Chapter 54

And then, something completely unexpected came out.

The one in the castle is a fake, and this one might be the real thing—such thoughts crossed my mind! And then, my rarely accurate sixth sense started giving me strong premonitions!

...There was also some sort of evidence to back it up.

No, no, no! It’s not decided yet. There are parts that can be used to determine authenticity.

I carefully changed the orientation of the crown and examined one of the embedded gems.

"……"

I saw the decisive clue.

—This happened when, driven by the spirit of a yaoi enthusiast, I was searching for a book with a BL scent.

I was diligently excavating new books in the castle’s library.

What I found were numerous illustrations depicting the coronation ceremonies of the kings throughout history.

Some were detailed sketches, others were colored, some focused on the king himself, and some had notes on the production process. The drawing styles varied by era.

Since there was no technology to take photos, events were recorded through illustrations.

It was hard to discard the illustrations that were not officially adopted, so they were stored in the library and left untouched for years, covered in dust—something like that.

Although it wasn’t what I was looking for, I was thrilled to discover a treasure!

I arranged them in order based on the notes, and read them as if I were devouring them! I was so hungry! The illustrations were fun to look at, and I could imagine them as comics in my mind! And they were all new to me!

Thanks to that, or something, I noticed that there were two types of crowns depicted in the illustrations. The crown worn by the kings of Esphera is supposed to be the same one since the first king. But.

Whether the crown had a blue, insect-embedded amber or not. That was the difference.

When you think of amber, you might imagine a honey-like yellow. However, amber, which is formed from hardened resin, comes in various colors, including blue.

And one of the illustrations I found in the library told a story.

The crown had a blue, insect-embedded amber! It said.

The crowns depicted in the illustrations from the early era of the first king had the blue, insect-embedded amber. However, as the era progressed, the insect disappeared from the blue gem on the left side of the crown. Huh?

I was faced with a dilemma in front of the treasure illustrations.

What came to mind was the image of my father wearing the crown.

The crown... I think there were several blue gems embedded, but what did it actually look like?

The quickest way to see the real thing! I sneaked into the castle’s storage room to get a glimpse of the crown, which is usually kept away.

To be precise, the day before a specific event when my father would wear the crown, it would be displayed for a limited time, so I just visited the room where it was stored.

I brought two of the treasure illustrations I found in the library for comparison, and used a bit of princess authority to clear the room.

Before I could clear the room, I ran into Alec, who was already there admiring the crown, but since it was Alec, there was no problem! In fact, he was more than welcome!

I started the verification process, comparing the treasure illustrations with the real crown.

—The real crown had a blue amber embedded, but there was no trace of an insect.

Both illustrations accurately depicted the features of the crown.

The only difference from the real thing was the insect-embedded amber.

"Big sister... Is the crown not the real one?"

Alec, who is very smart, deduced this by comparing the treasure illustrations with the real crown and asked with a puzzled look.

The crown, which should have been passed down carefully in the royal family, had been switched a long time ago? The moment the suspicion was born. The key point is that it’s still a suspicion.

Unless there is another crown with a blue, insect-embedded amber, this is the only one!

It’s the real thing!

—I decided to believe that and solemnly told Alec.

"Let's pretend we didn't see it."

"...Yes, Big sister."

For a moment, Alec's emerald green eyes widened, then he nodded with an angelic smile.

"Oh, the two of you."

Right after that, Uncle, who had come to the castle, entered the room, suspicious of the cleared room.

Even though I had the chance to meet Uncle, I was distracted at that moment.

When asked about the illustrations I was holding, I showed one of them as if it was nothing, but my heart was pounding.

Uncle didn’t ask any more questions and returned the illustration to me, and I left with Alec.

—Well.

Now, the crown I’m holding in both hands has a blue amber embedded.

...With an insect!

Curiosity kills the cat.

Oh, this is a troublesome thing.

Can I just put it back, cover it, and pretend I didn’t see it...

As I panicked internally, a shadow fell over the crown. It was Uncle, who seemed to be examining the crown closely.

