Trap

“Look over there, the Princess-nim is here…”

“The Watcher-nim is here too. Seems like the news reports were true.”

“If they’re really close, does that mean relations between the Church and the Imperial Family might improve…?”

“Who knows. Maybe if the Princess becomes Emperor?”

“You there! Stop chattering! The Principal will be out soon! Quiet down!”

Whispers spread through the auditorium like wildfire as students reunited with old friends shared this fascinating gossip.

Academy teachers tried to restrain the students, but were hopelessly outnumbered once the chatter began.

Some teachers weren’t even attempting to control the students – instead staring at the two figures while discussing something amongst themselves.

The packed auditorium soon became as noisy as a bustling marketplace.

“…This happened because you publicly displayed our friendship without prior discussion. Fix this.”

“Didn’t you also realize you needed to take some action, Your Highness?”

“But making such a declaration? I’m saying it was too radical.”

“Ahaha.”

Stella glared at Anya who responded with a laugh, apparently having nothing more to say.

As she’d said, Stella had indeed felt the need to take action.

Anya, who’d promised mutual cooperation, had achieved her goals far faster and more decisively than Stella anticipated.

While exposing the Pope as a demon-possessed individual had cratered the Church’s credibility, rumors of Anastasia becoming the new Pope were gradually restoring some trust.

Given time, the Church would naturally regain its position.

The problem was that Stella’s issues remained completely unresolved in comparison.

Assassins had stopped coming, but only because she’d left on a journey with everyone.

Stella had spent sleepless nights worrying whether the Watcher might betray her.

…Only after confirming her unchanged behavior after a week could she relax.

She knew it was unnecessary worry, but such habits developed naturally after living in the Imperial Family where betrayal and schemes were daily occurrences.

“I truly can’t predict what despicable methods that damned brother of mine will employ.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. That bastard’s specialty has always been pulling unexpected, underhanded tricks.”

Stella was certain this was precisely why he remained the undisputed top successor.

Though pushed far down the succession line early on… It wasn’t like Imperial Family members simply disappeared or were found with limbs crushed to pulp without his involvement.

“He’ll definitely bring something unexpected…”

Crash!

The auditorium doors slammed open, cutting off Stella’s words.

Knights flooded in like a tidal wave, violently pushing students aside.

“Wh-what’s this?!”

“Kyaa! Stop pushing!”

“Where is the Second Princess, Stella Edelweiss?!”

“Th-there! Over there! Damn it, what are you doing?!”

The auditorium descended into chaos again, but for entirely different reasons.

“What are you doing?! This is the Academy! Regardless of your affiliation, where are your mann-…”

“Apologies, teacher. But we’re currently performing official duties. If you interfere, we’ll have no choice but to charge you with treason.”

“…Wh-what? Treason?”

Academy teachers moving to stop them froze in confusion at the unexpected word.

“Stella Edelweiss. You’re under arrest for attempted regicide.”

“Y-Your Highness. What in the world…?!”

Anya also seemed utterly bewildered, unable to follow the situation.

…I knew this would happen eventually, but they moved faster than expected. Were they that rushed?

Or did they consider me a threat already?

Stella sighed, already guessing who orchestrated this.

“Evidence? I did no such thing.”

“Of course there is, beloved little sister.”

“…”

Stella doubted her ears.

She never imagined hearing that voice here.

Turning toward the sound, Stella’s face twisted in disgust at the familiar yet loathsome visage.

“Long time no see, brother. I never thought you’d appear here personally.”

“It’s been too long, beloved little sister. I had no choice. When accusations of such grave crimes surfaced… As a family man, I couldn’t stay away.”

“I didn’t do it.”

“Hmm. That’s not for you to decide.”

Just as expected.

What a vile bastard who always enjoyed trapping people.

“One of father’s guard knights claims to have seen someone identical to you attempting to kill him.”

“…May I see this guard knight?”

“Apologies, but rules prohibit suspects from meeting witnesses before trial concludes.”

“Ha… My damned brother remains ever consistent.”

“Now, I’m not sure what you mean.”

Stella instantly deduced her brother’s motives.

…He probably never even planned the trial’s contents.

Just have a subordinate give false testimony, then use that pretext to drag her to court?

Anyone attempting to defend her would be threatened with treason charges too.

“…Sorry, but I’ve no interest in attending a trial to prove something I didn’t do.”

Thus she had to stand her ground here at all costs.

Proving innocence is far harder than proving guilt.

Even if declared innocent, years would pass first.

She’d be assassinated before then, or if not, her damned brother would already be Emperor.

“Is that so? I expected you’d say that, beloved little sister.”

“…That term disgusts me. Must you keep using it?”

“I’m afraid not, beloved little sister. Nothing is more unbearable than being unable to call my beloved sister ‘beloved sister’.”

What splendid nonsense.

All while clearly enjoying her disgusted expression.

“For your sake, this brother researched something. Know this? Ancient nobles would gather allies and battle opponents to determine right and wrong.”

“So?”

“Surprisingly, those laws still exist. …Though now that I’ve drawn attention to them, they’ll likely soon disappear. What say you?”

“…”

“Consider it final mercy toward one who dared attempt patricide.”

What a beautifully laid trap.

Stella clicked her tongue at her brother’s cunning.

Rushing like this was completely unlike him.

His appearance meant he had sufficient reason – confident of victory by any means, dangling bait while claiming “now or never”.

An obvious tactic. Make an outrageous offer first, then present a marginally acceptable alternative.

“Seems I’ve no choice. I accept.”

Even seeing through it, Stella truly had no alternatives.

Still better than being forcibly constrained through power.

Doubtless he wanted to maintain his image while ensuring victory through any means.

The earlier trial talk was clearly never serious.

His true aim was using this anachronistic law to claim complete legitimacy while crushing her “legally”.

“Good. Then I grant you three days to gather allies, beloved little sister. Best use it well.”

“…What happens to my allies if I lose?”

“Hmm. They’ll face charges for aiding treason, naturally.”

Just as expected.

Stella scanned her surroundings.

As anticipated, no student or teacher would meet her eyes.

By framing it as treason, he’d ensured no help would come.

His side would doubtless field elites…

Truly the despicable brother’s signature style.

Even crafting an image of the merciful prince showing final kindness to his patricidal sister.

“Vile bastard.”

“Now now. Tell them I’m the merciful prince who forgave a criminal sister attempting patricide.”

“Ha.”

“Then we meet in three days. Hope you find good allies. …My apologies for the disturbance.”

Stella raised her middle finger at the departing knights and prince who left as quietly as they’d arrived noisily.

Eat shit.