[CHAPTER 84]
All eyes turned at once toward the Crown Prince.
The corner of his lips curled upward slightly.
“Even so, lending an imperial treasure to a mere maid is excessive.”
A few people chimed in, saying he was right.
If the momentum shifted to the Crown Prince, it would be disadvantageous for us.
As I gauged the situation, wondering what to do, the Princess leisurely turned her body.
Her back, moving with elegant steps as she returned to the platform, was confident.
Soon, the Princess and the Crown Prince stood facing each other.
“Lionel, if people like us were to act narrow-minded, how many would be left in this world to show mercy?”
As the Princess crossed her arms and smiled, the Crown Prince’s eyebrows shot up.
“Excessive mercy beyond one’s station can also disrupt order and balance.”
“But at times, it preserves dignity. Like now, when the culprit who shot an arrow at the Duke was not caught. Shouldn’t we at least show this much sincerity?”
Ah, so they failed to catch the culprit.
The Crown Prince’s brow furrowed.
“Isn’t it possible that it was a mistake, not an intentional attempt to shoot Duke Calard?”
“A mistake? When there is a clear victim, that sounds like a rather hasty assumption. Duke Calard might feel offended hearing that.”
At the pointed reproach that left him speechless, the Crown Prince closed his mouth.
Having regained the upper hand, the Princess pulled one corner of her lips into a sharp grin.
“And it will be lent under my name, not yours, so there is no need to worry about any problems arising.”
Turning sharply, she spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear.
“No matter what happens, I will take responsibility.”
Wow, that’s cool.
In the end, the Crown Prince could no longer oppose her and stepped back.
His displeasure was written all over his face, which felt refreshing to see.
I disliked the Crown Prince, after all.
“Very well, then let us conclude this matter here. From now on, we shall determine the winner of the hunting competition.”
At the Princess’s words, the previously subdued atmosphere began to boil over.
The men who had participated in the competition gathered before the platform, their faces filled with anticipation.
Wasn’t Aizen participating too…?
He must have been injured trying to save me and probably could not hunt properly.
Just as I was feeling an inexplicable pang of disappointment.
“As a small hint about this year’s winner, he captured a bear alone.”
“Gasp.”
A bear that could tear a person apart?
As I covered my mouth in shock, Aizen glanced in my direction.
Who would the winner be, I wondered.
As long as it was not the Crown Prince.
I did not want him using victory as an excuse to pester Ariana again.
Fortunately, that wish of mine came true.
“The winner of this year’s hunting competition is—.”
The Princess’s lips moved teasingly slow.
Then, at last, she announced the winner.
“Duke Calard.”
“……!”
My formerly sickly, handsome, fake husband caught a bear?
I watched him step forward calmly, my eyes wide open in disbelief.
“Congratulations, Duke. As expected of you. Your hunting skills are truly excellent.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Take it. Once again, congratulations.”
The Princess opened a velvet case brought by an attendant and handed him a golden rose brooch.
It was the prize awarded to the winner of the hunting competition.
As Aizen accepted the brooch, the Crown Prince abruptly turned and left his seat.
It seemed the sight displeased him greatly, which worked out well for me.
Because I found the Crown Prince unpleasant to look at.
“Oh my, Duke, where are you going now?”
At someone’s offhand remark, I turned my gaze back toward the platform.
Aizen was descending the steps, holding the brooch and walking straight toward me.
With his long strides, he quickly stopped in front of me and spoke.
“I would also like to repay my lifesaver.”
The golden rose brooch was held out toward me.
I was momentarily flustered, never having expected him to give it to me.
Is it really okay for me to accept this…?
Since my position was not exactly an upright one, I glanced around nervously before looking at Aizen.
He gave a small nod.
Right, if the person himself wants to give it to me.
Feeling shy, I carefully accepted the brooch.
Our fingertips brushed lightly before separating.
Watching us from afar, the Princess let out a small chuckle and declared.
“With that, this year’s hunting competition shall come to a close.”
After the hunting competition ended.
The Princess summoned me in secret.
I faced her inside a heavily guarded tent.
“It seems the one who fired the arrow was actually targeting Lady Granger.”
No wonder the second arrow flew straight toward Ariana.
“They did not intend to kill her, only to injure her, but they escaped during the interrogation, so we could not uncover the full truth.”
“But why Ariana…?”
