Rumors that Cedric Haieren had attempted to harm Fiona Yelling spread like wildfire. Given that it was the height of the social season, the speed at which the rumors spread was unusually fast. People were shocked to hear that Cedric, who had always smiled like an angel, had deliberately tried to harm Fiona, who was practically his fiancée.
“How could such a terrible thing happen…”
“It’s chilling. I thought he was just an innocent man…”
“Giving a gift of poisonous flowers that paralyzes the entire body, he must be a real villain.”
“Exactly. And he even secretly modified the family emblem flower himself? To go to such lengths to kill his partner, it’s terrifying.”
As soon as Diana heard that Cedric had failed to harm Fiona, she quickly spread the rumor through Mizel.
In fact, Cedric did it under Rebecca’s order to take over the Yelling Duchy. There was no clear evidence, but the claim was highly plausible. Moreover, because Rebecca had previously failed in her attempt to attack Diana during a defensive battle, people believed that the first princess had once again tried to sacrifice someone unrelated to the throne.
“I’m innocent! I was just following the orders of First Princess Rebecca Dune Bluebell! Please summon Her Highness!”
Cedric shouted his innocence every day in the dungeon of the Duke Yelling, making the dungeon echo with his cries. This fueled the rumors. But his claims were just words. The letters he had sent to Fiona and the poisonous flowers he had given her remained, but there was no evidence that Rebecca had ordered him.
Rebecca’s faction vehemently denied Cedric’s claims as soon as they learned of his actions after he was captured.
“Where is the evidence that the first princess is involved in this?”
“There’s no evidence! If Lord Haieren is dragging Her Highness into this to save himself, can you take responsibility?”
The prolonged dispute ultimately ended with Cedric’s death sentence. His claims were considered mere words without clear evidence.
When Cedric’s execution was decided, people stopped talking about the incident, but they vaguely suspected that not all his words were lies. Even those who had maintained the stance of ‘Isn’t it possible to make a mistake during battle?’ at the defensive battle shook their heads cynically at this incident.
This atmosphere completely exhausted the patience of the second concubine, Adella.
* * *
“Oh dear, I’m late.”
Kayden hurriedly buttoned his shirt as he left the third prince’s palace, followed by Patrasche.
With a joyful face, Patrasche spoke to him. “This is why one should live righteously. Duke Yelling has openly declared his support for us, so a significant number of nobles will likely switch to our side. We’ve already secured the support of two dukes, amazing..”
Patrasche was so excited that he even stomped his feet. Seeing him so happy like a child, Kayden couldn’t help but smile. It’s understandable.
Kayden was on his way out of the palace for a meal appointment with Duke Wibur and Duke Yelling. Duke Yelling had declared his support for Kayden, the enemy of Rebecca, in extreme anger that Rebecca had targeted his daughter. For Kayden, this was an invaluable ally gained.
“Your Highness, you know, right? No matter how happy you are, don’t show it too much…”
“Be quiet. You’re the most excited one here.”
“Haha, I tried to hold it in, but it’s not easy.”
Kayden was exchanging words with Patrasche when he sensed a commotion and turned his head.
“…?”
On the path from the third prince’s palace to the main gate of the imperial palace, there was the second concubine’s palace. He frowned as he saw people confronting each other in the first-floor corridor, but his eyes widened at the voices he heard.
“Your Highness, Second Concubine, please…!”
“You must get treated quickly!”
Servants of the second concubine screamed for her. However, the second concubine, who stood in front of Ferand, didn’t budge. Blood dripped from her arm onto the marble floor.
Despite the apparent pain, the second concubine looked at Ferand with an extremely expressionless face and asked. “Are you leaving?”
“Mother, please…!”
“Are you leaving?”
“Stop this! It’s been an hour already! At this rate, the appointment will be over…!”
“Are you leaving?”
“Mother!”
Ferand stomped his foot in frustration, but the second concubine repeated the same words like a broken record. The sight was utterly eerie.
Swallowing a groan, Ferand, who had been messing up his hair, turned to the servants. “What are you doing! Grab her and treat her forcibly!”
“U-Understood!”
The servants approached the second concubine with tearful faces. But the second concubine fiercely shook off the hands of the servants and stood in Ferand’s way again.
“Are you leaving?”
Ferand, unable to bear it, clenched his teeth and pushed her. “Yes. I’m going. Move.”
The second concubine staggered greatly from Ferand’s push but soon stood straight and raised her right hand. A sharp pin glinted in the sunlight. Without hesitation, she stabbed her arm with it. Thunk—!
“Kyaaa!”
“Mother!”
The servants screamed, and Ferand let out a curse-filled shout. Patrasche, who witnessed the scene with Kayden, was horrified.
“What in the world…”
Kayden was just as shocked. He stood frozen, staring at the second concubine, forgetting even his appointment with the dukes.
The second concubine removed the pin without a grimace. Blood flowed from the new wound. She stared at Ferand with clear eyes and spoke calmly. “I told you.”
“Ah, damn it… Stop it…”
“Every time you try to meet useless people, I will beg the first concubine for forgiveness myself.” Saying this, the second concubine once again raised the pin.
Kayden unknowingly sprang forward. “Stop!” He raised his voice and grabbed the second concubine’s arm. As a result, her hand wavered, and the pin pricked his arm.
“Ugh.” Kayden reflexively groaned in pain.
Ferand and the servants froze. However, the second concubine, with an unpleasant expression, raised one eyebrow and shook off his arm. “How dare you put your filthy hands on me.”
“Please stop, Second Concubine.”
“This is none of your concern.”
“Your Highness.”
Ignoring Kayden’s call, the second concubine looked over his shoulder at Ferand.
“Are you leaving?”
“Ha…” Ferand, whose face was distorted under his palm, laughed hollowly. His face contorted. The existence of the first concubine and the first princess is driving my mother insane. Day by day, reasons for him not to follow Rebecca kept piling up.
As he calmed his breath and was about to order the servants to restrain the second concubine, a shout came from the main palace.
“Urgent report!”
A servant from the main palace ran towards them. He stopped for a moment, seeing the chaos in front of the second concubine’s palace, then shouted with a relieved expression.
“A large number of mutant monsters have appeared in the Findlay territory! The emperor has decreed that all commander orders assemble at the main palace immediately!”
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