Gilbert couldn’t understand why Lexion’s name came out of Elizabeth’s mouth.
“What do you mean, Elizabeth? Why would a Lexion listen to your suggestion?”
Patricia, Count Gerturk, and his wife looked like they were about to die of frustration as they listened to Gilbert’s stupid question.
“As expected, it’s worth asking not to gag you after all.”
She smirked and approached Gilbert right in front of the iron bars.
Why did I love this worthless man who couldn’t even earn recognition from his own sister and brother? Elizabeth was unable to understand her past self now that she knew the bottom of his personality and intelligence.
“I didn’t come here today because of you, Gilbert. I’m here to find my daughter, who you tried to sell to a pedophile.”
“…”
Those who were locked behind the iron bars felt a chill down their spines for a moment. This was because Elizabeth’s voice was filled with deep anger.
Gilbert was also able to naturally realize that she had come here not by a momentary impulse or recklessness but as part of a well-thought-out plan.
“Elizabeth, I think there is some misunderstanding…”
Bam―
Elizabeth’s fist struck Gilbert’s face as he hurriedly tried to excuse himself.
“Ugh! What do you think you’re doing?!”
“Given that you and your family sent me to Fortrion for years and still tried to take advantage of Elise, consider yourself lucky that you only ended up with a punch in the face.”
Quickly taking a few steps back, she had a twisted smile as she watched Gilbert’s nose bleed.
Gilbert, as if unable to believe what was happening, trembled and then shouted.
“Do you think by doing this, you can save Gerturk’s lineage from Lexion? Elise’s life is already as good as dead!”
Then suddenly, as his vicious voice echoed in the dark dungeon…
“All Elise needs to do is prove that she knew nothing, unlike you guys. The investigation is proceeding smoothly.”
Walter entered the underground prison with leisurely steps and looked at the imprisoned Gerturks.
Although it was nice to see them being imprisoned side by side, he didn’t feel any sense of satisfaction knowing that his mother and Edith had suffered because of them.
“Don’t worry, Elizabeth. Elise will be released soon. The investigators won’t harm her.”
Edith, who appeared alongside Walter, calmly reassured Elizabeth that Gilbert’s loud statement was false.
Elizabeth, as if instructing them to behave properly, spoke to the two of them.
“I’m grateful that there are still nobles in Agnas who keep their promises. The future of the Imperial Family is bright.”
“…”
Gilbert, looking at the scene before him, finally realized that Elizabeth had allied with them in order to reclaim the daughter he had sold.
“Elizabeth, how could you…?”
Walter smiled wryly as he looked at Gilbert muttering in anger.
“Cassius, go tell the knights to gag Gilbert too.”
“Yes, understood.”
“If this idiot keeps ranting for a few more days, the three of them will die of frustration before the execution.”
As the word ‘execution’ came out of his mouth, Gilbert froze like a child hearing a frightening story.
But this time, all three of them, Count Gerturk, the Countess and Patricia had the same reaction.
“Execution? Uh, ugh…”
The knights who arrived immediately placed a gag on Gilbert’s mouth.
Elizabeth silently observed the scene and retreated with the knights.
The Imperial Knights were as cooperative as they could be, as the soon-to-be Crown Princess had asked them to be.
“We haven’t finished taking all the statements yet, so only brief visits are possible. Miss Elise should be released by next week.”
“Thank you so much.”
Elizabeth was thankful to God that her daughter was not confined to the same space as Gilbert.
With sincere gratitude, Elizabeth thanked them and entered the small room where Elise was staying.
The facilities were not very luxurious, but they had everything you needed. After finishing her morning statement, she sat at the desk reading a book, when she suddenly turned her head towards the door.
“…!”
The moment Elizabeth saw the large eyes that looked like hers, a lump formed in her throat.
Despite the Gerturks constantly diminishing her in order to take advantage of her daughter, Elise was happy to see her.
Elizabeth quickly got down on her knees and made eye contact with her daughter. Her chin trembled, making it difficult to express her feelings.
I’m sorry for being away from you for so long to please those bastards.
It must have been lonely and hard for you, and I’m sorry that I’m finally by your side.
With those sentiments in mind, she hugged Elise tightly. Then she patted her small back for a while before speaking.
“Elise, you no longer have to live at Count Gerturk’s manor. Your stupid mother finally learned to recognize a good person from a bad one.”
After hearing her words, Elise seemed relieved and snuggled into her arms.
