The Former Prince Who Lost Everything Becomes a Masked Strategist, Dominates from the Shadows, and Vows Revenge - Chapter 8.1

“Lord Grace… Thank goodness…! You’re alive… truly, thank goodness…! These past four years, I have been worried about you every single day.”

As she spoke, Hannah embraced me tightly.

With my hoarse voice, I managed to respond.

“Four years…? It’s been four years since I was imprisoned…?”

“Yes. This is the fourth spring since you were locked away, Your Highness.”

I see… so that much time has already passed…

Hannah hoisted me onto her back, stood up, and began walking toward the entrance of the cell.

“Let’s escape from here, Lord Grace. I will take you outside.”

“H-Hannah… stop. If they find you, Gaston will kill you too…!”

“I won’t stop. There is no way someone like you could have killed His Majesty. The moment the King passed, House Agrante rose in rebellion and seized control of the royal palace. When I saw their actions, I knew immediately—they were the ones who assassinated the King.”

With that, Hannah pushed open the door and ascended the stairs.

As we emerged into the open air, the blinding orange light of the setting sun pierced through my right eye.

It seemed to be evening.

As I took in the familiar sight of the royal castle’s first-floor corridor for the first time in years, a strange sense of nostalgia washed over me.

But then—standing by the entrance, I spotted a knight.

For a brief moment, I froze, fearing he was one of Gaston’s men, but instead—

The knight placed a hand over his chest and bowed deeply.

“Your Highness. I’m relieved to see you safe.”

“…What?”

As I stood there in stunned silence, Hannah turned to me with a gentle smile.

“This man is a knight who helped with your rescue. Most of the knights in the palace have sided with House Agrante… but he never believed that you killed the King. He trusted in you, and together, we planned your escape.”

“My name is Silas, Lord Grace. Duke Agrante and his son, Gaston, are currently hosting a grand banquet in the throne room with the nobles. If we are to escape, now is the time.”

“Sir Silas and I have spent the last four years waiting for the right moment to get you out,” Hannah explained.
“We memorized where the guards kept the prison keys, studied the times when the knights were busiest, and observed when House Agrante’s surveillance weakened. And now—at long last—everything has lined up perfectly. This is our best chance…! Let’s flee to another country, Your Highness! If you stay here, you will surely be executed!”

“Understood. Hannah, Silas… I’m counting on you to help me escape.”

“Yes!” “Of course!”

After thanking them both, Silas stepped forward and took the lead.

Hannah followed closely behind.

“…Hannah. What about Gilbert? Is he no longer in the castle…?”

“No, Your Highness. After you were imprisoned, Sir Gilbert repeatedly insisted to Gaston that you could never have assassinated the King. But Gaston refused to listen. In the end, Sir Gilbert attempted to stage a coup to rescue you, gathering knights loyal to the old order. However, Gaston anticipated this move and crushed the rebellion before it could begin. Sir Gilbert was stripped of his knighthood and exiled from the castle. To be honest, I found the speed of Gaston’s response… suspicious.”

It was almost certainly Hades’ doing.

There was no way Gaston could have outmaneuvered someone as experienced as Gilbert on his own.

“And… what about Lilliette…? And Alphonse…?”

Hannah’s expression darkened with pain.

“…I don’t think you would want to hear about them.”

Just from the way her face twisted, I knew—Gaston had been telling the truth.

Within this castle, the only people left on my side were Hannah and Silas.

Gaston once told me that I had no place left here.

It seemed he was right.

“Your Highness, Lady Hannah. From this point on, we must pass by the throne room where Gaston and the others are gathered. Move silently.”

Silas halted and turned to us, motioning for silence with a finger to his lips.

Hannah nodded and adjusted her pace to match his, carefully stepping forward.

As we moved, I noticed something—the throne room doors were slightly ajar.

Through the gap, I caught sight of the grand hall.

The nobles stood before the throne, gazing upward at Duke Agrante and his wife, Phyllis, who were seated upon the royal seat.

And beside them—

Standing with his hand intertwined with Lilliette’s—was Gaston.

Before them, knights lined up in formation, as if to shield them from any threat.

Among them stood Alphonse, who had grown significantly taller.

Seeing that scene, I felt something stir deep within me.

A slow, crawling sensation.

“Now then, everyone, today marks the official engagement between my son, Gaston, and the daughter of House Blanchette, Lilliette!”

Duke Agrante’s voice boomed across the chamber.

“The tragic event four years ago, when my elder brother was murdered by Grace, is still a painful memory… but let us put that behind us and enjoy this grand celebration!”

“WOOOOOOO!!!”

A thunderous cheer erupted within the throne room.

Hand in hand, Gaston and Lilliette stepped forward.

