CH 16

The more I think about it, the more it’s too much. I knew that Siani had been broken up by the grand prince. But I didn’t know that the duke didn’t take any action. Her memories were recalled in my head.

<You’re a disgrace to our family. Don’t do anything and hide quietly.>

<Yes.>

<Looks like you have no excuses.>

<Why should I make excuses? What did I do wrong?>

“Ah.”

I felt a headache for a moment. Something came up, but no tears came out.

“Is she tough or foolish?”

I looked at Siani in the mirror. A gorgeous woman with red eyes and golden hair was reflected.

“Princess, did you call for me?”

At that time, the butler, Loid, entered with a knock.

“Did Father come home?”

“Ah, yes. He just returned home. Even if you didn’t call, as soon as he came, he was urgently looking for Princess.”

“Me?”

“Yes. From what I heard at first glance, it seemed that the imperial family had sent a letter for Princess.”

Even Loid tilted his head as if the news was hard to believe.

Letter? From the imperial family? It wouldn’t make any ruckus if they sent invitations to the ball or festival season, but it’s a letter.

“You must have heard it wrong.”

“Let’s go down for now.”

“Yes.”

I got up from my seat and took the ointment I had prepared.

Good, let me show you how that jerk handled this Felicite Duchy.

* * *

It was late at night, but the interior of the basement was still. How long had it been since he had such a quiet and peaceful night? Instead, he could hear the constant chatter of the trainers. Redian knew that it was all about Siani.

“…”

He stared at the candy that Siani had left for him. From the beginning until now, his thoughts on that woman haven’t changed. She’s just one of those arrogant nobles… Even if she made a fuss like that, she would disappear if she lost her interest. He thought it was neither worth caring about or dealing with.

This candy.

It was undeniable that her presence was growing. There was an unknown tension in the basement, centered around that woman. What is her intention? Moreover, when those red eyes were smiling…

“Crazy.”

Redian frowned. It was because he felt a strange sensation as if a fire had touched him.

“It’s annoying.”

The whole thing was weird. When he lost consciousness, he could only hear her voice clearly. Did she mix something with the candy she gave me? She could also have been poisoning him with a strange drug.

It could also have been poisoning yourself with strange drugs.

“Sleep well today too, Redian.”

Redian tried to crush the candy by stepping on it but hesitated. That woman’s voice came to his mind again and again! It felt like the side of his ear was tingling.

What’s the point of doing this? He couldn’t throw away those three little candies in his hand. But he couldn’t swallow them. Because it was clear the candies were drugged. Otherwise…

In the end, Redian roughly threw the candies at his bedside. The sweet smell would linger all night, but it couldn’t be helped.

She’ll come again.  

He had to ask if she really put drugs on those.

* * *

“Your Grace, what is this?”

“I was surprised to hear the news.”

The vassals gathered at the long table were buzzing.

“Don’t make a fuss. The reason why I called you quietly is to prevent this from spreading to the outside world,” said the duke firmly. He didn’t even tell the butler, fearing that the word might spread.

“Oh my gosh.”

Countless eyes were on a letter on the table. The glittering seal of the Rixon family was showing off its prowess. By all accounts, the sender was the emperor, and the receiver was Felicite. Moreover, it was addressed for Siani Felicite!

“Why did His Majesty send a letter to the princess?”

“Even the noble lords have never received a letter from His Majesty unless it’s an urgent matter.”

It was unprecedented. When and how did the contact between the emperor and Siani come about?

“Did the princess cause any trouble again, Your Excellency?”

Then one of the vassals carefully opened his mouth.

“Otherwise, how could His Majesty have sent a letter?”

“That’s possible.”

“It must be a bad thing.”

The murmur of the vassals was gradually getting louder.

“It’s something we don’t know yet.”

Irik, who was watching the scene, opened his mouth. “I don’t know where my older sister heard the strange rumors, but there were times when she carelessly talked about the imperial family…”

“Rumors? About the imperial family?”

Irik, who had blurred the end of his words, looked at the duke sitting in the upper seat. The duke must have remembered what Siani said at the dinner the other day. If it had been a usual duke, he would have ignored words of unknown origin. However, when he heard that he had willingly purchased the Belleng District for Siani’s sake… I knew it would end up in a big accident from when she brought it up.

