I felt a subtle tension. But when Julian placed his hand on my shoulder, everything seemed okay. Neither Prince Cain nor the Emperor could do anything to me.
"Before I explain, there's something I must tell you. There are some differences between what I experienced and what His Highness the Second Prince experienced."
“Does that mean I lied to Your Majesty?”
I said, looking down politely.
“I’m sorry, but yes, that’s correct.”
After speaking, I no longer bowed my head. Instead, I looked straight at Prince Cain and spoke.
"I myself went deep into the forest in search of prey. Then I saw His Highness the Second Prince and three knights, accompanied by six demonic beasts."
Prince Cain interjected impatiently.
“Before that, why did you move away from the Grand Duke?”
It was Julian, not me, who answered that question.
"I made a bet with the Grand Duchess about a game. The Grand Duchess wanted my horse, and I promised to give her a ride if she caught more game."
I turned around, startled by Julian's words. Looking ahead, I saw Prince Cain and even Prince Aslan, looking somewhat surprised. The Emperor seemed more dizzy than angry at the situation.
“Your Majesty, Your Highness. Have you treated me poorly just now?”
When Prince Cain spoke as if he found it absurd, Julian replied arrogantly.
"Exactly."
“How can this be, when there are royal laws!”
“If the Second Prince continues to treat the Grand Duchess poorly, he is belittling our Duchzan family, and I am being belittled by someone who is neither His Majesty the Emperor nor the Crown Prince, so I will respond appropriately.”
"What!"
“Cain.”
It was the Emperor who stopped Prince Cain from raising his voice. The Emperor didn't say anything, but his intentions were clear. Prince Cain gritted his teeth, but now that the Emperor had stepped forward, he couldn't go against his will. Cain spoke like a dog with its tail wagging.
“...Even if you made a bet with the Grand Duke, it is certainly strange that you showed up at that place and at that time.”
Prince Cain finally began to speak with formality. Had it not been for Julian's intervention, it would have been a lifetime ago that Prince Cain would have been so honored. I smiled and said,
"I, too, felt the earthquake. I expected to find big game, so I headed straight there. His Highness the Second Prince said he came there for the same reason. Is there a problem?"
"...No."
"Then let's continue. At first, I didn't realize there was something wrong with those demons. I was just surprised by their appearance and rushed towards them. What you overlooked was that I had a rare magic stone."
This time, the Emperor asked with a puzzled look.
“Why did you bring a rare magic stone to the hunting grounds?”
He couldn't have forgotten that I had cornered Prince Cain the other day. I responded politely.
"Your Majesty, have you heard that rare magic stones are good for prenatal care? My husband and I are eagerly awaiting a child. Your Highness, the Grand Duke, gifted me a very small, rare magic stone, and I've kept it close to my chest ever since."
The Emperor's face darkened slightly when the topic of children came up. His attention was no longer on the rare magic stone. What mattered was whether Julian and I had a child.
"It would be a great joy if the Grand Duke and Duchess were to have a child. Any news?"
I shook my head with a bitter expression.
"There's still no news. Since we lost a rare magic stone in this incident, it's a shame you won't hear from us for a while."
“Be at ease, Your Highness.”
The Emperor smiled and spoke gently, as if satisfied that he had not had children.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
In contrast, Julian's grip on my shoulder tightened somewhat. I wrapped my hand around his and continued speaking.
"His Highness the Second Prince fled immediately when the demons became ferocious. Only the three knights and I engaged in a bloody battle with them. He didn't even touch a single claw. So, I'd like to ask His Highness the Second Prince: What was that wound?"
"What are you talking about! Oh, no, what are you talking about! This is a wound inflicted by a demon! I almost died because of the Grand Duchess! I find the Grand Duchess's wounds suspicious."
I said with sharp eyes.
“Then, let us compare my wounds with Your Highness’s wounds here.”
“What good is that!”
"Don't you know? The demon's claws are poisonous. While not fatal, they slow down wound healing and leave a greenish aura surrounding the wound."
I deliberately left the demon vulnerable. Of course, it was my fault that I was injured like this. But this, too, was part of my plan. It was also the reason I left Julian behind.
The Emperor asked in a low voice.
"Cain, will you show me your wounds? Or will you tell me the truth?"
Prince Cain had no choice but to close his eyes tightly and admit it.
