Am I Really Wanted by Anyone? - Chapter 27

I headed to Crown Prince Rainier’s office with the captain of the First Knight Order, who is in charge of royal security.

In front of His Highness’s office stood more guard knights than usual. Probably on Captain Fail’s orders.

After knocking, we entered the room.

“Your Highness, Crown Prince Rainier, do you have a moment?”

“Ah, what is it?”

“It’s about Princess Celestina.”

The moment Captain Fail uttered the word “princess,” His Highness immediately furrowed his brow and let out a heavy sigh.

“So, what has Celestina done now?”

I explained the incident that had just occurred to Crown Prince Rainier.

His Highness had previously covered up the messes Princess Celestina had caused. But this time, it happened in front of a large crowd.

Covering it up would be quite difficult. Would he use a royal decree to impose a gag order, perhaps?

As he listened to the story about Princess Celestina, he rubbed the furrow between his brows.

“If we make an enemy of the Bergier Marquis family, the royal capital will be destroyed within a month. Even then, if Mother still insists on protecting Celestina, I’ll have to send both of them to a convent. She always gives me extra work. So, where did the poison come from?”

“We haven’t identified the source yet.”

“While Celestina is away, Olga, you take McCain, Cayndil, and Stefan and search Celestina’s room. Also, question the attendants.”

“As you wish.”

…This is troublesome.

Those three are assigned to the princess’s security, but they’re also her lackeys.

They might try to destroy evidence. Is the crown prince also planning to protect the princess after all?

I must find the poison before those three, no matter what.

I steeled myself internally.

Following Crown Prince Rainier’s orders, the four of us entered Princess Celestina’s chambers and began searching for the poison.

McCain searched around the bed, Cayndil checked the bookshelf and desk drawers, while Stefan and I started searching the closet.

“Hey, Olga. Are you planning to go against Princess Celestina’s wishes?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

While desperately searching for the poison, I questioned McCain about his words.

“McCain’s right. Lady Celestina wants you. That’s why Miss Ginette will be executed. Don’t get in the way. Like McCain and Stefan, I’d be a nameless knight without the princess. The title of ‘guard to the beautiful princess’ is necessary for me.”

“But I don’t want it?”

“Tch. Don’t get cocky just because the princess likes you. If evidence is found, the princess will definitely be sent to a convent. That would be a problem for us.”

Stefan remained silent but nodded in agreement with the other two.

Deep in the closet, many accessories like rings were stored. Looking closely, several empty small vials seemed to have been tossed among the accessories.

Could this be the used poison?

No, but having this many empty vials, maybe it’s not poison?

I picked up one vial, concealed it in my palm, and searched further inside.

Behind an ornate wooden box decorated with gold lettering, there was a small wooden box that seemed out of place here. Suspicious.

I pulled out the wooden box and checked its contents. Inside was a small vial with half of its liquid remaining.

“Hey! Come check this out! I found Princess Celestina’s diary! …Tch. It even says she’s framing Miss Ginette with poison.”

“Really!?”

At McCain’s words, the other two showed interest in the mention of a diary and walked over to McCain.

In that instant, I switched the vial’s contents and hid it in my chest pocket.

As the three were chatting while reading the diary, I brought the wooden box over, and Cayndil noticed it.

“Olga, what’s that wooden box?”

“Who knows? It was deep in the closet.”

“What’s inside?”

“Just some empty small vials.”

“Poison?”

“Won’t know until we test it.”

McCain clicked his tongue in annoyance.

Apparently, he’s irritated that I might have something resembling evidence.

“Olga, hand that over.”

“No way I’m giving it to you. I’m taking this straight to Crown Prince Rainier. Hand over that diary too.”

“Hah!? No way I’m giving it to you? There’s nothing written in this anyway.”

“Then there should be no problem handing it over.”

Then, for some reason, McCain tucked the diary into his breast pocket.

“Olga, this is Princess Celestina’s precious possession. I can’t show it to anyone, so I’ll keep it safe. If you talk about the diary, don’t expect to keep your life. Ah, Miss Ginette is still under investigation, right? You don’t care what happens to your beloved fiancée, huh?”

Both McCain and Cayndil wore nasty, smirking grins.

Are they planning to attack Miss Ginette?

They’re capable of it.

Damn it.

“Are you threatening me?”

“Threatening? Far from it. We’re just making a proposal. If you hand over that wooden box, Miss Ginette will be safe.”

“…Understood. Her safety comes first.”

If three skilled knights attacked her in a narrow guest room, even she might not be able to hold her own.

I concluded that I had no choice but to back down, unable to shake off my unease.

I let out a sigh and tossed the wooden box to him.

“Don’t blame me for what happens to you?”

“Kukku. Vice-Captain Olga, your judgment is correct. I’ll prove it to you.”

The two smirked vulgarly, took the wooden box, and seemed to check its contents.

Stefan remained silent and didn’t appear to move at all.