23 - The Brave, Princess Wakama's Lies

In the forest, I met a princess [Sakura] from a neighboring country and her attendant [Harutora].

After that, we were visiting the royal capital in the same carriage.

"What, you're going to attend the evening party too?"

"Yeah, what a coincidence."

Sakura is a princess, though.

It's no wonder she's invited to places where the nobility gather.

Are you a nobleman too?

"Yes. Julius von Carlisle."

Sakura's eyes roll up into a big ball.

"So you're the eldest son of the Duke of Carlisle. I was so surprised to see that you're not at all like the rumors.

"What's the rumor?"

"Don't worry about it. Besides, rumors are not always true. He's such a handsome, dependable, and wonderful man in person.

After a while.

We arrived at the castle.

After depositing our luggage at the entrance, Sakura and I walked to the venue of the evening party.

Many nobles were gathered around, chatting and laughing.

There were tables here and there with delicious-looking food on them.

"...... Look, it's the Abomination of Carlisle."

"...... really, it's rare."

The nobles are whispering about something with me at their side.

"Come on, let's go out for a handsome meal!"

"Oh, yeah. I'm hungry too.

Sakura and I were about to go out for a party meal when...

"Julius!　Sir Julius von Carlisle!"

"Who is it?"

A man with a beard approached me at a brisk pace.

He stands in front of me, huffing and puffing.

"Julius!　On this occasion, my daughter has been disrespectful!　I am very sorry!"

The old man, whom I did not know, bowed to me several times.

"But thank you!　Thank you from the bottom of my heart for forgiving my daughter's infidelity."

"What are you talking about?"

We weren't talking to each other.

"Julius!　And your father!

Historia approaches us with a pale face.

Oh, your father means that he's the king...?

"No way! ...... Why are you still alive? Because I hired the best bandits ......."

Muttering something or other, Historia.

"...... my daughter, what do you mean?"

The king asks in a gruff voice.

"Hire bandits?　Why on earth would you do that?"

"Well, that's ......."

Historia's complexion had gone completely white.

"My daughter, you have said it. You have fallen on your knees and apologized to Julius and made peace with him. He told you that he would cancel the engagement.

"What, I didn't say that?"

Historia clutches at me with a desperate look.

"Julius!　I'm sorry!　Let's start over with me again!

"What?　No."

"Oh, no!　Please!　Please!"

"Historiaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

The king raised his voice and struck his daughter as hard as he could on the cheek.

"You!　Not only did you lie, but you tried to destroy the evidence and tried to kill Julius, didn't you?

The nobles gather in the vicinity.

"...... No way! Princess Historia?"

"...... attempted murder?"

"...... Wow."

The king and the nobles look at Historia with white eyes.

"No, no, no, ...... this is not ...... right."

A timid Historian mumbles.

"Guards!　Seize this criminal and throw him in jail!"

The guards gather at the king's command.

She nods weakly and is taken away quietly.

"Julius, I need to talk to you about this. I would like to ask you to go to the other room right now.