I looked up at him, seeking help.

What should we do with this? What do you think, Uncle? Even if it’s not about authenticity, the crown stored in the castle looks too similar! And the place where it was found is also suspicious...

Should we bury it in the dark? Or maybe it would be a good ending if Uncle just took it for himself! I’ll help you!

As my thoughts raced in a dangerous direction,

"Who would have thought it would be inside the tomb of Queen Idearia..."

Uncle muttered.

Then, he laughed as if he couldn’t hold it back.

I have no idea what he found amusing, Uncle!

With wide eyes, I looked at Uncle, who said, "Excuse me," and composed himself before speaking again.

"I was surprised to find it in such a place."

No, no, no, Uncle. Are you surprised by the place where the crown was found?

You’re not surprised by the crown itself?

"Your Majesty has also been looking for the real one. He has been searching for it."

Father has been looking for the real one...? Hmm?

"Uncle, the crown in the castle..."

"What is it? When did you... visit the storage room with Prince Alexis to verify it? With two illustrations?"

Caught! Sharp Uncle!

But from the way Uncle spoke—

I looked at the crown in my hand.

"The crown in the castle is a fake. Do others know about it?"

Actually, everyone knows! It’s common knowledge among the royal family and upper nobility! If that’s the case, it would be a shock. In that case, what about me, who wasn’t told...

Uncle smiled wryly and slowly shook his head.

"No. Of course, officially, the one worn by His Majesty is the real one. However, there are those who have heard that King Usu lost the crown before his coronation and had a replica made in a hurry. This is the one that has been passed down in the royal family."

What...! This was not mentioned in the books about King Usu that I read.

Even clearly unreliable stories were included, but... this was intentionally left out, wasn’t it.

"However, those who have heard this do not speak of it publicly. They do not believe it either."

"...It can’t be made public?"

The blue, insect-embedded amber couldn’t be replicated. The idea that the real crown was lost by King Usu and the one passed down is a replica. It’s a scandal.

...If it were recorded as official history, it might be different, but the official stance is that the crown has been passed down from the first king.

If it’s called a fake, it could be seen as an act of rebellion against the king.

"I have only spoken about this to you, Your Highness. In fact, you have also kept silent about it, haven’t you?"

"Because there was no evidence. Causing a fuss without reason would..."

It’s a policy of non-interference.

Because it’s the crown! A treasure of the royal family.

Even though I planted the seeds of doubt in my mind, the illustrations alone were not enough to declare it a fake. There must be some reason, or...

"Yes. It is difficult for us to accurately know past events. What was once there might be said to have never existed. What never existed might be said to have existed. Both are possible. —Moreover, people lie. Intentional lies. Unintentional lies. The latter is more problematic. Without evidence, it would have been impossible to prove anything about the crown."

It was impossible. I think Uncle used the past tense on purpose.

Because I have the evidence in my hands.

"...If the real crown was never found?"

"Yes."

Uncle nodded.

"If you have the crown you are holding, it’s a different story. For those who wish to challenge the royal family, it could be a powerful tool. —In fact, from the past to the present, there have been people who have sought the crown lost by King Usu for various reasons."

Father was also looking for it. It’s natural for a king.

But—King Usu lost the crown? By mistake?

I looked back and forth between the blue tomb and the crown.

Considering the mechanism, it seems more like a deliberate act.

King Usu himself mourned Queen Idearia along with the crown, which seems to be the correct interpretation.

...People lie. The words Uncle just said came to mind.

The intentional lie of King Usu.

It feels like Uncle is speaking with this in mind.

"'Do not return it to the royal family,' 'Do not alter the throne room.' This annex was one of the places where the crown was thought to be, based on the words left by that king. However, no one seems to have searched inside the tomb of the sister he killed."

In a previous life, tombs like those in ancient Japan or Egypt were often targeted by tomb raiders for their burial goods. But it’s difficult to even reach this place, and Queen Idearia herself is...

Ah. Uncle is not just surprised by the crown.

