Chapter 55

Chapter 55

However, the embarrassment did not subside, and Siervian couldn’t think of an excuse for the doll.

‘Isn’t that where I put the little jewels before?’

Siervian put the jewels in the doll thinking of it as escape money if she couldn’t change her future.

At that time, she was gathering as much as possible, and she thought she could take it rather than leaving something valuable.

‘Ugh, I accidentally put it on the broken button.’

But having Marco teach her the value of money, the jewel was even crude.

It was safe for the serious-faced family of hers to ask why on earth it was there.

“Siervian, we don’t mean to blame you, don’t be afraid.”

Even after being told not to be scared, she shrank for no reason.

After getting sick, she developed a habit of moving as if she were a baby again.

“It’s…”

“It’s?”

[ Damian Erveldote ]

Thoughts: What’s going on? Why would there be something ridiculous inside that doll? Someone might have put it in there knowing it’s Seirvian’s.

After glimpsing the thought, she became more nervous.

Looking at her expression, the Emperor and the Crown Prince made doubts a certainty.

Something had happened to Siervian.

‘Noo, I don’t want misunderstandings to happen like this.’

Getting more nervous, she even thought that having to change big events in the future would be impossible.

That’s why she hurriedly spit out the truth, which she planned on doing anyway.

“Sebi needs it to go out. That’s why I collected it.”

“Hmm? Where are you going?”

She was saddened by her brother’s question.

“Hicc, I need to leave the palash now, so I saved some money.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

In an instant, the space where they were became cold.

‘Ahh, Maybe because I touched something that was the Palace’s…?’

She glanced at the floor as the silence continued, but made an excuse.

“I-iI just piwcked up something on the ground, and…”

Black magic or not, it wasn’t even the reason, she just only wanted to gather as much for her escape money.

Siervian wished to not be misunderstood more.

“This is my fault.”

“Siervian! Why would you say that…!”

“Princess! Is that the reason why you haven’t been so energetic…”

Words spouted were not much different from yelling at the moment.

But the feeling of worry in their words made Siervian look up.

[ Alderuan Erveldote ]

Thoughts: How could the Empress be so vicious! Siervy must think that she will be banished from the Imperial Palace.

She did not really think she would be kicked out immediately because of the Empress, but there was a misunderstanding.

[ Damian Erveldote ]

Thoughts: Mother, Siervian, how could this nice and pretty child…!

The thoughts of her big brother seemed to be very complicated.

However, Siervian could see all of their worries and emotions, so she tried to understand their meaning.

“Siervy, where are you going?”

“I…”

“You will never leave the Imperial Palace. Do you understand?”

Despite her father’s affirmation, Siervian only blinked.

There was only so much she could say because of her immature body and synchronization.

After all, the Imperial Family who are not the heirs can leave the Palace at any time.

“Yes, Siervian. This is your home, All right?”

“Uung.”

Even her brother came forward to comfort and talk to her.

It wouldn’t fully heal her, but in her honesty, it didn’t feel bad.

She was feeling depressed for the past few days.

‘I wish I could live close later.’

Siervian then nodded slightly but with a little bit of excitement.

The feeling of her hair moving gently felt nice.

“There’s no need to worry, Siervy.”

“Yees.”

She nodded gently again at the touch of her father’s palm patting her head.

[ Alderuan Erveldote ]

Thoughts: I’ll definitely make it inaccessible for you . I can’t believe you scared her like that…!

The thought in it was a little strange, though.

* * *

The investigation of the Duke’s allegations took some time.

“Your Majesty, we found evidence in the specialist’s room in the Duke’s Palace.”

What was found was a drug similar to the one put in Siervian’s harmin tea.

“Based on what was found, it appeared that the specialist put a large amount of the drug in the Her Highness the Princess’s harmin tea.”

And unexpectedly, it was the Duke who reported it himself.

“It turned out to be the sole work of the specialist, who envied the potential of Her Majesty the Princess.”

“So, he did it alone?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. This was the first thing the Captain of the Guard confirmed. It was believed that this tragedy was caused by the excessive loyalty of the specialist.”

The Duke, who even denied that something was mixed in the tea, completely changed his expression.

At that unexpected attitude, Alderuan tried to grasp the Duke’s intention with his eyebrow raised.

“And, I deeply regret having the Princess experience our specialist’s horrible intentions, I will accept any punishment you will give.”

