Chapter 93
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93.
"How dare you, how dare you!"
The First Empress's voice grew louder than ever before.
"How dare you drag someone in here!!"
Then the First Empress strode toward me and raised her hand.
I thought this might hurt quite a bit, but I didn't avert my gaze from her.
The moment I lost my composure, it would all be over.
But then.
Crack—!
I heard the sound, but felt no pain.
"W-wait, First Prince Charlie...."
"Please calm yourself, Your Majesty."
First Prince Charlie, who had just entered the Audience Chamber, quickly stepped between us, blocking the First Empress's strike.
'...But was First Prince Charlie always this quick?'
I'd always thought his physical abilities were merely average at best.
"I-I wasn't trying to hit you, First Prince Charlie."
"I know, Your Majesty. I also know how much you care for me."
Then First Prince Charlie turned slightly and extended his hand toward me.
"Hmm, if I do this, I'll probably hear complaints from Cassian Artez later."
Even in this grave situation, he seemed little different from his usual self.
His face was not serious at all, contrary to his words, and he waved his hand at me as if urging me to take it.
Watching the bewildered First Empress behind him, I gladly took his hand.
"Your Majesty cares for me so much—please understand, Salice Advisor."
First Prince Charlie helped me to my feet from where I'd been kneeling, then even lightly brushed off my skirt.
"F-First Prince Charlie. Why would you...."
"This concerns the Emperor, so I thought I should come as well. And I believe what Salice Advisor said is reasonable."
"Reasonable, you say!"
Unlike when she'd been angry at me, the First Empress now looked hurt as she gripped First Prince Charlie's shoulders.
"You! Kind and gentle as you always are—what possible reason could you have to harm the Emperor, your father!"
I don't really have one either, Your Majesty.
Cassian Artez's father is certainly a terrible man, but I'd prefer to let him taste suffering in this life rather than death—could you respect that preference?
I was protesting inwardly, since it wouldn't be appropriate to say such things openly here.
"The Second Empress was neglected for so long, and the Fourth Prince was even nearly sent to his death on the battlefield! Moreover, Salice Advisor—"
The First Empress's resentful gaze fixed on me.
"You harbor the audacious thought of placing your betrothed, First Prince Charlie, on the throne when the Emperor passes, and you covet the position of Empress! Such barbarous ambition!"
My dream is actually a quiet, simple life, Your Majesty.
Changing not just my preferences but my future aspirations as well—really, Your Majesty, that's quite excessive.
As I was grumbling and wondering how to deliver a cutting truth to the First Empress, the words that would startle her came from an unexpected quarter.
"If we're being so particular about it, Mother, I too have grown somewhat anxious lately about Father's favoritism toward Cassian Artez."
"Th-that is...! How could you possibly...!"
"This is the Imperial Palace, is it not?"
"You mustn't speak such things—how could you say something you don't mean...! Do you wish to see this mother's heart shatter?"
At the First Empress's pitiful words, First Prince Charlie gestured to the Countess Attendants near me to support her, then took a step back.
"How could that be? But had I not had you as my mother, someone might have attached such reasons to my actions."
"Charlie!"
"To put it simply, well."
First Prince Charlie muttered to himself that this wasn't really his forte, then spoke again toward the First Empress.
"The mere location where medicinal herbs grow naturally cannot make the Second Empress or Salice Advisor criminals."
It was a remarkably clear and satisfying summary.
The First Empress, caught off guard by her son's intervention, swayed as though she might collapse at any moment.
"So, Mother, wouldn't it be better to hear more from Salice Advisor, who was in charge of the investigation?"
First Prince Charlie cast a meaningful glance in my direction.
"After all, she will surely provide you with fair results from her inquiry."
*
'Should I consider this a cheap debt I've incurred with Salice Advisor?'
After calming the First Empress, First Prince Charlie whispered such words as he passed by me.
'Or is this too meager? I do hope you'll consider it favorably.'
Without the slightest hint of coercion, First Prince Charlie neither blamed me for placing him under suspicion nor reproached me in any way, simply turning toward the First Empress's side.
I found his behavior somewhat bewildering, but recalling words Cassian Artez had once spoken to me, I chose to set aside all my questions for now.
'Thinking about Older Brother is losing.'
At that moment, I felt I understood exactly what Cassian Artez must have been feeling.
In any case, thanks to First Prince Charlie's sudden interruption, I found it much easier to present the investigation results I had prepared.
