“I heard it was the Marchioness’s doing. Where is she now?”
Cheraan stepped forward and answered.
“I ordered the soldiers to detain her, Duke.”
“Your Highness, there is no way the Marchioness could have done something like this on her own. There must be something behind it...”
“We won’t know until we interrogate her, uncle.”
Franz interrupted the excited Duke of Vergy mid-sentence. The Duke looked embarrassed for a moment, but now that he understood why Franz was doing this, he couldn't help but keep quiet.
No one knew that Helen had served the Queen for a long time. Additionally, considering what had recently happened between Judith and the Queen, it was not too much to think that Queen Gilsis had caused Helen to do this.
However, the Marchioness has just been imprisoned, and nothing has been revealed. In this situation, there was a possibility that Helen would be in danger if she were to recklessly point out the Queen as being behind her.
Knowing that Franz was concerned about this, the Duke gritted his teeth and said that not only the Marchioness but also her husband should be brought home immediately.
At this time, Cheraan spoke.
“The robe that Her Highness was wearing was repaired by a maid brought by the Marchioness. She said that child was originally in the King’s concubine.”
“Where is the maid now?”
“I locked her up somewhere else with the Marchioness. I saw Her Highness even give her a gold coin for a good repair. But to work so sloppily. I can't stand it because it's so embarrassing. Would it have turned out this way if she had just sewn it carefully?”
Cheraan even pretended to stamp her feet and wheezed, as if she was furious just thinking about it. Marquis Ebelta comforted his daughter by wrapping his arms around her shoulders.
“Calm down, Cheraan. Isn’t it fortunate that Her Highness’s life is not in trouble? She needs to rest quietly, so let's not make a fuss and go back and wait. Your Highness, and the Duke.”
Marquis Ebelta looked at the two people in turn and lowered his head with a heavy expression. Franz gave him a wink, indicating that it was okay to go. Cheraan thought she would hold out and stay by Judith's side, but surprisingly, she obediently followed her father back.
“Your Highness must take the lead in interrogating the Marchioness. If we leave it like this, Queen Gilsis will try to steal her maid.”
“Well, does your uncle think so? I don’t think the Marchioness will survive.”
"Yes?"
“This big thing has happened, but the Queen Mother’s palace is keeping quiet. Whether this was an accident or intentional, they are probably trying to shift all responsibility to the Marchioness.”
“Even so, you have to interrogate her. If there is someone behind it, shouldn’t you hear for yourself who it is?”
Franz bit his lip in silence. Like everyone else, he also guessed that Queen Gilsis was behind the Marchioness, but an uneasy feeling seemed to be weighing on his heart. He was even more frustrated because he had unidentifiable anxiety.
Considering the Queen's temperament, she might have wanted to kill Judith. She is the type of person who cannot endure even the slightest damage without repaying it ten or twenty times, so she may have been holding a grudge against the young Princess for what happened last time.
But if that were the case, would they have chosen such a lax method? If it were Queen Gilsis, she could have used even more severe methods.
“Your Highness, what are you thinking?”
"it's nothing."
The Duke tilted his head with a puzzled expression. Things that he couldn't quite figure out became complicated and became a headache. Franz pressed his eyebrows in thought.
***
In the carriage returning to Marquis Ebelta, Cheraan was quiet, as if she had become a different person. The Marquis, who could not hide his embarrassment at the sudden big incident, seemed to be restless as his daughter's reaction was even more unfamiliar.
“Cheraan, what are you thinking so hard about? Please talk to your father too. Do you know how surprised I was?”
“I wasn’t even hurt, so why should my father be surprised?”
Only then did Cheraan smile brightly and her voice was cheerful as usual, but the Marquis still did not feel at ease.
“I’m so glad you weren’t hurt, but I don’t know what the hell is going on. It hasn't been long since the new Princess arrived, but why are there so many accidents with her...”
“I guess it’s because she’s a very quiet person, so there are a lot of people who look down on her and attack her. It’s not the fault of the Her Highness, is it?”
“Who said Her Highness was to blame? That's not it, it's that my child is still young and is going through something very turbulent. I’m worried about whether you can bear it.”
The Marquis's voice trailed off, showing concern that could not be hidden. Not surprisingly, Judith was still two years younger than his daughter Cheraan. If he thinks about it from the perspective of a parent with a child, he can't help but feel sorry for Judith, who suffered without any will.
An unexpected smile appeared on Cheraan's lips as he listened to the Marquis' words. She glanced at her father, who turned his head with a confused expression, then rested her chin and turned her gaze out the window.
