The Main Heroine Falls for the Extra

When I heard that Princess Yuril was in Count Wentos’ territory, I looked at my father who was in the same room, but he also had a very surprised expression.
It seemed that this was news to my father as well.
As I shifted my gaze back to Princess Aine, she began explaining with an awkward smile.
To summarize her explanation:
Princess Yuril had been conducting secret inspections with sufficient guards.
Of course, while it was called “secret,” various intelligence organizations were aware of the fact that she was conducting inspections, but she moved around the entire kingdom in such a way that they couldn’t pinpoint her exact location.
The Baron’s territory inspection where she supposedly made contact with Duke Ignis was one of those visits.
To backtrack, she had traveled throughout the entire kingdom except for the north, which was deemed too dangerous.
Then, as it happened, Princess Aine was about to lead her subordinates north for training, and their interests aligned. Princess Yuril mixed in with the troops to enter the northern part of the kingdom and was now in the Count’s territory.
She judged that there would be no problem with her guard as long as she was among Princess Aine’s subordinates.
In any case, this was an incredible coincidence.
Princess Yuril was said to be staying in the annex of the mansion where the knights were staying.
Judging that the sooner we met, the better, we were following Princess Aine to that annex.
“Come to think of it, this is your first time meeting Yuril, isn’t it?”
“Yes, since she’s someone who doesn’t engage in much public activity…”
“That’s true.”
Princess Yuril Dria Palaginya is first in the line of succession but avoids public activities.
There are various rumors, but the actual reason is quite simple.
Her life is being targeted.
By none other than her half-siblings.
“Personally, I wanted her to not come out until her safety was secured, but she’s a very stubborn child.”
“Haha… you have it tough.”
“You can say that again. Honestly, I don’t even fully trust the Silver Snow Knight Order that always accompanies her as guards…”
The Silver Snow Knight Order, though composed only of female magic swordswomen, is nonetheless one of the three strongest knight orders in the kingdom.
This person who calls such a knight order “untrustworthy” is really…
“B-but! Is it really okay for me to meet her too!?”
“What are you worrying about? You’re a noble lady from a ducal family.”
“Ah, th-that’s right?”
While Riel’s tension disposition seemed to have improved significantly, it appears there’s still a need to gradually address her self-esteem issues.
How much must those mere servants have ignored her to reduce the self-esteem of a duke’s daughter to this state?
Eventually, Princess Aine arrived in front of a room and spoke.
“Besides, I think it wouldn’t be bad for you to familiarize yourselves with each other’s faces in advance.”
At Princess Aine’s meaningful words, Riel responded with a “Huh?”
Princess Aine was just smiling, but I had a rough idea of what she meant.
“I’ve been waiting for you all.”
A blonde woman was sitting on a couch in the guest room, waiting.
Next to her stood a female knight with an expressionless face, fully armed and standing guard.
“Lady Riel Ignis, Lord Kyo Wentos. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
The blonde woman greeted us with a bright smile.
Bright blonde hair and purple eyes like her sisters. However, unlike her sisters, her demeanor was gentle.
Princess Yuril Dria Palaginya, somewhat separated in age from her older sisters, was one year younger than me.
She appeared as a “supporting character” in the original story as well and was set to become our junior, one year below us.
Riel and I hurriedly greeted her with proper etiquette in response to her greeting.
Princess Yuril, still smiling, accepted our greetings and invited us to sit across from her.
After we sat down, Princess Yuril shifted her gaze to the female knight standing beside her and said:
“This is Commander Meril, who is in charge of my protection.”
“I am Meril Miliano.”
The female knight, Meril, bowed her head in greeting.
Meril Miliano is such a powerful fighter that her name comes up whenever there’s a discussion about who is the strongest among the kingdom’s knights.
Of course, there are many formidable candidates, but her name is consistently mentioned.
She also serves as the commander of the aforementioned Silver Snow Knight Order.
“Fufu, I never thought I’d meet two young nobles from famous families in the kingdom at once.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, after all, when I leave the palace, my movements are restricted. I think it would be nice to move around freely once in a while, don’t you?!”
Princess Yuril raised her hand while speaking in a somewhat sulky tone.
