“Since you dared to commit cheating in a competition I’m hosting, you were prepared for the consequences, right?”
“P-Please spare me.”
“You want to live?”
The assistant chef nodded frantically.
“Then tell me who gave you this.”
“That…”
“Why, can’t you say it?”
He was afraid. The moment he revealed the name here, his life would be in danger.
Moreover, Cecil had Consort Isabella backing her.
‘Then I’m finished.’
As the assistant chef’s hesitation dragged on, Liliana resolved it for him.
“Seems like you don’t want to answer. Then you’ll have no choice but to take the blame yourself.”
Liliana took out a recording orb. When she infused it with mana, a video began to play.
In the footage, the assistant chef was recorded sprinkling the powder onto Lady Lennox’s ingredients.
“I installed recording devices in the kitchen for the fairness of the competition.”
The assistant chef’s mouth fell open.
He hadn’t expected her to even prepare recording devices.
The assistant chef swallowed dryly and looked at Liliana.
“W-What should I do?”
“Testify to His Majesty the Emperor.”
His face darkened. He looked close to tears.
“Then I will die.”
“If you say you had no choice because you were being coerced, you’ll be given leniency.”
“R-Really?”
Liliana smiled, lifting the corners of her lips.
“Of course. Since you reveal the truth out of a guilty conscience, you won’t receive a harsh punishment.”
Liliana gave the assistant chef a choice.
“Now it’s time to choose. Either take all the blame and die, or tell the truth and save your life. What will you do?”
The assistant chef shut his eyes tightly and slowly opened his lips.
Liliana smiled faintly and respected his choice.
***
One hour before the results announcement after the final round ended, Claire came to see Liliana.
Liliana was changing clothes and fixing her makeup to go to the Diamond Hall.
“Welcome, Lady Lennox.”
“I greet Your Highness, the Princess Consort-to-be.”
Liliana could guess why she had come to see her.
“You should know that candidates cannot meet the host separately until judging is finished.”
“I know.”
“Then shall I hear your reason?”
Claire lifted her head and spoke seriously.
“Lady Valentier committed cheating. I do not think this should be buried as it is.”
“Do you feel wronged?”
“My personal grievance is not important. Cheating committed in a competition held during the sacred Founding Festival should not be forgiven. This is a challenge to His Majesty the Emperor.”
“I see.”
“Then…”
“I also have no intention of letting this pass. I will inform His Majesty the Emperor and correct it. So please do not worry. This is something I, as the person in charge, must handle.”
“I trust you will resolve it fairly.”
“Of course.”
“Then I will take my leave. I apologize for the intrusion.”
After Claire left, Liliana finished her makeup and headed to the Diamond Hall.
It was time to announce the results.
In the Diamond Hall, members of the Imperial Family and nobles gathered to celebrate the May Fairy of the Founding Festival.
Consort Isabella looked at Cecil with a very satisfied expression.
“I heard the test was quite difficult. Did you do well?”
“Yes, Your Highness. I did my best.”
It was a confident tone that assumed victory.
“I have high expectations.”
“Cecil will certainly live up to Your Highness’s expectations.”
“You must. This May Fairy is a truly important position. You must become one.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Consort Isabella’s gaze turned toward Claire.
“By the way, Lady Lennox is quite impressive. Reaching the finals on her own means she is no ordinary person.”
Cecil acted coyly beside her.
“She is not someone Your Highness needs to worry about. I heard her House is declining, so she entered the competition hoping to grasp even a straw.”
“Oh my, tsk tsk.”
Consort Isabella clicked her tongue as if feeling sorry.
“How pitiful. But she is perfect as a foil.”
Cecil looked at Claire with a sneer.
She then greeted Mikael with a gentle face.
“It has been a while, Your Highness.”
“It has.”
Cecil smiled shyly and lowered her eyelids. The sight of Mikael sitting arrogantly in his chair looked truly handsome.
But Mikael’s gaze toward Cecil was pure annoyance.
‘When is Liliana coming?’
He was here solely to see Liliana.
