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Chapter 55
“So this was the blade used to assassinate the Crown Prince.”
It was the very weapon that had started everything.
While I was curiously examining it…
The Duke suddenly spoke.
“Out, little one.”
“Huh?”
Before I could even ask What? Why all of a sudden?, he continued.
“This isn’t something a child should see.”
He glanced toward my sister.
She quietly slipped the bloodstained dagger behind her back and gave me an awkward smile.
Watching the two of them, Hyacinth spoke up.
“But isn’t she the brave little dust ball who demolished an entire building? I don’t think she’d be scared of something like this. After all, when Izetail was destroyed, she was—”
“Would you like to leave too?”
“My apologies.”
Hyacinth, who had been defending me just moments ago, immediately lowered his head.
At that moment, my sister rang a small bell nearby.
“Come on, Karin. Let’s go have something delicious to eat.”
* * *
“Ugh…”
That’s so unfair!
I’m not scared at all!
After being banished to my room, I slowly ate the pudding the maids had brought me.
I never imagined they’d even have a recording crystal.
The newspaper I’d seen in my previous life had never specified exactly what evidence had been presented.
It had only described it as irrefutable proof.
Well… with evidence like this…
The bloodstained dagger alone was significant.
But among the other items, the recording crystal would become the decisive proof that the Bangcadium family had not murdered the Crown Prince.
They said they’d make their move during the Emperor’s birthday celebration.
I wonder how they’ll get inside.
My sister said they still had to figure that part out.
Since they intended to reveal everything in front of a large audience, they’d probably have to enter the banquet hall itself.
Will they disguise themselves?
Hmm…
No.
Maybe someone else would resort to sneaking in.
But the Bangcadium family?
They weren’t the type.
Unless they just blew up the entire palace…
Then I quickly shook my head.
That really would count as treason.
Now that they finally had a chance to clear their name, there was no way they’d go around blowing up random buildings.
They’re probably discussing everything right now.
Now that Hyacinth had returned with the evidence, there was nothing left holding them back.
They were undoubtedly planning how to enter the Imperial Palace and discussing the rest of their strategy.
I kind of want to meet that maid, too.
But she’d collapsed as soon as she arrived.
She was probably still asleep.
Well… she must have been completely exhausted.
Escaping the Imperial Palace alone had been remarkable enough.
Hiding from the Imperial Family’s pursuit afterward must have required extraordinary determination.
She never gave up.
Even knowing she could die at any moment…
…she had held on until the very end.
I couldn’t help but admire her.
I hope she wakes up safely.
Thinking that, I stuffed a large spoonful of pudding into my mouth.
Honestly… I’d like to go to the Imperial Palace too.
I wanted to see with my own eyes whether everything went according to plan.
But the risk was far too great.
That count is probably searching for me everywhere.
Even changing my appearance with magic wouldn’t solve the problem.
He already knew what I looked like.
What if we ran into each other?
That would be disastrous.
Besides… they’ll handle it just fine.
There wasn’t much left that I could do.
The Bangcadium family would know far better than I ever could how to use the evidence.
I trusted them.
Knock. Knock.
“Young Lady, Lady Veronica is here to see you.”
“!”
After finishing the very last bite of pudding, I jumped down from my chair.
The sweet taste still lingered on my tongue.
* * *
“Y-You want to know how we obtain those gemstones?”
“Well… I’m sorry, but that’s difficult to explain. It’s not that I distrust Your Excellency, Chancellor. It’s simply that this is a secret business our family has passed down for generations… My sincerest apologies.”
He had gone out of his way to grant the meeting.
And yet, when asked a question, Count Amelot stubbornly refused to reveal anything about the gemstones.
“A family secret…”
Well, if those gems were truly of such exceptional quality, it made sense that he’d want to keep their source hidden.
They were probably the family’s greatest source of income.
But that was his concern.
Since the Chancellor had asked personally…
Shouldn’t he have answered regardless of the reason?
Strange.
He was being excessively cautious.
Recalling their conversation, Chancellor Jervan narrowed his eyes.
Just where are those gems being mined?
Perhaps they’re operating illegally.
Knowing Count Amelot’s greed…
It was entirely possible.
If it made money, the man probably wouldn’t care whether it was legal or not.
It’s unfortunate that I couldn’t obtain the gemstones…
Still, the Emperor didn’t value gemstones alone.
He could simply prepare another gift.
Besides, there was already far too much demanding his attention.
He couldn’t waste more time over a handful of jewels.
More importantly…
Adjusting his glasses, Jervan looked down at the document in his hand.
Family Registration Record
Father: Frankly Amelot
Mother: Olivia Amelot
Karin…
No wonder the name sounded familiar.
Jervan had heard that name several times before.
The youngest prisoner ever sent to Izetail.
The child who had repeatedly deceived and humiliated the Imperial Family.
But the most important fact was this—
The Duke of Bangcadium had chosen to keep that child by his side.
Those people who distrusted outsiders more than anyone.
‘Karin’ is a common enough name…
But was this really just a coincidence?
His gaze sharpened.
It could simply be another child with the same name.
But usually…
…they aren’t the exact same age as well.
His grip on the document tightened.
He had been wondering what information he could offer the Emperor to dispel His Majesty’s suspicions.
This will do nicely.
Perhaps meeting that fool of a count…
…hadn’t been a complete waste of time after all.
* * *
Several days later—
After suffering from a raging fever and severe illness, the Crown Prince’s maid finally regained consciousness.
“I-Is this really Bangcadium…?”
“It is.”
“…Hic…”
The moment she realized where she was, she burst into tears.
The maids, who had feared she might never wake again, gently comforted her as she introduced herself.
Her name was Charlotte.
“His Highness the Crown Prince personally pulled the dagger out and handed it to me.”
“…”
“He told me to take the evidence… and go straight to Bangcadium.”
“He said…”
Charlotte spoke through swollen, tear-filled eyes as she recalled those final moments.
“…that they were the only ones he could trust.”
Veronica quietly replied,
“Among everyone in the Imperial Palace… the Bangcadium family was the only group that still supported His Highness.”
Listening beside her, I silently agreed.
At some point, the Imperial Family had begun distancing themselves from Bangcadium and had never lowered their guard again.
From the Emperor’s perspective, it was only natural.
He wanted absolute imperial authority.
Aside from the Magic Tower and the Holy Temple, which remained neutral…
…the Bangcadium family was the greatest obstacle standing in the Imperial Family’s way.
So while they publicly claimed to support Bangcadium…
Behind the scenes, they hated them like cats and mice.
“Did he say anything else?”