He is also not surprised by the tomb of Queen Idearia—by her.

—The sister who was killed by her brother. The queen who was erased from history.

"Uncle, you’re not surprised by the existence of Queen Idearia. Or by this tomb?"

"Yes. I am aware of her, as knowledge."

"...Even if you don’t speak of it publicly?"

"Yes."

Uncle smiled slightly and nodded, then spoke quietly.

"The crown being inside the tomb might be a statement by King Usu."

Why did King Usu hide the crown in his sister’s tomb? I think he hid it.

He erased her from history, but here—in this 'Empty Room'—he made it so that no one could enter, and inscribed her name as a queen, not just a member of the royal family.

Idearia Esphera.

"Statement..."

"—I am not the king. My sister is the true king."

Then, Uncle continued.

"Another interpretation is possible. King Usu, who killed his sister, feared her as a dead person. He created this place to pacify her. The crown is a tool for that purpose."

I shook my head.

"I don’t think so."

What I feel in this 'Empty Room' is respect and comfort for the dead. The tomb is formal. That’s why it’s confusing.

"—Uncle, why did King Usu kill his sister? ...Was there no other way?"

"The psychology of the killed Idearia Esphera can be imagined. The official history of King Usu’s reign includes what she did. From this, we can infer that she was a king who loved her country and people. —That’s why."

"Because she was a king?"

"And a king who lived for the country. When things became impossible, she met her end in the most appropriate way."

"Uncle, are you saying that her end was to be killed by King Usu?"

"Those who kill a bad king are not seen as criminals but as heroes. They are fit to be the next king. It’s a death to pass the country to the younger brother."

"...Was she a bad king?"

"If the country declines, the people will see the king as bad."

When the queen ascends, the country falls into chaos. There might be parts where the young man from the original story was involved. ...If I investigate King Usu more, I might learn more. Another perspective, for example, from the Kanigina people’s view of King Usu.

"—Your Highness, don’t be too fixated on the past. It’s something that can’t be changed."

"If that’s the case, do you think the future can be changed?"

"It’s easier than trying to change the past."

Uncle nodded strongly, as if it were the most obvious thing.

"That’s right."

I couldn’t help but smile broadly. The future is not yet decided. It might be changed. ...I will change it.

"Your Highness has already changed one thing in the future. This crown."

I looked down at the crown in my hands. ...This?

"The next king will wear this crown, won’t they? It’s a joy to have it discovered."

That’s right. The premise was different from my understanding, so finding the real crown and giving it to Father is the best. But, if possible.

"Uncle, can you do me a favor with this crown?"

"If I can."

Uncle, as expected! I was waiting for those words!

I pushed the crown forward to Uncle.

Uncle, who blinked, took the shining crown.

"Please tell Father that you found it and give it to him."

"Me... to His Majesty?"

"It’s better that way."

I nodded.

This will definitely improve Father’s evaluation of Uncle!

Father and Uncle don’t seem to get along very well.

It seems Father finds Uncle annoying, like a thorn in his side.

It’s possible that my view is biased because I favor Uncle. The relationship between the royal family and the Duke of Knight Fellow is good, and Father, as king, has never neglected Uncle, but if I have to give this crown to Father, it should be Uncle.

And if I make the discovery Uncle’s achievement!

Actually, the true hero in finding the crown is Rust...

He knew the crown was there and whispered those words? Hmm...

"—I will. I will present this crown to His Majesty from me."

I beamed at Uncle’s response.

"Yes!"

"But I will tell him that I received it from Princess Octavia."

He’s so serious... But I’m impressed by that too!

"Alright, Uncle."

As I answered, Uncle called one of the soldiers. The soldier approached Uncle, ran off for a moment, and returned with a cloth. The soldier spread the cloth with both hands, and Uncle placed the crown on it. The soldier bowed and stepped back.

Assuming Uncle will definitely give the crown to Father—

"Then, Uncle, can you also talk to me about the incident with Sir Sil?"

Since I’m here, I might as well ask!