While waiting below the castle and not entering it, Cecily stayed on the main road, just as Ryan had told her, because she didn't want to get involved in the nonsense of royalty.

No one was entering the castle at this hour; only guards were leaving. They looked serious.

The theft was historic in every sense. If it wasn't solved as soon as possible, the king could practically ruin them all.

Someone had entered the king's private chambers and stolen one of his most important treasures. The war was not only against the thief outside the castle, but also against the traitor who had allowed this to happen inside the castle.

The danger of having a traitor inside the castle was too great. The princes were in danger, and even the king himself, despite his great power, could be greatly affected.

The tension was palpable in the air, which felt heavy and difficult to breathe. But Cecily was quite calm.

Until she saw familiar faces coming out of the castle.

'The second and third?' she thought.

The soldiers who came out all belonged to the regiments under their command. No wonder they had badges that identified them as "armies of the second and third princes" respectively.

She smiled when she saw them coming out. 'Before Ryan, you cannot leave.' She immediately started walking and suddenly stood in the middle of the road, forcing the guards to stop and the carriages to halt.

"Who dares to get in the way of the Second and Third Prince's armies?" One of the highest-ranking guards stood between her and the carriage, striking the ground with his weapon to intimidate her.

Even so, Cecily smiled mockingly and removed the black hood that hid her beautiful features. "Why don't you come down and say hello, second and third? I haven't seen you in a long time, and my brothers have good news for you."

"Miss Larsen." The military leader frowned and immediately withdrew his power. "I apologize for the discourtesy," he said and stepped aside.

Inside the carriage, Brandon and Evan stared at her. 'What is this woman doing here?'

They looked at each other and were forced to get out.

"Miss Cecily, it's been a long time." Brandon smiled kindly and gave her a courteous greeting. "May I ask how you are?"

Evan greeted her in the same manner. "Please give my regards to your older brother."

"I'm sure I am. Lately, I've been feeling good, better than I've ever felt," she said and looked at the soldiers. "To move the armies of two of the most important princes, I fear that the mission they are on is important," she observed, as if she knew nothing about it.

Brandon frowned, but he didn't try to outsmart her. He knew this woman's status was due to her talent, and he had to accept it: she was worthy of all that status.

Therefore, although he was a little annoyed that a mere marquess's daughter was getting in his way, he still maintained his composure, and his charismatic smile continued to grace his face.

"Indeed, Miss Cecily. The king has entrusted us with an urgent mission, and we must go and resolve it. So..."

"I see." Cecily interrupted him. "So the rumors are true... There was a theft at the castle. How did that happen? I'm stunned." She forced a look of surprise that made Brandon and Evan grit their teeth.

Brandon forced a smile. "Indeed. That's why, if you'll allow us..."

"Why not search inside the castle?" She played dumb. "I think it's more important to find the traitor than what was stolen, don't you think?" she said.

"Unless..." Suddenly, she made a curious observation: "The object is more valuable than I thought, and the traitor... more important than we imagine."

'What is her intention?' Brandon stared at her and frowned.

There was no way this woman was here simply because she was passing through. This is the castle, and she is a noble. If she is near the castle, why doesn't she come in to receive the treatment she deserves?

He must be here for a reason.

His eyes sparkled a little. 'Is it because of Ninth Brother?' he thought.

He remembered that they were good friends, and he had recently heard that they had been spending more time together than usual at college.

'Are they up to something?' he thought. His eyes sparkled when he suddenly realized.

And as if by magic... suddenly a different carriage with many soldiers appeared from behind.

Leading it... was someone Brandon never expected to see with an army.

Ryan.

--

After descending the castle and entering the castle barracks, where most of the Royal Guard lived, the guards looked on in shock as Ryan walked through the hallways and called out to a bunch of soldiers, papers in hand.

Although many of them truly despised Ryan, he was a prince and was summoning them with a royal document signed by the king. They had to obey.

After naming all the guards and quickly gathering them, he assembled them on the castle's outskirts.

'400 Royal Guards... Although not as many as the rest of my brothers, it's still an impressive number,' he thought, smiling.

"You are worthy warriors of my family's, powerful and courageous soldiers who have been carefully chosen by my father and his generals to belong to the Royal Army, those who live and enjoy the glory of the castle." Suddenly his voice sounded commanding, strong, manly, and without a trace of immaturity.

Hearing this voice was enough for all the soldiers to immediately stand at attention, as if they had heard the king's voice.

But when they realized it was Ryan, many frowned.

'Why is this guy talking to us with such authority? Damn. Too bad he's a prince, otherwise I'd kick his ass.' It was a common thought among many of them.

Ryan noticed it quickly. He was despised here.

It was a shame that they had such good training as soldiers and even belonged to the elite, but had such poor manners and little respect for a true prince.

But there was nothing to be done about it; contempt for the weak and inequality in this world were real.

He would take it upon himself to change that.

"That is why, today, all of you were chosen by my father to be members of my Royal Personal Army," he declared directly and strongly.

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