Chapter 41

In the midst of the cherry blossom petals dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of the promise written there.

Eric questioned Belcline about whether he had also hired Nash and Garcia, but he denied it.

However, Belcline detailed the route he used to hire assassins from a neighboring country when he hired Elnoir Miktunger. It seemed that he disliked the idea of someone else benefiting from his downfall.

Furthermore, the testimony of the Miktunger brothers, along with the list of visitors to the church that His Majesty had brought back to the palace before the explosion, revealed the mastermind behind the assassination plot against Eric and His Majesty—Duke Arglyne.

"Your Grace, Duke Arglyne, I am placing you under arrest for being the mastermind behind the plot to assassinate His Majesty."

Duke Arglyne, a high-ranking noble who had been one of the first to support the abolition of the king's privileges, was arrested after being confronted with evidence of his involvement in the current incident and the Belcline affair.

Why was evidence found so quickly this time, despite his previous lack of exposure?

It was likely because His Majesty risked his life.

Upon hearing that his privileges would be abolished in a month, he panicked and acted too hastily, leading to sloppy evidence destruction.

He might have thought that if he could kill His Majesty with certainty, there would be no need to hide the evidence.

Hiring the Miktunger brothers was a rather far-fetched plan, so he probably turned a blind eye to the possibility of being caught.

"In the end, you won, Prince Eric."

With a resigned expression, Duke Arglyne admitted to all his crimes.

He might have been prepared after hearing that the Miktunger brothers had been captured.

He confessed to his crimes so readily.

"Our ducal family has taken pride in supporting the foundation of the state for generations. That's why I couldn't tolerate your disregard for us high-ranking nobles."

"……"

"And I hated His Majesty even more for deciding to abolish the privileges that are our cornerstone, making you his successor. I thought that if I didn't reign as the shadow ruler with Prince Dale as king, the very foundation of this country would be shaken."

The privileges of the high-ranking nobles had become a part of their identity over generations.

To Eric, Duke Arglyne must have seemed like a villain trying to strip away his dignity.

"Your Grace, Duke Arglyne, you have your beliefs. I don't intend to deny them. I, too, act on my own sense of justice, however self-righteous it may be……"

"……That's what I found troublesome. Your stubbornness, knowing nothing but moving forward."

Thus, the assassination plot against His Majesty, which began with the announcement of the abolition of the high-ranking nobles' privileges, came to an end.

Since becoming Eric's bodyguard, various events have unfolded rapidly, and I hope things will calm down soon.

"Besides the Belcline incident, the Arglyne incident has caused Leya a great deal of stress. It seems that the work of the Holy Maiden has settled down to a manageable level for the other two Holy Maidens. How about taking a long vacation?"

With the two persistent assassins arrested and the Holy Maiden's work now manageable for my senior Holy Maidens, Eric suggested that I take a break.

Well, there's no need to worry if I'm not around……

"I can't settle down if I'm not active, and I enjoy my current life, so I'll take a break another time. Of course, I hope things will calm down in my surroundings."

I had come to find fulfillment in my active life as a bodyguard and Holy Maiden, so I declined the prince's offer.

I'm sure the current busyness will settle down eventually, and that's enough for me.

"Alright……. Then, I'll continue to observe your work as a Holy Maiden for a while longer."

"Yes, please do. I'll try out some new magic."

"That sounds exciting."

While it might not be a return to a normal daily routine, my heart felt more at peace than ever.

I hope Eric feels the same—looking at his smiling face, I thought as much.