Chapter 157

“Yes.”

The moment I heard Frank’s answer, the feeling that washed over me wasn’t aimed at Duke Ruthius, but a sense of betrayal toward the Constellations.

How could they deceive me so perfectly? How could not a single one of them tell me?

“Everyone… why didn’t you tell me?”

The chat window was flooded with excuses.

— Anonymous Constellation: I really wanted to tell you, but your father begged and pleaded!

— Anonymous Constellation: He begged us to keep it a secret, what were we supposed to do? T_T Astell, don’t be mad T_T

— Anonymous Constellation: Your father is a pitiful man. Even after becoming a Hunter, he can’t even wield a sword because of his trauma… Let’s try to be a little understanding.

— Anonymous Constellation: Yeah, he was throwing up on his way out after talking with the emperor yesterday.

“What about me? Am I not pitiful? I thought I was the murderer who killed my own mother! For twenty-one years!”

— Anonymous Constellation: Sigh, we know. We know. Our dear Astell, let’s just calm down a little. Okay?

— Anonymous Constellation: That’s why your father said he’d postpone his revenge until after you marry Dante.

— Anonymous Constellation: It’s not easy for someone blinded by revenge to do that, but he said he wanted to at least do that for you…

He got a confession, but he decided to postpone it for my sake? And because of a marriage?

“What is this all of a sudden… I’m doing what with whom?”

— Anonymous Constellation: The emperor said it to your father. That you and Dante should get married.

— Anonymous Constellation: He was going on and on about what would happen if you got pregnant before marriage. I mean, what would happen? You’re capable and have money, so you’d just have the baby and raise it well! He’s such an infuriating man.

— Anonymous Constellation: You think your father wanted to listen to that nonsense? He only agreed because you like Dante.

I like Dante? I, the person in question, only realized it today. How did he know?

“Who said that?”

— Anonymous Constellation: Your father said so.

— Anonymous Constellation: That’s not true, right? It’s not true? You like Johan! Right?

— Anonymous Constellation: Ooh, is the Johan stock about to skyrocket again?

“You seem to think this is the time for jokes. Try reading the room.”

As I spoke grimly through clenched teeth, Frank discreetly stepped aside. It seemed he’d noticed I was conversing with the Constellations.

I pressed down on the crown of my head, which was throbbing.

‘I feel like a fool.’

To think that even Duke Ruthius had noticed my feelings when I myself hadn’t.

— Anonymous Constellation: I made a clip of the emperor’s confession… Should I post it now?

— Anonymous Constellation: Nooo, her father said to release it after Astell gets married!

— Anonymous Constellation: But she’s saying she won’t get married!!!!

— Anonymous Constellation: What’s the point of us fighting amongst ourselves? Astell, what do you want to do? You decide.

— Anonymous Constellation: To think the emperor’s fate hangs on a single word from you. Our Astell has really made it big, lol.

— Anonymous Constellation: Phew, when the emperor dies, I’ll be the one throwing a party.

A sudden question arose in my mind.

‘The Constellations just watched Duke Ruthius die? They could have saved him by sponsoring a single-use teleportation scroll…’

Back when Igrid slapped me, the Constellations were in an uproar.

Missions demanding revenge on Igrid popped up one after another, and the chat window was flooded with curses.

No matter how much the Constellations toy with humans, their affection for the Hunters they support is quite strong. That must have been why they were so furious back then.

‘But now…’

No matter how closely I scanned the chat window, not a single Constellation was mourning Duke Ruthius’s death. There were no demands for revenge either.

‘It’s as if they’ve completely forgotten about Duke Ruthius’s death…!’

A shocking realization struck me like a bolt of lightning. For a moment, my legs gave out, and I staggered.

“Princess! Are you all right?”

Frank hurriedly caught my arm.

“…I’m fine.”

I pushed his hand away and stood up straight. A hollow laugh escaped my lips.

“Ha—”

“Princess…?”

Frank called my name cautiously. He seemed worried I might have gone mad from the shock.

“Hahaha!”

Still, I couldn’t suppress my laughter. I would have laughed even if I had fallen and cracked my head open.

‘The Duke isn’t dead!’

A sigh burst out. Shock, anger, surprise, relief. The emotional rollercoaster in such a short time was so intense it made me dizzy.

I looked down at the unconscious Igrid.

‘Keeping this man alive is the key to the Duke’s successful revenge.’

[System: Quest <Withdraw your killing intent toward Igrid Orton Taikan.> has been completed.]

[System: You have acquired Memory Fragment 6/7.]

