A Blend of Romance and Fantasy - Chapter 80

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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80.
What I requested this time was also a dramatic transformation through makeup.
Thetis gasped as she watched Abigail and Dorothy reshape my face into something utterly fierce and intimidating.
As I walked through the Corridor toward the Empress’s Palace, drawing every servant’s gaze upon myself, I felt an odd sense of satisfaction.
But wouldn’t it be good if they all grew accustomed to it?
After all, whenever Charlotte applied such makeup, it meant she was heading into battle.
With that thought, my feet carried me swiftly until I found myself already arriving at the Empress’s Palace.
The moment I sat in the seat the Empress’s personal maidservant indicated, the Empress spoke.
“Send the Sixth Prince’s Wife and Cedric to Sincester.”
Straight to the point, then.
But since I had anticipated this, I answered with composure.
“That is something I cannot do.”
“…Are you refusing my counsel right now?”
“Refusing? I merely judged it would be far too discourteous to Cedric, who followed me all the way to the Blake Empire for my sake.”
As I answered with a smile, the Empress’s brow furrowed.
“But isn’t the Sixth Prince’s Wife currently tarnishing the name of Blake? I find myself deeply concerned about a Princess who has only just assumed her position as consort.”
“On the contrary, sending Cedric to Sincester without any defense would be the one tarnishing Blake’s name. It would appear as though you were affirming those vile rumors. Furthermore, it would constitute a grave discourtesy from Blake to both my homeland of Sincester and the House of Myers. There is nothing between myself and Cedric, you see. Surely the Empress, as the mother of the nation, would not wish to commit such an offense against my country?”
“…”
I heard the sound of the Empress’s fan crinkling in her grip.
“But the Prince’s Consort must conduct herself wisely regarding this predicament. How do you intend to proceed?”
“In truth, those rumors are highly suspicious.”
I set down my teacup and voiced what I had been considering since the rumors first emerged.
“It is true that I teleported with Cedric, but that alone could not have spawned such rumors. The rumors gained credence because we traveled together for a week. Yet no one witnessed us traveling together. Cedric and I wandered through the mountains alone—just the two of us.”
Even the Silverstone patrol unit we encountered while lost in the mountains did not know that only the two of us had been there for that entire week.
Moreover, if anyone had actually seen us both in the mountains, it would create a problem.
They would become criminals for allowing the Prince’s Consort and the Duke to wander unattended for a week.
“What are you trying to say?”
“That someone deliberately created and spread these rumors. Just as Josephine’s Son believed I had killed her.”
At my words, the Empress’s lips pressed firmly shut.
A brief, delicate silence fell between us.
“I intend to find that person and present them before the newspaper offices that are gleefully publishing my rumors.”
“Present them for what purpose?”
“For what purpose? To make them confess what they have done, of course.”
The Empress raised one eyebrow, a subtle displeasure mixed into her expression.
“You seem quite confident. Do you have evidence, or at least a suspect in mind?”
“Not yet. But I do know who told Josephine’s Son that I was the one who killed his mother.”
“!”
The Empress’s fingertips trembled slightly.
“It was you, wasn’t it, Empress?”
The Empress’s pupils wavered. The hand holding her fan trembled, producing a rustling sound.
“Do not bother trying to hide it. When I was ambushed, I thought that man would kill me in an instant—yet my husband did not leave him in the Styx River, did he? That much must have been beyond your expectations.”
“….”
“Of course, the ladies at the Dress Shop also heard what you said.”
“…I merely.”
The Empress lowered her gaze and drew in a breath. Then, as though nothing had happened, she resumed fanning herself with deliberate slowness.
“I only suggested in passing that the Princess might have killed him. It was Josephine’s Son who misinterpreted those words.”
“How can you speak so carelessly about a man’s death? Are you in your right mind!?”
“My, what harsh language. Since there were differing opinions on who the culprit was, I merely jested by mentioning possible suspects, did I not?”
The Empress folded her fan with composure.
“Among those suspects, the Princess… or rather, the Prince’s Consort simply seemed the most likely.”
“….”
“If I caused offense, I shall apologize.”
She nearly got someone killed and now wants to brush it aside with an apology? I had never seen such madness.
This time, genuine murderous intent surged through me, but I was a citizen educated in civility and propriety… no, I was the Princess.
I took a deep breath to compose myself.
“I am relieved to see you have the inclination to apologize, unlike last time. Then I earnestly request that you offer a public apology at the upcoming Hunting Festival.”
“…Princess!!”
When the Empress cried out loudly, I rose from my seat.
“Furthermore, if you believed I could not find the schemer, you are greatly mistaken. If you have already investigated, then you must know whom I have dealt with, yes?”
The sovereign of the Sincester Underworld—Knox Glaston.
“That he wielded influence throughout the Blake Empire, Your Majesty the Empress surely knows.”
“…You mean the various enterprises he dabbled in? Such trivial matters pale in comparison to the magnates of our Blake.”
“Yet now that he is dead, there are quite a few people scrambling about in disarray.”
“….”
The Empress’s eyes narrowed. My words must have struck true. I smiled with perfect composure and rose from my seat.
“Then I shall take my leave. I am quite busy searching for the schemer.”
“Princess, our conversation is not yet finished. Does this mean you intend to keep Cedric at your side until you find the schemer?”
“….”
Yes, that is indeed the problem. But as I said before, I cannot send Cedric to Sincester.
“Since this concerns my reputation, I shall consult with Leonard and reach a conclusion.”
Just as I was about to leave the Empress’s Palace, I noticed a vase sitting on the drawer beside me.
It was the vase I had given her. As expected, I could not feel the blessing I had placed upon it.
“Is this the vase I gave you last time?”
“…Yes, you pestered me so much to display it that I obliged.”
I let out a scoff and traced my finger along the rim of the vase.
“How strange. It seems it must have been switched during delivery. This is not the vase I gave you.”
“What are you talking about? That is certainly the vase the Princess gave me.”
“I think not.”
I smiled and tapped the vase lightly.
“When I touch a blessed object with the Radiant Stone ring I am currently wearing, it should glow brightly. Yet it does not. This proves it is not the vase I gave you.”
“!!”
“Or perhaps Your Majesty is simply too sensitive, and you feared the effects of the sacred object I gifted you, so you shattered the vase in a fit of rage.”
“Princess!”
“Oh my, if I’ve offended you, I do apologize.”
I stuck my tongue out inwardly and walked straight out of the Empress’s Palace.
Before the door even closed, there came a sharp crash, followed by a tremendous commotion.
“Ah, that feels absolutely satisfying.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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