“Why is Your Highness the Crown Princess so interested in that woman?”
“Miss Montfort, you have no idea why?”
“What do you mean? I really...”
Judith stared at Libencia with eyes that seemed to be looking at something. This gaze was also something Libencia had never seen before. The Crown Princess he had known before was smart and not good at joking, but she was not someone who gave off this kind of vibe.
“Yes, then let me ask you another question.”
“Yes, any other questions?”
“What did you talk about with Duke Laetian on your way to the capital?”
“What kind of story... What kind of story do you think I’d have with that person? I didn’t say anything! He’s a really disgusting man! If he hadn’t been a relative of Krald, I wouldn’t have even spoken to him! Trust me!”
“That is not what I want to hear, Miss Montfort. Has the Duke of Laetian really said anything to you? Not just this time, but before. Not a word about Krald, his person, or his status as a Grand Duke?”
Libencia's lips trembled. Judith had only asked a question and had not done anything to her, but for some reason, she felt uncontrollably scared.
Goosebumps ran up her spine as she recalled all the things she didn't want to know but had come to know, and all the things she didn't want to hear but had ended up hearing. She had overheard the dangerous conversations between Duke Laetian and Krald before, both in the palace and in the Grand Duke's office.
"If you don't like the Grand Duke, you can give me that position, and Your Highness can go higher someday. Isn't that right?"
"Do you think anything will change if I step forward now? Persuasion, coaxing, and threats only work on those who are likely to respond".
She had already overheard that the Laetian were using Krald to harm Prince Franz. However, she had not thought of using it politically, nor of using it to his advantage, so she had simply forgotten about it.
And before she returned to the capital, she knew that he was going to destroy Krald as well. Didn't he pretend not to know that Krald was in danger and in a difficult situation?
“Your Highness the Crown Princess, over there...”
“If Miss Montfort has not heard anything from him, I will tell you. The Duke of Laetian was plotting to disrupt the order of the royal court by colluding with Krald. Then, when he decided that Krald was no help to him, he discarded that as well and tried to connect with the Empire himself.”
No words came out of Libencia's mouth. She could not speak. Her heart sank as she realized that everything she had only guessed at, or even forgotten, was real. And the fact that Judith knew all of this made her even more afraid.
“The Duke of Laetian paid for his crime with his life. The outstanding military officer, Prince Delacca, dealt with him with his own hands.”
“Then, then... is that why you arrested me?”
“Yes. The Prince did not know who Miss Montfort was, but only thought you was someone related to the Duke of Laetian. Of course, even if he had known who you were, he would have done the same...”
“Well, then I can go back now, right? I don’t need to stay here. Right?”
Judith looked at Libencia's face for a moment. It was a gaze that was very quiet but also showed complicated emotions. While Libencia, who had no idea what was going on, stared blankly at her, Judith turned her head to the side, turned away from Libencia's face, and spoke.
“Miss Montfort, you may return to the Count de Montfort. But you cannot return to the Grand Duke’s estate where Krald is. You will never see him again. Do you understand what I mean?”
Suddenly, a sudden gasp of breath was heard. It was Libencia. The pink pupils in her wide-open eyes were trembling like a young animal caught by its tail.
“...Are you going to kill Krald?”
The terrified Libencia's voice was almost a whisper. Judith, who had been silent, nodded.
“As a Grand Duke and Count of a country, he attempted to bring foreign troops into the duchy without royal permission. If he were not a member of the royal family, this would be a serious crime that would be punishable by death, but there is also clear evidence that Krald is plotting a rebellion. He must be killed. He must die.”
Judith's eyes, as she spoke, seemed more determined and merciless than any person Libencia had ever seen. It was a gaze that made it seem like no amount of pleading or pleas would help. Libencia, flustered, stammered, and asked.
“T, then... Then what about me? I am his... Of course, I could not become his Princess, but you would kill me too, right? Didn’t you try to kill my father and mother along with me?”
Judith smiled bitterly.
“That may have been the case, but don’t worry. The Count de Montfort used his wits at the last moment. Madame de Montfort, he had your maid, who was supposedly dead, watch over the King Hibbb's niece, and reported her every move to your father. Why do you think your father would have done that? Didn’t he know it could be as dangerous as it is now?”
