Am I Really Wanted by Anyone? - Chapter 24

“My lady, preparations are complete.”

“Katie, you’re too hasty. We don’t even know if they’ll actually attack us.”

“Given that princess’s character, she undoubtedly only considers immediate consequences.”

“…I can’t deny that, which is the unfortunate part.”

I stood up with a sigh, lifting my dress to retrieve my weapon.

“It’s a shame I only have a dagger. But will they really come?”

“Well now, I wonder which house would dare oppose our Bergier family?”

As we waited in readiness, a small bell chimed, and a letter drifted softly before us.

The high-quality paper had embossed patterns, and the seal bore a family crest.

It was a letter from Father.

According to Father’s letter, His Majesty had cut short his inspection and was already returning.

Since His Majesty had contacted the knights directly, it seemed I could return home without issue.

An enclosed paper contained the King’s signature.

“Father’s letter says we can return now. I’m glad we avoided combat. Shall we go home, Katie?”

“Yes, my lady.”

We put away our weapons and opened the door. The guarding knight looked surprised and tried to stop us, but when I showed him the King’s signature, he bowed and let us pass.

“My lady, I’ve been awaiting you.”

It appeared our family coachman had been waiting. I quickly boarded the carriage and returned to the townhouse.

“My lady, preparations are complete. The sun will set soon. Shall we return to the territory?”

“Yes. Returning under cover of darkness should reduce the risk of ambush. If we prioritize safety, night travel is safer indeed.”

I let the servants’ words guide me as I changed and prepared to return to our territory.

Torches were lit in the courtyard, and tension hung thick in the air.

“Katie, are you ready?”

“Of course.”

“Depart!”

At the hushed command from several attendants, the small dragon took flight from the courtyard.

Gradually, darkness enveloped us.

Fortunately, moonlight illuminated our path, making navigation manageable.

I quietly reflected on today’s events alone.

I wonder if Lady Olga is alright.

My worried voice dissolved softly into the night sky.

“Lady Ginette, welcome home!”

The small dragon landed in the courtyard, received feed from the stablehand, and returned to the stables.

“I’m home. It’s gotten quite late. I wonder if Father and the others are already asleep.”

I had planned to give Father a detailed report tomorrow morning, but when I entered the mansion, the butler, Port, was waiting for my arrival.

“Lady Ginette, welcome home. The master has been awaiting your return eagerly.”

“I’m sorry for returning so late. I’ll go see him now.”

The mansion felt somewhat restless. Perhaps they had maintained a state of readiness considering the tea party incident.

I brought Katie with me to the study where Father was waiting.

“Father, I’ve returned.”

Father appeared to have been waiting while drinking tea with a displeased expression. Mother was beside him.

“Ginette, welcome back. How was the palace?”

Mother asked with a smile, but she held a knife, polishing it carefully with a cloth. Was she preparing to throw it?

“It was far more shoddy than we anticipated. Everyone seemed weary of being dragged into Princess Celestina’s farce.”

“I see. Princess Celestina is quite troublesome. But since she’s come of age, she must properly understand that challenging our family has consequences.”

“Ginette, did the Queen make an appearance?”

“No, but even after hearing the circumstances, there seemed to be orders from above not to let me return to the territory. I’ll compile the details in documents tomorrow.”

“Ah, please do that.”

“The letter mentioned His Majesty canceled his inspection and is returning. What will happen now?”

“Well, we’ll likely have to move toward disinheriting Princess Celestina.”

“We can’t let our family be mocked and have it end with nothing.”

“They should have married her off somewhere quickly. How foolish. Well, I’m glad Ginette returned safely.”

“Mother, I apologize for worrying you. Even if I had been attacked at the palace, I would have fought back.”

“Exactly! Perhaps we should have demonstrated Ginette’s strength.”

“We received word from His Majesty. Of course, Ginette, you bear no fault.

Considering the intelligence we gathered beforehand, along with accounts from the guarding knights and attendees, and the testimony of the maid who served the poisoned tea, your innocence has been proven.

However, the Queen, blinded by affection for Celestina, seemed to be maneuvering to frame you. That foolish queen is nothing but a detriment.”

“Father, does His Majesty intend to declare the Queen ill?”

“No, it will likely depend on how he handles the princess. If he cuts her loose, there might still be a path forward.”

“What about Crown Prince Rainier? He showed no signs of movement while I was at the palace.”

“Ah, he’s under the Queen’s influence. But there are reports he’s developing awareness as the heir. The question is whether he can act in the King’s stead.”

“We’ll have to wait for news on that matter later.”

“Ah, indeed.”

After briefly reporting the tea party incident, I retired to bed for the day. I was truly tired.

I never imagined such a farce would occur, nor that I would get caught up in it.

Mother might have given in to anger and thrown a knife at Princess Celestina on the spot.

But even though only His Majesty knows, I couldn’t believe our family, as frontier counts, could be treated so dismissively.

Did they really think so little of us?

Several of the surrounding nobles also had unpleasant expressions.

Had they known beforehand?

It seemed some houses had been unable to restrain the princess.