CH 97

“I know very well the professor of integrity who won’t deceive anyone and don’t change their words once spoken.”

“…”

“Of course, there are professors in the Peschte Empire who also held the position of the imperial doctor, so it wouldn’t be a big problem if the imperial doctor didn’t intervene.”

For three days, Charelize never played or ate. But she didn’t make it noticeable that her condition was like that.

In the case the situation turned against her, she prepared to bring out the information about Crown Princess Elizabeth. And through Arensis, she hoped that Royal Princess Casilla would cooperate. As a result, now in Charelize’s hand was Royal Princess Casilla’s reply that she would be willing to help. If there was one thing that had changed, it was that nothing was working against her in her current situation.

The nobles gathered at the trial were afraid of going against the will of Harbert IV. They were more anxious about him rather than being out of Charelize’s favor, so they all agreed to proceed with the investigation once Lillian woke up.  But when the nobles all defended Charelize, Harbert IV, who was unable to push it forward, officially stopped the investigation.

In addition to that, at the request of Charelize, Anasha was able to return to her home. Thanks to her testimony, Charelize had the opportunity to present this, so it was not fair if she continued being detained in Helsen Prison, which would have made her look like a criminal.

* * *

Duke Marsetta, who kept Lillian in his bedroom, didn’t take any action. But he didn’t go to see her. He remained still even when he received a report that Lillian had woken up.

Eventually, Charelize went to his bedroom and heard Lillian’s condition. “Didn’t you say it was hard for her to stay alive? What happened?”

“When she was poisoned, it seems that she also took the antidote. Since the antidote didn’t dissolve in her body, it was impossible to find it, so I initially made that diagnosis… She’s much better now.”

“I get it. You can leave now.”

With his head slightly lowered, the doctor closed the door and left. Charelize then moved closer to Lillian.

“What a fool. If you had held your breath and stayed still, you could have lived your life comfortably in front of you.”

Of course, Charelize did not intend to make the rest of Lillian’s life comfortable. Charelize said the words she didn’t mean, just to exaggerate how pitiful the outcome of Lillian’s choice was.

“Even if it’s your own play, His Grace, who asked me to overlook it once because he will teach you well, didn’t even enter this room once he realized that you weren’t his biological daughter. He even got a report that you were awake. His Grace was always that kind of person, so don’t be disappointed; it wasn’t something new.”

“…”

“An antidote that worked late… was it given by Iris?”

Lillian didn’t answer. She just turned her head and seemed to be crying in silence.

“Now it doesn’t matter at all… You will be held accountable for impersonating Princess Penelope and imprisoned in Astan. Be grateful to your biological father. Because of his blood, you were spared from the death penalty.”

Astan. It was a place to confine the children of nobles who had committed crimes. It was ambiguous to say it was a prison, but your freedom was controlled there. You could be released after paying a huge amount of bail, but they were mostly released after only a few days in that place.

But Duke Marsetta, who discovered Lillian wasn’t his biological daughter, would never help her. Furthermore, since the crime of impersonating the imperial family wasn’t taken lightly, Lillian would surely live a hard life.

“Don’t think this will be the end. Isn’t this literally the price of impersonating Princess Penelope? The charges of accusing me of poisoning you will be paid separately.”

“…”

“In addition, your trial will be held in Kingdom Luang. If things go well, you will become a pitiful person and receive sympathy. However, if things go against you… you should engrave in your mind the possibility of facing such consequences.”

“What… did I do so wrong?”

“You still don’t know?”

“Yes, I don’t know. I really don’t know. From the beginning, you belittled me by calling me an illegitimate child. You made it clear that I could never come close to you and that I was unworthy. So I tried to find a way to live on my own, to make an effort to survive… Why does that become a sin? If only you could treat me a little more kindly… then…”

Lillian covered her face with her hands and let out tears she was holding back.

“Well, I’ll have to ask you, Lillian. No matter how well I treated you and gave you a chance, didn’t you feel unsatisfied and want to take my place?”

“When did I do that! You never gave me a chance. Why are you doing this only to me? You even went so far as to give the second surname to your exclusive servant…”

“I’ve been given so many chances. Yes, at that time… your existence as a younger sister wasn’t that bad.”

“…You’ve never done that, but you’re trying to wrap it up nicely and accuse me as a bad person until the end… How can you be so brazen saying that you gave me a chance? Crazy. You must be crazy!”

Charelize obviously did that. At first, she was deliberately nice to Lillian in order to attract the attention of Duke Marsetta one more time. Living with Lillian made her reconsider it again. She wondered what’s the use now, but Lillian was lovely back then.

“Didn’t I tell you? I will never let you die comfortably. I’ll follow you to the end and somehow ruin your life. Just like you did to me. I’m giving back the same, so I hope you don’t feel too unfair.”

“…”

“Lilian, I’ll see you soon. This is just the beginning.”

It would be unfair and resentful, but Charelize couldn’t help it. It was the karma Lillian deserved.

* * *

After somewhat recovering, Lillian left for Astan. On her way out, Lillian protested bitterly, saying she would never give up like this. It was so ridiculous that Charelize almost laughed.

When she asked what she could do now that she wasn’t loved by Duke Marsetta anymore, there was no answer. It was more appropriate to say that Lillian couldn’t answer it. As Charelize said, Lillian had nothing left.

