#22. When You Open the Prince’s Head (3)
Help from Cedric or Izumi?
Absolutely not.
It wouldn’t make sense for the Saintess persona to come up with such a barbaric scheme.
Besides, once the brainwashing is undone, Diold would forget most of his previous memories anyway. Then, it’d be the perfect crime.
Everyone wins.
“Hm… confession, huh.”
Meanwhile, Diold murmured in apparent satisfaction.
“That’s a rather fresh approach. Very well, I’ll see you tonight.”
He acted as if Cedric—who looked ready to actually stab him—wasn’t even there. Or maybe the brainwashing had dulled his senses.
His lust-filled red eyes clung to me. Diold licked his lips and turned away. The sound of his vile snickering faded into the distance.
“……”
Something dark was brewing.
When I turned my head, I saw Cedric glaring daggers at Diold, veins bulging in his forearms. His black eyes were savage.
…This is dangerous.
Cedric’s emotional outbursts aren’t like a regular person’s. He’s currently in a precarious state—half-human, half-demon.
If the balance tips even slightly, it could spiral out of control.
There’s a trick that works best at times like this.
“…Ah!”
I pretended to trip over a stone.
Playing the blind girl, Cedric instantly changed demeanor. The sharpness of a beast faded from his expression.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, thank you.”
I smiled sweetly.
Cedric’s expression grew complicated as he looked at my smiling face.
“Surely… you don’t truly intend to visit that man’s chamber, do you?”
“Why do you think I wouldn’t?”
I even packed a brick, you know?
“…That’s, of course—”
He opened his mouth in shock, then shut it again. Just then—
“Thank you for gracing the palace with your presence, Saintess.”
A gentleman appeared on the other side of Diold and bowed respectfully.
“I am Duke Ricardo Villa, serving as Chancellor of this kingdom. On behalf of His Majesty the King, I’ve come to escort you into the palace interior. And…”
He glanced at Diold, who was swaggering like a punk, and trailed off.
“Please forget what His Highness the Crown Prince said. It is entirely my failure as his mentor.”
I smiled calmly.
“I haven’t taken any offense. No need to worry.”
“Truly merciful. Just like a saintess.”
He was so moved he even wiped away a tear.
“A teacher like that for that kind of student?”
Izumi muttered, apparently feeling sympathy for Duke Villa. Judging by her expression, she seemed to pity the poor mentor stuck with a delinquent prince.
But you’re wrong, Izumi.
“Now then, everyone, please follow me. I will guide you.”
Duke Villa smiled kindly.
He’s the one, you see.
He’s the real demon who turned Diold into a beast.
***
“Saintess, it’s been far too long!”
As I entered the audience chamber, I was warmly greeted by Edwin. The same was true for Louise, standing beside him.
“To see the savior of my life again—it moves me deeply.”
She stepped down from her elevated seat and personally took my hand, despite my supposed blindness.
“You’ve grown into a beautiful young lady. You were just a child back then.”
“It’s been ten years, after all.”
“Indeed.”
The queen bit her lip as she looked into my still-unfocused eyes.
She didn’t ask something like, “Are you still unable to see?”—perhaps afraid she might hurt me by bringing it up.
Not that I care.
If this were back when I was just Yuna, maybe. But now, with clairvoyance, such pity is just laughable.
“But may I ask what brings you to the palace so suddenly?”
I turned toward Edwin as he asked.
“A divine oracle has been received.”
“An oracle?”
The king and queen’s eyes widened at the unexpected topic.
I slowly nodded.
“A star-blessed sword will find its wielder—a man who shall become the hero to save the world and act as my agent.”
My solemn voice echoed through the audience chamber.
“This is part of the prophecy delivered by the Lord. And the one who bears that star-blessed sword is…”
I turned my head—
Slightly off from where Izumi stood, pointing vaguely into the air.
“Your loyal subject, the second son of Baron Polly.”
“I, Izumi Polly, greet Your Majesty.”
As soon as I finished the introduction, he bowed deeply. Meanwhile, Cedric stood silently in the background like a misplaced prop.
“I see. Sir Polly, you may rise.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The royal couple completely ignored Cedric. In many ways, they were exemplary royalty.
“So you’ve come to request that he be allowed to leave the borders of the kingdom?”
“That’s correct.”
“Any request from the Saintess will be granted. In fact, I find him rather intriguing… May I speak with him privately?”
“There’s no need to seek my permission. Sir Izumi is Your Majesty’s subject.”
As I readily agreed, Edwin’s face brightened.
“You there, come with me.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Izumi stiffly stepped forward at the king’s gesture, moving like a broken tin robot.
“Then I shall excuse myself for now, Your Majesty.”
“Of course. I’ll see you later at the banquet!”
Tap, tap.
As I tapped my cane, Cedric—who had stood silently like a statue—approached like the wind.
“I shall escort you.”
Hmm.
Maybe this one’s the real robot?
***
At the same time—
In the First Star Palace where the crown prince resided, Diold lay sprawled across the bed, eyes glazed over.
“Duke Villa… Do you really think the Saintess will come to my chambers?”
“Of course, Your Highness. Anything you desire shall come to pass.”
The man beside him whispered flattering words and bowed his head.
“You really think so?”
“How could I not? You are the future of this nation, Your Highness. No one can censure you.”
“Hm. Quite right. Very well said.”
Soothed by his usual sweet words, Diold got up from bed and walked toward the bookshelf.
“Your Highness, what are you doing?”
“I feel good today. I think I’ll catch up on some of the studying I’ve been putting off. Maybe Father will praise me.”
Twitch.
At those words, Duke Villa’s expression twisted.
“There is no need for that. Who would dare blame Your Highness for not studying?”
“But to rule the nation someday, I must learn the ways of kingship…”
“Your Highness. Please look at me.”
Diold turned his head.
The prince’s red eyes—symbolic of the royal family—and the duke’s black eyes met.
“Since ancient times, heroes and great men never bothered with studying. If Your Highness is in good spirits, why not enjoy a drink?”
He whispered slyly.
“I’ll prepare some exceptionally beautiful maids. Wouldn’t it be delightful to empty a bottle of vodka surrounded by them?”
The red eyes dulled.
Diold froze like a broken toy for a moment, then lit up as usual and shouted enthusiastically.
“You’re right! Bring me women and wine, now!”
“Your will be done, Your Highness.”
And then—
Hm. So this is how it’s done, muttered Eustinas, who had been watching the whole scene from nearby through clairvoyance.
“It seems… I really do need to open his head.”
“Pardon?” Cedric asked from beside her.
“What do you mean?”
“Ah.”
Eustinas smiled.
It was the same endlessly benevolent and serene smile as always.
“Just talking to myself.”
