Chapter 4

"Don't lie! I heard you pushed it off onto another saint!"

"Yes, that's right. When I didn't have enough time, I did that. In the first place, it's me who goes out to the border, defeats this Alan and the monsters, sets up a barrier to prevent damage, and can purify in just one day. However, I often get pushed into preparing for tea parties with the neighboring country's dignitaries and other tasks by Her Majesty the Empress... I am extremely busy..."

Defeat monsters and set up a barrier!?

"The holy magic to heal damage, purification in a short time, and the barrier covering the entire country are my powers. These are state secrets known only to His Majesty the King and the High Priest."

Was it good to hear this? The graduates are shaken by the gravity of having heard state secrets.

"Y-You, harassment, right? You admitted it. Tearing Mira's textbook. Slashing her dress to make her feel bad. Using your power to manipulate things to your advantage. I often saw her crying in private! In the end, out of jealousy that she and I were drawn to each other, you had a thug attack her and even tried to take her life!"

Recalling that moment, the Crown Prince pulls Miss Mirabel closer, leans in, and smiles, saying, "It's okay."

"May I ask a question?"

......

"A question?"

"Yes, where did you keep the textbook and the dress?"

"The textbook was at the academy, of course! The dress... the dress?"

He sends a glance to Miss Mirabel for confirmation.

"The dress, the one given to me by Your Highness, was stolen from the student council room and returned in tatters."

"In that case, it wasn't me. I actually graduated last year."

"Wh-What?"

"It was an advanced class. The Crown Prince said I mustn't be absent today, so I reluctantly came. The royal family should already know... It's strange. Haven't you all seen me at the academy in the past year?"

The attendants around the Crown Prince confirm with each other, "Is that so?" However, at least his brother-in-law looks as if he's hearing this for the first time.

"S-So, you must have had your lackeys at the academy do it!"

"Hehehe, I don't like that. You know very well that I have no friends or lackeys in this country due to my bad reputation."

Despite the self-deprecating tone, she speaks with enthusiasm.

"Your Highness? Did you know? Adultery during an engagement is a serious offense in this country, regardless of the reason. I was the Crown Prince's fiancée until just now. What do you mean by being jealous that I and he were drawn to each other? What do you mean by the dress given by Your Highness? I find it hard to understand. Could you explain?"

"No... Well... That's right! This engagement was already annulled with the royal family's permission..."

"Oh! Would a person of Your Highness's stature use power to manipulate things to your advantage? You didn't, did you?"

You've been caught, Crown Prince.

"Crying in private? The probability of frequently seeing a young lady crying in private is quite high. What did the two of you do afterward in private? It's a breach of contract, given that you have a fiancée."

"Don't jump to conclusions. When I sought advice, we were really good friends..."

Miss Mirabel pleads, tears streaming down her face.

"But... Isn't it different now? Burying your face in a good friend's chest? Putting your hand on a good friend's waist and pulling her closer? Giving a dress of your own color? Does a good friend become a loved one the moment the engagement is broken? You already love each other, don't you? Look, Your Highness said 'love' and called her by a pet name."

The Crown Prince and his attendants can't say anything, looking bitter.

"Oh dear, what a dilemma. Did you think you could push through with my so-called crimes? Adultery is fine, right?"

Adultery, huh. I thought it was a beautiful ending... But you're right, it is adultery.

"I still have a question. 'Complaints from the saints are being relayed to the palace through this Mira.' When did a mere baron's daughter gain such authority in this country?"

Indeed, a valid point.

"That's because we were in the student council together and had opportunities to talk..."

The baron's daughter answers, clearly flustered. It's a weak excuse.

"Neither the High Priest nor a mere assistant? Without knowing my true job responsibilities?"

There, she's been refuted.

"Stop it! Mira was concerned about the temple's situation and told me!"

The duchess's daughter continues, tilting her head without a counterargument.

"Then, um, having a thug attack her and try to take her life?"

"Yes! We've already caught the culprit. He's naming you as the mastermind. You can't deny this."

The Crown Prince suddenly becomes assertive.

"Is the culprit sentenced to death?"