[Note: This is a temporary post. Once I have reposted chapters 00–181 of this novel, I will delete and repost this as well to ensure the chapters remain in proper order.]
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Letticia, in an effort to end the conversation quickly, asked as politely as she could about her stance.
“Then, Your Highness, what kind of conduct would you like me to follow?”
If it was merely about enduring the pressure to confess and controlling the spread of suspicions, that could’ve been conveyed through Ezkhiel.
But the fact that Letticia was summoned in person meant there was something that had to be delivered to her directly, and quickly. And it couldn’t be something as trivial as a status update.
Matthias gave a faint smile, apparently satisfied with her question.
“Everything said so far is based on the assumption that Count Wallace truly tried to frame you, Lady. Therefore, we need proof to support that assumption. So first, if rumors arise accusing you of being the culprit, find the source of those rumors.”
“Aside from finding the origin of the rumors, should I just go about my daily life confidently while refuting the suspicions?”
“Yes. And have you heard any news about Lady Eskis?”
“I ran into Lady Wallace on my way out after the investigation. She told me that Lady Eskis was bedridden with a cold. Though I’m not sure if it’s just a cold.”
Considering how Seraphina’s collapse yesterday was brushed off as a mental issue, and the strange atmosphere when Audrey dragged Seraphina away from her conversation with Letticia—Audrey had a subtly chilly demeanor.
But since she couldn’t just go off vague feelings, Letticia stuck to the facts and added her opinion.
“So when I return home, I plan to write a letter expressing my desire to visit the Wallace family and pay her a get-well visit. If possible, I’m thinking of suggesting to my friends that we go together.”
“If the Marquess hears about it and decides to come up to the capital, even without rest, it would take him ten days. If you succeed in visiting Lady Eskis before then, report back to me through Sir Bright. If you fail, spread suspicion about why the Wallace family might be hiding Lady Eskis.”
“…I’ll speak to my father and mother about Your Highness’ orders after I return home.”
Rather than agreeing right away, Letticia replied that she would need to consult her family first.
In reality, any decisions regarding her participation in social activities had to go through meetings with Camilla, the External Relations Department of Sharon Jewelry, and then be approved by Patrick—so it wasn’t something she could decide on the spot.
Whether Matthias understood that or not, he didn’t press her further. At least, he seemed to recognize that as someone who wasn’t even the successor of her family, Letticia couldn’t act on her own.
Instead, he turned to Ezkhiel, who had been biting his lip, and issued another order.
“Sir Bright. From now on, prioritize reporting the movements of the knight order.”
“…Understood.”
“And when was today’s security force report meeting scheduled?”
“It’s set for 3 p.m. today…”
Ezkhiel glanced at Letticia, wary of saying too much in front of an outsider. After hearing the answer, Matthias continued.
“Then inform the Deputy Commander of the knights to attend the meeting as well. We may need cooperation from the capital guard for this investigation.”
“Right now, Your Highness?”
Ezkhiel looked flustered as he glanced between Letticia and Matthias. Though it was an audience chamber and Matthias’ attendants were standing by, he was still reluctant to leave the two of them alone.
“Yes. And once the witness testimonies are all complete, come and report to me personally.”
“…Understood.”
Ezkhiel bowed, trying hard to hide his reluctance. Letticia smiled as if to reassure him, but his expression didn’t brighten.
Still, when your superior commands you, there’s nothing to do but follow—it’s the fate of any civil servant. And Matthias wasn’t just any superior, he was the Crown Prince, making this a royal order.
Once Ezkhiel left, Letticia tried to excuse herself as well, but—
Matthias stopped her before she could leave.
“Do you know anything about the relationship between Sir Bright and the baron couple?”
Letticia really wanted to go now—but the topic happened to be about Ezkhiel’s parents, so she couldn’t simply leave.
Hoping her stomach wouldn’t grumble from hunger, Letticia adjusted her posture politely and answered Matthias’ question.
“Sir Bright asked me not to meet with the baroness, so I only know what he told me and what I’ve heard from rumors.”
“To put it bluntly, they’re completely toxic. Honestly, if it were possible, I’d even ask you to help get rid of them.”
Letticia had considered the idea before, but had given up because Ezkhiel didn’t want it. Yet here was Matthias bringing it up himself.
Letticia frowned slightly and asked.
