episode_0015

Episode 15.

“Today’s regular meeting will begin with the agenda item raised by the first princess, Sera.”

Fehat’s expression at the start of the regular meeting was not good. Of course, it wasn’t as good as Carmel and Count Roberts.

A chest in a small cart is brought to the center of the regular meeting. It was an item brought from the Eunbangul.

I opened it and showed everyone there a black dried substance.

“This is an item that I personally confiscated from the Rilton dockside four mornings ago. As you can see, the contents are opium. There were as many as 120 boxes of opium on board the smuggling ship. This is enough to turn all of Lullie’s citizens into addicts.”

Sounds of lament are heard from all over.

I naturally turned my gaze to Carmel. Carmel pretended not to see him and avoided his gaze.

Fehat asked with a serious face.

“So, Sarah, what happened to those smugglers?”

“The people captured that day are all bastards, Your Majesty. The culprit who really tried to ruin this country is still cleverly hiding. A magnate with the funds and boldness to import this much opium. We must find it and punish it.”

I spoke to Count Roberts, who was half-faced at the end of the regular meeting.

“Count Roberts, this is why I have called you to this regular meeting. I thought Count Roberts, who is well-versed in commerce, might have something to think about. What do you think?”

Everyone’s attention is focused on Count Roberts. Unlike his usual fluent speaking style, Count Roberts pronounced each word slowly.

“Princess… I only pursue legal commerce… I don’t know anything about bad cases like smuggling. I am truly sorry for not being able to help you.”

The words themselves were ordinary, but Count Roberts’ expression was unusual. Although he spoke in a quiet voice, he was looking at me with piercing eyes.

You’re really angry.

For a merchant, losing money is as painful as shedding one’s own blood. In fact, you probably want to strangle me.

“Is that so? In that case, there is nothing we can do.”

This time I turned to Carmel.

“Does your mother have any opinions?”

As she received everyone’s attention, Carmel shook her head with a burdened expression.

“I’m not really sure…”

A reaction that seems indifferent. But his eyes clearly showed nervousness.

Fehat, who was listening to the story, stroked his beard and said.

“I think everyone understands the gravity of the matter. I’m planning to leave the investigation of this incident to Princess Sera. What are everyone’s opinions? If you have any objections, please speak up now.”

No one, including Earl Roberts and Carmel, had any objections. Fehat nodded and spoke to me.

“I will inform the first princess Sarah Lustier. In the name of King Ferhat Lustier, I command you to investigate this opium smuggling case. Be sure to find the truth.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

So my agenda was completed and I moved on to the next agenda. Count Roberts just sat there quietly without saying a word during the regular meeting.

* * *

After the regular meeting ended, I returned to my room.

The faces of the two people just moments ago were truly worth seeing. Just seeing their expressions with your own eyes is enough to make attending the regular meeting worthwhile.

There would be a busy exchange of letters between the two. About how to remove the rock called Serra Lustier in front of them.

But the two can no longer trust each other.

In this case, it was only Count Roberts who took the loss. As long as Carmel is not discovered using the royal seal, there is no risk whatsoever.

So I deliberately did not mention that fact at the regular meeting.

By now, Count Roberts’ head must be full of doubts. I wonder if he was taken advantage of by Carmel.

It would be best if internal strife broke out, and just a little rift would be enough.

Ultimately, Count Roberts must play the role of holding Carmel back.

I feel excited.

Because this next development is not in the novel I read. In the novels I read, the winner was always Carmel.

But it’s different here. Carmel can never defeat Princess Sera or me. Because the main character here is me.

Here, Carmel is always destined to be defeated by me and toyed with as I please. A story I don’t know, featuring my favorite characters.

I smiled happily, imagining the defeated Carmel I would soon face.

* * *

“It’s been a while, Count Roberts.”

Unlike my last visit, Count Roberts did not get out of the carriage and give me a friendly greeting. Instead, he spoke in a cold tone that even felt like he was alive.

“What’s going on, Princess Sera?”

“I came to talk, just like last time.”

