"What the hell...?! Arlert, how the hell do you know who I am?!
I didn't expect him to understand right away. With all that's happened, I doubted he would. And I was correct; he stood before me, in all his wicked glory, confused and enraged at hearing his true title. How could he comprehend the fact that his identity was no secret to me? How could he, or anyone, expect me to have forgotten how his mother and father held the same dastardly problem that, eventually, let to a downfall of the manorial system?
And yet here he was, surprised at the mere fact. I couldn't help but wonder what it was he took me for, and it had better not have been a fool.
"It doesn't take a thousand men to figure out, your highness. Oh, but who am I to speak this way? Two and a half months passed before I fully realized just who you were, what identity the "supernatural killer" held. Did you not recall, this entire time, that your parents are what your condition came from? Yes, whom they received it from was, and always will be, a mystery. But surely you didn't think I, of all people, wouldn't notice the genetic chain at work?"
It was then his rage and confusion were replaced with a genuine look of shock. It wasn't a look that often showed itself on the prince's face, as he was usually a calm and collected authority figure, to my knowledge. I tapped my fingers on the wooden desk I sat at, while he processed what information I had given him. After a minute of thought, he spoke somewhat calmly. However, his demonic voice unsettled me slightly.
"Alright... I understand now. I suppose you're right. Considering we kept my parent's identities a secret, it's no wonder the public didn't have a clue when I emerged as a... a killer. Frankly, I'm a bit ashamed of my surprise in learning you knew. You're the smartest person I've ever known."
My lips curled upward a bit at the compliment, but I didn't let it go to my head. I knew there were still things to be discussed, things to be done about what has happened to this place.
"Thank you, your highness. However, there is still the matter at hand. You, in this state, have become a cold-blooded killer. You have murdered and devoured countless people across multiple villages. As your secretary, I have at least some right to convict you for your crimes. This should come as no surprise to you. It should also not surprise you to hear that you will be judged for said crimes as an average citizen rather than a royal figure, just as your parents were."
His face fell, as I expected it to. However, I did somewhat believe he would have come to foresee this. I suppose even I can be wrong about a few things. I would have continued, seeing as there was still more to explain, but the prince had come up to me and covered my mouth with his hand. He hissed at me when I attempted to remove his hand and question him. His voice was barely above a whisper.
"Be quiet!"
In fear of what would happen if I didn't obey, I heeded his orders. He didn't move his hand for quite some time. To my surprise, however, I heard two pairs of frantic footsteps running down the hall in this direction, and I then understood why I was told to quiet myself. A minute or so after the footsteps had passed the door, he removed his hand and stepped back, explaining himself before I had the chance to ask him to.
"I brought my servant back here... Levi Ackerman. I coaxed him here. He thinks I, as the killer, has the prince in captivity. He has yet to realize just who I am. He also made friends with a fox-girl while he had been gone, and she's accompanying him. I planned on playing a small game with him before revealing myself, but I don't know if I'm going to execute this plan. If I do, would you mind having the staff that's here playing along? I don't want one of them to accidentally slip up and fuck everything up."
It was an offer I had to think about. Or, was it even classified as an offer? In all honesty, it didn't seem like that at all, but I couldn't properly assess what it really was. What I also couldn't seem to comprehend as the reason. Of course, I can see why he would want to delay the revealing of his true identity, but why would he go about it by toying with his subjects? But I was in no place to ask.
"I... I suppose I can make that happen. But how am I supposed to contact all of the manorial staff without being seen?"
He thought a moment, and then a sly smirk formed on his lips. It was a look that screamed, 'I have an idea, but you might not like it that much.' He snickered, his demented voice once again catching me off-guard, and leaned over on the table. I reflexively jerked back a bit.
"Arlert... There's something I've been keeping a secret from everyone in the manor, and now it can serve the perfect purpose. And to think it's hidden in your office! How convenient! Please, do me the favor of taking out the loosened wood panel on the floor."
Pointing to the object in question, his smirk only grew wider. As I looked, it worried me to realize that I had, indeed, never noticed the panel was loose. The fact that it was near one of the walls helped my ignorance. Hesitantly, I stood and approached the panel. I eyed it for a moment before kneeling down and removing it.
To my surprise, there was something embedded in the ground. What look like a small speaker, two dials, and a button stood out before me, and I couldn't immediately identify the piece of technology. I gasped when I realized what it was. I quickly turned my head to look at the prince.
"An intercom! When was this installed?! And how come nobody seemed to notice?!"
"Exactly," He started as he walked over to me. "I wondered the same thing. I thought to myself, 'How come nobody is noticing this thing?' But I'm certainly glad they didn't! Now, I will admit, the placement is rather... undignified, to say the least. Making people bend down to their knees... On one hand, it makes those seem they are bendable to people's will, but on the other, isn't it fun for others to dominate people?"
I felt a little concerned over his word choice, but he continued nevertheless.
"But enough about that. I have another question. Other than Ms. Zoe, who guided me here, are you the only one who knows my identity?"
I shook my head and responded, "No, everyone knows. I briefed everyone a while back, when I first figured it out. They all believed Ms. Zoe was to be arrested for harboring a criminal. Namely, Sir Ackerman. Unfortunately, what with their past, she would have been killed had I not intervened. You and I know well that she would take him in no matter what he was accused of."
He shook his head, as if recalling what had happened. I wondered if he really did know, considering he was so young at the time. But I said nothing, as to allow him time to give me orders.
"Alright, that makes this easier. They all know that Levi's not guilty, so naturally if someone said something about him being the killer, they would know something isn't right. Now, unfortunately, I can't say anything, because that would mean the killer would know about something in the manor. That can't happen, and so that's where you come in. We have to make this as realistic as possible. You understand, don't you?"
The words came so fast, I had a hard time comprehending just what my job was. I looked up at him and gave a small "No" in response. He merely sighed and spoke more, as if I hadn't said I didn't understand a word he was trying to say.
"Let's say it was you that knew of the intercom rather than I. Then what would happen if I wasn't also the prince? I'd barge in here, hold you hostage, and command you to turn on the intercom and do whatever I say. Naturally, someone like that wouldn't have taken the time to learn how it works. You'd then be forced to tell the staff to stand down, correct? That's what you need to do for me. Levi needs to think there are still people in danger, and the staff needs to know not to interfere in my game with Levi. We can kill two birds with one stone this way."
Slowly, I understood what was required of me. It seemed plausible; if I were to act as a hostage, Sir Ackerman would think I was really in danger, because he doesn't know that the killer is also the prince. The staff have likely already been told by Ms. Zoe that his majesty was here, so that way, they wouldn't fall for the trick. I gave a small nod to signify this.
"Good. Now, to use it, hold the small round button. Afterwards, speak into the speaker. Your voice will be heard around the entire manor. Since there are no other modules like this, there's no possible way for anyone to respond. Be warned, I will be constricting your breathing slightly. I'm not having Levi see around this. Speak as if your life were in danger. I'll tell you what to say, just like the real thing. Are you ready?"
"Yes, I'm prepared," I said, more so to myself than the prince. He lightly curled his arm around my neck from behind, and my finger hovered over the button.
'We only have one shot.'
~~~~~~~
[A/N] Is it unrealistic to have intercoms in this time period? I have no idea, don't judge my ignorance and idiocy please-