It was Letticia’s second time visiting the Crown Prince’s palace, but this was her first time stepping inside.
She hadn’t even finished her breakfast and was starving, yet she couldn’t understand why she was being summoned now.
Still, the command of the almighty Crown Prince clearly took precedence over the hunger of a mere debutante.
“You look better than expected. Especially after last night’s chaos followed by this morning’s investigation.”
“Although I’m not the heir, I still represent the image of Sharon Jewelry. I can’t afford to show weakness that easily. And I’m also grateful you went through the trouble of sending Sir Bright to summon me.”
Letticia smiled in response to Matthias’s curt greeting.
It was also her way of subtly questioning why she had been summoned, despite being the debutante who was once seen as his most likely fiancée—until it was publicly announced she was now dating one of his subordinates.
‘Even the expressions of the attendants I passed looked weird.’
Although he hadn’t visited during the formal courting season, Letticia was the only person with whom Matthias had danced not only the Minuet but also the Waltz this season.
Ezkhiel had also accompanied her this time, but people might still spread rumors that Matthias had summoned Letticia out of lingering feelings for her.
And if that happened, who knows what chaos Matthias—who now seemed thoroughly infatuated with Ariette—would unleash?
Fortunately, Matthias didn’t seem eager for a long conversation with Letticia, and he quickly got to the point.
“The incident involving Lady Eskis will be treated as an attempted murder. According to the doctor, her allergic reaction was quite severe. Since there are rare cases of death from such allergies, this is only natural.”
“I appreciate Your Highness’s gracious warning that the host of the charity concert for orphans might become the victim of an attempted murder.”
“That warning is for Lady Eskis, not you. It seems she’s the one most passionately involved in donating to the orphanage.”
He was clearly referring to Seraphina’s sudden actions the previous night.
Letticia wondered if he was going to bring that up again, but luckily, Matthias moved on to the next topic.
“However, the victim—Lady Eskis—is the niece of Count Wallace, the head of the Knights. And the incident occurred at the Wallace estate. If the Count leads the investigation, it’s no different from handling it internally using the Knights’ power. That’s why the Royal Knights, specifically Deputy Commander Averil, have been entrusted with full authority over the investigation—with Count Wallace’s agreement. Are you aware of all this?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Letticia confirmed, and Matthias tilted his head slightly and asked.
“Then let me ask you—how did the knights treat you today? Did they respectfully treat you as a witness, or interrogate you like a suspect?”
“They treated me like a suspect.”
Letticia answered directly, then added the details.
“From the moment they came to fetch me this morning, they parked several carriages—including ones meant for other destinations—in front of my house. Then they threatened to arrest me for obstructing official duties if I didn’t comply… It was in no way how one would treat a mere witness.”
“They actually did that?!”
Ezkhiel, who had been listening to their conversation, suddenly interjected in surprise.
Matthias frowned slightly but let it slide without rebuking him.
“Yes. Also, the questions they asked were completely different from those Sir Averil had instructed. It felt like they were trying to lead me into saying that I held resentment toward Lady Eskis or the other debutantes.”
“Did you get caught by any of those questions?”
“Not at all. They were all so absurd that it wasn’t even difficult to refute them.”
Letticia’s response brought a sigh of relief from Ezkhiel, while Matthias wore a peculiar expression.
“Now that I think about it, you experienced something similar back during your academy days, didn’t you? Against none other than the Averil Ducal House.”
“It’s in the past now. I already received a direct apology from Sir Averil, the one responsible. So I bear no grudge anymore.”
Even though her opinion of his character was at rock bottom, Letticia was honest about not harboring ill will.
Besides, even if she had every right to be upset, there was nothing to gain by reminding Matthias of that incident—especially since it had involved Ariette.
Matthias didn’t look like he fully believed her words, but he nodded for the time being.
“I have no intention of judging you based on personal feelings. However, it would be wise for you to remember that it’s better to trust Deputy Commander Averil than Count Wallace in this case.”
