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Chapter 99
Who on Earth Did That?
I heard the news about Diana through Betty.
“So… you’re saying that Diana was sent to the Imperial Palace prison under the Crown Prince Carlos’s orders?”
“Yes. It seems that since Princess Diana was the one who resorted to violence first, the Kingdom of Royam couldn’t really argue back.”
At her words, I let out a quiet sigh before I even realized it.
‘What should I do about this?’
It was an especially risky situation because my own name was being mentioned in connection with Princess Diana.
Betty spoke in a firm voice.
“Milady must immediately tell Lady Patricia to deny the story completely and insist she’s not involved in any way.”
“Do you think that will really calm things down?”
“There aren’t many direct links between you and this incident anyway. If you deny it outright, not even the Crown Prince himself can do much about it.”
For some reason, the face of Princess Diana—who had always stepped forward to defend me—flashed in my mind.
Perhaps noticing the hesitation in my eyes, Betty clasped both of my hands tightly.
“Milady, I understand how you feel. I’m sure Princess Diana only wanted to help you and clear up those false rumors. But in the end, her actions have dragged you into a bigger mess. At times like this, it’s best not to get involved.”
Betty, as always, was thinking of me first.
“……Was there any talk about the Saintess?”
“Yes. They said the Saintess tried to mediate between the two and even defended you, Milady. But most people seem hesitant to bring that part up.”
For some reason, the mention of the Saintess kept bothering me.
‘It was the same with Miryu…’
When I tried to uncover the connection between Miryu and the Saintess back then, Miryu had died under suspicious circumstances.
‘Maybe it won’t end with just Diana this time either.’
I said to Betty,
“Thank you for always thinking from my perspective. Please deliver a letter to the Royal Regent of Royam for me.”
I needed to learn the exact details of what had happened from Diana’s side.
Betty nodded sadly.
“I knew it—you want to help Princess Diana, don’t you?”
“Huh?”
“I happen to know one of the noble ladies who was there when it happened. I’ll arrange a meeting so you can hear directly from her.”
“Ah, thank you… that would help.”
Betty curtsied and opened the door to leave—
But standing right beyond it was a tall, handsome man.
Johann.
He looked at Betty as she stepped out and asked,
“You’re sending a letter to the Kingdom of Royam?”
“Yes. Have you heard anything about Diana?”
“I’ve heard plenty. It seems the Kingdom of Royam has no intention of rescuing their princess.”
“……What?”
The Royam I knew valued family bonds above all else.
‘That doesn’t sound like Queen Isabella at all.’
But since the information came from Johann, I knew it wasn’t wrong. I met his shining crimson eyes.
“What could have happened to the Royal Regent of Royam…?”
“Do you want to save Princess Diana?”
Johann leaned against the doorframe, the corner of his lips curling upward.
“If you wish to save her, I can do it for you.”
“Wouldn’t that be difficult?”
“It’s not impossible.”
Truthfully, even if my name was being mentioned, my actual involvement in the matter was thin.
If the Duchess of Blanchett suddenly interfered, others might find it suspicious or even object.
“But, Estelle,” Johann continued softly, “is she really someone you must save?”
“And if I don’t?”
“You don’t owe her anything. Sure, she’s been kind to you and useful for now. But in this situation, she isn’t worth the trouble of rescuing.”
Johann’s voice was deep and sweet like a devil’s whisper.
Just hearing it made my mind hazy, as though I were intoxicated.
“This whole mess started because Princess Diana acted rashly. Just like when she attacked and insulted you before—simply to take Miryu’s side.”
“……”
“If you keep stepping in like this, won’t you just end up entangled in more annoying problems?”
“……”
“Princess Diana isn’t even heir to Royam. She’s been stripped of her knight title too—she’s not someone with any future worth. The Regent won’t hold a grudge against you for not helping her.”
Johann’s red eyes gleamed, sending a chill through my chest.
“Do you want me to abandon her, Johann?”
“The choice is yours.”
He approached slowly until he stood right in front of me.
The air around him felt oppressive.
“I only help you make your choices come true. So—what do you want to do?”
“I…”
✦ ✦ ✦
Queen Isabella went to visit Princess Diana in the prison.
Because Diana hadn’t committed any serious crimes and still held royal status, her prison cell was as luxurious as a guest chamber.
Yet seeing her daughter sit there silently broke the queen’s heart.
“You’ve done splendidly,” she said bitterly. “After Hessen, now you too have decided to drive your poor mother to ruin.”
Diana lowered her head.
“I’m sorry, Mother. Please… disown me.”
“Do you mean that sincerely?”
The Queen’s voice trembled with exasperation.
“If I do that, you’ll lose all protection. You know better than anyone how cruel the Empire is to those of low birth.”
“I’m sorry, Mother.”
“I’ve already met with the noble ladies who were present. I’ve heard what happened. You may claim it’s because of the Duchess of Blanchett, but what possessed you to act so foolishly?”
Finally, Diana lifted her head to look at her mother.
“Mother, don’t tell me—”
“Even if I hadn’t intervened, rumors spread within a day that it was the Duchess of Blanchett who goaded you into such behavior.”
“That’s not true! This has nothing to do with her at all.”
“Then why was it her matter that caused the fight?”
“It was my own decision—”
The Queen sighed heavily.
“Even if you hadn’t done anything, the Duchess would have handled it perfectly well on her own.”
“……Still, I don’t regret what I did.”
