139. An Undeniable Truth

At Larael’s words, everyone’s gaze froze on the cover she had just brushed her fingers across. On it, in bold golden letters, was written: Duke Anderman.

“Your Highness!!”

Marquis Argen cried out in a trembling voice. Surely the others felt the same as he did. Larael opened the notebook and began to read its contents. A heavy silence settled over the reception room, broken only by the sound of her turning the pages.

“Joy, thank you. You’ve worked hard.”

Without even finishing the entire ledger, Larael closed it and placed it on the table. Joy’s eyes lit up, a faint smile tugging at his lips. The thought that he had accomplished something of real help to Larael filled his chest with pride.

“There’s no need to read further. With this, we can certainly bring down Duke Anderman.”

At her declaration, those who had not yet looked into the notebook—except for Ferma and Nora, who had already examined it while breaking the magic—each picked up a volume to see for themselves. Dean let out a low groan with every page he turned. No one could predict the repercussions these ledgers would have on such an ancient and firmly rooted noble family within the empire. Yet… would Duke Anderman really accept defeat so passively?

“And if he claims these ledgers were fabricated—what then?”

Dean posed the simplest, yet most necessary question. Duke Anderman was an expert at cutting ties to save himself; ensuring there was no escape route was crucial. Ferma, who had unraveled the spell, spoke in Larael’s stead.

“Magical ledgers are exceptionally secure. That’s why they are so costly, and why they are used for such secret dealings. But this strength is also their fatal flaw. Because they cannot be falsified, they serve as undeniable proof that the records are true.”

Dean pressed his lips together and nodded. After all, who in their right mind would risk their very life to frame the Anderman family?

“Kali, you brought the organized reports from before, didn’t you?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

At Larael’s prompt, Kali immediately retrieved the compiled documents on the phantom companies under the Raico Allied Trading Company and distributed copies to each person present.

“You’ve all worked hard. We don’t yet know how this will end, but at least we have done something before His Majesty regains consciousness. That alone gives me comfort.”

A faint shimmer gathered at the corners of Larael’s eyes. She quickly lowered her head to look through the documents Kali had handed out, hoping no one would notice. Yet a single tear fell onto the page before her. Carefully, she wiped it away before lifting her head again, her expression brighter than before.

“These will be revealed at the upcoming noble council. Marquis Argen, take a few knights with you to Count Briznay’s domain. The moment the council convenes, arrest him and escort him to the capital. Tower Master, Nora—you will accompany the Marquis.”

Ferma and Nora readily agreed. It brought them joy to watch Larael grow, and they looked forward to the day she would ascend as Empress. They were certain she would claim her rightful place.

One by one, the others flipped through the reports Kali had distributed. When they reached the final page and closed the documents, their hands felt strangely light. None of them dared speak first; instead, they quietly gazed at Larael. She, in turn, met their stares with a faint but radiant smile—the first genuine smile she had shown in some time.

***

That night, Larael slept deeply in her own bed at Abella Palace for the first time in a long while.

“Today, I’ll wear the new dress Genderi sent. Match my accessories accordingly.”

At this rare command, her maids moved with flawless coordination. They brought out jewelry long kept away, carefully considering what would best complement the dress.

Once preparations were complete, Larael sat gracefully on the sofa, organizing in her mind the words she would deliver at the noble council.

“Your Highness, shall I prepare some refreshments if you’re hungry?”

At Sasha’s question, Larael looked at her.

“No, that won’t be necessary.”

She forced a smile, hiding her nervousness, but as she turned her head, her gaze met Sasha’s again. In that instant, a chill prickled her scalp, her strength drained away, and she leaned back against the sofa, closing her eyes as her lashes trembled faintly.

“I have something to tell you and Joanna. Would you ask the others to step out for a while?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Lillian and Kara bowed respectfully and withdrew from the chamber.

“Come, sit here.”

At Larael’s bidding, Sasha and Joanna sat across from her. Larael bit her lip, glancing between the two.

“You know something, don’t you?”

Her voice was quiet, cautious. The two lowered their heads, unable to answer, as though they were being scolded. When Larael called their names, Joanna glanced briefly at Sasha. Meeting her gaze, Sasha sighed softly and spoke.

“Your Highness, we are your maids. We have served you since childhood.”

“……”

“It would be impossible not to notice the changes in your body.”

Sasha lifted her head, eyes brimming with hurt, and looked straight at Larael. At her words, Joanna’s eyes welled with tears beside her.

“So… you knew. I’m sorry. I only discovered it myself so suddenly. I wasn’t prepared, especially with His Majesty still unconscious. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust you.”

“Your Highness, of course we understand your feelings. We never meant to blame or resent you. Only… we wish you would lean on us more. We want to be of help to you, and it pains us that we cannot.”

“……”

Larael could not deny she understood Sasha’s heart, nor that she had indeed borne everything alone.

“In truth, our hearts long to shout with joy, to dance and celebrate without restraint. But we will remain silent, as you wish.”

At Sasha’s words, Larael’s nose stung, and a heavy tightness welled up in her chest.

“Sasha, Joanna… thank you. I’m truly fortunate to have you both.”

Her throat tightened as she spoke, her voice catching. Larael pressed her lips together to suppress the surge of emotions and forced a faint smile onto her face.

“Have the carriage prepared. I’ll go to the main palace, stay by His Majesty’s side, and then attend the council meeting.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Larael made her way to the main palace and headed straight to Edward’s chambers. Her steps quickened the closer she drew. Since her arrival at the palace, her heart had been trembling, and she desperately wished to calm herself. She thought that seeing Edward’s face might steady her.

Sitting beside him, Larael clasped both his hands tightly. She breathed warmth into his cold fingers, chilled by her own anxiousness. Gazing at his still, statue-like face, she finally managed to steady her pounding heart. She silently swore to herself again and again, countless times.

“Your Highness, it is time to attend the council.”

Trix, who had been quietly watching, finally spoke when the time came. Larael gave a slow nod, then rose and left Edward’s chambers to head toward the council hall.

“Your Highness, we will follow you.”

Joy, Berser, and Handelson formed a strong presence at her back, guarding her. The closer they came to the council chamber, the more Larael’s pace slowed.

At the doors, she drew in a deep breath, lifted her chin proudly, and entered.

Though her heart raced, her steps appeared composed, almost leisurely. She took her seat and cast her gaze around the chamber. Her eyes lingered on Dean’s empty chair—he had not yet arrived. Dean was entrusted with a critical task: bringing the evidence along with Kali. As the start of the meeting drew near, his absence parched Larael’s mouth with dryness, and her eyes kept darting toward the entrance.

But instead of Dean, it was the Empress Dowager and Herwen who entered, conversing quietly with each other. Immediately after them, Dean finally strode in with Kali. He gave Larael a brief nod of acknowledgment before taking his seat. Only then did she release a breath of relief.

Kali exchanged a few words with Dean, then slipped out of the chamber just as the meeting was about to begin.

Larael turned her head and accidentally locked eyes with Herwen, who was seated beside the Empress Dowager and staring intently at her. She frowned and sharply turned her head away.

“Herwen, there are many eyes upon us. You must be careful with every action,” the Empress Dowager gently admonished, having noticed exactly who it was that had caught his attention.

“The council shall now come to order.”