Chapter 47

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I searched all the rooms except the one the guest was using, but I couldn't find the Chosen Sword.

So, I consulted with Silas and called Edward and Eugenia to report that the series of events following the disappearance of the Chosen Sword might be part of the "Selection Ceremony" itself.

At first, both Edward and Eugenia looked skeptical, but as I went through the questions one by one, they eventually agreed with Olivia's opinion.

"Father must have tricked us."

"…I don't want to believe that Father would do such a thing."

Edward and Eugenia sighed in unison.

Being tricked by their father must not have felt good. Olivia thought they must be hurt—but their subsequent angry remarks dispelled that feeling.

"To be tricked by Father, who usually acts so carefree, is the greatest humiliation."

"Yes, if it were Mother, it would be different, but to be deceived by Father… I'm too embarrassed to show my face in public."

"……"

From their comments, it was easy to imagine how they viewed their father. No wonder they didn't think of the "Selection Ceremony." They didn't think Wilson was capable of such deception, not that he would do it.

Olivia felt a bit sorry for Wilson, but it wouldn't be right to take his side here. She calmed the angry pair and got to the main point.

"If this is the Selection Ceremony, the sword won't be in an easily found place. I talked with Prince Silas, and we think there might be hidden rooms in this castle. …And not just one, but several."

There was a reason for concluding there were multiple hidden rooms.

Silas had secretly asked Ritzburg to investigate the existence of hidden rooms. The results showed five discrepancies between the room sizes on the castle's floor plan and the actual room sizes. Not all rooms were investigated, only a part, so there are likely more.

While only measuring the rooms doesn't confirm the existence of hidden rooms, it's worth investigating.

"You were right to ask for our help. We wouldn't have realized this possibility on our own."

"Yes, that's true. …Really, what was Father thinking to do this? We concluded that the Selection Ceremony wasn't necessary this time."

Eugenia is right; Wilson did think the Selection Ceremony was unnecessary. It's unclear when his opinion changed, but given that Edward is claiming the title of Crown Prince, Wilson must have thought the ceremony was unnecessary until very recently.

"…Since Father wants the Selection Ceremony, we have no right to refuse."

"I agree. We have no choice but to go along with Father's plan. …I will consult with Enoch."

"Yes. I will inform Elizabeth."

"Um, so, are both of you going to proceed with the Selection Ceremony?"

"Yes. There's no other way. We will compete to see who finds the sword first. We can think about the rest later. To end this farce, we have no other choice. Otherwise, it will just be a vicious cycle."

Edward is right. As long as Wilson wants this, refusing the ceremony will only lead to the same thing happening again. Besides, Wilson has already declared the Selection Ceremony. While Edward and the others might think it's just for show, others will see it as a real ceremony. They have no choice but to continue.

"Let's share what we know so far. After that, I will work with Prince Edward, and Princess Eugenia will work with Olivia, okay?"

"That's probably best. If we work together, it will raise suspicions."

"Understood."

Silas unfolded the map and explained the areas Ritzburg found suspicious, where the floor plan and actual room sizes didn't match. There are three rooms on the first floor and two on the second. The first floor has been almost fully investigated, and about a third of the second floor has been checked. The third floor hasn't been touched yet.

"Let's set some common rules. Assuming there are hidden rooms, if the sword is found in one, it can be taken out, but nothing else can be moved. Of course, taking anything else is also prohibited."

"Yes, that's fine. We won't interfere with each other, right?"

"Right."

Edward and Eugenia decided on the rules and left to inform their partners.

Silas folded the map and stretched.

"Do you think we'll find it right away?"

"No."

Olivia answered immediately, and Silas laughed.

"Right? The Selection Ceremony wouldn't use the same hiding place every time. They wouldn't make it easy to find the hidden rooms."

"We only have five days left to stay here… What will happen if we don't find it?"

"I hope we won't be prevented from returning home…"

Wilson and Jules are good friends. They might allow some leeway, but Olivia smiled wryly, thinking they need to find the sword quickly before being asked to extend their stay.

Thank you for reading!

Today, the first volume of the manga "Endangered Bride: The Princess Who Was Abused But Unlocks the Prince's Curse and Finds Happiness" is on sale! Please check out the cute and comedic Elena and others, illustrated by Mr. Rambda! Thank you very much!