Irik only smiled. It was a good opportunity to humiliate Siani in front of the duke and his vassals.

“What did the princess say about the imperial family?”

“Where did she hear about the imperial business—”

“Irik, Siani is definitely your older sister. Be careful what you say at times like this.” The duke cut him off.

“Ah… yes. I was reckless.”

In the end, I’m still an adopted child. Irik bit his lips. His vision blurred when he realized that the duke held Siani in higher regard than him.

“I finally found you, Father.”

It was then. Following the knock, the door opened, and Siani came in.

* * *

What is this? When I opened the door, I was taken aback by the unfolding sight. Dozens of eyes fell on me, including the Duke and Irik.

They’re not talking all of a sudden. Silence fell, and the tables were packed. Looking at the situation, they seemed to be the main vassals of Duke Felicite.

“…”

They were staring at me.

Once I calmly walked among the vassals,

Is there something wrong?

There were thousands of scenarios in my head.

I had to guess to prepare for my words.

“Yes, Siani. Sit down.”  The duke offered me a seat. As always, his expression was indifferent and hard to read.

Let’s pull myself together. I’ve climbed the guillotine above the square, so this much was like child’s play to me.

“You seem to be in the middle of the meeting, but why did you call me…”

“Look at this, Siani.”

I reluctantly accepted something the duke gave me.

Huh?

Somehow, the heavy topic was on the letter… Looking at it from here and there, the seal of the Rixon family was stamped.

“Your Majesty sent it to you. Do you happen to know anything?”

“If anything—”

“If you have committed a crime, it would be better for you to confess right now, Princess.”

Confess? About what?

“If His Majesty had personally written a letter, it would have been a serious matter. We can take countermeasures only when Princess speaks honestly.”

“Did you insult the imperial family or spread rash rumors?”

“You shouldn’t lie in front of us.”

A lot of eyes were glaring at me. In the end, it meant, ‘What did you do wrong to be captured by the emperor’s eyes?’. Even though I didn’t commit any guilt, it felt like they accused me of committing guilt.

“Your Majesty sent it to you, so we couldn’t open it.”

The duke opened his mouth. “If you know about it, you’d better tell me now.”

“That word…”

Looking at the letter without saying anything, I asked the duke. “Does Father also agree with the opinions of your vassals?”

“…”

“That I have committed a serious crime and been accused by His Majesty.”

The duke, who seemed to be taken aback by my ‘provoking guilt,’ pressed his forehead and said, “It’s not an ordinary matter.”

It was an ambiguous answer.

“Once you open the letter, you’ll see.”

I ripped off the seal as soon as the duke’s words were over. “If I have done anything wrong, I will take responsibility for Felicite’s name and give up my life.”

“Siani.”

I couldn’t guarantee what would be in this letter. He must have sent it for a reason. As for the worst… the imperial wizards might have read that my soul came from another world.

“But if it is not like that.”

I looked at each of the vassals who glared at me. “You will have to take responsibility for insulting me carelessly.”

The eyes of the vassals flinched at my determined tone.

I opened the letter as it was.

“Ah…”

As soon as I checked the contents, I bit my lips. It can’t be, it can’t be!

“L-look at this, Your Grace. Surely the Princess committed a serious crime.”

“What happened! We need to take action right away.”

“How long are you going to tarnish the reputation of the Felicite family by annulling your engagement, Princess!”

The vassals who noticed my expression made a fuss.

“Be quiet.”

On the other hand, the duke asked in a calm but overbearing voice. “What is it talking about, Siani?”

“Oh my gosh, His Majesty…”

I couldn’t hold it any longer, suppressing making smug expressions on my face. So I spread out the emperor’s letter for everyone to see.

[I’m very interested in the land bought by Princess. I’ll see you at Ash Benio’s welcoming ceremony. Let’s have a close conversation, Landlord.]

“W-what is this?”

“Huuh?”

“Not too long ago, I suggested buying the Belleng District.”

After checking the contents with their eyes, they opened their mouths in a hurry.

“It seems that His Majesty is also interested in that land.”

As expected… I won this game too.