“Who knows. Perhaps they wanted to play the gallant prince who helps his injured lover.”
She shrugged, a blatant sneer tugging at her lips.
Realizing she meant the Crown Prince, I frowned.
Considering the selfishness of a man who even resorted to poison to separate me from Ariana, it was entirely possible.
“In any case, it is fortunate that we can now openly lend you the Statue of Truth.”
“Ah, then when will I be able to use it?”
“The sooner the better, so I will try to arrange a schedule within a week.”
I nodded and rolled my eyes, scanning the inside of the Princess’s tent.
Unlike ours, it was filled with luxurious furniture, but that did not interest me much.
Is it really only Her Highness here…?
I kept glancing around, hoping there might be one more person besides objects.
Noticing this, the Princess tilted her chin.
“Whom are you looking for?”
“U-um… has Duke Calard already left?”
“Why, do you want to see him?”
“Yes! Ah— no. I mean, I did not get a chance to greet him properly.”
Fearing that openly showing my feelings might cause trouble for Aizen, I hurriedly corrected myself.
At that, the Princess burst into laughter.
“Hahaha. The two of you are quite transparent, you know. The Duke already left at my request, but do not worry. You will see him again when you use the Statue of Truth.”
“Ah, really…?”
What a relief.
There were still mountains of things I had not been able to say to Aizen.
Since it had come to this, talking face to face was far better than sending a letter.
I would clear my name and stand proudly before him.
The Princess gestured as if to say we would meet again later.
I bowed politely and left, returning with much lighter steps.
* * *
Three days later.
At last, the Princess formally prepared a venue for the use of the Statue of Truth.
The location was Clover Hall, one of the banquet halls in the Imperial Palace.
Disguised as before, I went there with Ariana.
On the way, Ariana tightly held my hand and said.
“Today, everyone will finally learn of your innocence, sister. You have been through so much.”
“Thank you. It is all because you believed in me.”
If Ariana had not trusted me, it would have taken far longer to clear my name.
It might even have been impossible.
Her presence felt incredibly reassuring.
When we arrived at the palace, word must have spread that I would be using the Statue of Truth, because nobles had crowded the entrance to watch, making it noisy.
However, once inside, I realized that was not the only reason for the commotion.
More precisely, it applied only to the women.
Inside the hall, there was a man who monopolized the attention of noble ladies and young misses alike.
He stood leaning casually against a wall, not mingling with anyone, which only drew more eyes.
Because—
“That’s Duke Calard, right?”
“Wow, it’s my first time seeing him in person. Isn’t he usually in the North? What brings him here?”
It was Aizen.
As if unaware of the women glancing at him, Aizen wore an indifferent expression.
Then his eyes met mine, and he straightened from his slanted posture.
A faint curve formed at the corner of his lips, and his hand lifted.
“Oh, who is he greeting right now?”
“Isn’t it me?”
“No, it’s me. Our eyes have been meeting for a while now.”
No, it’s me.
I lightly waved back in greeting.
I wanted to say that man used to be mine, but I held back.
The past tense is sad, after all.
If I succeed in turning it back into the present tense someday, I will definitely spread the word then.
Just as the spectators had mostly taken their places, the attendant guarding the entrance called out loudly.
“His Highness Crown Prince Lionel and Her Highness Princess Victoria are entering!”
The half-siblings, alike yet unlike each other, walked side by side along the carpet.
People parted to either side and bowed their heads in greeting.
I followed suit, greeting them while grumbling inwardly.
Why did the Crown Prince have to come?
Today, I planned to reveal Esther’s innocence and accuse him.
It would have been easier to sway public opinion if he were not present.
The two took their seats on the chairs placed upon the platform.
The Princess spoke leisurely to the gathered crowd.
“Today, I am here to keep a promise I made to a certain woman during the hunting competition. First, let us bring forth the imperial treasure.”
With a snap of her fingers, several attendants carried in a statue wrapped in cloth.
One of them carefully placed it at the center of the hall and removed the covering.
A pure white horse’s head emerged.
The Statue of Truth.
If one placed a hand inside the open mouth of the horse and spoke the truth, it would not move, but if one lied, the mouth would snap shut.
People gasped and examined the statue with curious eyes.
Gracefully crossing her legs, the Princess finally pointed at me.
“The maid of Lady Granger, step forward.”
I straightened my back and stepped forward without hesitation.
