The banquet guests had already been evacuated, and police now cordoned off the hotel. When Yoshiki Hayashi and the others arrived on the fir
The banquet guests had already been evacuated, and police now cordoned off the hotel.
When Yoshiki Hayashi and the others arrived on the first floor, they saw "Princess Mira" standing outside the glass window, gently touching her cheek with a dreamy expression as she stared inside.
Suddenly, she started giggling foolishly, hiding her face and acting all shy and bashful.
Just when Inspector Megure and the others were relieved to have found the princess, they stood dumbfounded.
"What's the princess... doing?"
"No idea... Is she... mesmerized by her own reflection?"
"Come to think of it, this hotel's glass reflects like a mirror from the outside."
Even Kogoro Mouri, who usually prided himself on his observational skills, found this "princess" who looked remarkably like his daughter to be acting quite silly—nowhere near as sharp as his own Ran.
As he whispered this to Yoshiki Hayashi, the latter couldn't help but cringe.
"Uncle Mouri, the one standing outside... is Ran."
"Huh?"
"Princess Mira's hair color is slightly different, and their eye colors don't match either... The person outside right now is Ran."
"Eh—!"
Of course, Yoshiki Hayashi didn't mention one more important difference...
Ran's chest size was definitely different from the princess's.
At that moment, Ran, standing outside, was somewhat entranced by her own reflection. With her nervousness gone, her mind began to wander excitedly again.
The elegant gown and expensive, dazzling jewelry made her look breathtaking—just like a real princess, even if only for a short while.
If she were a real princess... then the prince... The face that came to her mind suddenly blurred and was replaced by another.
Come to think of it, Yoshiki was still in the banquet hall...
What would he think if he saw her like this?
"You look stunning, Ran."
"Eh? A-Ah!? Yoshiki-kun—!?"
Startled by his voice, Ran turned around in a fluster.
"U-Um, I'm not the princess! I'm—"
"That's why I called you Ran, didn't I?" Yoshiki Hayashi said with a smile, patting her on the head.
Only then did Ran realize—he knew the truth without her even having to explain. Did that mean Yoshiki had known all along about the outfit swap with Princess Mira?
Ran had unknowingly helped the princess escape, only to be tricked into switching clothes. Realizing things had gone wrong, she rushed back to the hotel to come clean...
But then she got lost in her reflection.
At that moment, Inspector Megure and the others arrived.
"To think someone can't even recognize his own daughter..."
"How was I supposed to tell through the glass!?" Kogoro Mouri shot back defensively.
Ran glanced again at Yoshiki before the group returned to the hotel.
Ran apologized for inadvertently causing trouble and explained that the princess had promised to return after the banquet. Inspector Megure was about to organize a new search party, but Keith suddenly stopped them.
"Who are you planning to look for? Isn't the princess standing right here?"
He gestured to Ran.
Everyone immediately understood what he was implying.
Someone had tried to assassinate the princess, and now Ran—who looked identical and was dressed as her—was standing right there...
Kogoro Mouri's face darkened. "Hey! Do you even know what you're saying!?"
"If the one who kidnapped the princess turns out to be Japanese, what do you think that'll do to the relationship between Japan and the Kingdom of Vespania?"
Keith smiled arrogantly.
Detective Takagi immediately tried to step forward, but Megure held him back.
"I object! Ran is an ordinary citizen. Knowing there's danger involved, how can you drag her into this!?"
"We're leaving. Go change, Ran," Mouri added.
Ran hesitated.
She remembered her talk with the princess in the park—the longing for freedom in her words. And she recalled the princess promising to return after the banquet. After a brief pause, she agreed to continue pretending to be the princess until then.
Mouri tried to protest again, but Keith calmly raised his radio.
"Protect the princess."
The hotel doors opened immediately.
A group of bodyguards entered and began forcing people aside. Yoshiki Hayashi suddenly smiled and took out his phone.
"Did you record our conversation just now, Aunt Eri?"
"Every word," came the icy voice of Eri Kisaki. "Thanks to your quick thinking, I feel relieved knowing Ran's under your protection."
"M-Mom?" Ran gasped, recognizing the voice.
Keith scowled.
"Well then, Mr. Keith," said Yoshiki, still smiling.
"Regardless of who kidnapped Princess Mira, forcing a regular citizen to act as a decoy for a royal family member facing threats... I think you're the one who should worry about international backlash."
"Oh, and isn't Vespania currently facing internal unrest and external pressures? Not to mention all the attention drawn by that newly discovered mineral of yours."
"If a scandal breaks out…"
He lightly shook the phone in his hand, his smile unwavering.
Keith's face darkened for the first time.
Ever since the deaths of Queen Sakura and the prince, the rebellion had been simmering within the country. Someone was trying to overthrow the Vespania royal family to seize the treasure buried in their land.
Now the royal guards didn't know whether to act or stand still.
"Well done, Yoshiki!" Mouri, still restrained by the guards, suddenly broke free with a shrug and straightened his suit with a smug look.
After a pause...
"Name your price," Keith said coldly.
"I don't care about your princess's safety. I only want Ran safe. So count us out of this body-double nonsense."
Yoshiki reached out his hand to Ran.
Without hesitation, she gently placed her hand in his.
"It's still early. I suggest you follow Inspector Megure's advice—and go find your real princess."
Keith hesitated, clearly reluctant. "How about five million dollars?"
"Go change, Ran."
Yoshiki Hayashi ignored the offer with a calm smile.
"Thank you, Yoshiki…" Ran smiled, feeling a warmth blossom in her chest.
No matter when, as long as Yoshiki was by her side, she always felt completely safe.
"But, Yoshiki..."
"Yes?"