[Acquired items can be viewed in your inventory.]

The moment my killing intent subsided, the quest completion message appeared. I closed the window and asked.

“When is the Duke’s funeral?”

“The date for the funeral can be set with the Young Duke’s consent. To do that, we must first inform him of the Duke’s passing.”

“I’ll tell Alex.”

“But, Princess… are you truly all right? Shall I call for a healer?”

Frank couldn’t hide his worried expression. I must have looked completely unhinged.

Well, I had gone from being furious enough to kill someone to suddenly laughing. I would have been suspicious of myself, too.

Instead of explaining the situation, I waved my hand.

“There’s no need for that. Could you help me to the entrance?”

Despite my fickle behavior—pushing him away one moment and asking for his support the next—Frank, like a loyal retainer, showed no signs of questioning me.

“Yes, hold on tight… please.”

He trailed off, his eyebrow twitching. He must have felt my finger tracing the same word over and over on the inside of his arm.

“Butler, what’s wrong?”

“Ah, it is nothing. Something just occurred to me… My apologies. Please, let’s keep walking.”

Frank masked his expression and apologized politely.

He must have wanted to ask again and again if the Duke was truly alive. But wisely, he asked nothing.

I’ll only share this secret with Frank. I might need his help.

I have no intention of telling anyone else. Not Johan, not Kaiel, not even Alex.

It’s not that they would leak the secret, but accidents can happen anytime.

Considering the eyes that must be watching us, the fewer people who knew, the better.

Crucially, Duke Ruthius himself wanted everyone to believe he was dead. That’s why he would go so far as to use a fake corpse and even place the ring he never took off on its finger.

The Constellations, for all their useless chatter, hadn’t revealed that Duke Ruthius was alive. This meant the Duke and the Constellations were in on it together.

‘In that case, I’ll have to play along.’

Before I knew it, we were at the main entrance of the guesthouse. I feigned ignorance and let go of Frank’s arm.

“From now until the Duke’s funeral, the entire estate will be on lockdown. No one is to enter or leave without my permission. The reason: to find the arsonist and murderer.”

“Understood.”

“The same goes for the guesthouse. Take measures to ensure no one can enter. The culprit could be hiding inside. It would be best to seal off every door and window completely.”

“That will make it difficult to serve meals.”

“Aren’t there emergency rations in the guesthouse?”

“There are. However, they are just that—rations for an emergency—and are not suitable for His Highness to consume.”

He meant the quality wasn’t fit for royalty. And Igrid’s own chamberlain would have to do the cooking.

“He’ll eat if he gets hungry enough. I’m sure His Highness will understand for a few days.”

“Ah, then there should be no problem.”

Frank was composed. He showed no sign of alarm at the order to confine a member of the royal family. It was just what I’d expect from a family of butlers who had served the Ruthius house for generations.

“Lock it.”

“Yes.”

Frank took out a stamp-like object from his coat and pressed it against the guesthouse’s central entrance.

*Fwoosh—* A silver ripple spread out from the point of contact, enveloping the entire building.

After the light faded, I examined the building but couldn’t find any particular changes. Oh, did the windows close on their own?

“What did you do?”

“I’ve sealed the building with magic. Only someone with the release item can enter or exit. This is how we manage buildings that are not in use for long periods.”

It made sense. It would be difficult to manage a mansion with countless rooms using individual keys.

*Clack, clack!*

The sound of hurried footsteps echoed from inside. Igrid’s chamberlain, having realized the situation, began to pound on the door.

But just as Frank had said, the door didn’t budge. Even the handle wouldn’t turn.

“What’s wrong with this door? Hello! Is anyone out there?”

“His Highness said so himself. To carry on the Duke’s last wish and protect him. So I sealed the building.”

“P-Princess? Is that you, Princess? Please open the door! It’s locked!”

“I told you. I sealed it for your protection. You won’t be coming out for a while.”

“What are you talking about! Do you have any idea what happens when you imprison a royal? If you open this door right now, I won’t make an issue of it!”

“The culprit hasn’t been caught yet, so it’s dangerous. I’ll open it after the funeral, so stay put.”

“Please, open the door! I need medical attention right now!”

“You’ll probably find a first-aid kit if you look around. If not, well, nothing to be done about it… Just bear with it. You won’t die from something like that.”

“Princess? Princess! Ah, no!”

*Thud! Thud! Thud!*

When pounding with his hands didn’t work, he started kicking. But no matter how much he struggled, there was no way he could break down a magically sealed door.

I turned my back coldly on the screaming man and walked away.