“The words of the Your Highness... Oh, does Father know all about this? Could it be that Father made me do all these things...?”
“That’s right, Miss de Montfort. Your father had to send you on such a dangerous mission to save you and the Count’s family, even though the information you gave him was of little use...”
Instead of answering, Libencia lowered her head. Judith, who had been watching the two fists resting on her knees tremble pitifully, looked at her and asked.
“Are you sad that Krald is dead?”
Libencia's two eyes blinked.
“Miss Montfort, you have no idea why?”
“What do you mean? I really...”
Judith stared at Libencia with eyes that seemed to be looking at something. This gaze was also something Libencia had never seen before. The Crown Princess he had known before was smart and not good at joking, but she was not someone who gave off this kind of vibe.
“Yes, then let me ask you another question.”
“Yes, any other questions?”
“What did you talk about with Duke Laetian on your way to the capital?”
“What kind of story... What kind of story do you think I’d have with that person? I didn’t say anything! He’s a really disgusting man! If he hadn’t been a relative of Krald, I wouldn’t have even spoken to him! Trust me!”
“That is not what I want to hear, Miss Montfort. Has the Duke of Laetian really said anything to you? Not just this time, but before. Not a word about Krald, his person, or his status as a Grand Duke?”
Libencia's lips trembled. Judith had only asked a question and had not done anything to her, but for some reason, she felt uncontrollably scared.
Goosebumps ran up her spine as she recalled all the things she didn't want to know but had come to know, and all the things she didn't want to hear but had ended up hearing. She had overheard the dangerous conversations between Duke Laetian and Krald before, both in the palace and in the Grand Duke's office.
"If you don't like the Grand Duke, you can give me that position, and Your Highness can go higher someday. Isn't that right?"
"Do you think anything will change if I step forward now? Persuasion, coaxing, and threats only work on those who are likely to respond".
She had already overheard that the Laetian were using Krald to harm Prince Franz. However, she had not thought of using it politically, nor of using it to his advantage, so she had simply forgotten about it.
And before she returned to the capital, she knew that he was going to destroy Krald as well. Didn't he pretend not to know that Krald was in danger and in a difficult situation?
“Your Highness the Crown Princess, over there...”
“If Miss Montfort has not heard anything from him, I will tell you. The Duke of Laetian was plotting to disrupt the order of the royal court by colluding with Krald. Then, when he decided that Krald was no help to him, he discarded that as well and tried to connect with the Empire himself.”
No words came out of Libencia's mouth. She could not speak. Her heart sank as she realized that everything she had only guessed at, or even forgotten, was real. And the fact that Judith knew all of this made her even more afraid.
“The Duke of Laetian paid for his crime with his life. The outstanding military officer, Prince Delacca, dealt with him with his own hands.”
“Then, then... is that why you arrested me?”
“Yes. The Prince did not know who Miss Montfort was, but only thought you was someone related to the Duke of Laetian. Of course, even if he had known who you were, he would have done the same...”
“Well, then I can go back now, right? I don’t need to stay here. Right?”
Judith looked at Libencia's face for a moment. It was a gaze that was very quiet but also showed complicated emotions. While Libencia, who had no idea what was going on, stared blankly at her, Judith turned her head to the side, turned away from Libencia's face, and spoke.
“Miss Montfort, you may return to the Count de Montfort. But you cannot return to the Grand Duke’s estate where Krald is. You will never see him again. Do you understand what I mean?”
Suddenly, a sudden gasp of breath was heard. It was Libencia. The pink pupils in her wide-open eyes were trembling like a young animal caught by its tail.
“...Are you going to kill Krald?”
The terrified Libencia's voice was almost a whisper. Judith, who had been silent, nodded.
“As a Grand Duke and Count of a country, he attempted to bring foreign troops into the duchy without royal permission. If he were not a member of the royal family, this would be a serious crime that would be punishable by death, but there is also clear evidence that Krald is plotting a rebellion. He must be killed. He must die.”
Judith's eyes, as she spoke, seemed more determined and merciless than any person Libencia had ever seen. It was a gaze that made it seem like no amount of pleading or pleas would help. Libencia, flustered, stammered, and asked.