“…Are you suggesting that Count Wallace is the one trying to frame me as the culprit?”
This question was practically rhetorical.
Given the way the knights acted, it didn’t seem like it was Achilles or Matthias behind it—which left only the captain of the knights.
“The real issue is where the incident occurred and who the victim is. The daughter of the Marquess of Eskis nearly died in Count Wallace’s residence. If this goes public, the western nobility will surely gather and demand answers. And above all, the Eskis family won’t sit still.”
Letticia replied with a hint of cynicism.
“Then perhaps someone is tossing me out as the scapegoat to redirect the pressure onto me and the House of Sharon. There are already people who resent me over the incident with Lady Casillis. Even if the accusations are baseless, if those people team up just to tarnish my name, others might start to believe them too.”
“Le—no, Lady Sharon…”
Ezkhiel looked at her with a grave expression.
Though they had narrowly avoided the worst-case scenario—Matthias outright suspecting her—this situation was far from hopeful.
Matthias, slightly surprised by Letticia’s calm reaction, gave a small sound of admiration.
“You’re more composed than I expected. Most people would get angry or flustered at the thought of being falsely accused.”
“Letting emotions take over in a moment like this would only be a misstep. And more importantly, I don’t have to be afraid—not when Your Highness summoned me personally to prevent Count Wallace from going too far.”
“…So you really have stopped pretending to be clueless and innocent since becoming my aide’s lover, huh?”
Matthias smirked as he said it. Letticia responded with a knowing smile.
“I won’t brag, but I can at least proudly say I’ve always acted honestly.”
“Within the bounds of what wouldn’t harm the House of Sharon, of course.”
“As any proper member of a noble family should.”
Her radiant smile was flawless, giving Matthias no room to criticize.
He gave a small, incredulous snort but didn’t press further.
He clearly still didn’t like Letticia, but it was obvious he saw picking a fight as a waste of time.
“Well, fine. If you’re that perceptive, there’s no need for a lengthy explanation.”
Ezkhiel, who had been tense the entire time, finally let out a sigh of relief.
He too knew full well that Matthias didn’t like Letticia,
so his heart must have been in knots the whole time.
“I understand you’re not very interested in politics, but this situation offers old noble families a perfect excuse. A lady from a long-standing noble house collapses while hosting a charity concert meant to promote unity. If the suspected culprit turns out to be the daughter of a prominent new noble house, that could deal a devastating blow to the new nobility.”
“So what you’re saying is, beyond high society, there are people in the political world who might also be eager to pin this crime on me.”
“Exactly. And let’s not forget—you also have the blood of the Marquisate of Wade running through your veins.
That means the Eskis family could seize this opportunity to pressure not only the Sharons but also the Wades. If the Marquess is the kind of man who’d sacrifice his daughter for political gain, he might very well join in framing you, regardless of the truth.”
Ezkhiel’s face turned pale—almost bluish—from shock. Letticia, realizing just how troublesome this could get, began to regret coming alone.
‘Maybe I should have insisted on coming with Ken…’
She missed Kenneth dearly, who had stayed behind to coordinate with the rest of the family.
After all, Letticia was someone who acted rather than commanded.
Even hearing all of this didn’t put her in a position to make decisions—she simply didn’t have enough information to do so.
Still, she forced herself to propose a possible solution based on what she had just learned.
“In that case, what if the investigation identifies the real culprit and presents undeniable physical evidence? If the imperial family releases a conclusive report, then anyone who continues accusing me would essentially be doubting the crown’s authority—which could be politically risky for them, no?”
“They’ll likely do everything they can to pin it on you before that happens. Getting a confession out of you would be the simplest tactic… But I doubt you’d fall for something like that, so I’m not too worried.”
Letticia didn’t bother replying—she just moistened her lips slightly and stayed silent, not needing to reassure him that she wouldn’t crack under pressure.
~~~
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[MLIIWTFL Chapter 189-193] New
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I hope this wont get too dragged out like the one with the Averilsl on the academy arc. My brain is too small for this.