The prince's hands trembled slightly, betraying the storm of emotions within. His mind conjured dark thoughts of betrayal and conspiracy, the fear of losing his position gnawing at his confidence.

He turned to Adam, desperate for denial. "Is it true? Are you really... related to us?"

Adam's silence persisted, his eyes steady as they met Alderic's. There was no need for words; his lack of response spoke volumes.

The weight of that silence pressed heavily on Alderic, his imagination filling in the gaps with worst-case scenarios. The irrational fear of yet another competitor for the throne consumed him, making his body shake.

Rossette, seeing the effect of her words, leaned back with a satisfied smirk. "Your Highness, perhaps you should focus less on Adam's origins and more on your own duties. Worrying about shadows will only distract you from the real threats."

Alderic clenched his fists, struggling to regain his composure. "You know nothing, Rossette. This is a matter of state, not something for you to meddle in."

Rossette shrugged nonchalantly, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, but meddling is what I do best, Your Highness. And in this case, it seems you're the one doing all the fretting."

The prince turned his gaze back to the window, his mind churning with plans and paranoia. The rest of the journey was shrouded in a heavy silence, with only the clatter of the carriage wheels breaking the oppressive quiet.

Alderic's thoughts swirled with plots and schemes, his focus now split between his mission in Rumenia and the unsettling presence of Adam, whose mere existence now felt like a threat to his fragile hold on power.

As they neared their destination, Rossette whispered to Adam, her voice low and conspiratorial. "We've unsettled him, which is good. Let him worry. It'll keep him distracted from our real goals."

Adam nodded, appreciating Rossette's quick thinking and her ability to turn the tables on Alderic.

While he wished for a simpler life free from such intrigues, he understood that his past and his connection to the royal family were things he couldn't entirely escape. For now, he would use the situation to their advantage, keeping a close watch on Alderic and his intentions.

When they finally arrived in Rumenia, the city's bustling life and festive atmosphere were a stark contrast to the tension in the carriage.

Eighth prince Alderic stepped out first, his eyes scanning the crowd with a newfound wariness. Adam and Rossette followed, their presence calm and composed, a stark counterpoint to the prince's visible unease.

The streets were alive with color and sound, and for a moment, Alderic's fears were drowned out by the vibrancy of the capital.

Yet, deep inside, the seed of doubt Rossette had planted continued to grow, a constant reminder that in the world of politics and power, no one could be trusted entirely—not even one's own blood.

Eighth prince Alderic, his mind a chaotic storm of fear and anger, was determined to free himself from Rossette and Adam.

The insinuations about Adam's connection to the royal family had deeply unsettled him, and the thought of potential rivals was intolerable.

His pride and paranoia dictated that he act swiftly to protect his position.

As the carriage rolled to a stop in a quieter part of Rumenia, Alderic saw his opportunity. Without waiting for Rossette or Adam to notice, he slipped out of the carriage and made a break for it, running down the bustling street.

His heart pounded, not from exertion, but from the mix of fear and resolve driving him forward. He needed to find guards, report Rossette and Adam for their insolence, and eliminate any threat they might pose before it grew out of control.

He scanned the crowd desperately, his eyes locking onto the first figure he thought looked authoritative—a knight, perhaps, standing tall in the street, his presence commanding respect.

Without hesitation, Alderic sprinted toward the man, his voice urgent as he called out for help.

"Knight! You there! I need your assistance—" Alderic's words stumbled to a halt as he drew closer, his heart sinking when the knight turned to face him.

The man wasn't a city guard, nor a knight under the royal banner. Instead, it was Raziel, his imposing figure unmistakable, with eyes sharp and calculating. A smirk spread across Raziel's face as he recognized the prince.

"Well, well," Raziel said, folding his arms across his chest, "what do we have here? Isn't this a bit out of place for a prince to be running around without his entourage?"

Alderic's mind raced, scrambling for a way to salvage the situation. He couldn't afford to show weakness or let Raziel know the depth of his predicament.

"You don't understand. I'm on official royal business. I require your assistance to... to deal with a couple of traitors. They've insulted the royal family and must be brought to justice."

Raziel's eyes glinted with amusement, but he remained silent, letting Alderic dig himself deeper.

The prince continued, his tone growing more desperate as he tried to assert control over the situation. "I command you, as a member of the royal family, to apprehend these criminals at once."

Raziel raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "Criminals, you say? And who might these dangerous individuals be?"

"Rossette and Adam," Alderic snapped, his frustration bubbling over. "They've spoken against the royal family, and they're harboring dangerous intentions. They must be stopped."

Raziel chuckled, his laughter low and filled with mockery. "Rossette and Adam, you say? Oh, I know them well. And from what I've seen, they're far from the traitors you're making them out to be. In fact, they seem rather loyal to Lady Layla."

The mention of Layla's name caused Alderic to stiffen, realizing too late that he'd stumbled into a trap.

Raziel's presence here wasn't a coincidence; he was clearly aligned with the very people Alderic wanted to eliminate.

"And now, Your Highness," Raziel continued, his voice dropping to a dangerous tone, "I think it's time you explained yourself. Running around the city, making baseless accusations, and trying to get people arrested—it's not a good look for a prince."

Alderic backed away slowly, his confidence unraveling under Raziel's piercing gaze. His plan to use the guards against Rossette and Adam had backfired spectacularly. Now, he found himself cornered by someone who wasn't easily swayed by royal commands.

Raziel stepped closer, his demeanor shifting from amused to menacing. "You see, we don't take kindly to those who threaten our friends. And if you think you can get away with this, you're sorely mistaken."

Alderic swallowed hard, realizing he had no choice but to retreat and rethink his strategy. He turned on his heel, preparing to flee, but Raziel's voice stopped him in his tracks.

"Go ahead, run back to your guards," Raziel said, his tone icy. "But remember this: we'll be watching. And next time, you might not get away so easily."