The female knight Meril beside her dismissed this complaint with “It’s a necessary measure,” and when even Princess Aine agreed saying “Meril is right,” she lowered her raised hand weakly.
After a brief exchange of small talk, Princess Yuril refreshed the atmosphere with a “Well then…”
“Your business is probably about Duke Ignis, right?”
“Yes. We heard that you met with the Duke in Baron Rayme’s territory…”
Upon hearing this, the female knight Meril standing beside her muttered quietly to herself, “I should pay more attention to the perimeter security…”
Well, it’s understandable since it could be dangerous if even the slightest information about Princess Yuril’s movements became known.
“It’s true that I met Duke Ignis in the Baron’s territory.”
“Ah…!”
Riel let out a small exclamation with a slightly happy face.
She seemed somewhat relieved.
But Princess Yuril trailed off with “However…” in a dark expression.
“He didn’t look well at all.”
“…What?”

Riel’s mouth fell open in shock.
Although I had been suspicious that the Duke had been away from his territory for too long, I tried to remain calm as I asked:
“Specifically, how was he?”
“He was alone, without guards or servants. Moreover, his clothes were tattered everywhere, and his demeanor was a complete mess. Honestly, I didn’t recognize him at first.”
She said that at first, she thought he might be some vagabond or something.
Belatedly recognizing him, Princess Yuril had the Silver Snow Knight Order apprehend him, and after somehow calming him down, they had a conversation.
“He seemed… frightened. Even while talking to me, he kept looking around, unable to hide his anxiety.”
Duke Ignis, trembling and surveying his surroundings as if something was chasing him.
Sensing something was not right, Princess Yuril wanted to protect him.
She tried to have her knights protect him, but suddenly the Duke shouted loudly.
Startled by this, the knights immediately gathered around Princess Yuril to guard her, and in that moment, the Duke fled the scene.
Due to the suddenness of the event, the knight order, which prioritized securing the perimeter, ultimately lost track of him.
“Of course, I was worried about him and immediately searched the surroundings, but in the end, we couldn’t find him.”
“I see…”
“As his child, you must be very worried. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help.”
“N-no! Rather, I want to thank you for trying to help!”
Riel was surprised when the princess bowed her head in apology, and instead bowed her own head in gratitude.
While doing so, she firmly grasped my hand beside her.
Feeling a slight tremor in that hand, I reciprocated by holding her hand back.
As if she was calming down, the trembling gradually subsided.
In any case, it seemed certain that something truly concerning had happened to Duke Ignis.
They continued to search afterward, but it was speculated that he might have already left the Baron’s territory.
“Was there perhaps anything else unusual?”
“Unusual… hmm…”
Princess Yuril thought for a moment.
She didn’t seem to have anything particular in mind.
“Any detail, no matter how small, would be helpful. We need even the smallest clue right now.”
“Hmm…”
At that moment, the female knight Meril raised her hand and spoke.
“May I say something?”
“Meril, what is it?”
At Princess Yuril’s question, Meril pondered for a moment before speaking.
“I’m not sure if it’s related, but there’s something the knights who were searching at that time mentioned.”
At her words, everyone’s eyes in the room turned toward Meril.
Meril flinched slightly at the sudden focus of attention, then cleared her throat and began speaking.
“Some of the knights conducting the search got lost in the forest.”
“Got lost?”
“Yes. But thinking about it now, it was truly strange.”
At that time, the Silver Snow Knight Order had thoroughly secured the perimeter and conducted reconnaissance to be able to protect Princess Yuril anywhere in the Baron’s territory.
Of course, the forest where the knights searched had already been scouted in advance when mapping the surrounding geography.
“The Silver Snow Knight Order was established to protect the royal family. Naturally, they are elites who have received thorough training in this regard. It’s suspicious that such individuals, and several of them at that, would all get lost in the same place.”
At the time, she had scolded them for making such a mistake while being so absorbed.
However, thinking about it again, the knights who got lost also said strange things in their confusion. They said it wasn’t the place they knew, as if their eyes were seeing illusions and their ears were hearing hallucinations.
And when they were wandering around lost, they heard what sounded like someone laughing mockingly.
As if someone invisible was playing a “prank.”