" Mary Anne also told me the truth as soon as she received this robe, but I told her to leave it alone. And I asked Mary Ann to fix it."
Cheraan could now understand Judith's true feelings, which she could not understand at the time. As she ordered her maid, who was crying and collapsing at injustice, to be dragged out, Cheraan recalled Judith's words and felt faint goosebumps rise on the back of her neck.
She couldn't believe it was just a coincidence. The Marchioness said that she never pushed Judith, and the Marchioness was struggling, but what she said may not be a lie. However, it was none of Cheraan's concern whether she was hanging on to Queen Gilsis' dog or something.
How did Judith come up with the idea to do something like this?
She didn't know that Judith was different from what she had heard, but she never thought she would go this far. The smile on Cheraan's lips deepened. She didn't like funny people.
"Father."
“Why are you doing that?”
The Marquis turned around. Cheraan said, leaning her head on the straight window frame.
“Would you please write me a letter of recommendation?”
“A letter of recommendation all of a sudden?”
“Please write a letter of recommendation recommending me as Her Highness the Princess’s maid.”
It was three days after the incident that Judith woke up. As the time she remained unconscious stretched, Franz became visibly agitated and scolded his therapists like never before. Of course, the Duke of Vergy, watching this, was overcome by a very strange feeling.
As soon as Judith regained consciousness, the courtiers were the first to send servants to Astel Palace. They were busy making expressions of happiness in front of Franz, who came running at them in one step.
“Is it okay if I talk to the Princess?”
“A light conversation is okay, Your Highness. However, since you still need to calm down, it would be best to avoid topics that may cause Her Highness the Princess to become emotionally upset.”
“I’m just asking if you’re okay, so don’t worry.”
As the doctor moved out of the way, Franz entered the Princess's palace without hesitation. Judith was sitting with her back against the headboard of the bed. She had pale cheeks and swollen lips, but hwr expression brightened when she saw Franz come in.
"Your Highness."
Franz was unable to say anything for a moment while facing Judith, who smiled brightly at him. For a sick person who had just regained consciousness, a puzzled look appeared in her silent eyes.
“Your Highness, why are you doing this?”
“... It's nothing. The body is a bit... Is there anything else that hurts?”
“The wound is sore, but it’s okay. Please sit down instead of standing like that.”
Franz took a chair with his own hands and sat down near Judith. Something like this had happened before, and thinking about it made him laugh at his empty heart.
“Everyone was very worried because you couldn’t wake up for three days.”
“I heard it from Mary Ann."
"Father."
“Why are you doing that?”
The Marquis turned around. Cheraan said, leaning her head on the straight window frame.
“Would you please write me a letter of recommendation?”
“A letter of recommendation all of a sudden?”
“Please write a letter of recommendation recommending me as Her Highness the Princess’s maid.”
***
It was three days after the incident that Judith woke up. As the time she remained unconscious stretched, Franz became visibly agitated and scolded his therapists like never before. Of course, the Duke of Vergy, watching this, was overcome by a very strange feeling.
As soon as Judith regained consciousness, the courtiers were the first to send servants to Astel Palace. They were busy making expressions of happiness in front of Franz, who came running at them in one step.
“Is it okay if I talk to the Princess?”
“A light conversation is okay, Your Highness. However, since you still need to calm down, it would be best to avoid topics that may cause Her Highness the Princess to become emotionally upset.”
“I’m just asking if you’re okay, so don’t worry.”
As the doctor moved out of the way, Franz entered the Princess's palace without hesitation. Judith was sitting with her back against the headboard of the bed. She had pale cheeks and swollen lips, but hwr expression brightened when she saw Franz come in.
"Your Highness."
Franz was unable to say anything for a moment while facing Judith, who smiled brightly at him. For a sick person who had just regained consciousness, a puzzled look appeared in her silent eyes.
“Your Highness, why are you doing this?”
“... It's nothing. The body is a bit... Is there anything else that hurts?”
“The wound is sore, but it’s okay. Please sit down instead of standing like that.”
Franz took a chair with his own hands and sat down near Judith. Something like this had happened before, and thinking about it made him laugh at his empty heart.
“Everyone was very worried because you couldn’t wake up for three days.”
“I heard it from Mary Ann."
"I had no idea you had been lying there for so long. I'm causing trouble to you too..."
“It’s not time to worry about me.”
It was the same blunt tone and voice as before, but Judith was not sad about it. Because she knew he cared about her.
“The Marchioness said she pushed you down the hill.”
Franz said. Judith blinked indifferently and did not deny his words.
“Yes, that’s right. What happened to Helen?”
“She was executed yesterday for attempting to assassinate the royal family.”
