I Transmigrated as a Prince Extra

As the envoy resumed its march toward the Dervain estate, the tension was palpable. Juhtmed's mind worked tirelessly, weighing the risks. He knew the stakes were high, and one misstep could lead to their end.

 Its gates opening slowly to admit the envoy. The Dervain guards stood stiffly at attention, their expressions unreadable. Juhtmed's crimson eyes scanned their faces, searching for any hint of duplicity.

At the entrance, a figure emerged—a tall man in his thirties in rich attire, his features sharp and commanding. He greeted the envoy with a practiced smile, his voice smooth and welcoming.

"Im Renar on behalf of my Lord, I extend our hospitality. We've been expecting you."

Juhtmed inclined his head, his expression calm but wary. "It is an honor to finally stand within your halls."

Renar straightened, his gaze flicking briefly to Kaitsja and Lian before returning to Juhtmed. "We've prepared quarters for you and your escort. My lord is pleased to discuss matters of state but wishes to first ensure your comfort after such a long journey."

Juhtmed smile faintly. "Please lead the way."

 Kaitsja stood at the prince's side, his hand resting casually on his sword hilt. His eyes missed nothing, and his grin hinted at the readiness for trouble.

As the group was escorted through the gates, Juhtmed's eyes took in every detail the increased number of guards, and the subtle glances exchanged between the soldiers. Something was up.

The quarters provided were spacious, as befitted a royal envoy. However, the opulence did little to mask the underlying unease. Once the servants departed, Lian immediately began to check the room in case of hidden threats.

"This place feels wrong," she muttered, her eyes scanning every shadow. "There an clear increase number of guard."

Kaitsja flopped onto a plush chair, stretching lazily. "Relax, Lian. If they wanted us dead, they wouldn't have gone to the trouble of welcoming us in."

"Unless they're buying time," Lian snapped, glaring at him. "You see what they were up too. They're clearly hiding something."

Juhtmed, seated near the window, spoke without turning. "They are. But until we know what it is, we must remain calm. Tonight, i'll meet with the head of dervain house. It might be our chance to gauge their intentions."

"And if their intentions are hostile?" Lian asked, her tone tight.

"Then we adapt," Juhtmed replied calmly. "Just like we've been doing so far."

Kaitsja smirked. "I like this side of you, your highness. You'd make a decent mercenary."

Juhtmed turned, his gaze sharp. "And you'd make a terrible emperor. Let's focus on the task at hand."

Kaitsja laughed, unbothered. "Fair enough."

That evening, they were escorted to the great hall of House Dervain. The room was a covered with architecture, and carvings, tapestries depicting the house's storied history. At the head of a long table sat Lord Dervain himself, a man bearing with graying hair and piercing blue eyes.

"Your Highness," Lord Dervain said, rising as Juhtmed entered. "Its my honor to receive you."

"The honor is mine, Lord Dervain," Juhtmed replied smoothly. "The reputation of your family precedes you."

As they took their seats, the air crackled with an unspoken tension. Polite conversation filled the initial moments of the meal, but Juhtmed's mind was focused on every word, every gesture. Lord Dervain's demeanor was pleasant, but there was a guardedness to him that set Juhtmed on edge.

Halfway through the meal, Juhtmed decided to test the waters. "I must commend your management, Lord Dervain. Your lands are prosperous, and your soldiers well-trained."

Lord Dervain smiled faintly. "In these times, one cannot be too cautious. The stability of the realm depends on it."

"And yet," Juhtmed said, his tone casual, "one might wonder if such vigilance could be misinterpreted… Such actions might appear to some as preparation for conflict."

A feeling of—unease crossed Lord Dervain's face before he masked it with a laugh. "You are perceptive, your highness. But I assure you, our precautions are purely defensive. The bandit activity in the has been escalating, I'm sure you've experienced it on your way."

Juhtmed nodded, his expression giving nothing away. "Indeed. Bandits have been a persistent nuisance. Though I must admit, some of them seem unusually well-organized it wasn't the work of simple bandit."

The room grew quiet, the subtle tension now undeniable. Lord Dervain's smile didn't waver, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of concern. "A troubling observation. Rest assured, we will do all in our power to support you in addressing this threat."

As the meal continued, Juhtmed's mind raced. Lord Dervain's responses were measured, but the subtle signs of discomfort suggested he knew more than he let on. The prince would need to tread carefully—.

