Chapter 62
Tomorrow is the day of the victory celebration. There will be a ball after the ceremony.
My older sister would take the lead of the nobles and host social gatherings in place of the empress, who was too ill to rise. I, on the other hand, followed the emperor—not quite receiving the title of crown princess—but most of my activities were related to the emperor’s schedule.
Those on my sister’s side would never suspect that tomorrow, at the victory ceremony, there would be a surprise event where I would be officially appointed as crown princess.
So this was purely out of mischief.
It was because my sister had, of all times, held a tea party in preparation for the ball the day before the victory celebration.
“I asked you to bring the invitation, yet you always pretended not to know. And here you are, acting so impressive.”
Leonil Graham’s exasperation was over the fact that I hadn’t brought him a single invitation—not once. Of course, such social gatherings were clearly as vital to my sister as a lifeline. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have thrown herself into hosting them so diligently each time.
“Y-your Imperial Sun…!”
“Quiet. You’re too loud.”
I pressed my palm over the mouth of the servant trying to announce my arrival and walked inside.
“H-heavens!”
“You came without an invitation!”
“Such audacity!”
“Gracie?”
I saw the young lady with the fan and the triangular young lady from before, along with the twins. Around them were mostly older women, who appeared to be the noble ladies.
They felt slightly different from how their faces had appeared in pictures, but recalling the descriptions beside them, it wasn’t entirely unexpected.
Strangely, they weren’t all nobles. The group was evenly mixed between the emperor’s faction and the noble faction. Were they here to socialize, or to spy on each other’s information?
“How have you been, sister?”
“Ah… Gracie.”
“Your Highness, the princess.”
Leonil Graham was here as well.
“I heard Father went out with the strategists, so why is Graham here?”
“….”
“Oh, right. Father must have been annoyed at the incompetent strategists and didn’t want them around. Isn’t that so?”
He stared blankly at my mocking tone, then smiled. Oh? Thick-skinned just like my sister’s friends?
“Thank you for your attention. I shall strive to meet your expectations.”
“Yes, well, do so.”
“Gracie, what brings you here?”
“Gracie, what brings you here? Hahaha.”
Because the voices were identical, mimicking them was amusing. I might have looked crazy, but so what? Being seen as crazy is more fun anyway.
“I came to see how impressive it was. You tried to shove me into the river and keep me away, so I wanted to get closer, even like this.”
Of course, that was a lie. Who would want to get closer to you?
“Gracie…”
“Really, sister? I asked you so many times to send me an invitation, yet you never did once. I was so upset I had to come myself. Next week is our birthday, remember? You said we’d prepare the birthday banquet together, yet you ate all the letters I sent.”
“You’ve been busy…”
“Oh yes, you were busy indeed, wrecking Lilfei’s thighs.”
Only two people could be cursed by a backfire.
Since I had completed the quest incompletely, one was fixed on Lilfei. The other would return to the one who cast the curse.
Clearly, that meant my sister.
Better enjoy that pretty face while you can. Soon it will vanish.
“Gracie…”
“Sister, you look even prettier today. But were your eyes always this red? They seem much redder than before.”
I looked at her eyes and felt a strange sensation, so I looked away. When I first saw her, they were a similar pink with a hint of red, but now they were fully crimson.
“The second princess is truly rude.”
“Indeed. Entering without an invitation is sheer vulgarity.”
“That vulgarity is still better than covering your mouth with a fan and gossiping about others.”
“Ahem…!”
There’s no reason to hold back. I came here to make a scene anyway.
“Long time no see, Lady B.C. Fatherfucker. You once offered me such delicious tea.”
“Ah…”
“Shall I serve you this time?”
“Ugh…”
Francis frowned, looking at the fan lady. She must have remembered roughly what happened that day. That day too, she had worn a white dress, just like today.
[Quest! Truth or Lies I!]
Jump into the fountain in the center with three or more people!
Reward: See the affection level of your chosen character.
