The same one, huh.

Sikar was about to grab Tucker’s hand but instead asked him. Since he’d have to explain it to me again anyway, it seemed better to hear it straight from Tucker’s mouth.

“Explain. How do you know about this symbol?”

“I saw the exact same one when I was imprisoned in the royal palace’s underground dungeon.”

“The royal palace’s underground dungeon?”

“Yes.”

“Why were you put there?”

“Back then, merchants protested demanding prompt payment for overdue goods, and we were all thrown in.”

“You mean during the deposed king’s reign.”

“Yes, exactly. I saw it there in the prison.”

“Do you know which cell it was?”

“Of course. We escaped from that very dungeon. And on the day we escaped, the deposed king’s execution took place.”

Having said that much, Tucker clasped his hands together and gazed at Sikar with deep reverence.

“It was the very day you, Duke, beheaded the deposed king. Had he not been punished then, he surely would have recaptured us—but thanks to the change in royal power, we survived.”

The Finder searching for Princess Veronia had found that symbol, and the place where Tucker had been imprisoned bore the exact same mark.

Then… could the princess be imprisoned in the royal palace’s underground dungeon?

Sikar let out a weary sigh—as if he’d reached the same conclusion I had.

“The candle’s light doesn’t reach beneath it. I never even considered the royal palace’s underground dungeon.”

“The room we were locked in was a solitary cell at the very end of the underground level.”

“Protesting overdue payments isn’t a capital offense. Why were you locked in an underground solitary cell?”

Even now, Tucker’s face showed disbelief.

“They said the deposed king had filled the royal dungeon with so many innocent people that all other cells were full. They told us someone imprisoned upstairs would be executed the next day—and after that, they’d move us.”

“Right. That’s the kind of man the deposed king was.”

“So, what’s your plan now?”

At my question, Sikar paused briefly, then fixed his gaze sharply on Tucker.

“Tucker.”

Unable to meet that fierce stare, Tucker lowered his eyes meekly.

“Yes? Yes, Duke…”

“You escaped from there?”

“Yes. I escaped the underground dungeon. Though I didn’t lead it—I just followed others.”

“If you know how to get out, you must also know how to get back in?”

Tucker looked uncomfortable but after pondering, he replied.

“I’ve never tried, but if I attempted it, I think I could succeed… but why…?”

“Then let’s give it a try.”

“What?”

“There’s someone I need to verify. I just need to go in briefly to confirm.”

“In that case, I’ll lead the way. I might die, though.”

Whether brave or reckless, Tucker smiled as he said it.

The man who nearly died just moments ago was now volunteering for another life-threatening mission. Was he admirable—or just foolish?

It was hard to judge, but one thing was certain: he was no ordinary person—Sikar had spared his life for a reason.

“I’ll accompany you, Duke.”

“What makes you smile like that if this place becomes your grave?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“What?”

“I owe you a debt. If I repay it, I’ll have done my duty.”

Tucker grinned foolishly. Sikar half-closed his eyes, watching him with detached amusement.

“I thought you were extraordinary. Turns out you’re just an idiot.”

Well, I suppose that means he’s kind-hearted.

“Shall we go to the study and talk a bit?”

“I’d be honored.”

Before leaving, Sikar glanced at me holding the jewel box.

“Oh right—you were about to give something to Tucker.”

I extended the jewel box toward Tucker. Sikar stared at me again as if I’d gone mad.

“Madam? That’s a gift I gave you.”

“I’m not giving him all of it—just let him pick one he likes.”

“But it’s my gift to you?”

Sikar looked as if he couldn’t believe I’d give away his gift—but Tucker needed money more than anything, and the only thing of value I had to offer was this.

“I have plenty. I’ll just give him one.”

But Tucker only looked dazzled by the jewel box I offered—he showed no greed.

“I’ve never seen so many jewels before.”

“Right? Neither have I. Pick one, Tucker.”

“Oh, no, Madam. I don’t want to fall out of the Duke’s favor.”

Indeed, that was what frightened him.

“In any case, this is far too generous for someone like me.”

Sikar pressed firmly on Tucker’s nape as if approving his admirable restraint. Now I wondered—had Sikar squeezed Tucker’s neck to make him refuse the jewels?

When I tried to take out a brooch to give him, Tucker waved his hands and quickly slipped out of the room.

Clearly, Sikar had intimidated him with sheer force.

Sikar shut the lid of the jewel box I was holding.

“You’re recklessly giving away my gift to others.”

“I’m not being reckless. I’m grateful. Your trust in us, your beautiful heart—I thought a small gesture like this was appropriate.”

“I’ll reward that kindness myself. Please keep my gift safe, Madam.”

