‘Grace’

I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was involved in this. It seemed too well-planned how she attacked me. But I couldn’t understand why. Wasn’t she Cameron’s lover? Her remarkably composed face after Cameron collapsed made it all the more suspicious.

“I don’t know. I just don’t know.”

No matter how much I thought about it, there was nothing I could do. For now, I had to figure out a way to survive this situation.

Is Cameron okay? The worry hit me belatedly. I had never considered, nor wanted to consider, the possibility of his death.

He was the Crown Prince of Astrid. If this incident became known, it would cause an enormous uproar among the nobility and the entire empire. And I was in the middle of that storm.

I closed my eyes, overwhelmed by the looming reality.

The reason I was so helplessly accused of attempting to murder the Crown Prince was partly because of Grace’s backstabbing remarks, but mostly because of the original Delis’s evil deeds. There was a lingering stigma against me in people’s minds. Grace’s absurd claims easily became “plausible.”

“Sigh…”

This wasn’t just my problem. Delis was part of the Caesar family and also connected to the Bannister family. If I couldn’t clear my name, it would surely harm them as well. For their sake, I had to clear this accusation and survive.

***

The hall where Delis had exited was in disarray. The accusation that the Duchess of Bannister had attempted to murder the Crown Prince shocked everyone, regardless of the truth.

Nobles, upon hearing the news that the Crown Prince was in a critical condition, convened an emergency meeting. Attempting to murder the Crown Prince was a clear act of treason. Opinions in the meeting split into two camps: the Emperor’s faction and the noble faction.

It was an expected outcome. The Bannister family, a central force of the Emperor’s faction, and the Caesar family were involved. With the Crown Prince in critical condition, the noble faction saw this as an opportunity to crush their opposition.

They called for severe punishment. Meanwhile, the Emperor’s faction argued that the Duchess was framed.

The meeting proceeded with a solemn atmosphere due to the gravity of the situation.

“Even if she is the Duchess of Bannister, this is a clear act of treason!”

The booming voice belonged to Marquis Nocturne. He had been harboring resentment ever since the Bannister family’s bank caused him significant losses. Now, he was adamantly demanding punishment for the Duchess and her connected families.

Roan thought he should have dealt with him back then. Watching him now, roaring when he had been silent during his actual loss, was irksome.

“Do not rush to condemn her! Where is the evidence that the Duchess tried to kill the Crown Prince?”

Roan, in truth, wanted to end this meaningless meeting and rescue Delis.

It was a meaningless argument. Delis was undoubtedly framed, and it was clear who was behind it. Roan felt a rising anger that Delis was being dragged into such a dirty fight. He was equally angry at himself for not anticipating this sudden attack.

“At present, the most likely suspect in the Crown Prince’s attempted assassination is the Duchess. If necessary, she should be interrogated.”

It was Duke Komnenos who brought up the subject everyone had been avoiding.

***

“The interrogation process will be lengthy.”

At the same time, the Bannister family was also in shock. The fairies fluttered around in a panic.

“What are we going to do?”

“It’s nonsense! How could Delis do such a thing?”

“Interrogation?”

Jude felt an inexplicable unease at the word ‘interrogation.’

“Until her name is cleared, there could be physical interrogation.”

Jude’s face contorted upon realizing the meaning behind Alexandra’s words.

“…What? What does that mean? Delis is innocent.”

“Normally, no matter how grave the crime, a noble wouldn’t be physically touched during interrogation. But if it involves treason against the royal family, it’s different.”

“Humans’ cruelty never changes, year after year.”

The fairies around Reb, who quietly frowned, fluttered their wings even faster in agitation.

“What kind of stupid law is that? She’s innocent, but they want to make up something?”

Despite Jude’s youthful appearance, harsh words spilled from his lips. Alexandra did not correct him and continued speaking.

“In any case, we need to get Delis out as soon as possible. If the Crown Prince dies and Delis’s name isn’t cleared, we’re all as good as dead.”

“What about the Crown Prince?”

“He was poisoned with an unknown substance. Neither the priests’ holy power nor healing magic can help. They are looking for an antidote, but who knows if they will find it.”

“An unknown poison?”

“Yes. Surely, they wouldn’t use a poison with an existing antidote.”

Alexandra’s green eyes gleamed sharply. She coldly smirked and suddenly called a maid outside the room. The maid entered, carrying a fairly large bag.

Alexandra took the bag from the maid and placed it in front of Jude.

“What is this?”

“It’s enough money for you to live comfortably for the rest of your life. Take it and go to the Duchy of Rakien.”

The Duchy of Rakien was established at the beginning of Astrid’s founding, when Grand Duke Rakien won a war and was recognized by the Emperor, gaining autonomy. Though small, it was famous for its mild weather that rarely changed throughout the year.

“It’s fortunate you haven’t shown your face as a member of the Bannister family yet. You still have a chance to avoid this disaster,” Alexandra said.

“…What is this? What do you see me as?” Jude responded angrily.

“Set aside your ridiculous pride. This might be your last chance.”

“…If Delis hadn’t saved me back then, I would still be in that hell.”

Jude pushed the bag back toward Alexandra, who had been staring intently at him. Her gaze shifted to the bag before her.

“So, my answer is no. I’ve already experienced one hell; I’m not afraid of another.”

“…Hmph.”

‘Perhaps all of you are just that foolish.’

Despite her words, Alexandra’s expression wasn’t as harsh as she picked up the bag.

She turned her attention to Reb and the three fairies.

“What about you? I think you should leave too. If humans find out about you, it could get troublesome.”

“We’re not ungrateful beings!”

“If there’s something we can help with, we will.”

“We also have our honor to uphold.”

They seemed equally determined to stay. Alexandra sighed softly.

“Whether human or other, you can’t even accept a chance to live when it’s handed to you. Well, it’s your choice, so I won’t push further.”

***

The meeting concluded much sooner than anyone expected, mainly because of an unprecedented incident where Duke Bannister held a knife to Duke Komnenos’ throat. Rumors quickly spread among the nobles that Duke Bannister had told Duke Komnenos to “shut up.”

David cautiously approached the Duke, who was exuding an unusually terrifying aura, and asked, “Did you really say that?”

“I didn’t tell him to shut up.”

‘You just told him you’d tear his mouth apart if he spoke again.’

David swallowed his words, thinking, That’s pretty much the same. His master, who usually maintained a modicum of decorum even with the most troublesome nobles, seemed to have reached his limit today.

Despite finding it somewhat satisfying, David was worried about the Duke’s unusual demeanor. He knew how much the Duke had come to be influenced by the Duchess, and he seemed worse off than the imprisoned Duchess herself.

***

Perhaps because of my past experience being captured in a slave market, I adapted to this situation quickly. I couldn’t tell how much time had passed, but judging by the fading light through the window, it must be evening.

But at least they should give me food. Are they planning to starve me to death? I voiced my complaints to the unseen guard.

Then I heard footsteps. Someone was descending the stairs to the iron door leading to the dungeon.

Are they bringing food? It was a desperate thought, but I genuinely hoped so. I needed strength, I needed to think, I needed to survive.

The sound of the iron door unlocking echoed through the dungeon.

But it wasn’t a guard with food who appeared.

“…”

It was Grace.

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories