Chapter 7.1
Suddenly, Countess Alke clasped her hands tightly and nodded.
“Then why did you earlier—”
“The marquess cut off Countess Alke’s words.”
“What nonsense—”
“You should listen to people’s words to the end.”
“Duchess, the truth—”
“That is precisely the truth.”
I defended myself by interrupting Marquess Barnes’ words three times.
Eventually, Marquess Barnes could only fume without finishing his words. Meanwhile, Duke Colica beside him remained calm as always—truly at max level.
“However, Your Majesty. It is true that such rumors have circulated. Although Duchess Florence did not mention it directly, I have still suffered great harm from the duchess’s hints.”
“So what does Lady Barnes want to say?”
“Your Majesty. According to this Shangele patissier’s testimony, the duchess specially ordered and purchased cookies from Shangele just before the Holy Spirit Festival began.”
“So?”
“For my innocence, I humbly request that we be allowed to examine the saint’s cookies containing Acedium and the cookies the duchess purchased from Shangele.”
Melina’s intention was clear.
What Rachel received were specially made cookies from Shangele.
What this meant was—if I was the only one who specially ordered such cookies, then the cookies Rachel ate were sent by me.
But—
“However, Your Majesty. I merely purchased cookies from Shangele for personal taste. In fact, even after the Holy Spirit Festival began, I purchased ten more cases of cookies and gave them as gifts to several noble ladies here.”
“To whom?”
At the emperor’s question, I looked at Countess Alke, and I listed the names of Lady Dinance and several other nobles in turn.
“Is that true, my lady?”
“Yes, that’s correct. The duchess actually gave us gifts on the day of the tea party.”
“Hmm… How many in total?”
“Six cases, Your Majesty.”
“How many did you order from Shangele, Duchess?”
“Including what I ordered before, eleven cases.”
Melina’s eyes, which had been looking at me with doubt at my mention of purchasing additional cookies, suddenly sparkled. She immediately shouted loudly as if cornering me.
“Your Majesty! The duchess should have five cases of cookies remaining. Duchess, can you bring those remaining cookies?”
“Of course.”
I smiled brightly. I could see Melina hesitate for a moment at my smile, but she stubbornly continued.
“Your Majesty. Please bring the cookies the saint received to reveal the truth.”
Soon everyone’s gaze fixed on Rachel.
Alfred behind Rachel grimaced and tried to refuse the request.
“That won’t…”
“That’s right. High Priest, please bring those cookies.”
Just then, Rachel silenced Alfred by covering his mouth and gave a firm nod.
I smiled brightly at her.
Eventually, how much time passed? Cookies arrived from both the temple and the House of Florence.
And—
“Your Majesty, please examine the evidence. By comparing the duchess’s cookies with the cookies the saint ate—”
“They were different from the beginning.”
“…Pardon?”
“I’m saying the duchess’s cookies and the cookies with Acedium are different from each other.”
The emperor, who had been scanning the evidence, furrowed his brow deeply. He seemed quite displeased and cast an unpleasant look toward Melina.
“Lady Barnes. What is the meaning of this?”
“Th-that can’t be…”
Melina faltered at the emperor’s words. She pondered for a moment, then quickly approached the emperor.
“Y-Your Majesty. Let me personally examine the cookies—”
“What do you think? Do these look like the same cookies to you, my lady?”
Melina, who had been quickly scanning the cookies, turned pale and pressed her lips together. Her pupils were shaking as if she couldn’t believe it.
“H-how is this…”
She looked back and forth between me and Rachel blankly. Seeing this, I couldn’t help but smile.
From the beginning, when I spread the rumors, I had considered exactly three things.
First, corner Melina with rumors.
Second, let it be known that Rachel was harmed by ‘cookies’ so that Melina could use Shangele’s patissier as a witness.
Third, don’t let Melina discover that Rachel has the ability to discern truth.
As I intended, Melina was cornered and eventually tried to point to me as the culprit by presenting Shangele’s patissier as a witness.
However…
I glanced at Rachel. Surely I hadn’t coordinated with Rachel in advance when spreading the rumors.
“Y-Your Majesty, this is ridiculous. This must be the saint and the duchess conspiring together—”
“How rude, Lady Barnes! What are you saying!”
Alfred shouted loudly at Melina’s words. However, her appearance, already fallen into panic, could not be seen as normal by any measure.
Well, no matter how close we were, she ate food delivered under my name and got poisoned—she likely never imagined Rachel would take my side.
That’s why the third requirement was necessary for carrying out this entire plan. Not letting it be discovered that Rachel had the ability to discern truth.
“Th-this can’t be… Y-Your Majesty! Check if these cookies have Acedium—”
“How do you propose to check? Will you eat them yourself, my lady?”
