IGCHPM 40

CHAPTER 40

The conflict between Ludwig and Hylia began with Ludwig’s humiliation.

And the next day, when a complaint was sent from Delfinger to the Grand Duke of Kielrn’s residence, everyone came to know about it.

The charges were embezzlement of the Delfin family’s private property and illegal occupation of territory.

It was only the beginning, but they said the evidence, witnesses, and documents were flawless.

Either charge was something that nobles could not help but take seriously.

Because of that, it was difficult for Ludwig to expect lenient punishment just for being of royal blood.

Above all, there was no guarantee that the Emperor, who had always shielded Ludwig until now, would do so again this time.

No—in fact, everyone thought the Emperor could not possibly protect him now.

Already, his reputation had plummeted to rock bottom due to the disgraceful scene he caused while dead drunk.

Public opinion spread like wildfire that such a man must never become Emperor.

And with the Delfin Duke’s lawsuit added to it, people had no choice but to realize:

Not only was Ludwig far from the throne, even seizing the Delfin family was now impossible.

“Ludwig is finished!”

And everyone believed there was one person behind all this.

“Crown Prince Arpad.”

Ludwig’s disgrace had taken place in a time and place with far too many witnesses.

And right after, the lawsuit was filed with perfect timing and preparation.

Everything unfolded so neatly it felt orchestrated. Anyone would think there was a mastermind.

But not one person imagined that mastermind could be Hylia.

It was only natural—her image until now had always been that way.

They thought she didn’t have the ability to plan and carry out Ludwig’s downfall herself.

When Arpad relayed the rumor to her, he asked:

“Don’t you feel wronged?”

“What do you mean?”

“This whole thing was your doing. I just lent a hand.”

But as a result of this incident, Arpad gained the image of a capable and fearsome man who had crushed his rival.

Hylia was seen as nothing more than someone he used.

Anyone else would have felt resentful and angry.

But Hylia quietly—no, meaningfully—smiled.

“That actually works in my favor.”

“…In your favor?”

“I still need time to hide in your shadow.”

Hylia intended to exploit her image thoroughly.

And at the same time, she made a bold prediction.

“In a month’s time, whether they want to or not, people won’t be able to look down on me anymore.”

Her smile was as sweet as sugared cherry blossoms. But only Arpad knew there was poison hidden inside it.

And then Hylia said something unexpected.

“Oh, and it’s not like no one knows.”

“Hm?”

Her slender finger daringly pointed at Arpad.

“You know.”

“…That’s true.”

Hylia raised her teacup with a radiant smile.

“That’s enough for me.”

As he looked at the woman smiling so brightly, Arpad hesitated.

“Is she doing this deliberately, or is she just born this way?”

Either way, he felt he might need to be afraid of her.

Chapter 6. The Prelude

Anyway, thanks to this incident, the Imperial Capital’s high society grew lively again for the first time in a while.

After all, people enjoy exchanging slander far more than sharing praise.

For the past few days, wherever you went, “that rumor” was the first thing on everyone’s lips.

“Have you heard? Grand Duke Ludwig…”

“And apparently, he used Delfinger like it was his own. They say the belongings sent back filled more than five carriages!”

“My goodness. But have you heard this rumor too? That Delfinger even sent back Miss Evangeline’s things.”

At that news, everyone tilted their heads.

“Well, it makes sense for the Grand Duke, since he lived there with his fiancée. But Miss Evangeline’s belongings?”

“That’s strange. Do people usually keep so much of their own luggage in another’s house that it takes carriages to send it back?”

“Surely not—unless she was practically living there…”

At that point, though no one said it aloud, one possibility came to mind.

“Could Grand Duke Ludwig and Miss Evangeline have had… that kind of relationship?”

“If true, that would be quite the scandal.”

“Could that be the real reason the Grand Duke’s engagement with the Delfin lady broke off…?”

People’s imaginations ran wild, savoring the juicy topic.

That was when Evangeline’s close companions, scattered throughout high society, began moving diligently.

On her orders, they tried to separate the incidents.

“Oh, no, those are two completely different matters.”

“Exactly. The Grand Duke and Miss Evangeline’s situation is unrelated. To connect them is just speculation.”

“Her Majesty the Empress would be displeased to hear such talk, you know.”

They even invoked the Empress’s authority to silence gossip, while providing excuses on their own.

“When you visit a close friend’s house often, it’s only natural your belongings pile up there.”