Later that night, Juhtmed convened with Lian and Kaitsja in the privacy of their quarters. Lian's expression was grim. "Did you found something your highness?"

Juhtmed nodded. "Only a feeling of unease but its not enough. We need more information before we can act."

Kaitsja leaned back against the wall a faint smile. "You're thinking of sending someone to snoop around?"

Juhtmed's crimson eyes met his. "Yes. And you're the best candidate for this matters."

Kaitsja chuckled, a glint of mischief returning to his eyes. "You're starting to know me too well."

Juhtmed's tone grew serious. "This isn't a game, Kaitsja. If you're getting caught…"

"I know." Kaitsja interrupted. "Don't worry ill get you the information you need."

As Kaitsja made his way to the door and opened it, a boy saw his face hit the floor. "Well, what have we here, a little spy?" Kaitsja picks up the boy, who looks at him aggressively. He sighs, "Don't look at me like that". Kaitsja drags the boy over to Juhtmed,

"look at what i found on my way out." Juhtmed and Lian are surprised to see Kaitsja with a boy. Juhtmed looks at him and notices the Dervain family crest on his chest.

Juhtmed's expression hardened as he studied the boy. His defiant eyes locked onto Kaitsja, even as he squirmed in his grasp. The Dervain family crest gleamed faintly on his tunic—a sign of his connection to the house.

"Put me down, you uncivilized brute!" the boy hissed, his voice filled with a mixture of indignation and fear.

Kaitsja raised an amused eyebrow, setting the boy down but keeping a firm grip on his shoulder. "You've got guts, kid."

Juhtmed approached, his crimson eyes narrowing. "Who are you, and why did you spy on us?"

The boy straightened, his chin held high. "I'm Ronin, second son of Lord Dervain. And I wasn't spying... I was investigating."

Lian scoffed, crossing her arms. "Investigating?"

Juhtmed meet the boy's defiant gaze. "Ronin you said," he said softly, his voice steady but with an edge of authority, "This isn't a game. If you were caught snooping around the wrong people, you could had endanger yourself—and your family."

The boy hesitated, his bravoure wavering. "I heard my Father talking," he admitted reluctantly. "He said you might try to uncover something... something that could ruin our family."

Juhtmed exchanged a glance with Lian and Kaitsja. The boy's words confirmed their suspicions—Lord Dervain was hiding something.

"You're brave to come here, alone and to say that" Juhtmed said, his tone even. "But. Your family might be in more danger than you realize. If you truly care about them, tell me what you know."

Ronin resolve faltered further, but he shook his head. "How can i trust you?"

Juhtmed straightened. "Trust..why don't we make a deal."

Ronin's eyes widened, suspicion mingling with curiosity. "What kind of deal?"

"Tell us what we need to known," Juhtmed said, "and in return, I'll ensure your family is protected, no matter what happens. You have my word."

The room fell silent, the weight of the moment pressing on everyone. Ronin bit his lip, clearly torn. Finally, he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.

"You promised to protect us no matter what... my father's suspect you to be the one backing my elder brother Rovan," he admitted.

Juhtmed's gaze sharpened, the boy's confession troubling him and confirming his worst thoughts.

Juhtmed respond. "Everything become more clear now, i was hoping the situation was not this bad."

He turned back to Ronin. "Thank you for your honesty. Your family may yet be spared if we act wisely. But for now, you must return to your quarters and say nothing of this. Do you understand?"

Ronin hesitated before nodding. "I understand."

Kaitsja released the boy, and he rushed out of the room, casting one last, glance over his shoulder.

As the door closed, Juhtmed exhaled, his thought racing.

Kaitsja grinned, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "I didn't expect things to turn like that when i join this envoy its start to become interesting."

Lian's voice was steely. "If Lord Dervain is losing control over his estate why did he not request the help of the council."

Juhtmed turned to his companions. "This isn't easy as you think Lian. If Dervain didn't request help its clearly because someone is behind protecting his son. And this Ronin said he thought i was the prince backing his brother, but why suspecting me... that only mean a prince is trying to overthrow the balance. That will explain the reason of why he avoid the council summons he couldn't trust the council."

Juhtmed's tone became more serious as he understood the implications. "This is not just a family feud, it goes far more beyond the House of Dervain. If a member of my family supports his eldest son, it means that a faction is actively working to destabilize the realm. We're not dealing with bandits or mercenaries, we're facing a conspiracy."