Covering Melina’s voice as she cried out desperately like grabbing at straws, the emperor spoke coldly.
His face was completely hardened. His blazing eyes were filled with terrible anger, as if he might strike Melina at any moment.
Melina seemed frightened and stepped back.
“Really, I don’t understand the empress’s heart in wanting to make such a person crown princess.”
“Y-Your Majesty…?”
“Terribly stupid beyond measure. Caught up in delusions and pointing to Duchess Florence as the culprit.”
“I-I am…”
“Distracted by gossips’ chatter while your fiancé lies on his sickbed, doing such nonsense.”
“…!”
“Even dragging my dignity to the ground before the temple.”
The emperor was expressing his anger without hiding it.
Well, it made sense. He had hoped to use this opportunity to break the House of Florence’s power, but instead only suffered embarrassment.
“I don’t know why I was listening to such delusional nonsense. Marquess Barnes! How did you educate your daughter!”
Marquess Barnes’ face turned white. Anger appeared on his previously confident face, and soon he quickly approached Melina.
And…
Slap—
“Kyah—!”
“You stupid thing!”
Goodness.
I stepped back in surprise at Marquess Barnes’ sudden action. Even so, why hit the child? When he had been cheering along too? Where did noble dignity go?
“Your Majesty, I apologize. I taught my daughter poorly and she committed a folly before Your Majesty.”
Even at Marquess Barnes’ apology, the emperor showed no reaction. He seemed very displeased with this entire situation.
Then, in the quiet of the audience hall, Rubellian moved from where he stood and came to stand beside me.
At this, I quickly buried my face in his embrace.
“I was so frightened, Rubellian.”
My mouth is stretched too wide from trying not to laugh. Good thing Rubellian let me borrow his embrace.
At my voice, I could see the emperor clear his throat. He seemed to be choosing his words carefully, then spoke cautiously.
“Duke Florence. I have made a great mistake. I shouldn’t have listened from the time Marquess Barnes started talking nonsense.”
“Your Majesty. Marquess Barnes slandered my wife and sullied her honor. While insulting even my loyal heart that worried for His Highness lying on his sickbed, he dared try to drag the House of Florence’s honor to the ground.”
The emperor nodded with a stern face.
“Yes. The marquess dared try to sully the House of Florence’s honor. What would be good to do?”
“Your Majesty. In my opinion—”
Rubellian’s gaze turned toward Melina.
“Lady Melina Barnes, who tried to slander my wife, seems to need to leave the capital temporarily for recuperation. Until her condition stabilizes, it might be good to restrict her from entering high society. And…”
Now it was Marquess Barnes’ turn.
“Marquess Barnes, who listened to his foolish daughter’s words and insulted my wife, should have his tongue and fingers cut—”
W-wait, you’re really going to cut them? No, that’s going too far.
I was surprised and grabbed Rubellian’s sleeve tightly. No matter what, he was the head of a renowned family in the empire. Cutting fingers for pointing at me was a bit excessive.
Understanding my meaning, Rubellian concluded his words.
“—should rightfully be cut, but since the marquess was also swept up by his daughter’s words, how about he goes to recuperate together and look after his daughter’s welfare?”
The emperor seemed to ponder Rubellian’s words, then gripped the armrest of his chair tightly and spoke.
“I understand.”
“Y-Your Majesty…”
“Marquess Barnes. You dared slander Duchess Florence, damaged the duke’s honor, mocked me, and insulted the temple.”
“……”
“Therefore, you are banned from attending House of Lords meetings for one year, and Lady Melina Barnes is forbidden from entering the capital for two years.”
“Your Majesty!”
“No, Your Majesty! Please do not remove me from His Highness’s side!”
To be banned from the House of Lords despite being a marquess. How pitiful.
I shook my head looking at the two despairing father and daughter. But even so, nothing would change.
‘Still, this much is something.’
In reality, Melina had tried to kill Rachel using Acedium. Although I couldn’t reveal her crimes due to lack of evidence, from my perspective, just separating her from the crown prince’s side was sufficient.
Eventually, I smiled brightly while seeing off the two who were semi-forcibly ‘escorted’ away by knights.
What face would the crown prince make when he woke up? When he learned that his ‘favored’ fiancée had been isolated? Even if he wanted to bring her back, there would be many difficulties in being with someone who had troubled the emperor in this way.
“I regret that such a thing happened, Saint.”
Then, the emperor’s deep voice was heard from above.
Rachel gently shook her head toward the emperor.
“Not at all, Your Majesty.”
“Thank you for personally coming here.”
Perhaps realizing that she could detoxify Acedium, the emperor seemed determined to make a good impression on her, wearing a benevolent expression.
Father and son are exactly alike.
