IBYSRHML | Chapter 55

Episode 55

The next day, Alice and Marius exchanged glances when they saw Edgar on the verge of tears.

After watching the circus, Edgar had become even more affectionate toward Marius than before.

Though he wasn’t naturally clingy like Lilliana, it was clear the two had grown much closer.

That was why it was unusual for Edgar to act as though he were dying from early morning.

“What should I do? Cookie is nowhere to be found. I looked everywhere from under the bed to the wardrobe, but I can’t see it.”

Even though he usually acted maturely, a child was still a child—he whimpered over the missing doll.

“The maids said they haven’t touched Cookie. Brother, where do you think Cookie went?”

“Didn’t you play with Lilliana yesterday afternoon? Maybe she took it.”

“No. She only plays with it in my room. She doesn’t take Cookie outside.”

“Still, just in case, how about asking Lilliana?”

“No!”

Edgar turned pale and shouted.

“What if she finds out I lost Cookie? It’s a really precious doll to her, and she gave it to me.”

To an adult, it was just a doll, but to a child, it was different.

Tears welled up in Edgar’s green eyes.

“Lady Alice. What should I do? If Lilliana finds out I lost Cookie, she’ll hate me. Sniffle…”

Alice, stepping in for the flustered Marius, calmly embraced and soothed the child.

“No, Lilliana wouldn’t hate you over something like that.”

“But, but… If it were me, I’d be really sad.”

“Edgar, try to recall exactly where you played yesterday. If we retrace your steps, we might find it.”

“I don’t know. I’m sure it was there before breakfast…”

While Alice was having tea, Regina ran into Edgar and asked,

“You didn’t see it after breakfast?”

“After breakfast, I took Cookie and went out with Lilliana to play ‘Hero’. Ah! I have to go to the garden right now! Thank you, Lady Regina!”

Edgar jumped out of Alice’s arms and dashed toward the garden, forgetting even to say goodbye.

Regina followed him, saying she’d help him look for Cookie just in case.

The garden where Edgar and Lilliana had played the day before wasn’t a private area restricted to royalty.

It was a public garden open to visiting nobles as well, and Hans and his friends were also present.

“Because of what that savage-born girl said at the tea party, we’ve ended up looking worse than little kids!”

“I don’t care if she’s the Empress’s sister. We have to put her in her place. Besides, the council is already planning to push for the Emperor’s divorce from the Empress, right?”

After Regina spoke about her supernatural ability at the tea party, the three had been branded as pathetic liars.

So, having encountered her in the palace, they were scheming to put her in even greater trouble.

The problem was, Edgar had overheard their conversation in the garden.

Rustle.

Startled by a noise, the three quickly found Edgar.

“That kid…”

“The young Duke of Rundballenieu.”

“Oh, the one who was said to be abandoned by His Majesty?”

It had been quite some time since Marius and Edgar had reconciled.

But the three, too busy slandering others, had no idea.

Hans sneered down at Edgar.

“You heard us?”

Even from the short exchange, Edgar had already grasped the context and didn’t bother to hide his disgust.

“Yes. I heard just how pathetic the three of you are as adults.”

“What did you say?”

“That arrogant little—!”

As his friends growled, Hans stepped forward as their representative.

“Young Lord, if you don’t want to get hurt, drop the attitude and go play house.”

“Take back what you said about savages. Lady Alice and Lady Regina are not savages!”

“I’m telling you nicely. Go.”

“The Imperial Palace is my home—why should I leave?”

“This brat, even when spoken to kindly—”

In that moment of irritation, Hans reached to smack Edgar’s head.

Considering even court officials often looked down on Edgar, he thought punishing the boy wouldn’t be a problem.

But then Regina’s voice stopped them.

“What do you think you’re doing!”

Startled by the sudden voice, Hans froze mid-action.

Regina, who had rushed over, pulled Edgar behind her.

“Edgar. Are you okay?”

“Huh? Yes. Don’t worry. I’m fine.”

“I saw everything you were about to do to Edgar. How could you raise a fist to a seven-year-old? I’m not letting this go.”