“T, then... Then what about me? I am his... Of course, I could not become his Princess, but you would kill me too, right? Didn’t you try to kill my father and mother along with me?”
Judith smiled bitterly.
“That may have been the case, but don’t worry. The Count de Montfort used his wits at the last moment. Madame de Montfort, he had your maid, who was supposedly dead, watch over the King Hibbb's niece, and reported her every move to your father. Why do you think your father would have done that? Didn’t he know it could be as dangerous as it is now?”
“The words of the Your Highness... Oh, does Father know all about this? Could it be that Father made me do all these things...?”
“That’s right, Miss de Montfort. Your father had to send you on such a dangerous mission to save you and the Count’s family, even though the information you gave him was of little use...”
Instead of answering, Libencia lowered her head. Judith, who had been watching the two fists resting on her knees tremble pitifully, looked at her and asked.
“Are you sad that Krald is dead?”
Libencia's two eyes blinked.
Are I sad?
Funny enough, the moment she heard Judith's question, she felt a surge of sadness. She hadn't even thought of Krald's face until a moment ago. He was clearly a villain, a scoundrel beyond compare. He was rude, and violent, and did unspeakable things without hesitation.
Libencia knew all those things, but she pretended not to know. It wasn't because she was scared, she could do it sincerely. Before Saragan showed up, Krald was completely in love with Libencia. They met at a young age, before even having a debutante, and although they weren't even officially recognized, they were together for almost ten years.
There were days when they fought, scratched, cursed, and swore, but still, Libencia loved Krald very much. She always did. If it was a mistake to think that he would be like that too, it was a mistake.
Tears fell from the eyes of Libencia, who had been wide open. They didn’t stop at just one, but fell countless times, wetting the hem of her dress.
“Miss Montfort.”
“How about looking at it from the other side? If His Highness the Crown Prince had to die for committing a great crime, wouldn’t you be sad at all?”
Judith's movements, which had been slightly bending down to speak, stopped. When Libencia raised her head, Judith thought she would swear at her. However, Libencia surprisingly did not do so. She simply raised her head as if trying to hold back her tears, sighed, bit her lips, and shook her shoulders.
“It’s over. Now... It’s over. The moment that woman, who had disappeared anyway, showed up, it was over between me and Krald. He abandoned me like... nothing, so what’s the point of coming back and whispering his love later?”
“Miss Montfort.”
“Krald, no, the death of the Second Prince... is the Second Prince’s fault. He fell for a woman like Saragan and lost his mind, so he ended up like this. If only he had continued to love me. At least I would have died with that villainous man. Saragan would never do that. She would never love the Second Prince.”
Before Judith could say anything, Libencia wiped her tears with her sleeve and stood up. She always wore only luxurious and fancy dresses, but now she looked like she was surprisingly suited to simple attire. Her rare pink eyes were bloodshot from crying and looked even redder. Libencia looked down at Judith.
“Your Highness, I have said this many times before, but I hate Queens. I hate people like Princess Flavia even more. So whether they live or die is none of my concern. However, Your Highness, I do not like you.”
Judith furrowed her eyebrows slightly and smiled quietly.
“I see. I understand what you mean, Miss Montfort.”
“But don’t worry, I won’t interfere with your Highness the Crown Princess. Now that it’s come to this, I know how to act to save myself and my family.”
“Yes, Miss Montfort, you are...”
“Please give birth to a healthy baby. A good baby. Then, won’t something like this happen again?”
Leaving behind ambiguous words that were either a compliment or a complaint, Libencia bowed courtly to Judith one last time and left in a hurry. As soon as she left, Cheraan ran in and examined Judith carefully.
“Your Highness, are you okay? Wasn’t that woman rude to you?”
“Miss Montfort was very polite. And she knew what to do... So don’t worry, Cheraan. It’s all right.”
“That’s just her personality. I was worried that he might make a fuss in front of Your Highness.”
“Have a healthy baby. That sounds good, doesn’t it?”
Cheraan looked outside with an expression that said she couldn't believe Judith's words. Libencia had already disappeared from sight.
Judith looked up at the ceiling, her body slightly stretched out like someone exhausted from fatigue. Her mind lingered on the expression on Libencia’s face as she cried when she heard that Krald had to die, and on the words she had said.