“Thank god… Father and the Count were strange. They keep showing me pictures of a strange man…”
“That won’t happen anymore.”
Elizabeth spoke firmly and hugged her daughter even tighter. The warmth she felt from her daughter, which had long been the reason for her actions, felt warmer today.
Meanwhile, in the underground prison, Walter stood before Patricia and snapped his fingers at her.
His exceptionally stable magic briefly broke off the tough fabric that Patricia had in her mouth.
“Little Duke… you’re already so arrogant.”
“Because I’m not in a position to show respect to the daughter of a count who is sentenced to death.”
Walter glared at Patricia with cold eyes.
“If you hadn’t blocked my return to the capital a long time ago, things would have been different from the beginning.”
“Ahahahaha!”
Patricia laughed as if she had gone crazy.
“I was lucky back then. At first, I was curious about what the Duke was looking for with magic, so I sent people to the territories.”
“…”
“Although my hounds may have been swept away by Leah’s magical power, I never thought they would cause chaos in your life. It was quite satisfying to learn that much later.”
Rather than showing any remorse, Patricia’s words exuded a sense of pride, causing Walter to frown.
Edith, who had been observing Patricia’s changing expression by Walter’s side, quietly spoke up as if she had realized something.
“Patricia, I feel sorry for you.”
“… What?”
“Because Mrs. Leah always told me that there was no one in the capital who could be her equal, not in terms of power, social skills, or any other aspect.”
“…”
“Leah Lexion doesn’t even remember that there was anyone like you after she left the capital, and you cling to her to the end, even after she’s gone. You lost everything, including your life.”
With each calmly pronounced word, the traces of a smile faded from Patricia’s face.
“You crazy…!”
Patricia screamed, but Edith’s teenage years, when she had to work and study alone to make ends meet, had been too rough for her to be shaken by this level of criticism and to back away.
“Even if you scream and throw a tantrum, I won’t remember you. Because you’re not worth it.”
“…”
“The Crown Prince’s Investiture Ceremony will be held on Lady Leah’s birthday next month. It’s a date personally chosen by His Majesty himself, who is still in love with her.”
“Edith! I curse you!”
“Ah, please note that your executions are also scheduled to take place on that day. You have committed so many sins that you will die a painful death, hanged by the neck.”
“…!”
The sight of Edith, who tended to be quiet, verbally subduing Patricia was so savage that even Walter and Cassius were nervous.
Her ability to pick out only the most damaging words and spit them out was so great that in the end, even the bold Patricia was left speechless, and her body trembled in shock.
“Let’s go, Walter.”
“Huh? Oh, okay.”
Walter added one more remark as he came to the realization that he should prevent any untoward incidents that could lead to marital fights.
“Then you shouldn’t have done such a foolish thing as taking my woman as your lady-in-waiting.”
──────────✿◦•
“Seeing you two healthy in the Imperial Palace feels different. Adrian also seems to be in a good mood.”
The Emperor invited Walter and Edith to join him in the garden for some tea.
He even waved to Adrian, who was nestled in Edith’s arms.
The secretary and servants who had served him for so long found his warm smile and friendliness unfamiliar yet welcoming.
『 Wow… I never thought there would be a day when His Majesty would have that expression.』
『 I’m glad to see that His Majesty has been sleeping soundly since the decision was made regarding the appointment of the Crown Prince.』
Of course, the reason why the Emperor’s complexion improved day by day was not only because of the joy of having a reliable heir.
⋙“S-so, um… This effect occurs because Heinrich Stern’s third law of magic is applied in reverse.”⋘
⋙“…?”⋘
⋙“Uh, by any chance, do you still not understand?”⋘
A few days ago, Theos, a young mage affiliated with Lexion, held something like a seminar at the Health Bureau.
Theos explained the principles of a revolutionary treatment that could significantly improve the Emperor’s physical condition to doctors and mages much older than himself.
In the end, the clever imperial doctors and mages took two full days to understand and were depressed, claiming that talent was innate.
“I heard that the mage named Theos, who developed the medicine I used, swore allegiance to Lady Edith.”
Though the term ‘allegiance’ sounded a bit stiff, Edith nodded her head because it was true that Theos had expressed his desire to work by her side for a lifetime.
“He’s such a kind-hearted child. I am happy to help him utilize his talent.”
“Talent… I was actually about to discuss that. I have one proposal for the Future Crown Princess.”
As Edith listened to the Emperor’s proposal, her eyes began to sparkle, and soon her cheeks turned red.
❀.°• ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ •°.❀
