Chapter 14 - Prince Red Riding Hood

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The following morning, Lil had planned to meet with the Queen to propose making the full moon sacrifice a voluntary offering.

 

However, he was informed that the Queen had gone to visit Lil's mother, the First Princess. The princess had secluded herself in the eastern tower—a place Lil was forbidden to approach. Stopped by the guards, he had no choice but to turn back.

 

Oddly, Lil felt a sense of relief. Perhaps it was good, after all, to have a little space. He was still afraid of what he might see in his grandmother's eyes.

 

Before returning to his chambers, he made his way to the kitchens.

 

A quiet determination had bloomed in his chest—a desire to accomplish today what yesterday had stolen from him.

 

In the vast kitchen, rows of polished copper pots hung from the ceiling, catching the morning light. Dozens of cooks were busy with their tasks—some cleaning up after breakfast, others already preparing for the next meal.

 

Lil stood at the doorway, watching them quietly.

 

His attention lingered on the back of the kitchen, where the artisans were churning fresh butter.

 

Would Klaus be happy if I brought him some fresh butter…? No, no. This has nothing to do with Klaus. I'm going to see the former head chef, just as I planned. I want to learn how to make the hazelnut and apple biscuits Grandmother loves so much.

 

Yesterday, everything had gone off-course when he was taken by the woodcutter brothers. But today, he would stay true to his intentions. He would visit the retired head chef's home and, with his help, prepare the perfect gift for his grandmother.

 

After what had happened last night, Lil found it difficult to face her. But if he could offer something handmade, perhaps it would open a path to speak with her gently and honestly.

 

He would begin with a casual conversation, and only later, subtly, bring up the matter of the sacrificial lottery.

 

He would frame it not as something he had heard from anyone directly, but as a rumor picked up in passing. Then, he would propose a change—not to select sacrifices from among all strong young men, but to make it a voluntary system instead.

 

Though the Queen was a gentle grandmother to him, she had reigned for many years and rarely heard unfiltered opinions from those around her.

 

Lil had never thought much of it before, but he'd long sensed—if only unconsciously—how even the highest-ranking officials were reserved in her presence. Not even the bishops, or the archbishop himself, dared challenge her decisions. They carried out the sacrificial lottery in solemn silence.

 

In Vallcent, the king—or queen—held ultimate authority not only in politics but also in religion. The archbishop stood just beneath the monarch in rank. Coupled with the commanding majesty Lil's grandmother naturally exuded, she had long stood in a place of solitary dignity.

 

After all, she was born as the first in line to the throne, and she had ascended to queenship at a remarkably young age.

 

Lil, being male and not formally declared heir to the throne, still enjoyed a degree of freedom to walk the castle grounds. But royal and noble girls were raised differently—sheltered from a young age, confined within their estates or the palace itself.

 

Which is why… Grandmother likely doesn't know about the persecution.

 

Perhaps, even if she wished to know, no one dared to tell her. What she surely understood was that sometimes, those chosen as sacrifices perished. Those who survived were often left on the brink of death.

 

But if she ever learned the truth—that those who were chosen but exercised their rightful refusal, along with their families, were persecuted—she would be devastated. It would wound her deeply.

 

Lil believed that, if she knew, she would waste no time in changing the system to voluntary participation—even without his suggestion.

 

"Well, well! Your Highness, you've come to the kitchen again today,"

the head chef greeted Lil warmly as soon as he stepped inside.

 

The other cooks, each busy with their tasks, paused to offer a respectful bow.

 

"Good day to you, Head Chef. I'm truly sorry I wasn't able to attend the birthday banquet last night. You all put so much effort into preparing the feast, and I deeply regret missing it."

 

"Oh, Your Highness, please think nothing of it. It's kind of you to say so. We were worried about your health, but knowing you were able to eat breakfast today put our minds at ease."

 

"Thank you for your concern. Actually, I've come to ask a favor."

 

Facing the still-youthful head chef, Lil explained that today—without fail—he hoped to visit the former head chef's home.

 

He shared how he had tripped the day before, ruining both the butter and the wine he was carrying. Today, he requested a medium-sized jar filled with fresh butter instead.

