Chapter 199 - : The Crime

I absentmindedly walk through the hallways of our building. My mind keeps wandering on what Leander said to me earlier.

"The reason why Prince Fraser beat that guy up is because of you, Lady Csille."

"Professor Foulqueret tried to stop him, but Prince Fraser was so livid that he couldn't see reasons."

"He keeps saying, 'How dare you insult Csille like that? Take it back, you asshole!'."

"You should check on him, Lady Csille. Prince Fraser is in a serious situation right now. Harming someone in Alderrdeen is a great crime, and with the wounds the victim got, I'm afraid it will be difficult for Prince Fraser to clear his name. Even Sir Farren doesn't know what to do."

Check on him? How can I check on him? I heard from Leander that Prince Fraser was confined after the incident. 

What can I do? I am still a student and don't hold much power in Alderrdeen. Even if I am the only heir of the Lauretré family, I don't think they will let Prince Fraser off just because of my family. 

I was too busy thinking about what to do when I heard a hoarse voice call me. I look back and see Rufus with a grave expression. He looks like he is experiencing an existential crisis. 

"Purplany."

I immediately ran towards him and hugged him. I can hear the pain in his voice. Even though he doesn't show it most of the time. I know that Rufus loves his cousin. 

"That idiot. Why did he do that? He could have just let me do it. At least if I was the one who did it, it is still okay since I'm not the Crown Prince of the Vrawyth Kingdom. What will happen now if the Vrawyth people know what happened?"

I slap his back. "Rufus! What are you saying? We're already in this situation, and you still think about that?" 

Rufus didn't say something and just hugged me tighter like a child who was afraid of something. 

The punishment for Prince Fraser's action might be severe, and if the worst comes to worst, Prince Fraser might lose his crown. 

Although Alderrdeen doesn't have a say on Vrawyth's rule, it can still affect Prince Fraser's ascension to becoming the King of the Vrawyth Kingdom. If the Vrawyth people know about what happened, I'm sure they will doubt Prince Fraser.

Someone who can't control his anger and lash out at other people like what he did will not be accepted by the Vrawyth people. Ever since the start of the Kingdom, the Vrawyth people are always particular with their Rulers. 

A Ruler should be wise and kind hearted. Someone who knows when and when not to use his mind and his heart. A person who knows to balance both. It means they cannot accept behavior like this.

Rufus breaks from our hug and drags me somewhere.

"Hey! Where are we going?"

Rufus stops and looks back at me. "I need you to help me solve this."

________________________________

I didn't know the solution he was talking about was having a conversation with the Principal of the Alderrdeen School of Knowledge.

The two of us give respect to the Principal. The Principal nods his head. "Lady Csille Lauretré. Prince Rufus Astalieu. May I know the reason for your presence here?"

I anxiously grip my skirt. Principal Germund Forneyg. They said that in this City, Principal Germund holds the highest power. It is because the Alderrdeen School of Knowledge is the reason why this Alderrdeen was recognized to be on par with Illorian City.

I never expect Rufus to drag me here. Principal Germund is known for being strict with Rules. Even if Prince Fraser is the Crown Prince of the Vrawyth Kingdom, he will still put him in a fair judgment. If Prince Fraser were proven that he hurt someone in Alderrdeen, it would become detrimental for Prince Fraser and the Vrawyth Kingdom.

It will also affect the novel. If that happens, I'm afraid I cannot do anything to save this world. It also means that I will be forever stuck in Kosmo.

I feel a shiver in my spine.

No matter what. I cannot let anything happen to Prince Fraser.

Rufus bows his head. "Principal Germund, I am here to plead for my cousin. Prince Fraser Astalieu is not the type of person who does such a rash thing. I plead you to let Prince Fraser explain his side too."

I take a deep breath and kneel on the carpeted floor. Rufus is still a royalty, so even if he wants to kneel for Prince Fraser's safety, he knows he cannot do it or else it will be an insult to the Astalieu family. 

Although, Csille came from a noble family, it is still nothing in the eye of Principal Germund. Even the Rulers of the Kingdoms respect him. His position is the same as the position of Ruler Laird.

"Principal Germund, this Count's daughter pleads for Prince Fraser's safety too. I hope you can reconsider."

Confinement of Prince Fraser is a sign that he is now considered guilty of his crimes. If in the real world, the accused will remain innocent until proven guilty. In Alderrdeen City, it's the opposite. Prince Fraser will remain guilty not until he proves that he is not guilty. 

So it will become really difficult for us to convince the Principal with our plead. However, even though we know this fact, we still take our shot. It's the only thing we can do.

Principal Germund sighed. "Lady Csille. Prince Rufus. You both know that my hands are tied with the laws. I cannot bend it, or else people will question me. The only thing I can do is to keep this incident inside the walls of the Alderrdeen School of Knowledge. I already informed all the Professors to warn each student not to spread the news or else they will get kicked out of the school."

Rufus and I look at each other and sigh. Although this is not what we are expecting to hear. This is still better than nothing. 

