Chapter 65

In my head, the bell of victory rang out.

I don’t know why, but Lord Edgar has decided to lend me a hand!

There’s no way I’d turn down this offer!

First, share the information! I explained everything that happened after I returned from the semi-ball—except for the part about Duke Kilglen and Father—to Lord Edgar without holding anything back. I heard Enock mutter something like, “You’ve really cut it short, Enock,” in the middle of it.

I told him about how I managed to get permission from my brother for this walk in the garden, and finally, the main request: I asked him to put in a good word to help with my brother’s situation.

I was unsure about how to ask for his cooperation, but my brother would surely listen to Lord Edgar’s words.

Please use your authority as the second-in-command of Esphair!

When Lord Edgar finished listening, his chestnut eyes clouded over. He seemed to be deep in thought, saying, “Hmm.”

Eventually, Lord Edgar spoke.

“I don’t mind putting in a good word...”

The bell of victory rang out again. As an effect, golden confetti was added.

But.

“I don’t think Serius’s mind will change.”

Lord Edgar was merciless. The bell of victory turned into a gong of disappointment.

“Even if I put in a good word, it won’t change anything in this case. First, we need to clear Alderton’s name.”

For a moment, I almost missed it because Lord Edgar said it so casually.

Because of the way he said it.

“—Do you believe in Clifford’s innocence, Lord Edgar?”

“I don’t know much about the guard knight, so I’m placing more weight on the fact that Octavia performed the oath. Besides, once I’ve decided to help, I have to stand on your side.”

“...I might end up on the opposite side of Father.”

“I think Enock will remain neutral, but even if we end up on opposite sides, it might be good to mix things up sometimes. Our relationship won’t be ruined.”

Even if there’s something you can’t tell Father, Lord Edgar, you’re so strong to say it so lightly.

“Shall we organize it?”

Lord Edgar listed my requests one by one.

“Alderton... the release of the guard knight. Lifting the restrictions on Octavia’s movements and resuming her official duties—there was a planned inspection of the town the day after tomorrow, right?—no, I heard that Serius will be taking over this inspection...”

“My brother will be taking over the inspection? But usually...”

“It’s more appropriate to postpone it.”

That’s right! The inspection was rejected by my brother, but I thought it would be postponed...

I didn’t hear anything about my brother going instead of postponing it!

I’m not giving up on the inspection! It’s full of dreams! It’s also a pleasure for me to experience the life of the common people, even though it’s part of my official duties.

I need to clarify this.

I turned around.

The most suitable person to ask was standing a bit away.

The black-haired guard knight—Hugh Roberts.

“Did you call me, Your Highness?”

I questioned Hugh, who bowed his head in front of me.

“Look up. I have a question. I heard from Lord Edgar that my brother will be taking over the inspection I was supposed to conduct. Is that true?”

“...”

Hugh glanced at Lord Edgar, who smiled back without hesitation.

“I also want to confirm the details. If my memory is wrong, I would have misled Octavia.”

The push from the second-in-command of Esphair was effective! Reluctantly, Hugh, who had been looking down, spoke.

“...Prince Serius has decided to take over the inspection.”

“Shouldn’t I have been informed when the decision was made?”

There were various arrangements and preparations to be made! Selecting the places and shops to visit!

I’m always at my limit, but I’m always serious! I approach it with 120% enthusiasm!

Besides.

“The type of official duties differs between my brother and me. The correct measure would be to reschedule the date.”

The difference in roles between a prince and a princess. Even if it’s a substitute, it’s understandable if it’s between princes. Alek could take over for my brother, or vice versa. However, it’s generally not the case for my brother or Alek to take over for me. Well, there are exceptions, but inspections are not included. They are usually well-planned in advance.

It’s strange that it’s not postponed!

“—Or is there a reason it can’t be postponed?”

“!”

I’m sharp this morning! The question I asked out of frustration hit Hugh. I didn’t miss the slight reaction he couldn’t hide.

“There is a reason.”

“...”

Silent Hugh. I had a feeling that if I pressed him, a way forward might open up.

“Why is my brother taking over the inspection I was supposed to conduct?”

“...”

Hmm. The power of a princess doesn’t work.

Continued silence from Hugh. He’s my brother’s confidant and won’t betray him.

I stared at Hugh intently. The pressure of my gaze didn’t work...

