Chapter 26

While comforting the sobbing Chelsea, Kevin listened to her story and calmed her down before straightening his back and facing the Crown Prince Alexis and his fiancée Amanda, who were seated in front of him.

"Your Highness, Lady Amanda, thank you for helping Chelsea."

"There's no need to thank us... In fact, as I told her earlier, we came here for a reason that, in a sense, is similar to those men's."

Hearing these words, Kevin's expression stiffened. Alexis gave instructions to the young guard, who then laid out several documents on the table.

"This is..."

Seeing the various amounts of money on the signed promissory notes laid out before them, Kevin and Chelsea turned pale.

"Please calm down. Some of these have already been identified as obvious frauds, perpetrated by unwise individuals."

"Unfortunately, such fools exist everywhere. ...The problem lies with the ones with larger amounts."

As Alexis pointed to the promissory note, it showed an amount that a commoner could never repay.

"This is the amount those people mentioned earlier. But it's hard to believe that Flora would borrow such a large sum of money..."

As Chelsea said this with a tearful voice, both Alexis and Amanda nodded in agreement.

"Yes, there were even rumors in the city that Flora had borrowed money to live extravagantly. But we know that these rumors are false. If she had bought expensive jewels, there would have been a jeweler who sold them, and that could have been investigated."

"That's true. The problem is that the signatures on these promissory notes match Flora's handwriting..."

Hearing this, Kevin was shaken, but Alexis smiled at him.

"That can be determined by comparing them."

Saying this, Alexis laid out several promissory notes.

"Not only the handwriting, but the size and width of the letters all match perfectly. These are precise forgeries. However, this is only noticeable when they are laid out side by side for comparison. If you were shown just one without any information, it would be difficult to detect."

Kevin nodded but voiced his doubt.

"But, in the end, it can be investigated, right...?"

"Yes, if you have the means and time to investigate."

Hearing Alexis's words, Kevin lowered his head. The ability to gather and compare these promissory notes was only possible with the authority of the Crown Prince. The investigation to prove that the rumors of extravagance were false was also possible because Amanda was a marquise's daughter. As commoners, Kevin and Chelsea, and of course Flora, would find it difficult to prove their innocence due to their status. In fact, today, Chelsea had almost been in danger without her objections being heard.

"Who would do such a thing...? Is there someone who would benefit from framing Flora...?"

Kevin muttered with a hint of anger.

"We are currently investigating who is behind this and what their purpose is. However, there are a few things we can speculate about their intentions. But this is only at this stage."

After this preface, Alexis looked into Kevin's eyes.

"For example... today, you thanked Amanda and me first for helping Chelsea."

"Chelsea, being a noble, and also because she had noticed our true identities, was relieved to be out of danger and had let her guard down, right?"

In response to their questions, Kevin and Chelsea nodded in unison.

"What if those men were planted by us? What do you think?"

Kevin frowned.

"Are you saying that the fake promissory notes were a staged prop to gain our trust...?"

"As I said, this is just speculation. However, it is a fact that there are those who want to control the Holy Knights for political reasons, and some of them might have considered using their wives as a means to do so. But there is a significant gap between commoners and nobles. If they approached them normally, they would either be feared and kept at a distance or be suspected of having ulterior motives."

Alexis's words were followed by Amanda.

"A promissory note signed in one's own handwriting, with no memory of it, and no way to prove one's innocence. The appearance of a powerful helper in such a weak position... Given that Flora, like you, seems to be a good person, she might have gratefully believed and trusted them without any doubt."

Alexis and Amanda's words hinted at the involvement of the ruling class.

"But it doesn't seem like anything like that happened. I went to Flora's place every day, so I would have noticed if something strange was going on. I only found out about these promissory notes today..."

To Chelsea's unconvinced expression, Alexis nodded with a smile.

"I think the plan of the person who orchestrated this changed midway. In fact, this fake promissory note was delivered to Holy Knight Elliot six months ago, without involving Flora."

"Wh-what...?"

As Kevin was stunned, Alexis smiled wryly.

"This was created about nine months ago, when the Holy Knight's fame had spread throughout the country. However, a new rumor soon spread in the city. That another woman was by the Holy Knight's side."

Kevin frowned deeply.

"...So they changed their plan after observing the situation?"

"Well, we won't know for sure until we ask the person who orchestrated it."

"Do you have any suspects...?"

In response to Kevin's question, Alexis gave an ambiguous smile. Then, with a hint of a laugh, he whispered in a barely audible voice.

"…I hope it's not my father."

Whether it was sincere, sarcastic, or a bad joke, Kevin couldn't tell, and he decided to pretend he hadn't heard anything, his face twitching.

– After all, a low-ranking knight wouldn't be told this much...

"Still, it was fortunate that we visited today. We caught a small clue."

Amanda smiled, looking somewhat amused. Kevin wondered if she was thinking of torture.

"Our visit is also because they have recently become more active in searching for Flora."

"If what you said earlier about the change in their plan is true, they shouldn't need Flora anymore, right?"

In response to Kevin's question, Alexis nodded solemnly, and Amanda continued.

"They have become more active in the past few days. They hadn't contacted Flora at all since creating the fake promissory note, so something must be happening."

"Do you have any ideas, you two?"

Kevin and Chelsea looked at each other but couldn't think of anything special. When they honestly said they didn't know, they received a gentle smile in return.

"We will continue our investigation, but rest assured. We will be fair, but we won't treat you badly."

Hearing this, Kevin raised his head and straightened his posture again.

"Your Highness, please take care of Flora."

"...You are a knight of the Royal Knights, yet you do not look down on me."

In response to Kevin's deep bow, Alexis said this.

"I know what I am called in the Royal Knights. But despite that, you have been sincere with me today..."

Alexis, who seemed older than his actual age due to his royal status and demeanor, looked slightly uncomfortable, and for the first time, he looked his age.