrel with some mercenaries. I'm afraid I don't know the details, as it happened in my absence."
"Hmm...."
Karha, who had been dragged to the Guard Station, had revealed his identity.
But he had no identification to prove it.
Since House of Basilian had only recently begun participating in High Society, none of the guards recognized his face.
"In such cases, it's protocol for a family member or acquaintance to come forward and vouch for the person's identity, so I've come to ask for your assistance."
It would have been simplest if Theo, the captain of the Security Bureau, had vouched for Karha's identity.
However, to prevent fraud, members of the Security Bureau were forbidden from guaranteeing the identity of detainees except in cases of direct family.
So after considering alternatives, they had come directly here.
Theo could vouch for Chesa's identity as a noble.
And if Chesa confirmed that Karha was her family member, it should work.
"It's troublesome, but this is the only way. I appreciate your cooperation."
At the serious bear's words, Chesa nodded gravely as well.
She would contact Ishuel first, then head to the Security Bureau with Theo.
Chesa had once been arrested by the Security Bureau and thrown in prison herself.
Being locked alone behind cold iron bars had been so miserable....
She had suffered greatly with no family or acquaintances to come for her.
In the end, she'd had no choice but to beat down all the guards and escape.
'But that was only possible because I'm a reckless sprite.'
Karha was a young master of House of Basilian, so he couldn't do that.
Chesa sprang down from the sofa.
Then, grabbing a wide-brimmed hat, she spoke.
"Take me to my brother."
"Yes, of course. Excuse me."
Once Theo put on his hat, he hoisted me onto his shoulders.
"...."
I stared at him with an incredulous expression.
Theo immediately panicked, unsure what to do.
"Oh, is it uncomfortable? My younger cousins always enjoy it when I do this...."
He apologized politely, explaining that he was afraid of breaking something so small if he held it in his hands.
This was my first time sitting on someone else's shoulders.
Still, his shoulders were broad enough that the ride was surprisingly comfortable.
From my perch atop the bear, I issued my command.
"Let's go!"
"Yes!"
Before leaving the Luxury Hotel, I asked a staff member to contact Ishuel.
Then Theo and I set out into the streets.
Everyone stared at the combination of an oversized bear and a tiny infant.
Under the weight of their gazes, I pulled my hat down a little deeper.
As we walked together, I could definitely feel that Theo was a knight who had trained properly in swordsmanship.
His measured gait and movements were utterly devoid of excess.
Despite his massive frame, there was nothing ponderous about him—it was remarkable.
Yet he still resembled a bear.
The symbol of the Nemea Marquis Family was a winged lion.
Just as Basilian was often called a serpent, the courageous bloodline of Nemea was respectfully called a lion....
'No matter how I look at it, this one is definitely a bear.'
I found it curious that the heir of the Nemea Marquis Family, who should embody leonine qualities, seemed nothing of the sort.
For someone of marquis family standing, working in the Capital Security Force was itself unusual.
Even as the commander, it felt like a position somewhat beneath his station.
Most high nobles typically served in the Imperial Knight Order instead.
Or, befitting the Nemea Marquis Family, they went to the front lines entirely.
I was curious about Theo's circumstances—why he fit neither category.
Perhaps misinterpreting my intense observation, Theo suddenly spoke up.
"I've seen Karha before, back in the Eastern Region, so I recognize his face."
So the bear had visited the Eastern Region.
With his innocent nature, he was perfectly suited to be torn apart by the venomous Basilians without leaving a trace.
I wondered how he'd managed to return alive.
I mentally paired Theo with the Black Forest of the East, then laughed to myself upon realizing how terribly mismatched they were.
As Theo and I exchanged various stories, we soon arrived at the Guard Station building.
The station was located some distance from the Capital Square and was equipped with a large prison facility.
It was a temporary holding area for minor offenders.
"Commander, welcome...."
At Theo's arrival, the Security Bureau officers who had been rushing out paused mid-stride.
They caught sight of the infant perched doll-like upon his shoulder, their mouths falling open before they belatedly continued speaking.
"...is it?"
"I've brought someone who can verify the identity of House Basilian."
At this brief explanation, the officers' eyes widened in astonishment.
They had recognized the identity of that famous "adopted child of House Basilian"—someone whom no one in the Capital had failed to hear of lately.
A cluster of burly men and women crowded around Theo, encircling him.
"Wow... I've never seen anything this beautiful in my entire life."
"You didn't purchase a doll somewhere, did you?"
Amid their clamorous remarks, Chesa stated her purpose.
"Release my brother right now."
"...Ah."
The Security Bureau officers exchanged uncomfortable glances with one another.
"Well... it's difficult to release him immediately. Perhaps we could arrange a meeting first...."
Seeing them all hesitate, Theo furrowed his thick brows with force.
"Has something happened?"
"Yes, Captain...."
The officers released heavy sighs.
It appeared that quite a troublesome matter had arisen.
"Perhaps it would be best to escort the young lady to Lord Karha first?"
They were suggesting to allow a visit first.
Theo led Chesa into the interior of the Guard Station, toward the prison section.
The partitioned cells already held several prisoners.
Most were merely thugs or drunken fools.
Karha was confined in the innermost solitary cell.
In a space crowded with adults, the bright-faced boy stood alone, gazing down at the stone floor covered with straw.
Theo set Chesa down.
"I shall have a brief word with the officers."
Chesa gave a cursory nod and hurried toward Karha with quick, eager steps.
She pressed herself against the iron bars and called to him.
"Brother."
Karha, who had been listlessly staring at the floor, suddenly lifted his gaze.
The boy's eyes widened upon seeing Chesa.
"...A baby?"
Karha jerked his head up in surprise.
He scrambled forward on his knees toward the iron bars.
He spoke as though he could not believe his eyes.
"What? Why is a baby here? Don't tell me you were arrested too?"
Chesa grinned and jested.
"I came to rescue you!"
"...."
Karha gripped the iron bars, his lips pressed firmly shut.
His jaw clenched into a wrinkled walnut beneath lips sealed in a triangular line.
He'd been confined with dignity, but he seemed pleased that Chesa had come to visit.
Karha exhaled heavily and muttered under his breath.
"I might have to stay locked up for a while."
He'd thought the problem would be resolved quickly.
Chesa tilted her head in confusion.
"I got into a fight with some mercenaries. Turns out they were bodyguards for a foreign royal family attending the Pure Child Prayer Ceremony. Of all the bad luck, we clashed while they were sightseeing in the Imperial Capital...."
Karha muttered dejectedly.
"Right now, I'm charged with insulting royalty."
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