Eliezer shook his head when Shadow suddenly appeared and shocked Hildebrand. "I would have to ask that you people do you best not to cause my knight any more distress. I still need him alive."

It was a humorous implication that the knight could have been killed by the shock, and although Eliezer was aware that it could be possibly taken as a serious statement because it came from him, he was immensely frustrated at the moment and could not have cared less. Hildebrand was surprised at the prince's attempt to jest, having never witnessed it before, and turned to him with a scoff of amusement. The two then listened to the words of the assassin, and after he disappeared, Eliezer sighed and continued to speak to his knight.

"I would have invited him to stay where he was, considering that he shall be listening to what we are going to say regardless," he commented, before returning to the topic they had been discussing, this time with the input of Shadow in mind. "With all that has happened, it is highly likely that the royal family will not be present at the Celestial Moon Festival for our safety."

"Which would mean that your absence might not be realized if you do decide to go and see her," Hildebrand pointed out.

"If I do make such a decision, and if I am spotted, it would do no good for my reputation. There is already suspicion about my involvement with the Lunarian assassins. If I were to be seen leaving the palace unannounced with no regard for my personal safety, there would be even more reason for my people to question if I am suited to rule. She is the heir to the throne of Lunar, and after what my family has done to the kingdom, I do believe that I owe them at least this, but is it worth risking my right to the throne?"

"Not to mention you still have feelings for her, Your Highness."

"That is irreleva-" Eliezer cut himself off after seeing his knight raise an eyebrow at him - a nonverbal reminder that his feelings should matter.

The prince only let out another sigh, and Hildebrand started to advise him once again. "Ask yourself this, Your Highness. If you let her go, would you be able to live with that decision even if you manage to do right by your people? Can you let your heart tell you what is right this time? How much would you regret then, regardless of what may happen? You matter to her, and to me, if nobody else, not as the future ruler of Dainia, but as an individual. However, if you are afraid to trust this, then I understand. If you would pardon me, Your Highness."

Having said his piece, the knight stood and left the room, leaving Eliezer to contemplate the issue by himself, or rather, leaving him with Shadow, who was likely still around.
[hr]
There was alarm in the palace once again in the evening when the body of the assassin together with the written threat and the blood-stained feather was found at the palace gate. Of course, only a handful of the palace's residents were actually aware of the Red Robin's association with the royal family and servants, and the identity of the one who had made the threat. All the rest knew was that the Red Robin was the client who was responsible for the attack on the crown prince's convoy on the way to Sorene, and was therefore puzzled as to why another party which she had likely offended would leave her a threat at the palace gate. The younger prince found some time after they had been alerted of this, and he managed to have a word with Robynne in a private chamber of the palace.

"I must say that you're doing well in provoking the Moon Raven. It will be more difficult for my brother to hide his association with her if she continues to react in such a way," he began. "In the meantime, stay at the palace, do not risk any more than you already have."

"However, if Prince Eliezer chooses to cut all ties with her and denies any of this, he would be believed, yes?" She asked.

Mathazar nodded. "[i]If[/i] he does. I used know him completely, his thoughts, his fears... the decisions he would make. He was predictable, though, not anymore, unfortunately. We shall wait and see what he does now."

Meanwhile, Hildebrand was back in Eliezer's company. Like the members of the royal family, the knight had been present when the note and the feather was brought in with the details of the dead assassin.

"She is not well, Your Highness," he commented, as he walked with the prince back to his quarters. Seeing Eliezer's look of confusion after he had said that, he then explained. "I do not mean in terms of physical health."

Eliezer nodded in understanding. "I have made my decision."