I Don’t Trust My Twin Sister

“My lady! Um, what is that big stone statue over there?”

 

I looked at where Yuli’s finger was pointing.

 

‘Oh, that one?’

 

“It is a stone statue to commemorate the majesty and achievements of the first emperor.”

 

“So you’re saying it’s over 500 years old?”

 

“Yes.”

 

The stone statue was approximately ten times the size of an adult male. It was the pride of the Lirus imperial family and also served as a guideline to announce the beginning of the imperial palace. There was a time when I made a fuss while looking at that… The carriage ran for a while again and finally waited to pass the second wall where the main facilities were located. While the area behind the first wall was mainly where people working in the imperial palace lived, the second wall was more central as all the major buildings were gathered together. It was here that I was to be tried. Even though I didn’t want to think about it, I couldn’t help but feel nervous as a situation where my life was at stake was approaching before my eyes, so I bit my lip slightly. It will go to trial right away. It only said you had to attend by a certain date and time, but it didn’t say when it would start. Immediately at the earliest, tomorrow morning at the latest. It was clear that the trial would probably start quickly. If you bring a tired person to trial and put pressure on them, they will likely speak gibberish, be unable to properly present a rebuttal, and end up guilty. I don’t know what they wanted, but it was clear that the Alpensia family was involved in this matter. So, it’s right to prepare as much as possible and recover your stamina… Will you do that? At that time, the escort knight knocked lightly on the door and then rolled down the window.

 

“Miss”

 

“Why are you doing this?”

 

“There is someone I would like to meet briefly.”

 

Here again….

 

“I’m asking you to meet me later. I don’t have the stamina to withstand people telling me to come and go. Besides, there may be a trial coming up soon, so I can’t just chat leisurely.”

 

“…”

 

“I don’t have to worry about that.”

 

A familiar voice came from behind the panicked knight. It’s a voice I’ve heard somewhere, but it doesn’t come to mind. I opened the door. When I slightly lowered myself down the stairs and came out, I felt the cold air and saw a smiling face. It wasn’t a very familiar face, but somehow, it was a face I wanted to pretend to know now.

 

“Duke Safeldrick?!”

 

“It’s been a while, Lawrence. How are you and your grandfather? Ah! Since you came here caught up in an unpleasant matter, I must stop greeting you. I’m sorry.”

 

“Well, that can’t be possible. Ah!”

 

I urgently bowed down. His appearance was so surprising that I forgot I had to say hello. He was one of the two hands that moved the empire. Duke Sar Feldric himself, the center of enormous power and wealth, came out to meet me… “Well, you said you wanted to meet me…”

 

“It’s me.”

 

The feeling of the sky turning yellow… I was extremely regretful for giving an answer too hastily. How could you be so rude to Duke Safeldrick, who could be the most helpful to your allies at a time of great need…! My grandfather’s words about always being humble and looking at his surroundings were of no use.

 

“S-sorry. Duke! That… I don’t have anything to say even if I have ten mouths…”

 

As I bent my back, the sound of laughter came down to me.

 

“Holhol, well, to that extent, as you know, you are the granddaughter of the teacher I respect the most. You are also an important person to me. As a side note, there are people who are more arrogant and rude, but you are just as cute.”

 

Even if that’s what I said before, it’s a bit odd to say that he’s an arrogant and rude guy. Who is it. No way… it’s not Ian, right?

 

“Shall we go first? I’ll take the lead.”

 

I stared blankly at the duke’s back as he approached the carriage, then urgently called out to him and stopped him. As I looked at the duke bending over and thinking about what to say, I let out my voice with a sigh.

 

“Well… the trial may be held soon, but I don’t think we’ll have time.”

 

“A trial is taking place?”

 

“Yes. I guess…”

 

I wasn’t sure, but there was no harm in being prepared, so I opened my mouth cautiously. You must prepare as much as possible to prepare for any emergency. So, make the most of the limited time you have…

 

“No way. I will be the one presiding over your trial. “How can a trial be held when there is no one to be judged and no one to judge?”

 

“…yes?”

 

He blinked. The person holding the trial is… Duke Safeldrick? Why? He was not the person to handle trial-related matters. I thought that someone related to Beralt would be in charge of this trial.

 

“Why…?”

 

“It’s a long story, so let’s go and talk.”

 

I looked blankly at his back as he walked away with a leisurely smile.

 

“What…?”

 

* * *

 

I sat down as quietly as possible. More carefully than when dealing with anyone else.

 

“Sit comfortably…”

 

Can I sit comfortably? The person in front of you is the head of the Safeldrick family, which can be said to be the pinnacle of current power. If that weren’t enough, he was the person who called my grandfather the most respected teacher. Every action I take will bring back to my grandfather’s reputation. Moreover, this person in front of me right now was someone who could either end me or save me. He has no choice but to look good.

 

“I already heard everything about you from Ian. I received all the information.”

 

“Don’t worry too much. I also don’t think you did something crazy like that. Please understand if your remarks are a bit harsh. I just think it’s that ridiculous.”

 

For some reason, the moment Ian’s name came out, the tension eased. I could once again feel how great Ian’s position was. I tend to forget him because he usually behaves informally and treats me well when I’m around him, but he was also one of the top three powerful people in the empire. What should he ask? Is it because Ian’s name was mentioned? His mouth dropped, but he hesitated, not knowing what to say, and Duke Sapeldric smiled softly and opened his mouth.

