There was a large lock on the iron bars holding the Duke.
'You said that meals are delivered once a day.'
He said that when he woke up, there was food by his bedside.
But at night, sleep would come to him regardless of his will, so he couldn't see who would bring it to him.
'It's probably Jenna.'
Is it because the rebellion happened not long ago?
I never encountered any maids or servants working around here.
As if Jenna was the only one who could enter Solerian.
'So that means Jenna has the key.'
Even when I tried to enter other rooms, many of them were locked.
Well then, there must be a bunch of keys that can open those doors.
It was while I was trying to figure out where the key was.
Jenna, who brought food right on time as usual, said.
What I was holding in my hand was the bundle of keys that had been on Jenna's waist.
I watched for my opportunity and managed to steal the keys while Jenna was looking away.
But it was too early to relax. I had to start preparing to escape before Jenna realized the key was missing.
“Well, you said you were busy with something important today. I’ll just finish it by then.”
I wonder if there is some special event.
Jenna looked particularly happy since this morning.
Thanks to Jenna, who had been distracted all day, I was able to get the key easily.
After waiting like that, the evening finally came.
As darkness engulfed the sky, I grabbed the key and headed to the basement.
My steps as I descended into the basement became quicker.
I wanted to get the Duke out of that unpleasant basement room as quickly as possible.
I opened the door to the underground room and smiled towards where Duke Cretian was.
“Father, I gave you the keys today...”
But... the Duke that was supposed to be behind the iron bars was nowhere to be seen.
"Father...?"
A small room with nowhere to hide.
An unknown ominous feeling grabbed the back of my neck.
I walked over and took a closer look inside, but the result was the same.
“Where on earth did you go?”
At that time, I was feeling bewildered as I watched the Duke disappear overnight.
I felt a presence behind me.
“What are you doing here?”
My shoulders flinched at the familiar voice.
As I turned my creaking body and looked behind me, Jenna came into view.
As always, with a bright smile on her face.
Surely, didn't you say you were busy with something important today?
But why?
I licked my lips at Jenna's unexpected appearance.
“Je, Jenna this is...”
I stuttered like someone caught stealing.
But unlike me, Jenna seemed to be in a good mood.
Jenna ran towards me and linked arms with me.
“Are you looking for the Duke of Cretian?”
“Huh? Yeah...”
I tried to answer as calmly as possible, but I didn't know what kind of expression to make when Jenna asked so casually.
“Young lady, you can’t stand it!”
But Jenna's reaction was unexpected.
What is this reaction?
Jenna's cute attitude of scolding me was awkward.
I hesitated for a moment and then asked cautiously.
“...Was it okay for me to meet my father?”
“Why are you saying such obvious things?”
Contrary to my grumbling feelings, my face relaxed significantly.
Thinking about how anxious I've been these past few days, I couldn't help but sigh.
“Then why did you lock him up here? It makes me feel uneasy for no reason. Where is he now?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t have a place to put him. But I don’t have to anymore.”
'Where should you put him?'
Although the way she spoke as if she were treating my father like an object, was a little odd.
I decided not to worry about it, thinking it was just my mood.
Because that wasn't what mattered now.
“Follow me. I have prepared a present for you, young lady. I have just finished preparing it.”
“What preparations?”
“It’s something we’ve been waiting for for a long time.”
“What we were hoping for...?”
What on earth were Elizabeth and Jenna hoping for?
No. In the first place, how could two people possibly want the same thing?
I was momentarily overcome by a strange feeling.
What should I say?
When I talk to Jenna, I feel like things are strangely off.
Jenna, not knowing whether she knew how I felt or not, burst into laughter, grabbed my wrist, and led me away.
However.
'A strange smell...'
As I followed Jenna, I began to sense a foul smell that irritated my nose.
When the stench becomes so strong that it is difficult to breathe.
Our footsteps stopped.
“Yes, everyone’s here.”
Jenna pointed to the Great Hall, her face brightening again.
Traces of the wedding still remained, as the exterior walls of the building were decorated with artificial flowers and lace.
However.
Strange, unidentifiable smells were seeping out through the tightly shut doors of the Great Hall.
I asked, covering my nose with my hand.
“Jenna, I smell something strange...”
"Of course!"
Jenna's bright smile even made her look innocent.
Jenna approached the heavy door and opened it.
Ah.
The moment I saw what was inside.