“Do my children think so little of their mother? Fine. You told me not to interfere, so I won’t. Do as you wish.”
Diana watched as her mother turned and left, a bitter smile crossing her lips.
‘So this is the power of the Saintess and the Imperial family, huh?’
To tell the truth, Princess Diana hadn’t actually committed a crime.
But the Crown Prince used the fact that the Saintess was now an Imperial guest to claim the princess had endangered a member of the Imperial family—and threw her into prison.
‘I don’t even know what’ll happen to me next…’
Just then, a royal guard entered and escorted Diana to a secluded chamber.
Inside sat the Saintess, veiled, hands folded piously.
Diana frowned.
“…What is the Saintess doing here?”
“You must have suffered greatly being imprisoned like this.”
The Saintess looked at her with deep concern.
“His Highness the Crown Prince was too harsh, locking you away so suddenly…”
“So why are you here?” Diana asked bluntly.
“To help you, of course.”
The Saintess took Diana’s hand gently, and Diana flinched at the sudden warmth.
“I don’t believe you did anything wrong, Princess. I think it’s unfair that you’re imprisoned at all.”
The Saintess’s clear blue eyes sparkled.
“That’s why I want to help you regain your happiness—without any harm coming to you.”
Her attitude was far gentler than Diana expected.
With a trembling voice, Diana asked,
“Then what exactly do you want me to do?”
“There’s one obstacle,” the Saintess said softly. “Everyone knows the Crown Prince ordered your imprisonment. If I simply release you, it’ll make him lose face.”
Diana’s hand trembled in the Saintess’s grasp.
The Saintess smiled sweetly.
“So, please—admit in front of everyone that you were influenced by the Duchess of Blanchett.”
Diana’s face froze.
“…Are you asking me to betray her?”
“Betrayal? Oh no, not at all.”
The Saintess leaned in close, her voice smooth as silk.
“Think about it, Princess. You acted for the Duchess’s sake, didn’t you? Then it’s only natural she should help you in return.”
“That’s absurd.”
“But there’s no other way to save you.”
For the first time, the Saintess’s gentle smile vanished.
Her tone turned cold.
“Even if you bring her into this, the Duchess won’t be harmed. It’ll only cause her a little inconvenience. The Duke will surely protect her anyway. So wouldn’t it be wiser for you to act in your own interest?”
Knock, knock.
“Saintess, it’s Chancellor Orteca. His Majesty wishes to ask you about this matter.”
“Yes, I’ll be right there.”
The Saintess stood gracefully, then whispered one last time to Diana:
“Think it over. It isn’t betrayal.”
✦ ✦ ✦
With a bashful smile, the Saintess said,
“I didn’t expect the Chancellor himself to come greet me. You could have sent a servant…”
“It’s no trouble at all,” Orteca replied warmly. “It’s my duty to look after you.”
He smiled gently.
“After all, you may very well become the mother of this Empire someday.”
“Oh my, what a flattering thing to say.”
Blushing, the Saintess waved a hand modestly.
“Someone as weak as me doesn’t suit such a position.”
“Then what kind of life do you think does suit you?”
“Well… just as everyone has their own place in the world, I’m sure I have mine too. If I could wish for something small, it would be a peaceful life—managing a family alongside my husband, free from the heavy responsibilities of the Imperial court.”
Orteca’s gaze turned thoughtful.
“Perhaps you’ll have that. His Majesty is waiting for you inside. Please, go in.”
The Saintess smiled. Orteca’s exceptional courtesy pleased her greatly.
‘More and more people are starting to recognize my worth.’
Everything was falling into place.
“Your Majesty, the Saintess Stella has arrived.”
“Let her in.”
She entered the audience chamber with her usual elegant grace and bowed.
“I greet Your Majesty.”
Sitting on the throne was the Emperor—
And beside him stood someone who shouldn’t have been there.
In her simple white dress, the Saintess looked modest next to the woman’s dazzlingly rich attire.
“Long time no see, Saintess,” Estelle said softly.
“Duchess Blanchett?”
The Saintess blinked, taken aback by Estelle’s unexpected presence.
Estelle ignored her reaction and turned to the Emperor with a graceful bow.
“Thank you for granting my request, Your Majesty.”
“As Emperor, it was an easy favor to grant.”
Seeing how familiar the two looked, the Saintess felt a jolt of unease.
‘So… she’s the one who asked the Emperor to summon me?’
Annoyance boiled up inside her, but she kept her face composed and asked innocently,
“You wanted to see me, Duchess? May I ask why?”
“Oh, it just broke my heart to hear the rumors spreading lately.”
“Ah… if you mean what’s happening now, I’m sorry. But don’t worry—once time passes, the truth will naturally come to light.”
Her voice was gentle but carried a subtle sting. Estelle’s eyes grew damp, her expression wounded.
“How can you say that?”
But what came next was not what the Saintess had expected.
“There’s a rumor going around that you plotted this incident out of jealousy toward me.”
“……What?”
“I suppose you haven’t heard. I thought so.”
“Who could possibly spread such ridiculous—”
“Exactly! I mean, we’re such good friends, aren’t we?”
Their gazes met. Estelle sighed, as though genuinely saddened.
“Who on earth could have started such a rumor?”
Of course, the one who’d started it—
was Estelle herself.
‘You’re not the only one who can spread rumors, you know.’
After all, people were just as fascinated by the mysterious Saintess as they were by the Duchess they loved to hate.
