Chapter 57

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Wilson also informed the king about Edward reporting that Olivia and Taylor were locked up, but the king's response was that Edward and Eugenia should take the lead in resolving the matter.

From past cases, it is common to see attempts to knock out the opposing team during the selection ceremony. If such actions were excessive, the leaders of each team—those vying for the throne—would meet to decide on the punishment. How could one become the leader of the country if they couldn't take responsibility for their team's actions? That's the idea.

Therefore, Wilson said he would not interfere with this matter. Silas seemed a bit dissatisfied with this response, but since Olivia and Taylor were not injured, Wilson said he would not interfere. However, the queen came to apologize personally, and for Olivia, that was enough.

Regarding last night's incident, Eugenia and Enock reported it this morning after returning to the duke's house. They were indignant and said they would interrogate Moana with Edward.

Moana was summoned early in the morning, and six people gathered in the castle's grand salon: Edward, Elizaveta, Eugenia, Enock, Olivia, and Silas. Moana, who seemed to have anticipated being summoned, did not appear surprised or flustered and looked eerily calm. She did not say anything when she saw Olivia's face.

Silas directed a cold, icy expression at Moana, but this interrogation was led by Edward and Eugenia. He would not personally confront her.

"Moana, I hear you locked Olivia in a room in the knight's quarters yesterday."

Once everyone was seated on the sofas, Edward, with his long legs crossed, asked calmly. Elizaveta, sitting next to him, looked at Moana with a worried expression.

Moana sat alone on the sofa facing Edward and Elizaveta, while Eugenia and Enock were on the sofa to Edward's left. Olivia and Silas were across from Eugenia and Enock. Moana looked back at Edward with calm eyes and tilted her head slightly.

"What are you talking about?"

"Pretending to be ignorant is futile. We know you came to get the key to the room and returned it later. You were the only one who borrowed the key yesterday besides us."

The castle's keys are strictly managed, and records are kept of who took the keys and when. According to the records, Moana returned the key and immediately went back to the Arnett family's house. This means she intended to keep Olivia and the others locked up for at least one night. I thought she would put up more resistance, but Moana casually shrugged and admitted to what she did.

"Explain why you locked Olivia and the others in the room."

When Eugenia asked sternly, Moana smiled and said something that was hard to believe.

"Elizaveta ordered me to do it."

"Huh?"

"What?"

Everyone in the room was taken aback by Elizaveta's name. Elizaveta was shocked and looked at Moana as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

"Moana...?"

"Why are you surprised, Elizaveta? Didn't you order me to do it?"

"Wait... What are you talking about...?"

"Don't pretend. Or are you trying to pin the blame on me and act like you don't know? That's terrible, even for a best friend."

"Moana!?"

Elizaveta turned pale and looked around in a panic. Her reaction was clearly one of genuine surprise, and it was obvious that she was not trying to hide or deceive anyone. Edward, who was holding Elizaveta's shoulder to keep her from crying, glared at Moana.

"Elizaveta did not give such an order."

"No, Elizaveta did give me the order."

"I did not!"

Elizaveta screamed in a voice like a cry. Moana's gaze became increasingly sharp as she glared at Elizaveta.

Elizaveta trembled and covered her face with her hands. It was not appropriate to keep Elizaveta, who was pregnant, in this situation any longer. Just as Olivia was about to suggest that Elizaveta leave, Eugenia, who had been silently observing Moana and Elizaveta, sighed dramatically.

"Stop this nonsense."

Everyone turned to look at Eugenia, who spoke with a stern voice.

"You must have set this up to frame Elizaveta... Do you think I didn't investigate your ill will towards Elizaveta?"

"Don't make things up! Besides, it's you, Eugenia, who has been cold to Elizaveta! I've seen you criticize Elizaveta at tea parties many times! If necessary, I can get my friends to testify—"

"Be quiet, Moana."

Enock, who had been silent until then, coldly interrupted Moana's passionate outburst. The moment Enock, who usually smiled, lost his expression, a chill ran down Olivia's spine. His voice was calm, but it was clear that he was very angry. Olivia instinctively grabbed Silas's sleeve, and Silas held her hand, intertwining their fingers.

"Before you start lecturing Eugenia, you should know why she has been playing the bad guy all this time... You, who don't really understand her kindness, shouldn't be so judgmental."