“...It is true that I turned my back on the demon and ran away. However, the demon certainly tried to harm me!”
There seemed to be no need to remove my bandages. I looked at Prince Cain with a calm expression and said,
"Yes. You abandoned all your escorting knights and fled. You did so as if you had no idea a demon would attack you."
Prince Cain glared at me fiercely. But I wasn't afraid at all. I had explained everything I needed to, so I kept my mouth shut. Now it was Prince Aslan's turn.
“Let me ask you one last question: Why do you think this wasn't your fault, but something I orchestrated?”
“It’s because of the rare magic stone.”
“Is it because the demon was addicted to magic?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Prince Aslan rested his chin on his hand as if he were truly puzzled.
"If it's a rare magic stone, the Duchzan family possesses a large quantity. Furthermore, the one who showed up at the scene was the Grand Duchess. In that case, wouldn't it be more appropriate to point to the Grand Duchess as the culprit in this incident?"
Prince Cain would have liked to have done so if he could. It was more fitting given the current circumstances. However, this was originally intended for Prince Aslan. I wasn't even a character.
I said it with a confident attitude.
"The Grand Duke of Duchzan's family does not distribute rare magic stones privately. The rare magic stone I lost today is the only one we have used privately. You may send someone to check it out for yourself."
Prince Cain couldn't hide his frustration at the situation not going as planned. He spoke through gritted teeth.
"Not all the rare magic stones in the world are in the Duchzan family, are they? Actually, I was also looking for rare magic stones. I wanted to regain Father's trust. And then, coincidentally, I discovered something."
Prince Aslan asked as if it had been expected.
“What is it?”
"My brother, you've already secured a large quantity of rare magic stones. And you're moving them to the capital."
The Emperor looked at Prince Aslan, his demeanor utterly calm. I secretly sneered at him. The Emperor no longer trusted Prince Cain. With the past and the present incidents intertwined, it was clear that his trust had plummeted to rock bottom.
“Aslan, is that true?”
“No, Father. That would never happen.”
"Cain, even if you share different mothers, Aslan is your older brother. You'll have evidence to prove your brother, right?"
“Of course. My servant has it. I can bring it to you right now.”
I already have it... I see.
I could barely contain my laughter at the foolish attitude of not even trying to hide the fact that the plan was set.
Because now was the time for me to give the Emperor my final assurance.
"Your Majesty, I have witnesses, not evidence."
“Who is that?”
The Emperor seemed to be tired of this idle talk. I decided to show him mercy. It was time to end this tiresome conversation.
“He is Sir Brand Hilt, a knight of His Highness the Second Prince.”
Prince Cain shouted with his eyes wide open.
“He is dead!”
"He's not dead. He's quite skilled. I can bring him in right now. I think we can compare him with His Highness the Second Prince's evidence. What do you think? He's not even Sir Hanson, the knight Your Highness suspects of being a subordinate of His Highness the Crown Prince, so I don't think there's any reason to object."
Prince Cain shouted with confidence, as if he had not even remembered that he had kicked Knight Hilt's stomach and fled.
"Great!"
He seemed to think that since he was his subordinate, he would naturally take his side. I smiled brightly at Prince Cain's refreshing answer.
“Then, now only His Majesty the Emperor’s fair judgment remains.”
Some time later, Knight Hilt was captured while hiding in his barracks. He looked terrified, his face still etched with worry. However, upon seeing Prince Cain glaring at him, he seemed to have come to a realization.
Hilt said shortly afterwards.
“His Highness the Prince already knew that those demons were addicted to magic.”
“This kid!”
Prince Cain, unable to contain his anger, kicked Hilt's shoulder. And that act completely damaged Hilt's little pride and his past of persecution.
Hilt cried out while lying face down on the floor.
"Had Her Highness the Grand Duchess not appeared, His Highness the Second Prince would have killed the magically intoxicated beasts and taken credit for their actions, and would have even framed His Highness the Crown Prince! Your Majesty, reveal the truth about this!"
The Emperor was understandably furious. He immediately ordered the evidence Prince Cain possessed to be brought to him.
The evidence had been meticulously prepared, but there were several oddities, even when it was already known to be false. The Emperor threw down the falsified documents and shouted.
“Tie up this traitor who dared to frame the Crown Prince!”