“May I make another request?”
At the emperor’s question, Rachel smiled softly as if she had expected this.
I guessed he wanted to entrust the crown prince’s treatment to her, and the emperor cleared his throat and began to speak.
“I heard the saint’s power is so remarkable. However, my son is currently lying on his sickbed. I understand you have some friendship with him…”
“Should I help heal His Highness?”
“If you could truly do so, it would be a great honor, saint.”
As soon as Rachel’s words ended, the emperor nodded as if he had been waiting. Seeing the joy spread across his face, he seemed to truly believe the saint was favorable toward the crown prince.
“Then escort the saint to the crown prince’s chambers.”
At the emperor’s command, Rachel moved and left the audience hall.
“That such a thing should happen—how shameful.”
The emperor held his forehead and muttered. Then he raised his head again and looked back and forth between me and Rubellian.
“Duke, Duchess. I was hasty in today’s matter.”
Instead of saying it was fine, I just pressed my lips together and made a wronged expression. At this, the emperor seemed to think about something, then continued.
“Since the duchess’s honor was greatly damaged due to my error, I will certainly compensate for it.”
I glanced at Rubellian. When he nodded, I bowed and paid my respects.
“I am grateful, Your Majesty.”
Finally, as the situation was resolved, the emperor and the group of nobles streamed out of the audience hall.
As I let out a long breath, Countess Alke approached me.
“Duchess Florence.”
“Oh my, Countess Alke.”
“I’m sorry.”
Her face was full of regret and guilt. I tilted my head slightly.
“For what?”
“I ended up revealing the duchess’s secret—”
“Ah—”
I smiled inwardly. Actually, thanks to her spreading my words, Melina was able to make such a show today. I was rather grateful to her.
But I couldn’t show that.
“It’s fine. I don’t mind at all.”
I gave her a bitter smile and told her it was okay. Of course, Countess Alke felt even more guilty and left the audience hall with an endlessly sorry face.
“Countess Alke owes you now.”
Rubellian murmured softly from behind. I nodded.
“I’ll have to use her often from now on. I specifically chose Countess Alke for that purpose originally.”
“Don’t you know you’re sometimes worse than I thought?”
“Compared to you, I’m an angel. No, what was that about cutting tongues and fingers? I was really shocked thinking you’d actually do it.”
I glanced at him sideways. However, Rubellian didn’t seem to care and wrapped his arm around my waist.
“Anyway, since the saint went to heal the crown prince, he’ll wake up soon.”
“That’s right. When he wakes up, his blood pressure might burst and he might go straight to his grave. Melina is on the blacklist for entering the capital, and since it was discovered that he used the House of Colica, this part needs to be resolved too.”
“Right. The crown prince will sharpen his blade again when he wakes up.”
“Do you have something in mind? You’re not just going to cause discord between them and end it there, right?”
At my question, Rubellian curved his lips upward.
“I’ll need your father a bit.”
“My father?”
Why my father?
As I tilted my head in puzzlement, Rubellian smiled meaningfully.
Could he be planning to use that deal he made with Dad when marrying me? While continuing my thoughts, I followed him out the door.
And that night after Rachel had visited, news came that the crown prince had opened his eyes.
* * *
I stood in front of the crown prince’s palace with an indifferent expression.
Even though the crown prince had awakened, it was proper etiquette as a duchess to visit, but honestly, wasn’t it too obvious what expression the crown prince would make when he saw us?
Looking up at the crown prince’s palace where tension was palpable, I grumbled softly.
“In my opinion, he’ll explode with high blood pressure as soon as he sees us and yell at us to get out.”
“You’re underestimating the crown prince too much.”
Rubellian didn’t seem to agree with my words and shook his head with a cold smile on his lips.
“He absolutely won’t do that.”
“Hmm…”
Still, his ‘favored’ fiancée was banished from the capital, and the House of Colica found out about his plans to get cozy with the saint—wouldn’t he want to kill me and Rubellian by now?
But Rubellian just smiled at me as if to reassure me.
Eventually, after passing through a long, long corridor and entering inside, we could hear the murmuring voices of nobles.
“Duke Florence.”
The knight guarding the door bowed and opened it.
Through the gap of the heavy door, the empress came into view, and I had to briefly doubt whether she, smiling like the Virgin Mary beside the bed, was the same person who had said those vulgar things before.
“Crown Prince, please have at least one spoonful.”
“I’m fine.”
Her appearance, holding a spoon and trying to feed her son something, was unmistakably angelic.
Multiple personality? I gaped in shock, when the emperor beside the empress noticed us.
“You came, Duke Florence.”
At the emperor’s voice, the crown prince’s eerie gaze turned toward us.
‘Ugh, look at that. I told you his blood pressure would burst.’