Kaitsja leaned casually against the wall, but his eyes sharp. "So, what's the plan, Your Highness? If this prince has been careful hidden, we can't exactly go storming the council with suspicions."

Lian frowned, her arms crossed. "And if we leave without concrete evidence...."

Juhtmed nodded. "Which is why we need to move cautiously. The best option should be to tell Dervain that we know what is happening. Our next step should be to find who is backing Rovan."

Kaitsja smirked. "Sounds goods to me."

Lian interjected, her expression tense. "Are you sure about all this your highness, if something happen—"

"Im fine Lian," Juhtmed said firmly. "I already died once, im not afraid."

Lian's brow furrowed. "Your highness..."

Kaitsja clapped his hands together. "Well, then i guess we are all up in this." He winked at Lian and slipped out of the room, the door closing softly behind him.

Juhtmed turned back to Lian, his expression thoughtful. "I want you keep an eye on Ronin, he might become a target soon."

Lian nodded. "I'll keep an eye on him. I'll make sure he's protected."

Juhtmed allowed himself a brief moment to rest against the window, staring out at the sky. 

Lian hesitated, her expression softening as she looking at him. "Your Highness its too much for you..."

He turned to face her, his crimson eyes reflecting a rare vulnerability. "Lian. Since i wake up from this bed i found a reason to live, since then i want to do live it fully." Juhtmed allowed a faint smile.

Lian stepped closer, her tone soft added with resolve. "You could always trust me your highness."

Juhtmed's smile grew warmer, though his words carried a heavier weight. "Thank you its mean a lot to me."

Juhtmed's gaze fall on Lian for a moment, his crimson eyes softened by her constant loyalty. "You've always on my side, Lian."

Lian's expression shifted, her determination flickering briefly into something gentler. "I'll will always stand by you, your highness no matter what happen."

Juhtmed nodded, and harbored a smile on his face. "That's why I know we'll succeed. With people like you and Kaitsja, I don't feel completely alone."

Time passed and the sky is get darker. Lian moved quietly around the room, checking the door and windows for any signs of tampering or eavesdropping. Despite her earlier words of comfort, her body is tense.

Juhtmed let out a slow breath, forcing his thoughts into some semblance of order. "Lian," he said, breaking the silence. "Did you know where kaitsja go its been a while is out?"

She turned to face him, her brows knitting in thought. "I don't know your highness he probably causing trouble somewhere, keep him around you will only tarnish your reputation your highness."

"You just overthinking," Juhtmed mused. "Especially when its about him."

"Im not you are too kind your highness." Lian said sighing.

 "You always acting like that when its about him, i don't know what you have against him."

Before Lian could respond, the door creaked open, and Kaitsja slipped inside, his usual swagger intact. He was wet and had a mischievous grin on his face. "Miss me already?" he quipped.

"Where were you and why are you wet like that i don't any rain out there?" Juhtmed said.

Kaitsja tossed the parchment onto the table and leaned against the edge of a chair. "Let's just iv'e been following one of the mercenaries employed by Dervain and find a small town when you follow the river and mini port heavenly guarded with unmarked crates."

"Did you see what was on these crates?" Lian asked, stepping closer.

Kaitsja shrugged. "Couldn't get that far without attract there attention. But it's something valuable or dangerous."

Juhtmed thinking at Kaitsja word. "This port town… is it within Dervain's jurisdiction?"

"I don't think so," Kaitsja said. "On my way i recheck the map of the estates and this town and port wasn't on and the only port know in the Empire is sited in Caleora estate."

Juhtmed's eyes narrowed. "Mercenaries employed by Dervain and an unknown port..."

"What are they preparing and what is Dervain role?" Lian added.

"We need to investigate. If we can track the provenance of these crates, we might discover who is supporting Rovan." Juhtmed said.

"Sounds like a field trip," Kaitsja said with a smirk.

Juhtmed respond. "Not yet. I need first to unsure Lord Dervain. is not aware of these shipments. If he's not, then we know someone is operating under his radae."

"Confronting him directly is risky," Lian said, her voice cautious. "He might be involved and feels threatened, he might lash out—or warn Rovan."

"Its a risk i should take," Juhtmed replied. "I'll meet with him privately tomorrow. Meanwhile, I want you two to ensure the security of Ronin If things go south, he might be a target too."

Kaitsja stretched and cracked his knuckles. "Guess I'll start sharpening my blade."

"I count on you two," Juhtmed said.