"Try to think from the other person's perspective."
A quiet laugh escaped Judith's lips. Cheraan looked at her with a puzzled face.
“Your Highness, why are you laughing?”
“I thought that even in the lives of humans like Krald, there were still decent people like Libencia Montfort. It’s funny to think about. It’s funny and pitiful.”
“That’s right, isn’t that guy Krald?”
“No, Miss Montfort.”
After finishing speaking, Judith quietly closed her eyes.
Funny enough, the moment she heard Judith's question, she felt a surge of sadness. She hadn't even thought of Krald's face until a moment ago. He was clearly a villain, a scoundrel beyond compare. He was rude, and violent, and did unspeakable things without hesitation.
Libencia knew all those things, but she pretended not to know. It wasn't because she was scared, she could do it sincerely. Before Saragan showed up, Krald was completely in love with Libencia. They met at a young age, before even having a debutante, and although they weren't even officially recognized, they were together for almost ten years.
There were days when they fought, scratched, cursed, and swore, but still, Libencia loved Krald very much. She always did. If it was a mistake to think that he would be like that too, it was a mistake.
Tears fell from the eyes of Libencia, who had been wide open. They didn’t stop at just one, but fell countless times, wetting the hem of her dress.
“Miss Montfort.”
“How about looking at it from the other side? If His Highness the Crown Prince had to die for committing a great crime, wouldn’t you be sad at all?”
Judith's movements, which had been slightly bending down to speak, stopped. When Libencia raised her head, Judith thought she would swear at her. However, Libencia surprisingly did not do so. She simply raised her head as if trying to hold back her tears, sighed, bit her lips, and shook her shoulders.
“It’s over. Now... It’s over. The moment that woman, who had disappeared anyway, showed up, it was over between me and Krald. He abandoned me like... nothing, so what’s the point of coming back and whispering his love later?”
“Miss Montfort.”
“Krald, no, the death of the Second Prince... is the Second Prince’s fault. He fell for a woman like Saragan and lost his mind, so he ended up like this. If only he had continued to love me. At least I would have died with that villainous man. Saragan would never do that. She would never love the Second Prince.”
Before Judith could say anything, Libencia wiped her tears with her sleeve and stood up. She always wore only luxurious and fancy dresses, but now she looked like she was surprisingly suited to simple attire. Her rare pink eyes were bloodshot from crying and looked even redder. Libencia looked down at Judith.
“Your Highness, I have said this many times before, but I hate Queens. I hate people like Princess Flavia even more. So whether they live or die is none of my concern. However, Your Highness, I do not like you.”
Judith furrowed her eyebrows slightly and smiled quietly.
“I see. I understand what you mean, Miss Montfort.”
“But don’t worry, I won’t interfere with your Highness the Crown Princess. Now that it’s come to this, I know how to act to save myself and my family.”
“Yes, Miss Montfort, you are...”
“Please give birth to a healthy baby. A good baby. Then, won’t something like this happen again?”
Leaving behind ambiguous words that were either a compliment or a complaint, Libencia bowed courtly to Judith one last time and left in a hurry. As soon as she left, Cheraan ran in and examined Judith carefully.
“Your Highness, are you okay? Wasn’t that woman rude to you?”
“Miss Montfort was very polite. And she knew what to do... So don’t worry, Cheraan. It’s all right.”
“That’s just her personality. I was worried that he might make a fuss in front of Your Highness.”
“Have a healthy baby. That sounds good, doesn’t it?”
Cheraan looked outside with an expression that said she couldn't believe Judith's words. Libencia had already disappeared from sight.
Judith looked up at the ceiling, her body slightly stretched out like someone exhausted from fatigue. Her mind lingered on the expression on Libencia’s face as she cried when she heard that Krald had to die, and on the words she had said.
"Try to think from the other person's perspective."
A quiet laugh escaped Judith's lips. Cheraan looked at her with a puzzled face.
“Your Highness, why are you laughing?”
“I thought that even in the lives of humans like Krald, there were still decent people like Libencia Montfort. It’s funny to think about. It’s funny and pitiful.”
“That’s right, isn’t that guy Krald?”
“No, Miss Montfort.”
After finishing speaking, Judith quietly closed her eyes.
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