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Chapter 25
The others fell silent, overwhelmed by the weight in the Grand Duke’s voice—but I closed my mouth for a completely different reason.
Not immediately suspecting me and demanding evidence first—it was a fleeting moment, but it made him feel genuinely like my grandfather.
The thought made me hesitate.
“Of course, I have the evidence, Father.”
Aubrey, still holding Tedric’s hand tightly, looked at me with pity in her eyes.
“As you know, Father, I have to take care of Tullia’s clothes and personal belongings. But… her maid told me something in her confusion.”
“And what would that be?”
“Deep inside Tullia’s bedroom wardrobe… she said Tedric’s exam papers were hidden there.”
“Are they in your hands now?”
“Of course not, Father!”
Aubrey jumped with a helpless expression.
“How could I rummage through Tullia’s room at will? I scolded the maid after hearing about it, but when I actually checked Tedric’s room, the exam papers had vanished.”
Aubrey let go of Tedric’s hand and dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.
“It’s all our fault. Tullia is our niece, and we should have cared for her like our own daughter, but the servants neglected her out of mischief. Tullia may have done this simply to get attention.”
Aubrey’s pitiful sobs were interrupted by the voice of Archduke Ashis Frezier.
“Tedric Frezier.”
“Yes…! Grandfather…!”
Tedric seemed unused to saying “grandfather,” yet the word tumbled out naturally. Of course, no one else in the room cared.
“Did you put the exam papers in Tullia Frezier’s room?”
My eyes widened. I wasn’t the only one shocked.
No one expected Archduke Ashis to so blatantly side with me instead of Lilius.
Just like in the game…
In Gramilpan, Lilius is the dutiful youngest son, the one the Grand Duke trusts most. The vast control over the Frezier household, which practically managed a third of the empire’s revenue, was largely because of the Grand Duke’s affection for his youngest son.
“I… I didn’t leave the house due to my confinement. Grandfather! You may even ask the guards!”
He probably had Rilda handle it. Aubrey and Lilius are on the same side—it’s clearly a family scheme.
“Father.”
Lilius, who had been watching quietly, spoke up.
“Perhaps you should just go check for yourself?”
Archduke Ashis paused for a moment, then spoke.
“…Luc Kelporsher.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Go and see for yourself…”
As usual, Ashis Frezier’s commanding tone stopped mid-sentence. Then he called me.
“Tullia Frezier.”
“Yes?”
“May Luc Kelporsher and his aides search your room?”
“….”
His voice was far from gentle. Ashis Frezier had never been soft-spoken or warm. Yet the fact that he asked for my consent first—that he considered my feelings—felt… strangely comforting.
That he was, of all people, my family.
Something caught in my throat, unfamiliar and tight. I quickly nodded before tears could well up.
“Of course. I want to prove my innocence as well, Grandfather.”
“…Very well.”
“But I have one request.”
“Speak.”
Emotions are emotions. But I could never forget my vow to give Tedric his comeuppance.
I continued with as much composure as I could muster.
“Because of Tedric’s false accusation, everyone present here suspects me so deeply…”
“….”
“I want any of the attendants who wish to see, to come and inspect directly, so the results are fair and transparent.”
The suggestion of personally witnessing it left some of the attendants wide-eyed. They hadn’t expected me to speak so firmly.
“This way, there won’t be any false rumors that Grandfather mercifully excused my childish behavior.”
So Tullia already knew the plan and must have removed the exam papers in advance.
Lilius noticed immediately. Tullia had remained unusually calm and even invited the attendants to search her room if they wished—clearly, her plan had succeeded.
“See, dear? Our son is truly smart,” Aubrey said excitedly.
When Aubrey had gleefully revealed her plan, Lilius had felt alarmed—but now that the exam papers had been left in Tullia’s room, he had to play along.
I knew this would happen.
He began thinking of ways to back out gracefully. At least it was fortunate that Aubrey had been the one deceived—shifting the blame there would work best.
That maid, Rilda or whatever… supposedly useful, but utterly useless!
Lilius wanted to glare at Aubrey, but half the attendants were still present. And Grand Duke Ashis sat in the center, commanding the room like a lion. Revealing his true expression was unthinkable.
Or maybe that maid was bribed by Tullia? That girl is generally useless, but my father surely collects treasures from the borders.
Every year, Marquis Aster Frezier patrolled the borders, dealing with countless barbarians and sending discovered ancient relics to the royal court. His reputation was unmatched across the empire.
Lilius’ resentment toward his capable elder brother naturally extended, in part, to Tullia. He had tried to raise her foolishly to avoid empowering the family’s rival branch.
Lilius wasn’t foolish enough to harm a child openly—ruining her with kindness and indulgence would suffice.
But now… this situation?
Then it happened.
“Ah! The chief aide is returning.”
“Wait… it really is in their hands…”
Whispers spread.
“Isn’t that the exam paper?”
At that tiny voice, Lilius snapped his head up. Luc Kelporsher was holding a bundle of papers—undeniably Tedric’s exam papers.
A surge of exhilaration swept through Lilius. Before coming here, he had warned Aubrey and Tedric thoroughly—both had maintained near-perfect expressions. They looked shocked and somber, but being family, they understood each other’s minds—hiding the joy and victorious smiles within.
“Your Highness,” Luc Kelporsher said, approaching with his usual formal expression as he presented the bundle.
Formal meant serious, and serious meant his expression was slightly grim.
Seems he’s always a bit concerned about Tullia. Understandable.
“I found them deep inside Miss Tullia Frezier’s wardrobe,” he added.
Archduke Ashis accepted the papers with an unreadable expression.
Lilius realized Tullia had genuinely impressed the Grand Duke. She wouldn’t face a harsh reprimand, though the award ceremony would likely be canceled, and her confinement order upheld. The restriction would probably only lift when the debutante ball ended.
As Lilius savored these thoughts, something odd caught his eye.
“May I lend you a handkerchief?”
“Oh, thank you.”
“Such a young age… I never realized she could be so pitiable…”
Some attendants were wiping away tears. They had gone to her room with Luc Kelporsher under Tullia’s permission and were filled with sympathy for her.
What’s happening?
A chill ran through Lilius. A moment later, Aubrey and Tedric also sensed the tension.
Something was wrong. A trap, perhaps.
“Lilius Frezier.”
Distracted by the attendants, Lilius flinched. Archduke Ashis’ deep green eyes shimmered with a strange, sorrowful danger.
“Read it yourself. Aloud, so everyone can hear.”
