Chapter 58

The air was tense, but Julian’s reassuring hand on my shoulder made everything seem manageable. Neither Prince Cain nor the Emperor could harm me.

“Before I explain, I must mention that my account of events differs from that of the Second Prince.”

“Are you suggesting I lied to His Majesty?”

Lowering my gaze respectfully, I replied,

“I regret to say yes.”

After speaking, I no longer bowed but looked straight at Prince Cain.

“I ventured deep into the forest in search of game. I encountered the Second Prince and his three knights alongside six beasts.”

Prince Cain interrupted impatiently,

“Why were you moving separately from the Grand Duke?”

It was Julian who answered, not me.

“The Grand Duchess and I made a bet over who could catch more animals. She wanted my horse, and if she won, I would let her ride it.”

I turned, surprised by Julian’s informal tone. Both Prince Cain and Prince Aslan seemed equally astonished. Rather than being angry, the Emperor appeared more wearied by the situation.

“Grand Duke, did you just speak to me informally?” Prince Cain asked, incredulous.

“Yes,” Julian replied arrogantly.

“There are royal protocols! How dare you!”

“If the Second Prince continues to speak disrespectfully to the Grand Duchess, he is insulting the House of Zan. As such, I am merely responding appropriately.”

“What!”

“Cain.”

The Emperor’s interjection stopped Prince Cain from raising his voice further. Though the Emperor said no more, his intent was clear. Grinding his teeth, Prince Cain conceded grudgingly.

“…Grand Duchess, even if you made a bet with the Grand Duke, it is suspicious that you appeared at that place and time.”

Using a formal speech, Prince Cain gave me the respect I would never have received without Julian’s intervention. Smiling slightly, I replied,

“I also felt the tremor. Expecting a large animal, I headed straight there. The Second Prince said he went for the same reason. Is there an issue with that?”

“…No.”

“Then I’ll continue. Initially, I did not realize something was wrong with the monsters. Startled by their appearance, I rushed toward them. My mistake was overlooking that I had a rare magical stone.”

The Emperor, puzzled, asked,

“Why did you bring a rare magical stone to the hunting grounds?”

He hadn’t forgotten that I had previously cornered Prince Cain. I answered respectfully,

“Your Majesty, have you heard that rare magical stones are good for prenatal care? My husband and I are eagerly anticipating a child. The Grand Duke gifted me a small rare magical stone, which I always kept with me.”

The mention of a potential heir darkened the Emperor’s expression slightly. His interest shifted from the stone to the possibility of an heir.

“If a child were born to the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, it would be a great event. Is there any news?”

With a bittersweet expression, I shook my head.

“There is no news yet. Unfortunately, having lost the stone in this incident, we are less hopeful now.”

“Stay hopeful, Grand Duchess.”

The Emperor’s smile was warm, seemingly pleased that I had not conceived. Julian’s grip on my shoulder tightened slightly, and I continued,

“When the monsters became frenzied, the Second Prince fled immediately. Only the three knights and I fought the beasts. The Prince did not suffer even a scratch. So I must ask, Your Highness, what is the source of your injury?”

“What nonsense! I— I mean, what do you mean? This is a wound inflicted by the beasts! I nearly died because of the Grand Duchess! I, in fact, suspect the Grand Duchess’s wounds!”

“Then let us compare my wounds with yours right now.”

“What good would that do!”

“Don’t you know? The claws of the beasts are venomous. While not fatal, they slow healing and cause a greenish hue around the wound.”

I had deliberately left myself vulnerable to the beasts. Though the extent of my injuries was my own miscalculation, it was all part of my plan. Leaving Julian behind had also been part of it.

The Emperor spoke in a low voice,

“Cain, will you show your wound or tell the truth?”

Prince Cain clenched his eyes shut and had no choice but to admit,

“…It is true that I turned my back on the monsters and fled. However, they did try to harm me!”