“Then tell me here.”

“The first princess of this country came to visit, but they didn’t even give her a place to sit? I’m very sad.”

Count Roberts’ face is crumpled like a piece of crumpled paper. He turned and started walking away without saying a word. I also followed him.

Even after entering the same room he had been in last time and sitting down, he had a grim expression on his face.

“What do you want?”

“I told you that last time. Break off your relationship with Carmel and do something honest. It was Count Roberts who refused, right?”

“I should have clearly said that I didn’t know.”

A voice filled with suppressed anger. But his attitude was so funny that I ended up laughing out loud.

“Hahaha, I was wondering what you were talking about… Count Roberts. If the Count really knows nothing, what on earth are you so angry about?”

“It is none of the princess’s business. If that’s all you have to say, please leave now.”

“No, you can’t do that. I have been ordered by His Majesty the King to find out the truth about this incident. Well, actually, I already know it without even having to find out. Count Roberts. Didn’t Carmel tell you? I can read people’s minds, even if just a little.”

“Ha…”

Count Roberts shook his head as if he had heard something similar. Of course, you can’t easily believe something like this.

Until you show me clear evidence.

“Count Roberts is planning to destroy this country with opium and bring in another country, um, an empire, right? You’ve already contacted me several times. Am I wrong?”

Count Roberts’ eyes changed from simple discomfort to something more intense and complex. But he soon regained his composure and spoke.

“Please refrain from making things up, princess. Reading minds, there’s no way something like that is possible…”

Of course it’s not possible. This is not something that was clearly depicted in the novel. This is just my guess based on the story.

But it seems like it was the right answer.

“Yes. It’s impossible without seeing your secret ledger.”

“What?”

Count Roberts’ eyes turn to anxiety.

Well, this is nothing special. It’s natural to keep a secret ledger while doing things that shouldn’t be revealed.

Moreover, if you are a person who is sensitive to losses and losses like Count Roberts.

“I don’t know exactly where it is, but… well, it’s just a matter of time. All you have to do is find it somewhere in this mansion, and even if you can’t find it, just make it plausible.”

“Are you going to manipulate the evidence?”

“Yes. You are the culprit anyway, right?”

Count Roberts’ face turns black and then bright red.

“Such atrocities…! Do you think the Aristocracy will remain silent?”

“You brought in opium, which is eating up the country, and tried to bring in foreign powers, so the noble association protects you? That’s a really funny joke.”

Count Roberts silently glared at me and took out a dagger with an ornate decoration from a drawer.

“Scared, what are you going to do with that?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know that? If you say it right, I will be sentenced to death anyway! In that case, I’d rather spend four years…!”

Count Roberts, showing his passion, rushed at me. But just before he reached me, a white bolt of electricity bounced him off.

I took out a small crystal attached to my collar and held it up in front of him.

“Defensive magic cast by Monaz. And this is a video recording crystal. Your admission of crime and your attempt to harm the princess of this country are all recorded here. Hehe, you have a terrible face, Count.”

It was blue, then red, then white. What a colorful count.

I reached out my hand to him, who was devastated.

“If things continue like this, the Count’s destruction is certain. But there is still only one way for the Count to survive.”

“Well, that.. what is that?”

“You probably haven’t disposed of it yet, right? Letters exchanged with Carmel. Hand it all over to me. Then, I will do my best to prevent you from receiving capital punishment. Of course, you must be prepared for the confiscation of your assets and deportation.”

If all he wanted to do was simply destroy Count Roberts, he could do it at any time. But that doesn’t suit my purposes.

Actually, I really like Count Roberts. Because the problem is Carmel.

The first letter exchanged with Carmel may have been discarded. However, since the seeds of doubt were planted at the regular meeting, Count Roberts would never have been able to destroy the letters exchanged from then on.

In case of emergency, he would have had to leave insurance to prevent Carmel from abandoning him.

“Ah, I understand… Please, at least get the death penalty…”

Looking at Count Roberts accepting defeat with his head down, I smiled.