Chapter 155

“Butler, see to the Duke’s body.”

“Yes… Princess…”

At Frank’s signal, the servants, tears streaming down their faces, placed Duke Ruthius’s body in a coffin.

I watched the process, then clenched the ring in my hand and stood up. Johan, Kaiel, and Dante approached me.

“Lady Astell, I don’t know how to express my condolences… I am so sorry.”

“Thank you.”

“How can we help? Please, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“I don’t think I’ll be able to come to work for a while due to the funeral preparations. I’m leaving the guild in your hands until then.”

Kaiel, after exchanging a look with Johan, spoke gently.

That cold-blooded man, speaking gently. I must look that unsettled.

“Understood, Princess. We just need to give the mages instructions to clear the remaining debris, and then we will leave.”

“No, it’ll be dark soon. It’s best to withdraw.”

“All of them, you mean?”

“We’ve found the important thing, so the rest can wait until tomorrow. Please send the mages in the morning. I’ll settle the costs after the funeral.”

“…There’s no need for that. We aren’t doing this for money.”

Kaiel gazed at me intently. I turned my head from him to meet Dante’s eyes.

“Princess… I… I really didn’t know. I’ve never been through something like this…”

Dante trailed off, rambling, and bit his lip. His red lower lip turned white under the pressure of his teeth.

This wasn’t like him at all. His dark, chaotically wavering eyes were pitiful.

It was only natural for him to feel guilty. His father had just killed the father of the woman he loved.

Calming his anxiety would have been simple.

*’It’s alright. It’s not your fault, Your Highness.’*

That one phrase would have put him at ease.

But instead of reassuring him, I looked away.

I wasn’t angry with Dante. I just couldn’t bear to look at his face right now.

I hated him for no reason. I wanted to blame him, to ask why he didn’t stop the emperor if he loved me. I wanted to unleash my explosive rage upon him, even though I knew it wasn’t his fault.

*‘This isn’t like me. What’s wrong with me?’*

Having lived a life where I couldn’t expect help from anyone, I never relied on people.

There was no such thing as help without a motive. It was easier to give and take what we wanted from each other based on mutual benefit. That was the way I had lived my life.

So, even if Dante couldn’t stop the emperor, there was no reason for me to be shaken. I hadn’t expected anything from him in the first place.

That’s how I would have normally been…

Why am I so disappointed? Why do I resent Dante so much?

*‘Ah…’*

In that moment, I realized.

I… had given my heart to Dante.

I thought what I felt for Dante was pity or kinship, but it wasn’t. The thought of my own foolishness made me want to laugh hollowly.

Since when had I been so swayed by this man?

Was it from when we secretly shared the cake he brought? Or when I found him locked away in that miserable state?

Or was it from when he, despite his own terribly wounded body, insisted on shielding me as I fell into the pit?

I didn’t know. No matter how hard I thought, I couldn’t pinpoint the moment it began.

One thing was certain: my feelings hadn’t changed because of the possibility that he might be Shinwoo’s reincarnation.

I had come to care for the man named Dante, purely for who he was.

“Princess…”

“Your Highness, I don’t want to talk today. Please leave.”

“Later… will you talk to me then?”

He was surprisingly deferential. His eyes were fixed on me, as blindly devoted as a puppy on the verge of being abandoned.

Yes, he had always looked at me with those eyes. Why hadn’t I noticed?

The sincerity, hidden behind a languid, listless expression and frivolous actions, was finally palpable.

I clenched my twitching hands into tight fists. If I didn’t, I felt I might unconsciously reach for Dante’s hand.

“Later.”

“…”

“Butler, see them out.”

Frank escorted the group to their carriage.

I waited until everyone was gone before asking Frank quietly.

“Where is the guesthouse the First Prince is staying at?”

“It is the same one the Crown Prince used to stay in.”

“Impressive that he hasn’t fled.”

“Fleeing would be tantamount to a confession.”

“They say he’s not in his right mind, but he’s sharp enough for that, I see. Well, at least it’s convenient that I don’t have to hunt him down.”

“What do you intend to do?”

I watched the clouds drift by peacefully and remarked casually.

“I’m going to apologize.”

“Pardon?”

“He must have been so startled, having such a terrible incident occur at a place he came to for a brief rest. I should meet him, explain the situation, and offer my apologies.”

“Right now… you mean?”

“Is there any reason to delay?”

If I did, he might run away, and that would just be a nuisance.

“You should get some rest too, Butler. If Alex wakes up, don’t say anything and let me know first.”

As I said that and turned to leave, Frank stopped me.

“If you get involved, Princess, things will only get more complicated. It would be better if I went. Please, leave it to me.”

“…I told you, I’m just going to apologize.”

“You intend to hold the First Prince responsible for this, don’t you? It will likely be futile. He will, of course, deny everything. There is no evidence connecting His Highness to this incident.”

I swept my hair back and let out a short, mirthless laugh.

“I don’t need any evidence.”

Why would I need evidence when I can just kill him? Understanding my meaning, Frank held his breath.

“In that case, I will guide you.”

“There’s no need. I know where it is.”

“I’m sorry, but I cannot let you go alone.”

“Then forget it. Should I fire you?”

“Your threats won’t work.”

“You really don’t listen. Do you think I’m not the Duke now?”