Damn. Do I really have to jump into the fountain even when I’m not feeling well?
Why should I go in? I’d do it if necessary, sure.
Then Francis and Ander Bils?
No, why should I let my allies fall in?
“Gracie, why are you bothering your sister again?”
“You should stop bothering me first! Do you know why I came? I came to confront you about messing with Joshua, interfering with the Ber River embankment, and sending those terrible letters to Azelia.”
“Gracie.”
Azelia was originally a tax officer in the Dayrid Kingdom. Her doubts about rebuilding the Ber River embankment stemmed from this.
I pulled out the letter and unfolded it.
“Dear Azelia, I cannot sleep at night thinking of the humiliations you suffered in the Dayrid Kingdom. You still miss your mother left behind in the kingdom. If my small help can allow your mother to settle in Bastian, nothing could make me happier. Perhaps when the Ber River embankment work is complete, your mother will also come to Bastian’s capital—it would be a great joy. Please, if you can share the details of your work on the Ber River embankment, it would delight me. With my sincere regards, Kiira.”
“…Gracie!”
“I recently caught a spy with Clayton during the Ber River embankment reconstruction. That spy left this behind.”
In short, my sister’s letter was saying: I’ll bring your mother to Bastian. Hand over all the information you know.
“Sincere regards my foot. Isn’t this basically threatening her mother if she refuses? No wonder Azelia begged for her life in tears—I get it now.”
“Your Highness.”
“How dare you intervene, Graham?”
“I only corresponded with Azelia to build friendship!”
“Don’t lie. I brought it to give you a chance to explain before passing it to Father.”
This alone wasn’t sufficient evidence. That’s why I came for another purpose. I hadn’t expected this quest.
Leonil Graham looked at my sister, but she was so focused on me she seemed oblivious to his warnings.
The so-called heroine isn’t as clever as expected.
“Hand over Azelia’s mother. Or should I have Clayton investigate? The one you so dearly love?”
“…Gracie.”
“Stop calling my name. I’m tired of it.”
Her lips pressed together as if restraining her anger. Luckily, it’s the same face—she can still be pretty even when angry.
“That alone is insufficient as evidence.”
“Hey. Didn’t I tell you not to interrupt me?”
I glared at Leonil Graham. He clenched his fists and avoided my gaze.
“My apologies.”
“Even if it’s not evidence, insubordinate behavior can lead to reprimand. If reprimanded, you would have to relinquish the command granted by Her Majesty the Empress.”
I’m glad I brought an aide along. Really.
“Azelia has already submitted the ring given as a token by the first princess. The inspection department is tracing its origin.”
“Oh, speaking of the inspection department, sister…”
“….”
“They found a magical item. Remember the day you shoved me into the boat? They discovered a magic stone at the bottom of the boat.”
In this game, magic required a magic stone. So someone must have used magic to control my body. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have jumped into the river like a madwoman.
“Neither Neil nor I are magicians, so having a magic stone doesn’t help.”
“They said if there’s a scroll with the stone, it works?”
“….”
“They said that if the scroll is torn, it disappears. That caused the tower master a lot of trouble investigating it.”
Kiira’s chin trembled. She looked pale and terrified, but with her innocent face, I felt almost villainous.
“They said it’s not impossible to track.”
That’s a lie. Even the tower master said torn scrolls can’t be traced.
“Father said they’d find it soon.”
“….”
“Aren’t you curious? Who controlled me to frame my sister and Graham?”
I tapped Kiira’s shoulders. She resisted, stepping back, then looked down and glared at me unjustly. It almost made me laugh.
“Oh, and there’s something else.”
“Stop.”
“They said someone imitated me during Sir Francis’ trial.”
“Stop.”
“Do you know who brought that evidence?”
Another lie. My sister was so easily manipulated she could brazenly say it.
“If it’s really the culprit, they’d be terrifying. Could they survive if caught?”
“Stop it!”
“No, you stop it, Kiira.”