The crown prince’s eyes were blazing with an intensity unimaginable for someone who had just opened his eyes last night. It wouldn’t have been strange if he had immediately gotten up and swung a sword.
How much time passed like that? After a long silence, the crown prince let out a big breath and slowly put on a smile.
“You came, Rubellian.”
Wow… Is my life so messed up because I can’t act? Maybe he lives so smoothly because he acts well, even surviving being shot by an assassin.
I was amazed once again by the crown prince’s appearance while looking at Rubellian. However, my beloved husband was no less than the crown prince—in fact, he was even greater.
“I greet His Highness the Crown Prince. I am very pleased to see you in such good health.”
“I too am very pleased to see you safely, Duke. I heard you were of great help in bringing the saint.”
“I am deeply honored that my humble strength was of assistance.”
It felt like two beasts hiding their claws, circling each other and probing.
Feeling like a chirping chick caught between them, I sighed, and the crown prince’s gaze turned to me.
“The duchess came as well.”
“I greet Your Highness.”
I smiled brightly as if I had never been afraid. Anyway, I had to put on at least some act in front of him. The crown prince stared at me intently, then let out a light laugh.
“I heard the duchess also went through quite an ordeal while I was lying down. Lady Barnes tried to frame you? You must have had a hard time.”
“Not at all, Your Highness. It seems Lady Melina Barnes became sensitive due to my loose tongue.”
At that moment, it occurred.
“The duchess ought to be cautious with her words.”
The empress, who had been tightly holding the crown prince’s hand until now, muttered venomously.
However, I cheerfully ignored those words and smiled brightly.
“Still, I am infinitely joyful that Your Highness is safe like this.”
I couldn’t gauge how messed up the crown prince’s insides must be, but he persisted in squeezing out another smile as he responded.
“Yes, having gone through such an ordeal myself, I now understand. How fragile trust can be.”
Is he saying this because Rubellian shattered his trust?
I barely managed to swallow the hollow laugh that was trying to escape. Meanwhile, Rubellian only spoke naturally.
“There are no eternal allies or enemies.”
“……”
“That applies not only to Your Highness, but to everyone.”
I could see the crown prince clench his fists. His mouth, forcing a smile, was trembling. Perhaps it was anger at how someone he thought insignificant had repeatedly disrupted his plans.
Then he let out a faint groan and clutched his wound.
“Crown Prince, are you alright?”
The empress asked with a worried face.
“I’m fine, Mother. I apologize for causing you worry.”
“Not at all, Crown Prince. I’m sufficiently grateful that you’ve awakened safely like this.”
It was a completely unemotional show. Come to think of it, this room was full of people who had wronged Rubellian, which made it even more so.
I glanced at the Duke and Duchess Colica, wondering what they were thinking. Unlike the empress, who looked thrilled that her son had awakened, the Colica couple were openly showing their displeasure.
Then the emperor suddenly spoke.
“Still, it’s fortunate we have the saint. We should send an expression of gratitude to the temple.”
At the emperor’s words, Duke Colica’s face twitched. Even the empress’s face, who had been tightly holding the crown prince’s hand, was slightly distorted.
Though she seemed to be enduring it because they were in front of the crown prince, as long as she was Colica’s daughter, she couldn’t be pleased about the emperor getting close to the temple.
Soon, with words that the crown prince needed to rest, we were dismissed, and Rubellian and I immediately left the room.
Walking down the quiet corridor, I suddenly spoke.
“So what are you going to do from now on?”
“Did you see Colica’s face?”
I recalled Duke Colica’s face, which had looked like a wrung-out rag.
“With the revelation that the saint’s holy power is the solution to Acedium, the wind direction among noble families will change.”
“Indeed… that would be the case.”
“Nobles can no longer ignore the saint. Acedium is that dangerous of a poison.”
Rubellian’s words were not wrong. Many things would change because of Rachel from now on. And it would certainly be bad news for the House of Colica, which wanted to monopolize power.
“Now it’s time to drop the bomb.”
“What is it?”
I looked at him with a face full of expectation. What interesting thing will he set off this time? Seeing my sparkling eyes, Rubellian flicked my forehead.
“That look in your eyes wanting to cause trouble is worrying.”
“Oh come on, my husband. The fact that I promised not to get involved in dangerous matters was already stepping back enough, wasn’t it? But now telling me not to get involved in interesting matters too is too much.”
Rubellian burst into soft laughter. Eventually, as the end of the crown prince’s palace came into view, he spoke.
“Didn’t I tell you before? That I need your father.”
“You’re finally going to use that? But what exactly is it?”
Rubellian smiled slightly.
“Secret correspondence exchanged between the emperor and the temple to eliminate Colica.”
* * *