Just looking at her beautiful figure made his heart swell.
Consort Diena looked at Consort Isabella with a displeased expression.
Consort Isabella’s pride seemed to rise endlessly, as if today’s victory were already hers. She looked triumphant.
Consort Diena’s gaze moved to Claire, who was standing alone.
She stood upright without being intimidated at all.
‘She is more resolute than I thought.’
Just reaching the final round meant she was no ordinary person.
‘This will be interesting.’
After a while, Liliana entered the Diamond Hall escorted by Estevan.
Wearing a sky-blue dress decorated with pearls, Liliana looked like a pure white lily.
They greeted the two Imperial Consorts seated in the seats of honor.
The two Consorts accepted her greeting with gentle expressions and praised her efforts in hosting the competition.
“Then, I will now announce the judging results for the May Fairy of the Founding Festival.”
The two Imperial Consorts, the finalists, and numerous nobles all looked at her.
“The final test was to serve food to distinguished guests from foreign countries.”
As she explained, Liliana played the recording orb. It showed the two young ladies serving the guests.
Cecil looked at Claire with a triumphant expression. Claire maintained a calm expression throughout.
When Liliana held out her hand, a maid handed her the ballot box.
“From now on, the distinguished guests will cast their votes.”
Shortly after, the guests arrived at the Diamond Hall to vote.
Liliana handed the voting slips to the guests.
The guests voted under the watchful eyes of the Imperial Family and the nobles and placed their slips into the ballot box.
Since it was conducted in front of many people, there was no possibility of manipulation.
“Then, I will now open the ballot box.”
When Liliana opened the box, Cecil watched with a tense expression.
“The first vote is for Lady Valentier.”
Cecil smiled in triumph. Her nose lifted proudly.
“The second vote is also for Lady Valentier.”
This time, not only Cecil but Consort Isabella’s face brightened as well.
“The third vote is for Lady Lennox.”
Cecil widened her eyes and glared at Claire.
She had wanted a sweep of votes, so she felt displeased when Claire received one.
She regarded it as a sympathy vote. But the next vote pointed not to her, but to Claire.
The situation became 2:2, with two votes each.
Cecil clenched her hands tightly.
Smiling faintly, Liliana opened the remaining two votes at once.
“Both votes are for Lady Lennox.”
Liliana set down the slips and applauded.
“Congratulations, Lady Lennox. This year’s May Fairy is Lady Claire Lennox.”
The nobles wore uneasy expressions at the unexpected result. However, when Liliana and Estevan applauded, they followed suit.
But not everyone was pleased. Consort Isabella, Cecil, and Count Valentier looked at Claire with stiff faces.
“T-This is wrong.”
Cecil pleaded with Consort Isabella.
“The vote must have been manipulated.”
Consort Isabella frowned and rose from her seat.
The voting had been conducted fairly in front of everyone. That also meant Cecil had failed to win the guests’ favor.
Consort Diena looked at her with a satisfied expression.
“What can we do? How unfortunate, Consort Isabella.”
Consort Isabella glared sharply at Count Valentier and Cecil.
“I am greatly disappointed.”
“Y-Your Highness.”
Cecil looked at Count Valentier with a flustered expression. But Count Valentier’s gaze wasn’t kind either.
“How on earth did you conduct yourself?”
“Father…”
“I don’t want to hear it. What kind of disgrace is this?”
Biting her lip tightly, Cecil glared at Claire, who was standing in the spotlight.
Claire stepped onto the platform with a confident expression.
Then the previous May Fairy, Lady Kropel, handed her the laurel crown and the fairy wand, the symbols of the fairy.
“Congratulations, my Lady.”
“Thank you.”
Wearing the silver crown made of diamonds and holding the fairy wand likewise made of diamonds, Claire shone beautifully like a protagonist.
Liliana approached and offered her congratulations.
“Congratulations on becoming the May Fairy, Lady Lennox.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Consort Diena also congratulated her.
“Congratulations. This year will be your year.”
Claire smiled brightly and approached Cecil.