“That happens to me too! It just shows how close they were.”

“Right. And everyone knows Miss Evangeline cared for Lady Delfin all this time.”

With such leaps of logic, they reached their conclusion.

“But isn’t Lady Delfin being too harsh?”

“Cruel, really. How could she so rudely cast aside such a kind friend who cared for her?”

“She must think that since she’s to become Crown Princess, she can discard Miss Evangeline.”

“How awful! Imagine how hurt Miss Evangeline must be!”

After the late Empress’s death, high society in the capital had centered around Empress Isabel and her daughter Evangeline.

And when they mobilized to sway public opinion, the effect was immediate.

They fabricated plausible reasons, painting Evangeline as the victim and Hylia as the villain.

The highlight of this campaign was Evangeline’s appearance at a salon in the Empress’s palace.

She had always dressed in bright, splendid attire befitting society’s flower, but this time she wore a shabby, dark gray gown that resembled mourning clothes.

Her complexion was so pale she looked as though she might faint at any moment.

Her followers swarmed to her side like clouds.

“Are you all right, Miss Evangeline?”

“Your beautiful face looks half its usual self.”

“You must be so heartbroken.”

Evangeline answered with a sorrowful smile.

“I’ll be fine. She must have misunderstood something. It’s all my fault.”

She referred to Hylia as “that lady”—raising her up in appearance, while deliberately refusing to call her Crown Princess.

“Never. Even if it kills me, I’ll never call her that.”

Of course, it was unthinkable—but even if the Emperor were to allow Arpad and Hylia’s marriage, the idea of bowing before Hylia and addressing her as Crown Princess…

The thought alone was unbearable.

That would feel like truly losing.

“To nothing more than a novel’s character.”

Evangeline continued to act the part of the pitiful, wounded victim with her sorrowful expression.

“I thought she and I shared true friendship, but it seems I was the only one who thought so.”

“No, that’s not true! Without you, how could that unsociable Delfin lady ever have found a place in society?”

“Exactly! It was all thanks to you, Miss Evangeline!”

Crowds are always easily swayed by public image and rumor.

Evangeline knew how to exploit that well.

Finally, as though unable to hold back, she shed a single crystalline tear.

That moment was sketched into an illustration and published the very next day in every society newsletter across the capital.

Depicted as far more beautiful and pitiable than in reality.

Naturally, sympathy for Evangeline became the prevailing sentiment among the capital’s nobles.

Just one tear was enough to let her seize society’s mood back in her favor.

I cleared out the Delfin Duke’s residence in a single night and returned to the Crown Prince’s palace.

Of course, officially, Arpad had been in the palace the entire time.

I had personally taken control of the Delfin estate, driven Ludwig out, and sent back all the belongings of the two adulterers.

I’d made sure it happened when plenty of eyes were watching, so naturally the rumors spread.

And when I observed the direction those rumors were taking, the conclusion was clear.

“Evangeline cut Ludwig off.”

At least for now, she intended to deflect suspicious gazes from herself by using Ludwig as a shield.

And so I sat, listening to the reports.

“They say Miss Evangeline was so hurt she cried in the Empress’s salon. Everyone’s sympathizing with her.”

I had already heard. I’d even seen the illustration in the newsletter.

“Utterly disgusting.”

Right after the Delfin incident, Viscountess Fillearn rushed over and began practically reporting to the Crown Prince’s palace daily.

Of course, it wasn’t because this would-be traitor had suddenly grown loyal.

It was easy to guess.

“She must have gotten an earful from Evangeline.”

Likely scolded for failing to bring back any advance intel on the Delfin affair, despite being planted at my side.

“Goodness! Your Highness, aren’t I your one and only friend? How could you not tell me about such an important matter? I’m heartbroken!”

“I had no choice. His Highness the Crown Prince suddenly ordered it.”

I made sure to spread false information as well.

To make her believe this was Arpad’s doing, not mine.

That way she, Evangeline, and the Empress would continue to underestimate me.

It was not yet time to reveal my true self.

Viscountess Fillearn then had the audacity to try to persuade me.

“It’s not too late, Your Highness. Why not seek reconciliation with Miss Evangeline?”

“Reconciliation?”

What the hell kind of reconciliation?

Then she clapped her hands together.

“Oh, no, that’s not the right word.”

And corrected herself—in the worst way possible.

“Your Highness must apologize!”

She beamed brightly.

“What the hell is this woman saying?”

My fingers tightened around my teacup.