It’s impossible unless there’s a crack in the relationship between my brother and Hugh. My brother’s trust in Hugh is immense, which is why he assigned him as my guard knight.

Moreover, he didn’t just say it verbally; he also sent a formal letter stating, “I will assign Hugh as your guard knight for a while.” It arrived from my brother early this morning.

...Guard knight. Hugh is loyal to my brother...

A light bulb went off in my head. Maybe it’s possible.

I’m still sharp this morning. I found a way to approach Hugh!

—It’s sophistry. But my position as a princess strengthens the sophistry—.

In short, sophistry is about momentum!

“Hugh Roberts. You are currently serving as my guard knight, by my brother’s direct order. Do you have any objections?”

“Yes.”

“Then, do you intend to neglect my brother’s order?”

“...?”

A hint of confusion appeared in Hugh’s pitch-black eyes. I could tell he didn’t think he was neglecting his duties.

“If you are to carry out my brother’s order, even if it’s temporary, you must serve me as a guard knight, just as you would serve my brother. Reflect—can you say you are doing so? I cannot tolerate being taken lightly by someone to whom I have entrusted my safety.”

If you accept the responsibility, I expect equal treatment and effort!

I assume the effort is not a problem, but the treatment is what I’m focusing on! I don’t expect you to prioritize me over my brother, but I do expect the same level of treatment! Answering my questions honestly, for example!

“My questions should be treated with the same weight as my brother’s orders. —Who are you right now?”

“—I am Princess Octavia’s guard knight.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

I nodded.

Let’s start over.

“—Why is my brother taking over my inspection?”

Internally, I swallowed hard. If Hugh doesn’t answer this, I’m stuck.

Hugh opened his mouth.

“The plan by the anti-royalists is not just one. It has been discovered that an attack was planned during Princess Octavia’s inspection.”

Yes! ...No!

Another attack?

“When and from where did you get this information?”

“The first report was on the day of the semi-ball. While I was on a separate mission for Prince Serius, I...”

“Separate... Was it the mission when the enemy cut the tassels?”

“...”

Hugh nodded silently.

I opened my ‘Black Fan’ and floated it to calm my mind while referencing my knowledge from the original story.

Octavia being targeted by the anti-royalists during the inspection—no, that doesn’t happen.

Serius and Sir Sil are targeted in the town, but I already took care of that. I subtly mentioned it to my brother because it was a high-risk situation for Sir Sil.

“Since it’s the first report, there’s a second one, right?”

“Similar information was obtained from the criminals captured by Duke Knight Fellow at the semi-ball.”

“Did the criminals just change their plan from the inspection to the semi-ball?”

Hugh shook his head.

“The original plan is the same, but we see it as an insurance plan—by a separate team.”

A backup plan in case the semi-ball attack failed?

So, it’s still related to the semi-ball attack...

And, the reason my brother is going on the inspection is clear.

“My brother wants the criminals to carry out their plan to attack during the inspection.”

If it were postponed, they might miss the opportunity.

“Like Princess Octavia did at the semi-ball, Prince Serius intends to use himself as bait during the inspection.”

“But, is my brother going to be the bait? The criminals are targeting my inspection. I am the target.”

“The anti-royalists target all members of the royal family. Prince Serius is also a target.”

The target is the royal family... Is there a stronger connection to the criminals who attacked me in the garden of ‘Heaven’s Paradise’?

“Just to be sure, is Sir Sil not a target this time?”

Because of my knowledge from the original story, I can’t shake off my concerns. Even if I took care of one threat, another flag might have been raised... Well, I don’t think the conditions would be met unless my brother brings Sir Sil along on the inspection. The incident happens when my brother and Sir Sil go to the town together.

And, it’s unimaginable for my brother to bring Sir Sil on an inspection where he intends to be the bait.

“Prince Serius is working to prevent that.”

“...”

It’s too ambiguous whether he’s a target or not.

Wait, I should think about why he’s giving such an answer?

Perhaps—

“—Does my brother suspect that Clifford is involved in this as well?”

“I cannot say for sure.”

Hugh avoided the question with a humble gesture.

But my certainty grew stronger.

My brother probably suspects that Clifford, who tampered with the carriage to target Sir Sil (according to my brother), is also involved in the attack plan during my inspection. That’s why Clifford is under house arrest. The inspection day is no exception. He’s suspicious in every direction?

