"I used my master an excuse to deal with the matter of missing maids," Ryder confessed to Rale and Miku.
It was certain that they knew about him lying about maids going with Salem since they both saw the dead bodies. They have to be stupid not to know that he actually lied to them.
It was better to confess to them.
"My master didn't come back. And I decided to use him in my plan. I know he wouldn't mind me using his name. Still, I'll apologize to him the next time I see him," he continued, using soft words to present to them that his master was actually alive in case one of them was suspicious.
He was sitting on the throne as he talked. Rale and Miku were the only two people present in the room. Both of them stood in front of Ryder.
"We understand, Your Highness," Miku let out as she nodded her head.
"You don't have to explain," Rale also chimed in.
"Good. Now let's get back to the main topic," Ryder said as he changed the topic. "I will be leaving this place soon. You two are incharge of the Palace in my absence."
"Rale, make sure that the Palace stays safe in my absence," he told Rale before he shifted his gaze to Miku.
"As for you, Miku. Take care of the recruitment of maids. Select some good ones that you think would be good," he said to Miku.
"And Rale, make sure you check the background of every candidate who is selected. I don't want spies in my Palace."
Rale and Miku nodded, but Rale still seemed somewhat uncertain. It was as if he wished to talk about something, but he didn't know how to start.
"Do you desire to say something?" Ryder asked softly. "You know, you can tell me anything you wish."
Rale opened his mouth, but he again closed as if he was still not sure if he should say it.
He took a deep breath before he ultimately said, "Your Highness, how about I come with you to the Death Domain? I don't feel well with you going alone. It's actually risky."
He knew that it was not allowed. Talking about this was only going to express his willingness to break the rules. That was why he had to think so much before saying it. He didn't want Ryder to think of him as a delinquent who didn't care for rules.
"I wish I could take you myself. It would have been so much easier to travel. I would also feel much safer. Unfortunately, I can't. From what I am told about the Kingship Trial, the candidate is supposed to be alone in the Death Domain without any help. I can't take you. Or this wouldn't be a kingship trial," Ryder replied as he shook his head.
Rale hesitated for a few seconds before he gathered his courage and followed up, "I can go separately. You, on the other hand, will go with High Duke Oris. I can meet you in the Death Domain. No one will know."
Ryder gazed at Rale in surprise. Was this man actually talking about breaking the rules? He had always seen Rale as someone who respected all the rules. To see his willingness to break the rules for him was both shocking and surprising.
He didn't know that Rale had already broken many rules for Ryder before.
"Your plan isn't bad, honestly. The problem is something else entirely. It is the unlikely scenario in which someone finds out that you were there with me. If you come with me there and someone finds out, not only will I lose my chances of becoming the Demon King, you will also be put to death most probably," Ryder replied as he shook his head.
"I am ready for death if it keeps you safe. I can tell them that you didn't know about me coming there even if someone found me there. No blame shall come to you," Rale replied.
"There's no need to take the risk. I can take care of myself there. I'll be safe. Don't worry about me. I have tricks of my own. In fact, you coming with me will be riskier. I need you here to keep appearances," Ryder expressed as he shook his head.
He continued with his thought process, "As long as my Royal Commander is seen publicly often, no one would doubt that I'm not in the palace. For my safety, it's better for you to stay here."
"This…"
"No this or that. It's my order. You will stay here. That's final," Ryder interjected without letting Rale complete his words. He didn't wish to talk about it any longer.
"As Your Highness wishes," Rale bowed as he accepted the command respectfully.
"That's better," Ryder acknowledged.
'Why do I feel like I'm forgetting something?' he soon thought. He was feeling as if he needed to talk about something else as well, which he had decided before. It was only now that he forgot it.
"Oh right, there's one more thing," he let out as he remembered what it was about.
"Miku," he called out.
"Yes, Your Highness," Miku responded instantly without a moment of delay.
"I told Miyali that she should get fighting training from you. I left the decision to her. If she comes to you for help, train her in the ways of a warrior. Also, teach her how she should use her powers better," Ryder told Miku.
"To train her?" Miku asked.
"Yeah. I don't think there is any risk in training her. She won't lose control any longer. Even if she loses it, you and Rale will be here to control her," Ryder answered.
" Also, we need her to be able to defend herself and the others in case we are ever under attack. She is a hybrid. She can be of great help to us. Not training her would be stupid," he continued.
"Ah, Yes. If she asks, I will train her as one of our own," Miku accepted, but she also expressed her concern. "But I believe Master Rale can help her more in training."
"Rale can train her better, but he needs to train the Royal Guards first. I want all the Royal Guards to be stronger. I don't want to divert his attention to too many things. Times are uncertain. We need to be as strong as we can," Ryder answered as he stood up.
"Anyway, now that I am going to the Death Domain, I need the clothes to seem like one of them. We have some, right? Bring them to me. It's time I start preparation as well."