Since Sikar promised to reward him, he’d surely follow through.

“But what will happen to Tucker? Will you send him away? Or keep him here at the ducal residence?”

“Given the king demands Tucker’s surrender, we can’t keep him here any longer. We can’t let the king use that excuse to search the ducal residence.”

“So what will you do with Tucker?”

“Tonight, after finalizing the plan, I’ll send him out of the ducal residence.”

“Where do you plan to send him?”

“I’ll tell you once everything’s done.”

In other words—he won’t say anything now.

Sikar winked at me and left the room.

“Keep the jewels safe. They’re my gift to you.”

“The messenger bird sent by the Marquis has arrived.”

Before dawn broke, the messenger bird reached the ducal residence. But there was no letter.

Sikar reviewed Reidox’s location through the bird’s memories.

“Tonight, I plan to enter the royal palace’s underground dungeon to find Princess Veronia.”

Sensing danger, Durion felt uneasy about letting the Duke go alone.

“Do you mean to depart immediately today?”

“If we delay, Veronia might be moved. Now is the right time.”

Lately, Sikar’s hands had been frequently afflicted with frostbite. Today, again, one of his arms was frozen.

Leaving the Duke to venture into the enemy’s den unsettled Durion deeply.

“Duke, may I undertake this task instead?”

It required viewing memories—no one else could substitute.

“You have your own duties.”

“What duties are those?”

“Use the messenger bird to send a letter to Reidox immediately. Guard the Madam until I return to the ducal residence. If we find Veronia, tonight will be the night of purging.”

“For such a task, wouldn’t Vika alone suffice to guard the ducal residence?”

“The king will target Kian. Vika alone won’t be enough.”

“Do you suspect the king intends to verify His Highness the Royal Grandson’s identity?”

“Exactly. That’s why you must assist Vika in guarding the ducal residence. No matter what happens, protect the Madam at all costs.”

The Duke was no longer the formidable figure he once was—Durion couldn’t readily agree.

“Will your hand truly be alright, Duke?”

“We’ll know once tonight comes.”

“Now you have a family to care for. Please be careful.”

Sikar smiled bitterly.

“Yes. Since I have a family, I must be careful.”

Durion felt as if he were watching his master walk into certain death. His heart remained uneasy.

“I’ll see you off when you depart later.”

“Getting cocky, are you? Just because this wretched curse has worsened doesn’t mean I’ve grown so weak that someone like you needs to worry.”

He was a proud master—the greatest shame to him was showing weakness. Durion had to respect his master’s feelings as much as he worried for him.

Durion realized what he must do: carry out the task his master entrusted to him—perfectly.

The sun that had illuminated Recador set, and twilight faded.

The stench of rotting water from the stream leading to the palace was so strong it numbed the nose.

‘Of all places to meet, it had to be here.’

Sikar sat in the grass near the stream, waiting for Tucker to appear.

Tucker arrived exactly on time—as instructed by Sikar—but stood there foolishly, glancing around.

‘Hide immediately.’

Sighing in exasperation, Sikar crept silently through the grass, grabbed Tucker’s arm, and pulled him down.

“Uaaahp…!”

As the startled Tucker tried to scream, Sikar swiftly clamped a hand over his mouth.

“Unless you want to alert everyone that intruders are here—be quiet.”

“D, Duke…?”

“Yes. It’s me, you fool.”

“Why are you hiding here?”

“Should I advertise my presence and ask them to come arrest me?”

“Ah…”

Ah. What am I even doing with such a fool? Should’ve left him behind—why did I bring him along?

But the underground dungeon’s layout was like a maze; relying solely on Tucker’s memories wouldn’t be enough.

According to Tucker, to navigate the path, one had to follow specific scents at each junction. That’s why I had to bring him—memories of scent couldn’t be transferred.

“But who is the person you’re searching for?”

“That’s none of your concern.”

“Sorry, Duke.”

“Just guide me well. If it’s the person I’m seeking, I’ll reward you enough to last your entire life.”

No matter how much of a merchant Tucker was, he earned money to survive and care for his ailing grandmother—not out of greed.

Tucker merely waved his hands and smiled.

“It’s fine. I don’t seek reward. I only care that it’s the person you must find, Duke.”

“Don’t worry. Even if it’s not the person I’m seeking, I won’t blame you.”

“Since you’re searching for them, they must be someone very important, right?”

“They’ll simply change the history of this kingdom.”

Tucker’s face brightened even more, his eyes wide with excitement.

“Now I’m certain—what I’m doing is so important. Just trust me, Duke! It will definitely be the person you’re looking for!”

With more spirit than anyone else, Tucker led Sikar toward the canal.

Beneath the dim moonlight, two men crawled low into the dark waterway.