 

“About 10 years ago, when the Marquis Bepis family disappeared into the backwaters of history, I was the one who put him on trial. So, I am in charge of this trial as well.”

 

So, he was definitely weird. Even though he is Duke Sapeldrick, he has no authority to intervene in the trial, so it was surprising that he intervened in this case. But with that kind of history, it’s worth it for him to participate. Is it okay to think of him as a reliable ally? Duke Sapeldrick took the teacup given to her by her maid and handed it to me and spoke leisurely.

 

“Unfortunately, we only have rooibos tea leaves here. Yes, because we don’t keep the rest of the tea leaves in stock to suit His Majesty’s taste. Please understand… I like rooibos.”

 

“I’m glad.”

 

He grinned. When I looked at the tea leaves, someone came to mind and my heart felt heavy again. That girl, how is she doing? When she rolled her eyes and looked at the Duke, he was staring at me so our eyes met. She barely avoided being startled and almost touched her tongue and forced a smile.

 

“Yes, Lady Nertica, how are you?”

 

“Ha.”

 

As soon as he finished speaking, Duke Safeldrick let out a deep sigh. I think he may have touched a land mine. He asked for no reason.

 

“Don’t even talk.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Ever since you and Ian went back, we’ve been crying and blowing for a whole month, wasting time and making a fuss. It’s no joke. There hasn’t been a day when the house is quiet.”

 

I was feeling like a criminal. I haven’t committed any sins, so why do I feel like I’m guilty?

 

“But should I say it’s thanks to you? My eldest son, who I thought was immature and didn’t know how to do anything other than act irritably, started studying again and working hard at work in earnest. I guess he learned a lot from you.”

 

“…is that so?”

 

She did that? As she tilted her head in surprise, Duke Sapeldric chuckled.

 

“I knew objectively that Nertica wasn’t suited to be the next head of the family. But when I look at her these days, I think it wouldn’t be a bad idea to give her more time. She’s more enthusiastic and talented than I thought, so that’s a good thing.”

 

“Thank god.”

 

I guess it’s right to say it like this. Hoho, let’s laugh lowly. Duke Safeldrick also nodded with a smile on his face, then calmly changed his posture slightly. His mood also moved along with it. Duke Sapeldric, whose face had changed from the gentle face of his father to that of a sharp duke, stared at me with a sharpness like a sword.

 

“The trial will be held tomorrow. As you know, the fact that the subpoena has been sent means that a lot of evidence has already been secured.”

 

“I know.”

 

“But looking at the data Ian showed me, it is clear that you are not guilty of anything. Even if one or two of the twelve whose identities are unknown are members of your family, they cannot hold you guilty. The person involved is only at fault. So I think you will be able to get out of the palace safely.”

 

I nodded at his voice, which clearly understood the situation. I felt like my unstable and shaken mind was being reestablished. His voice was powerful and had the ability to persuade.

 

“But I’m not sure what evidence they’re going to reveal. I think the current evidence already supports the law of destruction, but what if even bigger evidence is hidden? Are there any countermeasures against that?”

 

“I made several assumptions and prepared countermeasures. If the situation occurs within a predictable range, there will be no problem…”

 

“The worst is always beyond what we can predict.”

 

“Tsk.”

 

He clicked his tongue lowly and crossed his legs. Both his grandfather and this man looked very young for his age. Duke Sapeldrick, who was almost fifty years old, looked not yet forty years old, and his grandfather was a man of no doubt. What did you eat and why did everyone correct it?

 

“This is a cave where a wolf gapes. You entered there, do you know?”

 

“…To some extent.”

 

“Your grandfather declined the position of Minister of Finance that His Majesty the Emperor had asked him to hold. And he recommended me for that position. He knew. How filthy and ugly this place is.”

 

It was the first time I heard it. The fact that his grandfather was asked to sit in such a high position… he has more to hide than I thought.

 

“You, his granddaughter, are very important to me, but I will not judge you tomorrow based on emotions just because you are his granddaughter. Do you understand? Don’t be swayed by their comments, but prove your innocence by stating your convictions. . I will help you, but you have to do it yourself to get it, using your own abilities.”

 

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

 

He clenched his fists. It wasn’t wrong. I closed my eyes tightly again at the sound of Duke Safeldrick’s voice, which seemed to be scolding me for my complacent thoughts that the trial might proceed in my favor. I lowered my head and raised it again, and he grinned.

 

“Actually, I didn’t call you to talk about this. I’m saying this because I know you, but I think it’s unnecessary to worry. I’m worried about you.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“You don’t notice. It means you have great abilities. Do you know?”

 

The Duke tugged at the corners of his mouth like a child giggling. Then he picked up the teacup, took a sip, laid it down leisurely, and opened his mouth.

 

“The current emperor is flanked by the heads of the two major ducal families who are said to be difficult to control. What is there to be afraid of?”

 

He lifted his chin and laughed.

 

“If you have to, go and tell Ian. Turn everything over and erase the empire from the map.”

 

“Yes?!”

 

Surprised by the remark he made, his eyes widened and he quickly looked around. It was only after checking his surroundings at a speed that made his throat hurt that he realized there was no one around and swallowed.

 

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