Why is it like that? I want to grab him by the collar and shake him.

Once a suspicion is planted, it can become a fact...

But proving innocence without a trial is impossible unless the culprit is caught—

“!”

I snapped my ‘Black Fan’ shut.

I turned to Lord Edgar, who had been listening to my conversation with Hugh.

“Lord Edgar”

“?”

“Please lend me your ear.”

I leaned in and whispered my plan to prove Clifford’s innocence to Lord Edgar.

It’s not a grand plan.

Alternatively, it could be called the “If you suspect Clifford, why not catch him in the act?” plan.

The inspection will proceed as originally planned, with me and my brother conducting it together. We will be the baits.

However, Clifford will also join us, and his surveillance will be relaxed.

When the criminals attack me or my brother as planned, I will observe with my own eyes whether Clifford acts suspiciously.

I plan to propose this to my brother.

“However, it’s uncertain whether my brother will accept the proposal. Lord Edgar, please persuade him to accept it. If he shows any resistance, please convince him.”

“...This is not a peaceful method. I cannot agree.”

Lord Edgar frowned and muttered.

What? Lord Edgar is hesitant before my brother?

“This method involves danger, following the semi-ball.”

“It’s the best way to resolve everything at once.”

Being bait... I’m scared, but I’ve already experienced it at the semi-ball without realizing it. And with Clifford there, I’ll be fine. I won’t be hurt.

Besides, there’s no way Clifford will act suspiciously.

At least, this will prove that he’s not involved in the attack during the inspection. We can catch the attackers and break through my brother’s stubborn suspicions. I feel like I can make progress from there.

If my brother accepts the proposal, my great victory is just around the corner.

All I have to do is wait for the inspection day after tomorrow.

Even if the attack doesn’t happen, the situation won’t worsen.

A deep sigh escaped Lord Edgar’s lips.

“You seem determined.”

He said, then plucked a flower from the bouquet of Reishuran he was holding.

I wondered what he was going to do—.

“...?”

A white flower was placed in my hair.

“May you have good luck.”

Good luck? I touched the Reishuran flower in my hair.

“...Flowers in the hair are not something nobles do. If you don’t like it—”

“—No, I don’t.”

I don’t dislike it. It reminded me of my past life. It made me feel warm and a bit nostalgic.

I used to wear matching flower decorations with my sister. But since I was reborn as Octavia, I had never worn live flowers as decorations.

As Lord Edgar said, it’s generally not recommended for a princess, but that’s just a formality. Wearing such decorations would bring back memories of my sister, making me sad. I would miss my past life. ...I don’t dislike flower decorations. I just couldn’t bring myself to wear them.

Because I was always held back by those unpleasant memories.

“Lord Edgar, I really like it. Thank you.”

But, I’m happy with this flower decoration.

I smiled at Lord Edgar. The part of me that was Makoto also smiled.

Maybe I’ll ask Sasha to add flower decorations to my hair when I dress up next time?

“Octavia—”

Lord Edgar called my name and seemed to say something, but instead, he narrowed his eyes and smiled.

Did I smile too much? Did my smile look strange?

“...If that’s the case, I’m glad. In Esphair, it’s said that when a man places a flower in a woman’s hair, good luck will come. It’s a little charm.”

—May you have good luck.

I understood what Lord Edgar said earlier.

At the same time, a straightforward question came to mind. ...I was curious.

So, I asked very seriously.

“Does the number of flowers in the hair affect the amount of good luck?”

I’m superstitious! If I get two or three more, will the effect increase? More good luck!

I can’t do it myself... If Clifford wasn’t under house arrest, I could have asked him?

Lord Edgar chuckled.

“Maybe. ...I’ve been told the same thing before.”

He tried to pluck more Reishuran flowers from the bouquet. I quickly stopped him.

Of course, he would feel it as a request for more flowers. But that wasn’t my intention.

“You can’t! These were picked by Lord Edgar.”

“I picked them without any purpose. I was just wondering what to do with them.”

I didn’t believe that.

I could tell. Each flower was carefully selected.

They were treated with great care.

There had to be a purpose.

But, Lord Edgar deliberately didn’t say it—his intention was clear.

I couldn’t add more words to it.

Probably, he wanted to do it for me.

“I’ll take care of the persuasion.”

Two more Reishuran flowers were gently placed in my hair.

“May you have good luck. ...Come back safely, okay?”