The Crown Prince In Hiding

Another shadow, which had been following behind Casca all along, slowly edged forward hesitantly.

When he narrowed his eyes to look more closely—

He froze.

Because the one stepping out awkwardly behind Casca…

Was Rafinya Saint Pauli.

All three of them wore expressions in the same tone. Only Princess Nora showed a more openly resistant reaction than the others—but we will set that aside for now.

“What is she doing here?”

“Rafinya has something she wants to say to you.”

“I already said—we go our separate ways.”

“Oh, just listen first.”

“What is it?”

Casca turned to Rafinya and gave her a small signal, nudging her head forward—telling her to step up and speak for herself.

One look at her face was enough to know Rafinya did not want to do this in the slightest. But she seemed to have little choice.

In the end… she forced herself.

She stepped forward and stopped in front of the bonfire, before the owner of the cabin.

“…Prince Fury.”

Rafinya spoke stiffly. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to force the words out—

And suddenly blurted them into the circle as she bowed deeply.

“I apologize for causing you trouble during this time. Please forgive me.”

…!?

Rafinya was apologizing?

Nora, Dan, and Zeedee were utterly stunned, unsure what to feel first—

Rafinya, still bowed, stared only at the ground. Since she had lowered her head this far, the very last thing she wanted was for anyone to see her face.

Because right now it was so red she almost wanted to draw her sword and disembowel herself on the spot.

What made her do this?

We must turn back for a moment.

After the final exam session ended, students gathered in groups. Some headed home. Naturally, Dan, Nora, and Zeedee were about to leave the academy to celebrate.

But unbeknownst to them, about twenty meters away—

Rafinya Saint Pauli had just stepped out of the exam hall and was watching them.

She watched for a long time. One part of her hesitated, another wanted to approach… but even if she did, she had no idea what she would say.

Her mind was stuck on that previous moment—when Fury had told the story that now lingered in her head. The story of Sir Harry Kane. The unforgettable truth of the word “arrogance.”

They were about to leave.

Rafinya almost opened her mouth to call out—wait—but no sound would come.

The way she looked at the three of them changed.

At last, she felt what Nora had felt.

The historical figure disguised as a boy before her—no entire faculty could replace him. His story had forced her to reflect… and she believed it could be true.

Even though she had faced reality to the point she no longer knew what to believe—

This demon possessed a certain charisma that made Rafinya begin to sway, just as Nora had.

A small light in the corner of her heart told her—

This man was the one who could make her a better human being.

But…

Her pride choked her throat.

And why would he even care?

If only she had been more polite from the beginning…

In the end, they slipped away.

Rafinya hurried out past the academy gates, but it was too late.

They were gone.

She clenched her fists, her eyes dim with sorrow, staring down at the stone pavement, leaning against the academy wall—

Letting out a long sigh.

And then—

A voice sounded beside her.

A figure unraveling from golden invisibility magic.

“Hey, Rafinya.”

…!?

Her eyes widened.

Soft cotton-like pale hair. Beautiful caramel skin glowing in the light.

Casca Saint Maximin.

“Lady Casca?”

Casca placed a finger to her lips and made a quiet shh sound.

“Don’t be startled.”

“I’ve seen you following them for a while now, haven’t I?”

“….”

“There’s no need to be embarrassed.”

Before the person she revered most, Rafinya was unexpectedly easy to guide. She averted her gaze shyly, then finally asked—

“Miss Casca… I… ”

“……”

“What should I do… to…”

“To?”

Her face lowered further. Her voice became so soft it was almost inaudible.

“I want to learn from him… like Nora does.”

Casca’s eyes widened.

Then, soon enough, they returned to normal—though her face now looked as if she were quietly celebrating. A bright spark appeared in her expression.

“But it’s too late…”

“It’s not too late.”

“Miss Casca…?”

“Go ask him yourself.”

“Could you… speak for me…?”

“If you did something, you must take responsibility.”

Casca said firmly.

“Walk up to him. Admit your fault. Then ask for an opportunity. You and Nora are still young. He won’t think too much of it.”

Casca squeezed her shoulder.

“You have to go yourself. Speak for yourself. I can only point the way a little. I can’t force him. But one thing I know for sure—Fury will listen, if he feels you’re speaking from your heart.”

I’ll take you to them myself.

Come along, Rafinya.

“Do you see her sincerity, Fury?”

Casca, who had been watching for a long time, finally broke the silence.

“We’re under attack… Zeedee, be careful—this must be illusion magic…”

“I’ll slap the shit out of you. Are you listening?”

Casca snapped her fingers sharply.

“You dragged her all this way just to say this?”

“Do you know Rafinya feels guilty too?”

“I don’t care anymore whether she feels guilty or not.”

Dan looked at Rafinya, who avoided his gaze.

“I’m just saying—I’m not opening any more courses for anyone. I want peace.”

“What’s one more person going to hurt?”

Dan waved dismissively.

“I told you. I don’t like kids like this. Go find someone else.”

Suddenly—

Rafinya spoke.

“Prince Fury… I won’t disturb your life again… but right now I don’t know what I’m supposed to believe in anymore…”

“….”

“I want to become stronger… build a name for myself as Rafinya, like you once said… I don’t want to share the same fate as Sir Harry… What should I do… Mr.Fury?”

I want a mentor like you.

Dan stared off into the forest. A cool wind moved through the quiet woods.

He glanced back at her eyes.

He inhaled.

Then asked—

“What do I gain from being your imaginary friend?”

Rafinya froze.

“What do I gain? Hmm?”

Nora looked at her. Dan waited.

“I…”

Rafinya swallowed.

“I can request permission to enter the Forbidden Library in Luminus. If what you’re looking for is in there… I can search for it for you.”

Nora: “!”

“Oh?”

Prince Fury was genuinely impressed.

…Sharp instincts.

“But do you think that’s enough?”

“The origin of everything… that’s your ultimate goal, isn’t it?”

Based on what she knew, Rafinya believed this could be used as leverage.

“No one would even suspect it… Not now, when everyone’s focused on global power struggles. There’s no better opportunity than this.”

She explained timidly—

But what she said made Dan pause.

The offer was extremely tempting.

If we obtained Professor Darwin’s confiscated texts…

Casca saw the look on her husband’s face. She already knew what he was thinking. It wasn’t exactly what she had intended—but at least there was a glimmer of hope.

“Are you sure you trained only as a knight?”

“…What?”

Rafinya blinked, confused.

“That negotiation wasn’t bad.”

Dan turned to the princess.

“Nora. Watch carefully.”

“…Mr.Fury?”

“This is an example of a good negotiator.”

Rafinya hadn’t come begging empty-handed. She had brought something Fury might want—and it worked. He was interested.

“…Yes… Mr.Fury.”

Nora’s voice grew cooler. Her face was calm, but her eyes fixed sharply on Rafinya—far from welcoming.

Casca noticed Nora’s fist clenching tightly.

“I don’t know what you’re searching for. But if it’s skills, I have none to give you. I don’t have some secret formula for greatness.”

“I don’t want that… I want…”

Rafinya swallowed.

“… guidance.”

“You’re lowering yourself to seek guidance from a demon now?”

Casca let out a low warning hum from behind him, her eyes clearly saying—we’re adults. Don’t bully a child.

“It’s not that… I just…”

Rafinya’s voice trembled.

Then she fell silent for a moment.

“I want to become… a more complete human.”

I just want to board this train with you. That’s all.

Dan’s crimson eyes stared at her without blinking.

Rafinya met his gaze—her eyes serious beyond those words.

The image pulled back from the bonfire.

And everything slowly faded—

From the midnight sky—

Into the first light of dawn.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!