Chapter 191: Sisters' Survival Story
Fugetsu found her ability quite miraculous, but there were many things she needed to confirm clearly.
Kneeling before that door, she pondered seriously.
"Not a single attempt can be wasted. I must conduct experiments efficiently after careful consideration!"
Then Fugetsu thought of the two most crucial questions that needed immediate confirmation.
First: Can I crawl back into the passage through the exit?
Second: Can the location of the entrance side be changed from the exit side?
After considering these key points, Fugetsu murmured to herself: "Just in case I can't return, I should set the exit in this room too."
Then Fugetsu pointed to another empty spot on the wall and shouted in her heart: "The place I want to go is next to the entrance!"
Time passed minute by minute, but nothing happened where Fugetsu was pointing.
"The exit door didn't appear," Fugetsu thought with some disappointment.
Unable to accept this, she reached out to touch the wall and confirmed that indeed nothing had happened.
"Completely no reaction. It really doesn't work after all," Fugetsu began analyzing. "Looking at it this way, is it one-way travel starting from the entrance? Or does the exit door only appear after the entrance door opens?"
Fugetsu's gaze grew increasingly determined.
I must use this ability to save both Kakin and myself!
...
Both sisters were using their own methods, sparing no effort, trying to protect each other and ultimately survive in this succession war.
In the Tenth Prince's room, a plan was gradually taking shape.
The Tenth Prince Kacho and Melody had already begun their plan to play the final movement of their escape.
Kacho was currently communicating with the Sixth Queen.
The Sixth Queen asked somewhat strangely: "A music show at the banquet?"
"That's right, isn't this a good idea?"
Looking at the Sixth Queen, Kacho replied seriously: "After all, we're the hosts. How can we not perform some programs? I plan to perform a harp duet with Richie at that time. Melody also said she's very good at flute and will help out then."
The Sixth Queen forced a somewhat helpless smile and replied: "...Is that so? I think this idea is good too."
Seeing the Sixth Queen agree, Kacho continued: "Please tell Richie and Father for me, and try to get their approval."
The Sixth Queen said with a choked voice: "I understand. Mother will plead with your father one more time then."
"Mother! That won't be necessary," Kacho directly interrupted the Sixth Queen, then put on a positive attitude and said seriously. "This is a holy war to select the future king of Kakin. I will participate in the competition with pride and resolution, standing tall and upright. There's no need to fear or grieve for this, Mother."
The Sixth Queen looked at her daughter, her eyes already filled with tears without her realizing. She opened her mouth but found she couldn't say anything.
She never expected her daughter to possess such resilient resolution.
However, just as there are strength differences between princes, the gap between queens is even more like a chasm, making one despair in its face.
Unable to provide any help in the royal succession war, she could only choose to fulfill her daughter's small request to the best of her ability.
After leaving the Sixth Queen's room.
Mord once again donned the mask, becoming that willful and harsh prince persona.
"Useless old hag. She's only petitioning to ease her own guilt—it makes me sick," Kacho complained while walking alongside the surveillance personnel.
The bespectacled young man in charge of monitoring adjusted his glasses and said, "You needn't worry. None of these words will be recorded in writing."
Kacho, utterly indifferent, continued shouting, "I don't care! Write it all down if you want."
Every one of Kacho's actions was a cover for another operation—her hand continuously and discreetly pressed a toy hidden in her palm that emitted ultrasonic waves.
"Waiting for Father's reply for now. Things will likely go smoothly."
This was the Morse code Melody received from Kacho.
Melody began calculating how to ensure the two could maintain contact at any time before the final grand performance and promptly transmitted her thoughts.
A reply from Kacho came swiftly.
"Understood. I'll ask Father to help keep it secret under the pretext of creating a surprise. When the time comes, we'll switch on all the speakers and broadcast our performance throughout the first floor."
"As for the meeting time with Richie, I'll double-check."
Melody indicated she would confirm the escape route.
Thus, the two decided to take action next Sunday!
That would be during the banquet at the next princes' gathering.
If she had been born into an ordinary family, a girl Kacho's age would likely still be a carefree middle schooler, oblivious to the world—chatting about gossip with classmates, binge-watching dramas, and reading romance novels.
What she had just accomplished was something even some well-trained soldiers might not have executed as flawlessly and naturally as she did.
Multitasking, using conversations with others to conceal her Morse code exchanges with Melody, all while deliberately projecting an arrogant and domineering image to everyone around her.
All of this was for her simple wish...
To escape with her younger sister.
And to persistently craft her own terrible reputation.
Far away in the Twelfth Prince's quarters, Mord watched it all, understanding that Kacho was doing this intentionally so that the guards, faced with an impossible choice, would choose Fugetsu without hesitation.
Mord glanced at Momoze beside him.
Another girl mature beyond her years, heartbreakingly so.
What Kacho didn't know was that Fugetsu absolutely did not want to see this happen.
Sometimes, excessive kindness can inflict permanent harm on those one truly cares about.
Having witnessed it, Mord naturally would not allow this tragedy to unfold.
Meanwhile, Melody, who was with Kacho, pondered how to help both sisters escape this ship of madness.
As Melody was deep in thought, a man interrupted her contemplation.
"Melody, sorry to bother you..."
Hearing the voice, Melody turned to see it was Keeney, the Hunter who, like her, served as a guard for the Tenth Prince.
Like Melody, he too had noticed the anomaly when Fugetsu suddenly appeared in Kacho's bed.
Unlike Melody who detected it through Kacho's abnormal heartbeat, Keeney had genuinely witnessed the scene inside, and was now recounting his discovery to Melody.
"Someone suddenly appeared...?" Melody feigned surprise.
"Correct." Keeney nodded before continuing. "To be more precise, it felt as if someone's head abruptly emerged from Lady Kacho's bed out of thin air, much like lifting a manhole cover."