“Is there a particular reason you're telling me this?”
“As you probably know, Lady, Sir Bright is very uncomfortable with being given special treatment. And when I tried to intervene in his personal, family matters, he felt even more awkward. But I can’t allow people who interfere with the work of my brilliant chief aide to go unchecked. There was even a time when he had to take leave just because they visited his home.”
Matthias' expression as he said this was grim.
Letticia, too, was angered by what she heard.
'He had to use his precious vacation time to recover from his parents’ PTSD-inducing visit? He never even told me that!'
Although Ezkhiel had once opened up about his parents, it had clearly only scratched the surface.
After all, he’d spent 22 years living under them—it made sense that there was much more to it.
'Matthias is already pushing him to the brink of overwork. Before something truly happens, those two need to be removed.'
This time, even if Ezkhiel opposed it, Letticia was determined to act.
Seeing the resolve in her face, Matthias spoke with what sounded like a pledge.
“I’ve already offered to introduce a villa to Sir Bright. You, Lady, should persuade him to accept it as soon as possible. It’s in a remote, rugged area—difficult to access or escape from. Once we send them there, they won’t even be able to come back to the capital even if they wanted to.”
“I’ll make sure it happens, Your Highness.”
For once, Matthias was doing something truly admirable.
At that moment, Letticia felt she could genuinely offer him a blessing, saying, 'Your Highness the Crown Prince, you may well be the greatest ruler in this empire’s history—past or future.'
“Now I understand why Sir Bright spoke to me with pride about serving by your side, Your Highness.”
“He is an aide who is more than worthy of such care.”
Matthias’ expression softened just slightly. It wasn’t much, but compared to his usual cold demeanor, it was practically warm.
“Not only is he flawless in his work, he never abuses his position for personal gain, and he maintains harmonious relations with his subordinates. His character and reputation are truly commendable.”
“Hearing Your Highness acknowledge his virtues, I’m sure Sir Bright would be deeply honored.”
Compliments about her lover always lifted Letticia’s mood, so she smiled without reservation.
If Matthias could just keep acting like this, she might be able to think of him simply as her boyfriend’s boss—not someone to curse at behind his back.
“And I, too, want to keep seeing Sir Bright take pride in his work.”
So please, don’t do anything crazy like falling for Ariette. Just live your life as a good, boring workaholic.
Especially, refrain from nonsense like writing theater reviews just to push Ariette’s opinion or running biased surveys. And don’t go flirting in the office to the point of kicking Ezkhiel out and delaying his departure from work. Please.
“Your Highness, I’ve delivered your message.”
At that moment, Ezkhiel returned to the audience chamber. As the subject of their entire conversation had walked in, Matthias and Letticia wordlessly agreed not to bring any of it up again—not even through a glance.
“The Deputy Commander is still compiling the investigation report and said he’ll come to deliver it in an hour. He also confirmed he’ll attend the meeting with the city guard.”
“Well done. I’ll resume work in an hour, so escort Lady Sharon to her carriage in the meantime.”
This unexpected kindness made Letticia wonder if the god she’d sworn to kill had somehow come back to life.
But Ezkhiel, after checking the time, didn’t show any surprise. He nodded calmly and extended his arm toward Letticia.
“Understood. Enjoy your walk, Your Highness. Shall we, Lady Sharon?”
“Yes… I’ll take my leave, Your Highness.”
Despite her flustered state, Letticia had no intention of missing a rare chance for a date. She slipped her hand into Ezkhiel’s arm as they left the chamber together.
Once they were alone, Ezkhiel, who had maintained a perfectly upright posture the whole time, let out a deep sigh and dropped his shoulders, clearly exhausted.
“Ez, are you alright?”
“…Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that? You’ve been under investigation all morning and then had to meet His Highness. Wasn’t that hard on you?”
“It was so hard. I was seriously thinking about spreading nasty rumors about those knights so they’d never get married.”
On any other day, she might’ve phrased that more gently, but she was simply too hungry to care right now.
“If you’re tired, want to lean on me a little?”
“It’s fine. You must be tired too—you were working even last night, after all.”
At the concert, Ezkhiel had probably only managed to hear her play during the first performance.
Because once Seraphina collapsed during their duet, he had been called into duty immediately.
She had practiced so hard to show him her best side—but clearly, even her best wasn’t enough to strike down the true culprit.
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