Looking at the Emperor with bloodshot eyes, I thought.
This time, Prince Cain is finished.
"Before I explain, there's something I must tell you. There are some differences between what I experienced and what His Highness the Second Prince experienced."
“Does that mean I lied to Your Majesty?”
I said, looking down politely.
“I’m sorry, but yes, that’s correct.”
After speaking, I no longer bowed my head. Instead, I looked straight at Prince Cain and spoke.
"I myself went deep into the forest in search of prey. Then I saw His Highness the Second Prince and three knights, accompanied by six demonic beasts."
Prince Cain interjected impatiently.
“Before that, why did you move away from the Grand Duke?”
It was Julian, not me, who answered that question.
"I made a bet with the Grand Duchess about a game. The Grand Duchess wanted my horse, and I promised to give her a ride if she caught more game."
I turned around, startled by Julian's words. Looking ahead, I saw Prince Cain and even Prince Aslan, looking somewhat surprised. The Emperor seemed more dizzy than angry at the situation.
“Your Majesty, Your Highness. Have you treated me poorly just now?”
When Prince Cain spoke as if he found it absurd, Julian replied arrogantly.
"Exactly."
“How can this be, when there are royal laws!”
“If the Second Prince continues to treat the Grand Duchess poorly, he is belittling our Duchzan family, and I am being belittled by someone who is neither His Majesty the Emperor nor the Crown Prince, so I will respond appropriately.”
"What!"
“Cain.”
It was the Emperor who stopped Prince Cain from raising his voice. The Emperor didn't say anything, but his intentions were clear. Prince Cain gritted his teeth, but now that the Emperor had stepped forward, he couldn't go against his will. Cain spoke like a dog with its tail wagging.
“...Even if you made a bet with the Grand Duke, it is certainly strange that you showed up at that place and at that time.”
Prince Cain finally began to speak with formality. Had it not been for Julian's intervention, it would have been a lifetime ago that Prince Cain would have been so honored. I smiled and said,
"I, too, felt the earthquake. I expected to find big game, so I headed straight there. His Highness the Second Prince said he came there for the same reason. Is there a problem?"
"...No."
"Then let's continue. At first, I didn't realize there was something wrong with those demons. I was just surprised by their appearance and rushed towards them. What you overlooked was that I had a rare magic stone."
This time, the Emperor asked with a puzzled look.
“Why did you bring a rare magic stone to the hunting grounds?”
He couldn't have forgotten that I had cornered Prince Cain the other day. I responded politely.
"Your Majesty, have you heard that rare magic stones are good for prenatal care? My husband and I are eagerly awaiting a child. Your Highness, the Grand Duke, gifted me a very small, rare magic stone, and I've kept it close to my chest ever since."
The Emperor's face darkened slightly when the topic of children came up. His attention was no longer on the rare magic stone. What mattered was whether Julian and I had a child.
"It would be a great joy if the Grand Duke and Duchess were to have a child. Any news?"
I shook my head with a bitter expression.
"There's still no news. Since we lost a rare magic stone in this incident, it's a shame you won't hear from us for a while."
“Be at ease, Your Highness.”
The Emperor smiled and spoke gently, as if satisfied that he had not had children.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
In contrast, Julian's grip on my shoulder tightened somewhat. I wrapped my hand around his and continued speaking.
"His Highness the Second Prince fled immediately when the demons became ferocious. Only the three knights and I engaged in a bloody battle with them. He didn't even touch a single claw. So, I'd like to ask His Highness the Second Prince: What was that wound?"
"What are you talking about! Oh, no, what are you talking about! This is a wound inflicted by a demon! I almost died because of the Grand Duchess! I find the Grand Duchess's wounds suspicious."
I said with sharp eyes.
“Then, let us compare my wounds with Your Highness’s wounds here.”
“What good is that!”
"Don't you know? The demon's claws are poisonous. While not fatal, they slow down wound healing and leave a greenish aura surrounding the wound."
I deliberately left the demon vulnerable. Of course, it was my fault that I was injured like this. But this, too, was part of my plan. It was also the reason I left Julian behind.
The Emperor asked in a low voice.
"Cain, will you show me your wounds? Or will you tell me the truth?"
Prince Cain had no choice but to close his eyes tightly and admit it.
“...It is true that I turned my back on the demon and ran away. However, the demon certainly tried to harm me!”
