episode_0098

The crown prince must have decided that I am the real culprit of this brainwashing and murder case. That’s because this incident started with a curse and ended with a curse.

Having experienced hallucinations and auditory hallucinations once during the finals of the entrance exam, he could not help but doubt me.

The series of events that had occurred so far, Professor Draco’s statement that curses could not be used under the sun, and even what happened in the basement today.

It is truly amazing that they gathered all the information about the case and deduced that the culprit was me. That probably means his brain is extraordinary.

but… … . In fact, all of this is a web he has woven to make me suspicious.

“You look very tired. Are you okay?”

He made him conscious of the curse by making him hallucinate and auditory hallucinations during the entrance exam, and as a result, he directly asked a question during Professor Draco’s class and was told that the curse could not be used under the sun.

In his mind, I naturally created the image that I was a monster who could do the impossible, and that I was a man of the dark who planned things meticulously.

And by openly showing Sera’s deterioration, I made people think I had cursed her – brainwashed her. Well, isn’t it completely wrong to say that gaslighting can also be seen as brainwashing in some sense?

Well, whatever. By openly displaying suspicious actions and events, I raised his suspicions toward me to the limit, and the result was… … .

“Are you looking for me? Or Hermel?”

The crown prince, who had been quietly looking at me, hardened his face when he saw me smiling.

“I was looking for you.”

The crown prince looked at me as he said that, and his gaze was quite sharp.

Although he didn’t frown or show any signs of displeasure, I could tell that he was quietly controlling his emotions.

That’s why I opened my mouth, determined to drive him away before he could control his emotions.

“Did something really happen?”

I said that with a face that said I really didn’t know. As if you don’t know why you came here.

The more he said this, the more his face hardened, and I glanced back at Hermel, then looked at the crown prince again and said,

“The fact that you were looking for me… … . Is it because you wanted to enjoy the festival with me?”

The words I had so shamelessly thrown out that made them laugh were a shock to both Hermel and the Crown Prince, and I felt them flinch back and forth.

Yeah, you probably never thought I would say something like this. Because it’s not that kind of image.

But I didn’t mind at all. My purpose was to unsettle the crown prince and completely break his suspicions about me.

“I think you were wandering around because of me, and that was why you were tired. sorry. Since you didn’t say anything until the day before the festival, I thought you had other plans.”

“… … .”

The crown prince seemed speechless and was looking at me without saying anything.

I briefly cursed my body with high fever and made my face turn red.

“But, since you came here like this. Let’s celebrate the festival from now on――”

“Sorry, Lady Charlotte. The festival has been canceled.”

“――Yes?”

I widened my eyes for a moment, then immediately took out a fan and covered my mouth.

“Why… … . Has the festival been canceled? Since the founding of the Academy, I have never heard of the Spring Festival being canceled.”

On the outside, he pretended to be calm, shaking his hands just enough for the crown prince to see.

“A person died. Also, an academy student.”

“What is that… … . Are you saying a murder case occurred inside the academy?”

“Okay. There has been no announcement right now as the incident is being handled, but an announcement will be made soon that the Spring Festival is canceled.”

“That… … .”

I closed my mouth for a moment and lowered my eyes. He then closed his eyes for a moment, folded the fan, and opened his eyes.

“Have you found the culprit? Where did the incident take place? Who are the victims? How many witnesses are there?”

He looked at me quietly and said,

“There are a total of five victims, and there are two who are both victims and perpetrators. And both of them――died.”

“Everyone is dead, so if summary judgment is warranted, the perpetrator must be a commoner. The victim must have at least the title of Baron or higher. And being both a victim and a perpetrator… … . It looks like you instigated those two. The purpose is… … . Either ruining the spring festival. I guess they are asking you to kill the other three victims.”

I made as many inferences as I could based on the information the Crown Prince had given me.

Of course, I already knew how it worked and the inside story.

“They were not moving because they were instigated, but for other reasons.”

“For a different reason… … . It seems like hatred towards nobles.”

“No.”

He flatly denied what I said.

“They had been brainwashed. By someone unknown.”

The crown prince said that and subtly gave a hint.

Although he didn’t say it directly, he was clearly saying that I was the culprit.