This time she couldn't stay calm. Judith, with her eyes wide open, stared blankly at Franz.
“Who ordered the execution?”
“The Queen.”
Queen Gilsis. Judith held back the almost laughter and gripped the sheets tightly. A chill ran through her body at the Queen's decision, which had not a single trace of humanity in it.
Throughout her life, Judith had observed how faithfully Helen served the Queen. Her current life would be no different.
“It’s not time to worry about me.”
It was the same blunt tone and voice as before, but Judith was not sad about it. Because she knew he cared about her.
“The Marchioness said she pushed you down the hill.”
Franz said. Judith blinked indifferently and did not deny his words.
“Yes, that’s right. What happened to Helen?”
“She was executed yesterday for attempting to assassinate the royal family.”
This time she couldn't stay calm. Judith, with her eyes wide open, stared blankly at Franz.
“Who ordered the execution?”
“The Queen.”
Queen Gilsis. Judith held back the almost laughter and gripped the sheets tightly. A chill ran through her body at the Queen's decision, which had not a single trace of humanity in it.
Throughout her life, Judith had observed how faithfully Helen served the Queen. Her current life would be no different.
Nevertheless, it was Queen Gilsis who decided to execute Helen. It must have been to avoid criticism from the nobles pouring on her in advance. It's obvious even without looking.
“I opened my eyes three days later and she was already executed. There must have been no proper interrogation.”
“If you try to harm a member of the royal family, you can be summarily punished.”
“I never knew the Queen cared for me so much.”
Judith's tone became sharp. Franz felt even more confused by her reaction.
In his opinion, this case was unstable, as if something had been put together incorrectly. Maybe Judith had planned all this, and he even thought about it, even though he knew it was nonsense. But then he couldn't understand this reaction.
What is the purpose of her feelings, as if she is indignant at the Marchioness's death itself?
"...Now that the main culprit has been punished, no one will bring up this issue anymore. Even if there was someone behind it, it would be difficult to find out.”
A strange smile appeared on Judith's lips. At times she seemed bitter, and at times she seemed exhilarated.
Helen's death was unexpected, but she was neither sad nor sorry. It was just an opportunity for her to realize that Queen Gilsis was making her days worse.
If she had still been someone she could ignore, the Queen would never have killed Helen. She would have been spinning around, wondering if she could do that. It was the result of her judgment that it would be a bigger problem to be accused of being behind the harm to Judith than to execute her maid, who had been loyal to her for many years, without even blinking an eye.
“It’s a shame. I wish she hadn’t done that.”
Judith chanted calmly.
She could see that there was a hint of suspicion in Franz's gaze. She didn't feel the need to pretend to know it, but she also didn't feel the need to strongly deny it.
Poor, noble man.
‘Look at the poisonous vessel I will place in your hand. See how the eyes and hearts of those who blaspheme are melted by the poison.'
This was just a small, small skirmish. Even if it took several years, or even if she had to sacrifice her entire life, there was only one final option for Judith.
“I opened my eyes three days later and she was already executed. There must have been no proper interrogation.”
“If you try to harm a member of the royal family, you can be summarily punished.”
“I never knew the Queen cared for me so much.”
Judith's tone became sharp. Franz felt even more confused by her reaction.
In his opinion, this case was unstable, as if something had been put together incorrectly. Maybe Judith had planned all this, and he even thought about it, even though he knew it was nonsense. But then he couldn't understand this reaction.
What is the purpose of her feelings, as if she is indignant at the Marchioness's death itself?
"...Now that the main culprit has been punished, no one will bring up this issue anymore. Even if there was someone behind it, it would be difficult to find out.”
A strange smile appeared on Judith's lips. At times she seemed bitter, and at times she seemed exhilarated.
Helen's death was unexpected, but she was neither sad nor sorry. It was just an opportunity for her to realize that Queen Gilsis was making her days worse.
If she had still been someone she could ignore, the Queen would never have killed Helen. She would have been spinning around, wondering if she could do that. It was the result of her judgment that it would be a bigger problem to be accused of being behind the harm to Judith than to execute her maid, who had been loyal to her for many years, without even blinking an eye.
“It’s a shame. I wish she hadn’t done that.”
Judith chanted calmly.
She could see that there was a hint of suspicion in Franz's gaze. She didn't feel the need to pretend to know it, but she also didn't feel the need to strongly deny it.
Poor, noble man.
‘Look at the poisonous vessel I will place in your hand. See how the eyes and hearts of those who blaspheme are melted by the poison.'
This was just a small, small skirmish. Even if it took several years, or even if she had to sacrifice her entire life, there was only one final option for Judith.
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