The First Empress, of course, listened calmly without showing any sign of panic thus far.
"Therefore, through this statement, I have determined that Bari, the attendant, is the prime suspect in poisoning His Majesty the Emperor's tea."
At my words, Bari cried out as if deeply wronged.
"N-no, that's impossible! Salice Advisor, this is a different matter entirely!"
"A different matter, you say?"
"I put the poison on—!"
And as expected, the accused man opened his mouth.
"Are you suggesting I ordered you to do this?"
"Exactly! You said I would be safe because there was a high chance you'd be assigned as the investigation officer, didn't you?!"
At Bari's words, the Audience Chamber stirred with murmurs.
Thankfully, the knights maintained their usual composure.
"Where is your evidence?"
"E-evidence? How could there be any?! Didn't you tell me to burn everything if such things remained?!"
Bari began pounding his chest in genuine indignation.
"Salice Advisor, shouldn't we also examine his personnel record?"
The First Empress, looking satisfied with this turn of events, addressed me.
"Of course. I can show you as much as you wish."
He had entered the Imperial Palace three years ago, and surprisingly, his birthplace was a barony near Count Theodima.
"How extraordinary—this man's hometown is very close to the Salice Barony!"
The First Empress looked at me as if questioning how I could stand there so brazenly.
Then Bari seized the opportunity and began speaking.
"That's right! Originally, the Salice Advisor and I were childhood friends."
Utter nonsense.
"Our entry into the palace wasn't far apart, and our stations were similar, so I was looking for a chance to greet her. Of course...."
Bari said this, then lowered his head with a sorrowful expression.
"I'm merely an attendant, while she's the First Advisor to the Second Prince, so she told me not to presume and act so familiar. Still, I tried to be kind to the Salice Advisor because of our hometown connection."
"How utterly shameless!"
"Are you disrespecting all the attendants and handmaidens now?!"
The First Empress's handmaidens interjected quite skillfully.
Even after that, Bari spouted out a seemingly plausible story, but it was so absurd that I simply let all his words bounce right off me.
"Are you finished with your false tale, Bari?"
"It's not false! Roselita, we were close, weren't we?"
He had even shifted to a casual tone of speech.
My male childhood friend is named Paul—he doesn't listen to Mother much, but he works hard and is a poor, single fellow....
Since any explanation seemed futile, I decided to show them instead.
"Since you seemed likely to evade responsibility once named as the culprit, I decided to simply show you the proof."
The moment I clapped my hands together, Samuel Motty, whose face had flushed crimson under the gaze of so many eyes, was led in wearing restraints.
*
A magical device activated above the Audience Chamber.
'I, I did exactly as you asked. I will be released safely, won't I?'
It was a collaborative creation of the Criminal Mages who had researched efficient prison life and Samuel Motty—a video recording magical device utilizing light spirits.
Through the viewing sphere, the landscape inside the prison on that deep night played back with remarkable clarity.
In the screen, an Imperial knight handed a note to Bari.
'This is what you must say when you're pointed out. Though I cannot guarantee your life if it comes to that.'
'My, my debts are.... My family's title is....'
'I will resolve everything, so do not worry.'
'I understand. I will do as instructed. Roselita Salice has been a thorn in my side ever since she entered the palace.'
It was unmistakably Bari's voice, unmistakably Bari's face.
In the conversation that followed, there were criticisms directed at me, but not a single trace of the childhood friend I once knew.
By the time the playback ended, an Imperial knight lay bound and prostrate beside Bari.
Both of their faces had turned deathly pale.
And I decided to give the knight one opportunity.
"So, Sir Knight, will you provide a more substantive answer? Whose orders were these?"
"I, I, the Salice Advisor's orders—"
And the moment the knight spoke those words, a soft click sounded from behind.
'I understand. I have not forgotten the grace of House of Jamoti.'
Samuel Motty played the next video with a face that suggested he was thoroughly enjoying this situation.
And simultaneously.
"Then, it seems the First Empress must provide an explanation now."
Cassian's voice resonated through the Audience Chamber.
"How..., already...."
The First Empress cast an incredulous gaze at him as he entered, discarding the tattered remnants of his long cloak.
And my superior spoke with shameless audacity, his expression as composed as if he had merely stepped out briefly from morning training.
"My devotion to the Late Emperor runs quite deep, Your Majesty the First Empress."
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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