“Little Duchess!”

“…Chenia?”

As Charlize was about to go up, Chenia jumped out of nowhere and knelt down.

“I have sinned to death. Please forgive me just once.”

“I’m glad you know. I don’t have to bother reciting your crimes.”

“Your Highness! You know I couldn’t help it, right… As the princess told me to… I just…”

“How shameless of you to sell the information of Duke Marsetta.”

“Y-Your Highness, that’s…”

“Baron Ite has a pregnant wife. So I didn’t bring him to trial because of my consideration for his contribution, but… Chenia. You don’t even have any children or made any particular contribution, so what should I do about it?”

Chenia begged, banging her forehead on the floor as her tears poured out. “I-I was wrong. Never… I won’t do that again…”

“You’re not very helpful enough to give you a chance.”

“Little Duchess…”

“Chenia, raise your head.”

“…Yes?”

“I will spare your life. Instead, on the day Lillian returns from Astan… say that under Lillian’s order, you stole the key to the tea leaf storage box.”

Chenia, who had looked at Charelize, lowered her gaze again in fear of her. “T-thank you…. for sparing my life.”

Even long after Charelize had left that place, Chenia’s body kept trembling for quite some time.

* * *

Returning to her office, Charelize and Arensis discussed the professor that should be brought from the Rosielt Academy.

“How’s Professor Jeryl, Lize?”

“Great, the other two…”

While answering, Charelize frowned because she thought she had forgotten something.

“Lize? What’s wrong?”

Arensis looked worried at the serious look of Charelize

“Lize?”

She soon realized it was about Ezela, the apprentice maid of Crown Princess Elizabeth.

“Urgh… do you remember Ezela?”

“Are you talking about the woman who came last time?”

“Since she had been kicked out from Baron Cliff, if the emperor finds out that Ezela has suffered from Liref, I can’t guarantee her safety.”

“Yes.”

“There are a lot of eyes watching the Marsetta Duchy right now, so I can’t keep her here, and even if I do, I don’t know where she is…” Charelize blurted the end of her speech as if she was in trouble.

“Don’t worry. It’s not hard to find Ezela if you ask Shishi.”

“…Your Royal Highness, I’m grateful that you conveyed my words to Royal Princess Casilla, and this time… I apologize for causing you so much trouble.”

“For me… it’s natural to help you.”

Since they decided to change how to call each other, Arensis causally used unfamiliar terms without concern. Her eyes would narrow at those times, and she couldn’t say anything. Indeed, being with Arensis weakened her resolve strangely. If the vassals who followed Charelize saw her being like that, they would be terrified to the point of running away.

“…Can you find Ezela and keep her safe?”

This time, Charelize didn’t say much, only averting her gaze.

“If that’s what you want.” Arensis followed Charelize and met her eyes as he answered.

“Ah. Since Ezela doesn’t know the Royal Prince… she might be suspicious of you. The possibility that she will be found by the emperor while running away can’t be left out…”

After Charelize thought momentarily, she opened the jewelry box and took out the emerald earrings. It was a memento of Empress Roxana and Crown Princess Elizabeth. When the spy broke in, she also used it to find out that the servants who opened the door to the spy were Mari and Kanna.

“Show this to Ezela. Since it’s the memento of Crown Princess Elizabeth, she will recognize it at a glance.”

“Do you have anything else to say?”

“Please let her know that if there’s a meeting soon, she may be invited to attend as a witness.”

“Yes, Lize.”

Someone knocked on the door. Charelize was nervous, but soon she heard a familiar voice.

“Your Highness.”

“Hailey, what’s going on?”

“Empress Lireet has sent an invitation to see you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow…?”

“She says there’s a business that needs to be done with Your Highness.”

Charelize sighed and ordered a reply to be sent.

In the current situation, Charelize should be careful about her behavior. They would only be talking, but she couldn’t help being bothered by it as Empress Lireet wanted to meet her.

* * *

It was the next afternoon. Charelize arrived at Elac Palace, where Empress Lireet lived.

“Greetings to Your Majesty. I heard that you were looking for me.”

“It’s nothing serious, so don’t be too nervous. I called you because I wanted to discuss the sponsorship project.”

This time, Empress Lireet, who brought the tea herself, smiled softly.

“Your Majesty the Empress…?”

Charelize was puzzled by Empress Lireet, who suddenly took up the sponsorship project. It was a moment when she was a little perplexed.

“Countess Nosen. Did you say you saw your granddaughter two days ago?”

“Ah, my granddaughter… I was just saying it briefly, but Your Majesty remembered… Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Have you decided on a name for the child?”

“It’s Clara Sia de Elen.”

“I hope she becomes a child who can share with others as much of the love she received like her name.”

“I’m flattered.”

To Countess Nosen, who served the refreshments, Empress Lireet congratulated her.

“You can just bring the sponsorship contract, and then you’re free to leave. Your granddaughter must be waiting for you. I prefer to keep this sponsorship project confidential without anyone knowing about it, just like my daily life. Could you please tell everyone to leave for the day?”

“Still… it would be inconvenient if there were no servants…”

“I don’t have much work to do after this.”

“Really… are you sure about it, Your Majesty?”

“If there’s a rumor, it will be noisy before it even starts. I want to keep this sponsorship secret so that only a few people know about it.”