“I will accompany you.”

I glared at Frank, who stubbornly repeated the same words.

“Accompany me where? Are you that eager to watch the sight of me apologizing?”

“The Duke was my master. The sin of failing to protect one’s master should be paid with death. And yet, I am still alive. Why is that?”

“…”

“My life is already forfeit. Whatever you are planning, Princess, do not even think of leaving me out of it.”

His wrinkled eyes were filled with resolve.

“I will guide you to the First Prince. This way, please.”

Frank spoke as he pleased and then walked off with short, quick steps.

I watched the butler’s ramrod-straight back for a moment before following him.

* * *

As I entered the guesthouse, someone greeted me.

“P-Princess?”

I stared silently at the flustered man.

“Who are you?”

“Princess, he is the chamberlain of the First Prince’s palace.”

Frank informed me politely from behind.

Now that he mentioned it, he did look familiar. I remembered seeing him when I snuck into Igrid’s palace once.

“W-What brings you all the way here…?”

The chamberlain couldn’t meet my eyes. His anxiety was palpable.

“Where is His Highness?”

“H-He is sleeping.”

“At this hour?”

“He had trouble sleeping at dawn yesterday.”

“Did something happen at dawn?”

“Uh, uh… I’m not quite sure myself, but there was a loud noise.”

“Ah, so that’s why he couldn’t sleep? My apologies.”

“N-No, not at all. But…”

Igrid’s chamberlain studied my expression before asking cautiously.

“The Duke’s body… have you found it?”

“You said you didn’t know what happened, yet you know the Duke has passed away?”

“I-His Highness was very worried about D-Duke Ruthius… S-So I naturally assumed an a-a-accident had occurred, I-If that wasn’t the case, I am truly sorry.”

Igrid’s chamberlain stammered like a madman. His hands were also shaking uncontrollably. He looked exactly like a guilty man.

“Inform His Highness that I am here.”

“H-H-He is sleeping.”

“Wake him.”

“P-Princess, t-this is incredibly rude!”

“Rude?”

I let out a hollow laugh and stared at the chamberlain.

“Butler, this man says I’m being rude. What do you think?”

The butler, standing like a shadow, answered calmly.

“Perhaps the Princess should wake him herself.”

“Should I?”

I replied nonchalantly, pulling Arondight from my storage. Igrid’s chamberlain gasped.

“W-Wait just a moment, please! I will inform him!”

Terrified, the chamberlain rushed inside. A moment later, he returned, hesitating.

“He has just woken up, but his appearance is not presentable, so he asks that you come in after a short while. He said tea will be served, so please wait in the drawing room.”

“Is that so?”

The chamberlain led us to the drawing room. The moment I stepped inside, I grabbed him and gave an order.

“Butler, close the door.”

“Yes, Princess.”

Frank quietly closed the door.

“Princess? What are you doing?”

I slammed the struggling chamberlain against the wall and drove Arondight down. The sharp blade embedded itself right next to the chamberlain’s ear.

“Ugh… mph!”

As the chamberlain’s mouth opened in a reflexive scream, I shoved a handkerchief into it. Then, I held the blackened red jewel before his eyes.

“Did you install this on the third floor of the main building?”

The chamberlain exhaled sharply through his nose. His eyes were spinning wildly. He must not have expected me to find this in the ashes.

“I’ll ask a second time. Did you install this artifact in the Duke’s bedroom?”

“…”

“Haa, I hate repeating the same question. Perhaps you’ll feel more like answering if I cut off one of your ears?”

The chamberlain, his face pale with fear, shook his head frantically.

“Are you saying it wasn’t you?”

Nod! Nod!

I immediately sliced off his left ear.

“…!”

“Ah, I hate liars, too. Someone saw you, so it would be best to be honest.”

Drip, drip.

Tears streamed from the chamberlain’s wide eyes. Instead of a scream, ragged breaths escaped his handkerchief-stuffed mouth.

His trousers were soaked in an instant. A foul-smelling liquid spread across the carpet. However, none of us paid it any mind.

“I’ll ask again. Did you install this artifact on the third floor?”

…Nod.

“Next question. Who ordered you?”

The chamberlain squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them. His gaze was filled with a desperate plea, as if begging me not to ask.

“Who ordered you? The right ear is next.”

As I placed the sword right next to his right ear and asked, the chamberlain struggled violently. At the same time, his eyes darted frantically, pointing downward.

“You want me to check your suit?”

Nod, nod, nod!

I patted his suit and felt something in the inner pocket. Reaching in, I pulled out a small card.

Open the box.

It is the last gift your father will give you.

A card with neither a sender’s nor a recipient’s name.

I could deduce that the emperor had made the plan and Igrid had carried it out, but this couldn’t be used as actual evidence. The message was too vague.

I handed the card to the butler and released the chamberlain, who collapsed to the floor, clutching his severed ear. Though he was groaning, he was smart enough not to scream.

“Butler, take that.”

“The ear, you mean? Understood.”

Leaving Frank to wrap the chamberlain’s fallen ear in a handkerchief, I went up to the second floor.

When I opened the bedroom door, Igrid, who had been staring toward the main building from the terrace, turned around and smiled brightly.

“I never expected the Princess to come looking for me. I heard you went to Akron. Did everything go well?”