I sat down on the spot as if my legs had lost their strength.
“I’ve collected all this trash, so it’s bound to stink. What do you think? Do you like my gift?”
Jenna's face, which at first glance seemed to be bordering on madness.
The lilies that filled the hall were red with blood.
Inside the spacious hall, corpses were piled high like a mountain.
And among those piles of corpses.
From Baroness Caroline, who taught me manners, to the Emperor's chamberlain...
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'You said that meals are delivered once a day.'
He said that when he woke up, there was food by his bedside.
But at night, sleep would come to him regardless of his will, so he couldn't see who would bring it to him.
'It's probably Jenna.'
Is it because the rebellion happened not long ago?
I never encountered any maids or servants working around here.
As if Jenna was the only one who could enter Solerian.
'So that means Jenna has the key.'
Even when I tried to enter other rooms, many of them were locked.
Well then, there must be a bunch of keys that can open those doors.
It was while I was trying to figure out where the key was.
Jenna, who brought food right on time as usual, said.
“I think you’ve been eating less lately, so I brought you more food.”
It seemed that Jenna had mistakenly thought that I had been sneaking food for the Duke for the past few days.
Jenna's words reminded me of the Duke who was gorging himself on the food I had brought him.
Maybe that's why I felt guilty after eating something.
'Should I just ask Jenna honestly?'
Why is my father locked in the basement?
Can't she let him go?
But I soon gave up on that thought.
'You must have kept him alive because of me.'
There is a high probability that he kept the Duke alive to blackmail me.
Because in the original, the traitor was a very obsessed character.
He was portrayed as a man who would do anything to get what he wanted.
That sound meant that the Duke, like me, might die at any moment.
So, the Duke had to be kicked out of the palace before me.
'I can't just sit still and wait for Isaac forever.'
I must have become somewhat familiar with the geography of Solerian. To get out of this crisis, I had to start taking action rather than just thinking about it.
It was while I was stirring my salad with a fork.
“I just got a call from Lord Carsis. He said that his schedule is behind schedule and he will be returning to the palace a little late.”
"Yes?"
It was good news for me.
Because it was a golden opportunity to escape the palace with the Duke.
Thanks to going back and forth to the palace these past few days, I had become familiar with the geography and, by chance, had acquired some of the clothes worn by the servants.
'I don't know, but Jenna will realize later that the Duke is gone.'
Because you said you only come down to the basement once a day.
It was a challenge worth undertaking if only they could find a secret passage that would allow them to escape the palace without being noticed.
'Wasn't the Solerian Palace close to the chapel?'
If my memory serves me right, I heard that there was a passageway in the chapel through which priests came and went.
In that case, I should send the Duke there first, and then follow him depending on the situation.
I noticed the bunch of keys on Jenna's waist.
“I did manage to steal it, but...”
It seemed that Jenna had mistakenly thought that I had been sneaking food for the Duke for the past few days.
Jenna's words reminded me of the Duke who was gorging himself on the food I had brought him.
Maybe that's why I felt guilty after eating something.
'Should I just ask Jenna honestly?'
Why is my father locked in the basement?
Can't she let him go?
But I soon gave up on that thought.
'You must have kept him alive because of me.'
There is a high probability that he kept the Duke alive to blackmail me.
Because in the original, the traitor was a very obsessed character.
He was portrayed as a man who would do anything to get what he wanted.
That sound meant that the Duke, like me, might die at any moment.
So, the Duke had to be kicked out of the palace before me.
'I can't just sit still and wait for Isaac forever.'
I must have become somewhat familiar with the geography of Solerian. To get out of this crisis, I had to start taking action rather than just thinking about it.
It was while I was stirring my salad with a fork.
“I just got a call from Lord Carsis. He said that his schedule is behind schedule and he will be returning to the palace a little late.”
"Yes?"
It was good news for me.
Because it was a golden opportunity to escape the palace with the Duke.
Thanks to going back and forth to the palace these past few days, I had become familiar with the geography and, by chance, had acquired some of the clothes worn by the servants.
'I don't know, but Jenna will realize later that the Duke is gone.'
Because you said you only come down to the basement once a day.
It was a challenge worth undertaking if only they could find a secret passage that would allow them to escape the palace without being noticed.
'Wasn't the Solerian Palace close to the chapel?'
If my memory serves me right, I heard that there was a passageway in the chapel through which priests came and went.