Yeah, I was waiting for those words.

“Brainwashing… … ? No, wait… … .”

good. Now, let’s try acting.

* * *

Charlotte burst into laughter at the crown prince’s words.

“Ha… … . Now, you want to tell me that I brainwashed them and made them kill each other? Without any evidence?”

“I only said that I was brainwashed by an unknown person, but I did not specify who it was.”

“The fact that you came all the way to where I am and said something like that doesn’t mean you’re saying that you doubt me.”

Hermel swallowed dryly at the strange atmosphere and looked back and forth between the Crown Prince and Charlotte to see what they were saying.

“I didn’t say anything. Wouldn’t you know that such an attitude would only make a thief look like he was going out of his way?”

“… … yes. is it so. Shall I tell you my alibi? I enjoyed the festival with Hermel all day today. There was no time to care about other people. At about 9:15 a.m., I ate sugar cookies at a sugar-cutting store on a street vendor, and at about 9:18 a.m.――”

Charlotte, who always showed a relaxed and peaceful appearance, became unusually excited and raised her voice as she continued speaking.

However, even though she was very excited, she was not disturbed at all and clearly and clearly told the story of what happened in chronological order.

“――And at 12 o’clock, I had lunch on the academy rooftop with Hermel, and I finished eating at 12:30. After that, I received permission from the professor to use the classroom and came here to rest. Until now! Are you satisfied now? Is there anything else you’d like to know? Are you still suspicious of me!?”

“… … .”

The crown prince just looked at Charlotte without saying a word, and Charlotte sobbed and threw the fan on the floor.

Hermel, who was watching Charlotte from behind, couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw Charlotte’s body shaking as she threw the fan.

Are you shaking? That Charlotte? They even threw a fan?

“Are you that suspicious of me?”

Before we knew it, Charlotte’s voice was becoming wet.

“I. Don’t you really like being your fiancé? … . Did you hate me so much that you accused me of being a criminal without any evidence? … ?”

The crown prince still kept his mouth shut. doubt? distrust? No, it wasn’t because of that.

Great confusion and surprise appeared on his face.

“Yes… … . I-I’m a bad bitch… … . Yes… … ?”

Because Charlotte was crying.

“Were you suspicious about Sarah? Yes, that kid. That child left the academy of his own free will. Because being bullied by seniors is so hard, and being bullied by classmates is so hard! I can’t stand it… … . He left the academy on his own… … .”

“That child is obsessed with me? No wonder! That child is the one who has been by my side for over 5 years… … . If you have a hard time, please let me know at any time, because I told you so. It was something that was expected of me. Do you know how painful it was for me to see my friend in pain and not be able to do anything? My heart was broken!!”

That voice, filled with injustice and sorrow, was so heartbreaking.

Her tearful cries echoed through the open door and down the hallway. Naturally, it stopped others in their tracks.

“You treated me so coldly as my fiancee… … . Hold hands, laugh and talk with other girls in your class… … . Did you like that woman that much? Is it my fault for not laughing at what you said? Is it my fault for not holding your hand?”

“Yes… … . is it so… … . Taking a concubine is natural for a king… … . But, if you’re going to do that, at least. At least you should have done it in a place where I couldn’t see… … .”

She covered her eyes with one hand and took a deep breath, and continued speaking as if chewing.

“As your fiancee, I have tried everything I could. In order to become the right person for you, I have worked hard day and night, spitting up blood and cutting bones. I thought that was my duty as a fiancee. But, how could that effort be like this? … . Are you saying it comes back like this? … .”

After saying those words, her body swayed.

When the crown prince saw her like that, he unconsciously tried to take a step forward but stopped.

Hermel ran straight to her side and helped her.

“Charles!”

“It’s okay… … . Let me go, I’ll say one more word… … .”

Hermel trembled at the sight of her tear-stained face, nodded, and walked away.

Charlotte half-leaned on the desk, caught her breath, and looked at the Crown Prince with a calm face.

“If you hate me so much… … . Yes, I will disappear. I will disappear from your life forever. I, Charlotte La Rochelle of the Duchess of Rochelle, make this formal request.”

with me… … .Please break off the engagement.

Her words caused great ripples.