The officials nodded casually at the Duke’s words but at the same time, looked confused.

He was busy driving the allegations earlier, but since the situation became clearer, and so was the Duke.

And apparently, there was clear evidence, as the officials speculated.

“Captain of the Guard, come in.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Are you confident that it was the work of the specialist?”

“It was the result based on what we found.”

Although the Captain sometimes showed a sloppy appearance, he was always very straightforward.

And as he made such an assertion, there was no evidence of the Duke having a part in the incident.

“I respect the Duke for taking responsibility like that.”

The nobles finally saw the Duke’s side.

“The Princess was almost drugged! The Duke should take all the responsibility!”

Of course, the Imperial nobles very much opposed the Duke.

And naturally, the officials’ gaze would turn to the Emperor.

“From now on, I will remove every authority of the Empress for raising the Princess.”

The officials could not hide their somewhat odd faces at Alderuan’s strict decree.

It was also to pressure the Duke, who was the head of the Duchy family, because it would be naturally hard to limit the Empress’s authority.

“… Your Majesty, the Empress really cares about the Princess…”

“Leaving a scar on her face to drink hot tea because she cared for her? I disagree.”

After hearing the Empress’s incident again, the officials’ expressions darkened.

The ripple effect was stronger because she was an Empress who was a benevolent mother or pretended to be one.

“… If that is Your Majesty’s will, then I will obey it,”

The Duke seemed flustered for a moment, but as soon as the Emperor’s orders were voiced he immediately bowed and showed obedience.

Alderuan looked at the scene doubtfully and then threw another bomb.

“And the Captain of the Guard will be the one giving orders.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“The Marquis of Parma will be confined, so keep all the Marquis family in their home immediately.”

“Yes!”

Until just now, they were discussing the reduction of the Empress’s authority, but the Emperor gave a very random order.

It was a bolt from the blue for the Marquis of Parma, the subject of the order.

“Y-Your Majesty? How come. L-Let this go! Your Majesty!”

“Do you dare hope that you will survive this plotting against the empire?”

Light then burst out from the gem the Emperor threw.

It was a document that uncovered the corruption of the Marquis, who was in charge of transporting Pharim medicines.

“Th-this is…!”

And first of all, the external cause was that the Marquis Parma deliberately damaged the Pharim medicines bound for Garambell.

Moreover, there was testimony that the hired mercenaries were the ones who artificially spread endemic diseases throughout Garambell.

“No, Marquis, what on earth!”

The nobles, who slowly looked into the case, seemed so astonished they couldn’t even hide it.

It was a bit harsh, but as an Imperial nobleman, there was no reason to not keep a small tourist spot on the west coast of the country in check.

“Oh, there must be a misunderstanding! Your Majesty! I only did it alone…!”

“Shut that sinner’s mouth!”

As the Marquis tried to spit out his protests, the Duke stepped up first to strike him.

At that sight, the two nobles busily exchanged glances.

“Your Majesty, please, keugh! Kaagh!”

The officials could see why the Emperor could barely punish the Empress properly even with the upper hand.

After all, today was to put pressure on the Duke as much as possible.

The marquis had always been the Duke’s hands and feet, to the point where he was called the Duke’s dog.

“Drag him away.”

Observing this clearly, Alderuan accepted it. However, he threw a warning at the Duke with a cold stare.

“Is there anyone to defend the Marquis?”

In addition to the Pharim medicines, the Emperor had more evidence.

An example was the poison that killed the thief who broke into the treasure trove was recently purchased from a Marquis.

However, this evidence alone could not pressure the Duke.

“Do as Your Majesty wishes.”

The officials bowed their heads quickly in case they were thought to be involved.

Even the Duke, who was closest to the Marquis.

At first, the warning was to save himself, but Alderuan’ s attitude might get the best of him.

“Let’s end it here.”

Suddenly, the officials attending the meeting realized that it was very coincidental that the Emperor had cleared up the Marquis situation.

As if the matter was strangely connected with the removal of the Empress from Her Highness the Princess.

* * *

“Captain, was there anything suspicious that you didn’t report?”

After locking up the Marquis, the Captain of the Guard met the Emperor alone for a report.

When asked, he referred to it as his doubts and the search for evidence against the Duke.

“We have already done our best for the search, but there was no evidence concerning the Duke.”

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