Me, a priest? How could that be!

Chapter 91 I am free

"Please, I really need your help."

Charlotte clasped her hands together, bowed, and said, "Could you please distract Claire for a moment?"

"Me?! No, no, no!"

Youyou immediately shook her head.

In order to sneak out of the palace, Charlotte and Alice devised a meticulous plan, the most crucial part of which was to make Claire temporarily lose attention from Alice.

After all, the previous two conversations had already alerted the other party, who had been lingering around Alice recently.

To slip away, one needs to divert Claire's attention, but in the capital, with all the maids, guards, and Rein on Claire's side, the only one one can ask for help is Youyou.

"Let me attract attention or something..."

"Please, Youyou, this is my lifelong request! Please consider it as going to great lengths for a friend, okay?"

"Friend, friend, friend...?"

Charlotte pleaded, but Youyou, whose name had been entered with a safe keyword... ahem, a keyword, immediately changed her demeanor. She stood tall and said confidently, "No problem, leave it to me! Because... we're friends!"

...Oh no, my conscience is starting to ache. I'll make it up to her properly when I get back.

As agreed beforehand.

The three walked towards the outside of the palace and, as expected, encountered Claire on the way.

Charlotte and Alice secretly hid around the corner, while Youyou stood tall and walked resolutely toward Claire, who was fiddling with a vase.

"Miss Claire!!"

"...Miss Youyou? What's wrong? What do you need me for?"

"Um... how should I put it...?"

Youyou suddenly became listless.

She hunched her shoulders and stammered, her eyes darting around. The courage she had mustered vanished so quickly; something was definitely wrong with her.

So peacefully... So peacefully...!

Charlotte winked at Claire from a blind spot, signaling her to continue with the previously agreed-upon battle plan. However, Youyou was completely oblivious; her face flushed, and her eyes sparkled. This was a sign of the Crimson Demon Clan's heightened emotions.

"Miss Youyou, your eyes..."

"N-It's okay, don't worry!!"

Yoyo's sudden shout startled Claire.

But Claire wasn't angry. Instead, she smiled and said gently, "Miss Youyou, please calm down. Although I don't know what you want to talk to me about, we can't communicate if we don't express ourselves properly, right? After all, I'm not some kind of devil. Of course, I also apologize for mistaking Miss Youyou for another strange Crimson Demon."

"H-How could this be? You don't need to do that..."

Youyou was extremely embarrassed.

Although the Crimson Demon Clan isn't exactly infamous, they fall into the category of "weirdos" just like the Axis Cult. As the next clan leader, she has no choice but to apologize on behalf of her clan members.

But Claire is easy to communicate with, so why is she always so strict with me? — Charlotte, standing around the corner, pouted unhappily.

After being comforted, Youyou calmed down.

"Actually, I'd like to talk to Miss Claire about her friends."

"Friends? Unfortunately, I have no friends."

"...Huh?"

"Hmm? Is that strange? Of course, because of my duty, I have always focused on taking care of Princess Alice and haven't had time to make friends."

Claire didn't understand the reason for Youyou's doubts, and said something heartbreaking in a very calm tone.

"I see..."

Not only Youyou, but Alice, who was peeking out from under Charlotte, also had a complicated expression.

Although Claire has many problems and imposes many restrictions and reprimands on Alice, she genuinely cares for Alice and loves her very much.

"So how did you and Princess Alice meet?"

“…………”

"Miss Claire?"

"Is Miss Youyou really interested in this?! Perfect, I happen to have some time too, let's go chat! Here, brew some black tea and get some snacks, this will take quite a while!!"

"Miss Claire!? Calm down, calm down! I'll walk, don't hold me anymore!"

Whether it was because someone had finally asked about it or not, Claire really wanted to confide in someone. Breathing heavily and emotionally agitated, she forcefully dragged Youyou away.

Poor Youyou.

Charlotte silently prayed for her in her heart.

At this moment, Alice muttered softly, "Is this our first meeting...?"

"What's wrong, Alice? Do you want to tell me too?" Charlotte patted her little head. "Well, tell me after we leave the capital. I'll listen carefully."

"……Um!"

Thanks to Youyou's efforts, the most difficult first step in leaving the royal city has been successfully taken.

The two men walked furtively through the palace.

In order to successfully lead Alice out of the palace, Charlotte spent three days confirming the maids' routes, then scurried through several inconspicuous paths to avoid the guards, and finally the two managed to slip away.

Standing on a bustling street with people coming and going.

"Is this the outside world...?"

Alice took a deep breath, and a happy smile appeared on her face, like a joyful little sparrow hopping around.

"I am free—"

"Alice, you can't say that!"

Charlotte quickly covered her mouth.

The innocent princess wasn't angry at being treated like this. Instead, she blinked her puzzled blue eyes at him, as if asking why she couldn't say that.

I opened her mouth.

"Listen carefully, there are many things in this world that cannot be said, especially by royalty."

"……is that so?"

"Yes. For example, you absolutely mustn't say things like 'I'm free,' 'The enemy is on the other side of the sea,' or 'Reiner, please sit down...' It will bring bad luck!"

"I understand! Claire didn't teach me any of this, brother, you're amazing!"

Alice's eyes sparkled.

Then, she tugged at her grey cloak and said, "So, are these also necessary?"

"Of course," Charlotte said seriously. "A good reputation has its pros and cons. If you don't prepare a few disguises before going out, you'll have no way out if something bad happens."

"Is the reason why my brother is wearing the priest's robes of the Axis religion also for this reason?"

"That's right. Besides, we sneaked out, and it would be easy to be discovered if we used our real names. So Alice, you should think of a fake name too; that way, it will be easier to move around."

"Um!"

Alice nodded in deep agreement, and after pondering for a while, she finally decided on her new identity.

"Iris, my name is now Iris! And my identity is... the granddaughter of a silk merchant, how about that?"

"Isn't it fine, Iris?"

"Um!"

She raised her smiling face.

The two held hands and walked towards the bustling street, quickly disappearing into the crowd.