 

For the wine, he chose a slender bottle, easier to carry, and placed it in the basket.

 

He added a few other items as well, but mindful of yesterday's experience, he ensured the load was light enough at the start.

 

"Are you sure your body is up for it, Your Highness? Wouldn't it be better to take a carriage?" the head chef asked with concern.

 

Other cooks nearby chimed in one after another:

 

"It's a long way—please do take a carriage."

 

"What if you trip again and get hurt?"

 

"At the very least, you should bring someone along."

 

But Lil shook his head.

 

He knew full well that taking the carriage would be the sensible thing to do.

 

He wanted to go, return quickly, bring back the handmade biscuits, and sit down with his grandmother for a serious conversation.

 

That was what he told himself. And yet—unbidden—Klaus's image surfaced in his mind.

 

Perhaps the hunter had succeeded in his venture and would be crossing the boundary bearing his wares.

 

Whenever a foreigner entered Vallcent's borders to trade, they were required to visit the registration office on the outskirts, undergo a health inspection, and obtain a permit to stay. Fortunately, there were such offices at both the northern and southern ends of the capital.

 

If Lil truly hoped to run into Klaus by chance, it had to be on foot—not by carriage.

 

And it would be better still if he went alone.

 

He told me to come see him, but I know I shouldn't. Still… if it's by chance, that's different. I just want to be his friend. That's all. And if I do see him, I'll ask him to pretend yesterday never happened. What occurred between us—it only happened to wipe away the filth left by the woodcutters… It was born of circumstance. It won't happen again.

 

Donning the same long red cloak with its deep hood, and carrying a slightly lighter basket than the day before, Lil left the castle.

 

The knights, soldiers, and gatekeepers stationed at Vallcent Castle all greeted him warmly: "Please take care, Your Highness," they said with smiles, none of them questioning where he was headed.

 

Some did ask in passing, "And where to today?" but it was more formality than curiosity. A simple answer indicating a general direction was enough.

 

I don't think they realize that I'm big enough now to walk quite far on my own.

 

Exiting through the gates and bypassing the town below, Lil turned toward the northern forest. From that distance, he could still see Vallcent Castle behind him, proud and serene.

 

This small, secluded kingdom, rarely visited by outsiders, was considered safe—at least within the radius Lil could cover on foot. Everyone around him seemed to have let their guard down.

 

Those knights who held enough authority to stop him clearly didn't understand how far Lil's range had expanded since childhood. Perhaps they thought it had grown only slightly.

 

Since the castle was located in the north, reaching the edge of the forest wasn't especially difficult.

 

In other words, leaving the kingdom's protective boundary through the forest was easy enough. But no one doubted Lil, because he had always obeyed the Queen's words: "Do not act recklessly, cause worry, or behave in ways unbefitting your royal station."

 

Everyone believed that now, older and more mature, Lil would never do something foolish.

 

I've always done as Grandmother asked… That's why everyone thinks I'm a good, well-behaved boy. I must not betray that trust, and I mustn't cause any trouble.

 

Right now, I'm simply taking white butter and wine to the former head chef's cottage in the woods. I'll bake hazelnut and apple biscuits—Grandmother's favorites—and over tea, I'll bring up the important matter.

 

Walking along the edge of the carriage road, Lil hastened toward the depths of the northern forest.

 

He kept his gaze straight ahead, the path singular and unwavering, the image of the person he was to meet taking form in his mind.

 

Just one destination. Just one person to see. Over and over, he reminded himself with near-obsessive focus.

 

And yet, in his imagination, the former head chef's white hair turned into Klaus's gleaming silver locks. The aged, wrinkled skin gave way to the dewy, bronzed hue of youth.

 

Even when he tried to conjure the right image, it slipped away—only Klaus's vibrant form remained, vividly etched in his mind.

 

There was no comparison to be made. In strength and radiance, Klaus's powerful frame and sapphire eyes held dominion over Lil's thoughts.

 

No matter how far he walked, he could not outpace that memory.

 

With every step, he felt as though he were drawing closer to him.

 

 

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