In that case, I should send the Duke there first, and then follow him depending on the situation.
I am planning the Duke's escape while pretending to eat.
***
“I did manage to steal it, but...”
What I was holding in my hand was the bundle of keys that had been on Jenna's waist.
I watched for my opportunity and managed to steal the keys while Jenna was looking away.
But it was too early to relax. I had to start preparing to escape before Jenna realized the key was missing.
“Well, you said you were busy with something important today. I’ll just finish it by then.”
I wonder if there is some special event.
Jenna looked particularly happy since this morning.
Thanks to Jenna, who had been distracted all day, I was able to get the key easily.
After waiting like that, the evening finally came.
As darkness engulfed the sky, I grabbed the key and headed to the basement.
My steps as I descended into the basement became quicker.
I wanted to get the Duke out of that unpleasant basement room as quickly as possible.
I opened the door to the underground room and smiled towards where Duke Cretian was.
“Father, I gave you the keys today...”
But... the Duke that was supposed to be behind the iron bars was nowhere to be seen.
"Father...?"
A small room with nowhere to hide.
An unknown ominous feeling grabbed the back of my neck.
I walked over and took a closer look inside, but the result was the same.
“Where on earth did you go?”
At that time, I was feeling bewildered as I watched the Duke disappear overnight.
I felt a presence behind me.
“What are you doing here?”
My shoulders flinched at the familiar voice.
As I turned my creaking body and looked behind me, Jenna came into view.
As always, with a bright smile on her face.
Surely, didn't you say you were busy with something important today?
But why?
I licked my lips at Jenna's unexpected appearance.
“Je, Jenna this is...”
I stuttered like someone caught stealing.
But unlike me, Jenna seemed to be in a good mood.
Jenna ran towards me and linked arms with me.
“Are you looking for the Duke of Cretian?”
“Huh? Yeah...”
I tried to answer as calmly as possible, but I didn't know what kind of expression to make when Jenna asked so casually.
“Young lady, you can’t stand it!”
But Jenna's reaction was unexpected.
What is this reaction?
Jenna's cute attitude of scolding me was awkward.
I hesitated for a moment and then asked cautiously.
“...Was it okay for me to meet my father?”
“Why are you saying such obvious things?”
“So you're telling me I've been drumming and hammering and filming my own escapades?
Thinking about how anxious I've been these past few days, I couldn't help but sigh.
“Then why did you lock him up here? It makes me feel uneasy for no reason. Where is he now?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t have a place to put him. But I don’t have to anymore.”
'Where should you put him?'
Although the way she spoke as if she were treating my father like an object, was a little odd.
I decided not to worry about it, thinking it was just my mood.
Because that wasn't what mattered now.
“Follow me. I have prepared a present for you, young lady. I have just finished preparing it.”
“What preparations?”
“It’s something we’ve been waiting for for a long time.”
“What we were hoping for...?”
What on earth were Elizabeth and Jenna hoping for?
No. In the first place, how could two people possibly want the same thing?
I was momentarily overcome by a strange feeling.
What should I say?
When I talk to Jenna, I feel like things are strangely off.
Jenna, not knowing whether she knew how I felt or not, burst into laughter, grabbed my wrist, and led me away.
As we walked across the palace, we looked as innocent and clear as little girls on their way to a parade.
'A strange smell...'
As I followed Jenna, I began to sense a foul smell that irritated my nose.
When the stench becomes so strong that it is difficult to breathe.
Our footsteps stopped.
“Yes, everyone’s here.”
Jenna pointed to the Great Hall, her face brightening again.
Traces of the wedding still remained, as the exterior walls of the building were decorated with artificial flowers and lace.
However.
Strange, unidentifiable smells were seeping out through the tightly shut doors of the Great Hall.
I asked, covering my nose with my hand.
“Jenna, I smell something strange...”
"Of course!"
Jenna's bright smile even made her look innocent.
Jenna approached the heavy door and opened it.
Ah.
The moment I saw what was inside.
I sat down on the spot as if my legs had lost their strength.
“I’ve collected all this trash, so it’s bound to stink. What do you think? Do you like my gift?”
Jenna's face, which at first glance seemed to be bordering on madness.
The lilies that filled the hall were red with blood.
Inside the spacious hall, corpses were piled high like a mountain.
And among those piles of corpses.
From Baroness Caroline, who taught me manners, to the Emperor's chamberlain...
Support Novellate!
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