There was no need for me to remove my bandages. I calmly looked at Prince Cain and said,

“Indeed, you abandoned all your knights and fled. As if you had no idea the monsters would attack.”

Prince Cain glared at me, but I was not afraid. I had said everything I needed to. Now, it was Prince Aslan’s turn.

“Lastly, why do you believe this was not my mistake but something I orchestrated?”

“Because of the rare magical stone.”

“You think the monsters were addicted to magic?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Prince Aslan looked genuinely puzzled as he rested his chin on his hand.

“The House of Grand Duke Zan possesses many rare magical stones. Moreover, it was the Grand Duchess who appeared at the scene. Wouldn’t it be more fitting to accuse her of this incident?”

Prince Cain would have liked nothing more than to do so. It better fits the current situation. However, this was a stage set to target Prince Aslan. I was never a part of it.

With a confident demeanor, I said,

“The House of Grand Duke Zan does not privately distribute rare magical stones. The only one used privately is the one I lost today. You can send someone to verify this directly.”

Prince Cain, unable to hide his frustration at the situation not unfolding as he wished, gritted his teeth and spoke.

“Not all rare magical stones are with the House of Grand Duke Zan. I also searched for a rare magical stone, hoping to regain His Majesty’s trust. I discovered something in the process.”

Prince Aslan, sounding as if he had been expecting this, asked,

“What is it?”

“You have already secured a large quantity of rare magical stones and are transporting them to the capital.”

The Emperor looked at Prince Aslan, but he remained composed entirely. Secretly, I smirked. The Emperor already didn’t trust Prince Cain. The overlap of past and present incidents had eroded his credibility entirely.

“Aslan, is that true?”

“No, Father. That is absolutely not true.”

“Cain, Aslan is your brother, even if your mothers are different. You must have evidence if you accuse your brother.”

“Of course. My servant has it. I can bring it right now.”

“So you ‘already have it’… I see.”

I barely contained my laughter at Cain’s transparent setup. Now, it was time to give the Emperor the final assurance.

“Your Majesty, I have a witness, not evidence.”

“Who is it?”

The Emperor looked weary of this drawn-out discussion. It was time to end it.

“Sir Brent Hilt, the knight of the Second Prince.”

Prince Cain’s eyes widened in shock.

“He is dead!”

“No, he is not. He is quite skilled. I can bring him right away. How about comparing his testimony with the Second Prince’s evidence? He is not Sir Hanson, whom the Prince suspects of being under the Crown Prince’s command, so there should be no objection.”

Prince Cain, seemingly forgetting that he had kicked Sir Hilt in the stomach and left him for dead, responded confidently,

“Fine!”

He seemed to believe his subordinate would naturally side with him. Smiling broadly at his enthusiastic agreement, I said,

“Then all that remains is the Emperor’s fair judgment.”

Soon after, Sir Hilt, hiding in his tent, was captured and brought before us. He looked terrified and still appeared deeply conflicted, but seeing Prince Cain glaring at him seemed to bring clarity.

Hilt spoke up before long,

“The Prince knew the monsters were intoxicated by magic.”

“You traitor!”

Unable to control his temper, Prince Cain kicked Hilt’s shoulder. But that only shattered Hilt’s remaining pride, bringing his suppressed anger to the surface.

Lying on the ground, Hilt shouted,

“If not for the Grand Duchess’s intervention, the Prince would have killed the magic-addled monsters and taken the credit while framing the Crown Prince! Your Majesty, please reveal the truth!”

The Emperor’s fury was palpable. He immediately demanded to see the evidence Prince Cain claimed to have.

Though the evidence was meticulously prepared, once suspected as false, several inconsistencies became apparent. The Emperor, throwing the forged documents aside, roared,

“Bind this treacherous wretch who dared to slander the Crown Prince!”

Watching the Emperor’s veins bulge in anger, I thought,

This time, Prince Cain is truly finished.

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