“The young Lord was being disrespectful, so I raised my hand to discipline him. You stay out of it.”

“Since His Majesty and the Duke of Baltrahein are not here, I am Edgar’s guardian at the moment.”

The usual carefree expression vanished from Regina’s face, replaced by anger.

Despite facing three grown men, she showed no fear at all.

Edgar, a little dazed, looked up at the small back shielding him.

“You must think you’re somebody just because your sister became the Empress, but don’t overstep. Go back to your own country.”

“The one overstepping is you. Leave someone else’s child alone, and instead watch your own lying mouth.”

“What? You’ve said enough, haven’t you? Do you even know the kind of rumors we’ve had to endure because of you?”

Hans stormed toward Regina, exuding a threatening aura.

Then Edgar, who was behind her, ran forward and twisted Hans’s groin.

“Aaaargh!”

As Hans collapsed with a scream, Edgar shouted,

“Aaaah! Help me!”

Help, someone help!

As Edgar screamed, palace staff rushed into the garden.

“These people threatened me and Lady Regina! Contact my brothers right away!”

“Threatened? Are you going to believe a child’s lie? We did nothing. If anything, we were the ones being threatened! That woman used her powers to make the young Lord kick Hans!”

“What are you talking about? I used powers?”

Edgar called for the adults, while Hans and his friends accused Regina.

Regina, flustered by the false accusations, didn’t know what to do.

Coincidentally, there was a parliamentary session scheduled that afternoon.

Hans’s group had visited the palace to attend the session with their fathers.

Their fathers were the actual council members, but since they were heirs to their noble houses, it wasn’t a problem for them to be present.

Because of this, the commotion quickly spread, and one of the knights—Leopold—who worked with the council, heard the news.

“Edgar! Miss Regina!”

Leopold, who came running after hearing during a knights’ meeting, immediately checked their condition.

He was sweating profusely and looked unusually pale, clearly in shock.

“Brother!”

“Edgar. Are you okay?”

“Those jerks threatened me and Lady Regina!”

“What? Threats? Did they raise a hand to you? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I’ll explain.”

As Leopold bombarded Edgar with frantic questions, Regina stepped in.

Meanwhile, the gathered council members raised their voices one by one.

“We must restrict her powers with a soul-binding vow! Using a child as a shield, how shameful. Tsk.”

“She interfered with the young Lord’s mind using her ability. That’s a crime.”

“That’s right. Since today’s a session day, let’s hold a hearing immediately!”

“What are you all saying?”

Just in time, Leopold stepped forward after hearing the explanation.

Uncharacteristic fury was written on his face.

“Instead of punishing them, you’re holding a hearing against Miss Regina?”

“Y-yes! She interfered with the young Duke’s mind. Even if she’s the Empress’s sister, she’s not exempt.”

Though somewhat cowed by Leopold’s presence, the other council members nodded in agreement one by one.

If they attacked Regina, the Empress’s position would weaken too.

They had no intention of missing the opportunity.

“Depending on the results of the hearing, she could be severely punished.”

“Can you take responsibility for those words?”

Leopold gritted his teeth.

If it were up to his emotions, he’d settle it with a sword like Marius.

But that wasn’t his way.

Hans, relying on the council members who had sided with him, began to speak loudly.

“Regina Berchio should be the one preparing to take responsibility. She’s only been spared because she’s the Empress’s sister, but we can’t let it slide anymore.”

Regina clenched her fists tightly.

Regardless, Hans kept babbling on.

“She even spread rumors that we’re liars. Do you know how ridiculous that made us look?”

“Ahem. Ahem. Miss Berchio should go to the council chamber and attend the hearing right away.”

The councilman issued a coercive suggestion. Just as Leopold was about to step in—

“If I attend the hearing, will you apologize?”

“Of course, the wronged party should be apologized to, and those responsible must face consequences.”

Even with the Duke of Baltrahein present, she was still just a foreign-born woman.

There was no way they couldn’t handle one naive young lady.

Hans and his group sneered, and the council members were filled with anticipation of using Regina to undermine the Empress.

And Regina made up her mind—to roast and crush the bastards in front of her.