There seemed to be no need to remove my bandages. I looked at Prince Cain with a calm expression and said,
"Yes. You abandoned all your escorting knights and fled. You did so as if you had no idea a demon would attack you."
Prince Cain glared at me fiercely. But I wasn't afraid at all. I had explained everything I needed to, so I kept my mouth shut. Now it was Prince Aslan's turn.
“Let me ask you one last question: Why do you think this wasn't your fault, but something I orchestrated?”
“It’s because of the rare magic stone.”
“Is it because the demon was addicted to magic?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Prince Aslan rested his chin on his hand as if he were truly puzzled.
"If it's a rare magic stone, the Duchzan family possesses a large quantity. Furthermore, the one who showed up at the scene was the Grand Duchess. In that case, wouldn't it be more appropriate to point to the Grand Duchess as the culprit in this incident?"
Prince Cain would have liked to have done so if he could. It was more fitting given the current circumstances. However, this was originally intended for Prince Aslan. I wasn't even a character.
I said it with a confident attitude.
"The Grand Duke of Duchzan's family does not distribute rare magic stones privately. The rare magic stone I lost today is the only one we have used privately. You may send someone to check it out for yourself."
Prince Cain couldn't hide his frustration at the situation not going as planned. He spoke through gritted teeth.
"Not all the rare magic stones in the world are in the Duchzan family, are they? Actually, I was also looking for rare magic stones. I wanted to regain Father's trust. And then, coincidentally, I discovered something."
Prince Aslan asked as if it had been expected.
“What is it?”
"My brother, you've already secured a large quantity of rare magic stones. And you're moving them to the capital."
The Emperor looked at Prince Aslan, his demeanor utterly calm. I secretly sneered at him. The Emperor no longer trusted Prince Cain. With the past and the present incidents intertwined, it was clear that his trust had plummeted to rock bottom.
“Aslan, is that true?”
“No, Father. That would never happen.”
"Cain, even if you share different mothers, Aslan is your older brother. You'll have evidence to prove your brother, right?"
“Of course. My servant has it. I can bring it to you right now.”
I already have it... I see.
I could barely contain my laughter at the foolish attitude of not even trying to hide the fact that the plan was set.
Because now was the time for me to give the Emperor my final assurance.
"Your Majesty, I have witnesses, not evidence."
“Who is that?”
The Emperor seemed to be tired of this idle talk. I decided to show him mercy. It was time to end this tiresome conversation.
“He is Sir Brand Hilt, a knight of His Highness the Second Prince.”
Prince Cain shouted with his eyes wide open.
“He is dead!”
"He's not dead. He's quite skilled. I can bring him in right now. I think we can compare him with His Highness the Second Prince's evidence. What do you think? He's not even Sir Hanson, the knight Your Highness suspects of being a subordinate of His Highness the Crown Prince, so I don't think there's any reason to object."
Prince Cain shouted with confidence, as if he had not even remembered that he had kicked Knight Hilt's stomach and fled.
"Great!"
He seemed to think that since he was his subordinate, he would naturally take his side. I smiled brightly at Prince Cain's refreshing answer.
“Then, now only His Majesty the Emperor’s fair judgment remains.”
Some time later, Knight Hilt was captured while hiding in his barracks. He looked terrified, his face still etched with worry. However, upon seeing Prince Cain glaring at him, he seemed to have come to a realization.
Hilt said shortly afterwards.
“His Highness the Prince already knew that those demons were addicted to magic.”
“This kid!”
Prince Cain, unable to contain his anger, kicked Hilt's shoulder. And that act completely damaged Hilt's little pride and his past of persecution.
Hilt cried out while lying face down on the floor.
"Had Her Highness the Grand Duchess not appeared, His Highness the Second Prince would have killed the magically intoxicated beasts and taken credit for their actions, and would have even framed His Highness the Crown Prince! Your Majesty, reveal the truth about this!"
The Emperor was understandably furious. He immediately ordered the evidence Prince Cain possessed to be brought to him.
The evidence had been meticulously prepared, but there were several oddities, even when it was already known to be false. The Emperor threw down the falsified documents and shouted.
“Tie up this traitor who dared to frame the Crown Prince!”
Looking at the Emperor with bloodshot eyes, I thought.
This time, Prince Cain is finished.
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