But we know this solution is temporary only. Once the victim wakes up and proves that this incident was caused by Prince Fraser, Principal Germund won't have any other choice but to give this case to the persecution department. If that happens, the news cannot be confined anymore. It will be too late for Prince Fraser.

"Lady Csille. Prince Rufus. Please stand up. I am also worried about Prince Fraser. I know how this will implicate not just the Vrawyth Kingdom but also the Alderrdeen City. So, I will try my best to solve this in a more peaceful manner. For now, I want the two of you to rest now and let us handle the matter."

Rufus and I excuse ourselves after. Although Principal Germund's words were really appeasing, they didn't work on us. We know what will happen after. 

With how that student injuries? I'm afraid Principal Germund cannot do anything with it anymore. 

What can we do to turn the tables now?

Rufus and I walked absentmindedly. We were both worried about Prince Fraser. If he faced a trial, it would be the end for his right to the throne. If that happens. 

I take a glance at Rufus. 

Rufus will be the next rightful heir. 

Rufus probably sensed that I was staring at him. He sighs and knocks my head. "I know what you are thinking, purplany. I don't have any plan of taking the throne from my cousin. He is the only rightful heir for the Vrawyth Kingdom. So you can rest assured. Also, I will do everything to save Prince Fraser. We cannot let anything happen to him no matter what."

I look at Rufus and sigh. I feel the same way too. However, what can we do now? Although I am the Count's daughter, my father's title is nothing in Alderrdeen's Ruler. 

Rufus? Although he is the Duke's son, his power is comparable to mine. 

So, what can we do to save Prince Fraser?

________________________________

I didn't get enough sleep last night because my mind keeps thinking of a solution to Prince Fraser's situation. However, even after thinking about a solution for the whole day, I end up with nothing. 

I am now walking mindlessly that I didn't realize I was already inside the Professors' building. When I awakened my senses, I heard someone calls my name. I look back and see Professor Foulqueret.

Tears started to form in my eyes. All the frustration I kept inside me yesterday exploded. Professor Foulqueret takes off his coat and puts it on my head. It is to cover my tears, so no one will know I was crying.

He then leads me into his own office. He let me sit on one of the chairs while he sat in front of me. I kept my head down and tried my best to muffled my sobs, but the emotions were too much for me to take. I end up sobbing loudly. 

Brother Ernest let me cry until I got tired. He then gave me a handkerchief to wipe my tears. 

"I heard what happened to Prince Fraser. You shouldn't worry. I was there when that happened. I can testify for him. Also, that student was very rude to you. I cannot let it pass. I will definitely make sure that he will get expelled from this school, Csille. I will do my best to help you. If the worst comes to worst, I will let my Father come in to help us. Although Father doesn't have political power in Alderrdeen, he is still the wealthiest in this City. If he withdraws from helping the City, it will be difficult for Alderrdeen to maintain its reputation. I'm sure they will think twice if they want to prosecute Prince Fraser."

I feel touched by Brother Ernest's words. However, if they step up, the Foulqueret family will be put in a difficult position. 

Threatening the Ruler of the Alderrdeen City? It will destroy their family, and I don't want that to happen. Although I am grateful for their offer, I won't sacrifice my maternal's family.

I smile at Brother Ernest, and I shake my head. "I appreciate your offer, Brother, but I don't want you to get involved with this. It will be harmful to the Foulqueret family if you help us. I know you're worried, but I don't want you to risk your own safety just for mine. If anything else, I will just ask help from my Father."

Brother Ernest looks at me and sighs. "I knew you won't agree. It's a good thing I stop my parents from having a conversation with Principal Germund."

My eyes widened when I heard what he said. Aunt Aveline and Uncle Faramond want to have a conversation with Principal Germund? 

I look at Brother Ernest. Horrified by what I heard. 

He just shakes his head and gently messes my hair. "You shouldn't worry. I already convinced them not to get involved because I know you won't like that. However, Csille, you must remember that we are your family. We will do our best to help you as much as we can. So, please don't hesitate to call us if it's goes out of hand."

I look at Brother Ernest and smile at him. 

I'm really thankful I had them. Really thankful.

________________________________

I look at Rufus, who is sitting in front of me, and sigh. We have already agreed to meet here to talk about what we will do next. But it's been a few minutes that have passed. No one has still said a word.

I just finished talking with Brother Ernest. I immediately rush here to talk to Rufus. However, it looks like, just like me, he doesn't know what to do.

Rufus sighed and pulled his hair. "What are we going to do now. I checked on the victim, and Leander said he is still unconscious. It will still probably takes some time for him to wake up. However, Principal Germund already informed his parents, and they are now on their way to Alderrdeen. It would become disastrous for us if they arrived here. He is, after all, from a noble family of Ouqeaseon Kingdom. They will use this to go against us and to pull Prince Fraser down."

The Ouqeaseon Kingdom. The ally of the Aeslaerean Kingdom.

"If Prince Fraser was convicted with a crime. It will weaken the power of the Vrawyth Kingdom. If that happens, the three Kingdoms, Aeslaerean, Ouqeaseon, and Stozeterra, will go against the Vrawyth Kingdom."

If that happens....