Am I Really Wanted by Anyone? - Chapter 28

“Did any other evidence turn up? If not, we’re going to report immediately.”

“Yes, yes.”

Being with these guys makes me sick to my stomach.

We immediately headed to the Crown Prince’s office to report to His Highness. McCain reported while restraining me in an obsequious manner.

“…I see.”

For a moment, Crown Prince Rainier seemed slightly irritated, but it might have been my imagination. He spoke to us with a smile.

“Understood. I have duly received your report. You may withdraw.”

Due to the incident involving Princess Celestina, I was removed from guard duty and assigned to handle administrative duties at the Magical Beast Knights’ barracks.

I wonder if Miss Ginette is safe.

Since I’m her fiancé and a party involved, it seems no further information about Miss Ginette has been relayed to me.

What should I do about the small vial tucked in my breast pocket?

But if anything happens to Miss Ginette, I’ll have no choice but to give this to the Marquis’s household. However, the current situation is extremely unfavorable.

The Crown Prince is likely on their side too.

I’m definitely being watched. I must proceed with caution.

I remained vigilant of my surroundings while working through the backlog of administrative tasks. On the third day, His Majesty finally returned from his inspection. It was so sudden that even the security detail was bustling about in a flurry.

And then, the moment finally arrived.

I was summoned by His Majesty as one of the parties involved.

When I entered the grand conference room of the palace, the heavy atmosphere made me hesitate to step inside.

Their Majesties, Crown Prince Rainier, the Second Prince, and Princess Celestina were already present, with Princess Celestina seated separately from the others.

A bit further away, Marquis Bergier and his wife, the captains and vice-captains of the various knight orders, the head magician and vice-head, and the chief medical officer were also seated. The Prime Minister sat beside the King, his expression stern.

“Olga! I’ve been waiting for you!”

Princess Celestina called out to me as if pleading for help, but I paid no attention and took the seat I was guided to.

It seemed the report from McCain, Cayndil, and Stefan regarding the search for poison in Princess Celestina’s room had just concluded.

“So, nothing was found in Celestina’s room after all?”

“That is correct.”

McCain and the others replied as if it were only natural.

“Very well. You may withdraw.”

“Vice-Captain Olga Saraphis of the First Knight Order, step forward.”

After the three bowed and left the room, I stood before Their Majesties at the Prime Minister’s command.

“Olga Saraphis. I ask you: Do you desire Celestina?”

“No.”

“That’s a lie! Olga and I are in love!”

As I answered the King’s question without hesitation, Princess Celestina stood up from beside me.

“Celestina, sit down!”

Crown Prince Rainier spoke sharply to the Princess, and she reluctantly complied and returned to her seat.

Her Majesty the Queen concealed the lower half of her face with a fan, making her expression unreadable.

“Yet Celestina claims otherwise?”

“I am merely a guard. Moreover, I have a beloved fiancée.”

“What’s so great about a woman like that?!”

“Celestina, be silent! If you do not hold your tongue, I will have you returned to your room.”

Though Crown Prince Rainier spoke firmly, she seemed disinclined to listen. Then, the King spoke.

“We had arranged a marriage proposal for Celestina with a prince from a neighboring country, but due to the incident at the tea party, it has fallen through.

We must now marry her to a noble within the kingdom, but unfortunately, most already have fiancées.

Considering Celestina’s wishes as the victim, we are considering granting Olga Saraphis the title of Count and having him marry Celestina.”

“Father!! Really!? I’m so happy! You’re happy too, aren’t you, Olga?”

Princess Celestina stood up, looking as if she might rush toward me at any moment. Her Majesty the Queen fanned herself with her fan, a smile visible on her face.

I was certain that now was the moment to act.

I could feel my heart pounding rapidly with tension.

My hands were sweaty, and my body felt on the verge of trembling.

“Your Majesty, may I have your permission?”

At my low, rigid words, the previously relaxed atmosphere instantly tightened, and the tension in the room heightened.

“…What is it?”

“Has Miss Ginette Bergier, daughter of Marquis Bergier, already been released?”

“Ah, she was sent home on the same day she was questioned.”

The Prime Minister answered my question.

Thank goodness.

I felt a wave of relief.

“Pardon me.”

I bowed slightly, retrieved the small vial from my inner pocket, and placed it before the Prime Minister.

“What is this?”

“This item was retrieved from Princess Celestina’s room.”

I saw Her Majesty the Queen’s fan stop moving, and her hand tighten around it.

“The report stated that nothing was found, and McCain and the others reported the same?”

“That is because they threatened me. Miss Ginette was being detained at the palace for questioning.

They threatened to harm Miss Ginette if I reported the evidence. Found in Princess Celestina’s room were this small vial in a wooden box and a diary detailing plans to use poison and frame Miss Ginette for the crime.”

“Is this true? Why did they not report it?”

“Because they wished to align themselves with Princess Celestina.”

The Prime Minister called for the Head Magician and instructed him to examine the vial on the spot.

When the Head Magician channeled magical energy into the vial, it glowed red, as if reacting to something.

Amid the murmurs and unrest in the room, I couldn’t afford to let my guard down yet.

“Head Magician, can you determine the contents of that vial?”

“There is a reaction indicating poison. I will need some time to identify the specific type.”

“Then report your findings at a later time.”

With that, the Head Magician gave a slight bow and tucked the vial into his robe.