Then Gaston, spreading his arms wide, addressed the nobles and knights gathered before him.

“Grace was a traitor—the very man who killed our beloved King! The tragedy that took place four years ago still weighs heavily on my heart…! But thanks to that event, I have now secured my engagement to my future wife, Lilliette!”

A wicked grin spread across Gaston’s face.

“You know, she actually rejected me once. But after I captured Grace—the so-called prince she once adored—she finally acknowledged me! We have found true love! Tell them, Lilliette! Surely, I am far more worthy of you than that traitor, Grace?”

Saying this, Gaston pulled Lilliette into an embrace.

She did not push him away.

Instead, with an expression devoid of emotion, she spoke in a firm voice.

“Yes. Gaston is absolutely right. I was nearly deceived into marrying a monster—Grace, the demon who murdered His Majesty. But I see clearly now. The man I will marry… is Gaston.”

As Lilliette spoke those words, Gaston’s face lit up with an ecstatic smile.

He reached out, gently lifting her chin, and slowly leaned in toward her.

“…Your Highness. Let’s go.”

Hannah’s voice was quiet but firm as she placed a hand over my eyes, shielding me from the scene.

And with that, we turned away from the throne room.

It was only now that I realized—

I had been in love with Lilliette.

I had loved the way her expressions changed so effortlessly.

That was why, at this moment, my heart felt like it was being torn apart—why it hurt so unbearably—why the sorrow was so overwhelming.

And at the same time…

Why I was consumed with hatred.

I hated them.

Hades, who had cast me into hell.
Gaston, who had taken everything from me.
Lilliette and Alphonse, who never believed in me and never came to save me.

They were my enemies.

As the deafening cheers of the nobles rang through the air, my heart burned with hatred.

After escaping the castle and leaving the capital behind,

We made our way through the dense forest surrounding the royal city.

The night had fallen, and Silas walked ahead, leading the way with a torch in hand.

Behind him, Hannah carried me on her back, following closely.

“Lord Grace, I believe the best destination for your exile would be the Holy Nation. Once we pass through Crivens Forest and enter Blanchette territory, we can take a carriage to the Holy Nation’s capital. The Holy King there was a close friend of the late King. If we explain the situation, I am certain he will grant you asylum.”

“…And after I go into exile… what will happen to me?”

“Sir Silas and I will remain by your side and take care of you. First, we must focus on restoring your health after these long years of imprisonment.”

“Indeed, Your Highness,” Silas added, his voice reassuring. “Even in the Holy Nation, you will not be alone. No matter what happens, we will stay by your side.”

He smiled brightly as he spoke.

Looking at him, a question that had been lingering in my mind finally came out.

“I understand why Hannah is helping me… but why are you, Silas? We’ve barely spoken before. Why would you go to such lengths for me?”

Silas’ expression softened as he answered.

“The late King… Knight King Geiselion… he once saved my life. On the battlefield, when I was just a mere foot soldier, he stood at the frontlines and rescued me from certain death. A king who risked his own life to protect his knights… That day, I swore my loyalty to him. Now, I am simply repaying that debt. And of course, I also believe that you could never have murdered him. Even if we had little personal connection, I know the kind of man you are, Your Highness.”

“…I see. You are a true knight, Silas.”

“Such praise is more than I deserve, Your Highness.”

Silas gave me a respectful smile.

And then—

A sudden neighing of horses broke through the silence, followed by the thundering of hooves.

Silas’ expression sharpened in an instant. He stepped behind us, drawing his sword from its sheath.

“Your Highness! Lady Hannah! We have pursuers! You must go ahead!”

“W-Wait, Silas! Don’t tell me… Are you planning to act as a decoy?! No—stop!”

“Please, take care of His Highness, Lady Hannah.”

At those words, Hannah gritted her teeth but nodded, then took off into the depths of the forest, carrying me with her.

From her back, I could see Silas standing firm, his blade gleaming in the torchlight.

Behind him, an army of horsemen, their torches burning bright, closed in.

“S-Silas! Wait—wait for me!”

“Your Highness, be quiet! You’ll bite your tongue!”

“But, Hannah—Silas is—!”

“He knew what he was doing.”

Her voice trembled, but her steps did not falter.

And so, all I could do was watch helplessly as Silas and the pursuing knights disappeared into the distance.

“Hah… hah… We should be safe now…”

Hannah finally came to a stop, panting heavily.

There were no sounds of hooves behind us—no sign of pursuit.

Silas must have succeeded in holding them off.

Once she caught her breath, Hannah carefully set me down and laid me on the ground.

“Lord Grace, I don’t sense any immediate threats. Before we continue, I need to tend to your wounds.”

She knelt beside me, pulled out bandages and medicine from her bag, and began treating my injuries.