Am I Really Wanted by Anyone? - Chapter 31

“Lady Olga, are you all right?!”

I flung the door open and rushed to the bedside.

“Miss Ginette, I was being careful, but I’m sorry.”

“I’m just glad you’re alive, Lady Olga. That’s enough for me.”

“You saved me. Thanks to getting treatment right away, I’m completely recovered, as you can see.”

“Please don’t push yourself.”

“Thank you. By the way, Miss Ginette, are you going somewhere?”

“Yes. I’m going to make those who harmed you pay for their crimes.”

“Will you be all right? Those who targeted me were either agents of the Duchess or acted under the Crown Prince’s orders…”

Lady Olga might be worried that those behind this the Duchess or the royal family would pressure my house.

“It’s fine. Our house doesn’t bear the title of Margrave for nothing. I’m heading to the royal palace now.”

“Shall I come with you?”

For a moment, I hesitated at his words.

Considering what was to come, it might be better for Lady Olga to be present.

“Won’t you be shaken, no matter what happens to Princess Celestina or the Duchess?”

“Not at all.”

“…Understood. Lady Olga, please stay by my side inside the palace.”

“Of course.”

“Then let’s prepare to leave.”

I gave instructions to the attendants accompanying Lady Olga.

I returned to my room and prepared, dressing in a gown that wouldn’t disgrace the next Margrave.

“Lady Olga, sorry to keep you waiting. Shall we go?”

“Ah. Miss Ginette, you look beautiful.”

“Hehe. You look wonderful too, Lady Olga.”

With Lady Olga escorting me, we boarded the carriage and headed for the royal palace.

At the palace entrance, many people were coming and going, but everyone moved busily without speaking.

Had word of the Princess’s affair already spread?

I made my way to the courtroom where my father and the others were.

This so-called courtroom was a chamber where His Majesty served as judge to settle noble disputes or try criminals, though it was rarely used.

The center of the first floor held the accused, while the second floor, arranged around the perimeter, seated His Majesty and the observers.

When we stepped onto the second floor, ministers, the chancellor, leaders of various knight orders, and other pillars of the state filled the observers’ seats. Ordinary nobles hadn’t been summoned; it seemed only our house and the families of the accused were present.

“Ginette, you’re late.”

“Father, my apologies.”

“They’re just about to bring in the accused.”

As Father spoke, the prisoners entered, bound hand and foot.

Most appeared to be the assailants captured at our estate. Among them were knights familiar to Lady Olga.

Lastly, Princess Celestina entered.

Had she been kept in the noble prisoners’ cell? Her hair was disheveled, and her gown was wrinkled.

“We will now commence the trial regarding the false accusation against the daughter of Marquis Bergier and the assault on the son of Duke Saraphis. Ordinarily, these two cases would be handled separately, but as Princess Celestina is involved in both, they will be tried together.”

The presiding clerk explained how Princess Celestina, infatuated with Lady Olga, had attempted to kill me, his fiancée, and when she couldn’t have him, had plotted to kill Lady Olga as well.

Then Princess Celestina spotted Lady Olga in the room and suddenly began to clamor.

“Olga! I’ve done nothing wrong! I thought all women who approached Olga should die, but I never ordered anyone to attack him! Someone else gave that order. Help me!”

“Princess Celestina, silence!”

Princess Celestina screamed that.

So, you admit to trying to kill me.

Attempted murder would normally be a serious crime, but as Princess Celestina is royalty, unfortunately, depending on circumstances, her sentence could be lighter.

Though she hadn’t intended to kill Lady Olga, they all seemed determined to pin the blame on her and escape.

After the clerk finished listing the charges, His Majesty rose.

“I now pronounce judgment. Celestina Shuria Vafed Zaar shall enter the Monastery of the Far Reaches and live out her life as a nun. Accordingly, she is stripped of her royal status. Henceforth, she is simply Celestina.”

Normally, the reasoning behind the verdict would be elaborated, but it seemed that wouldn’t happen this time.

Probably because there were too many shady aspects.

I imagine those victimized by Princess Celestina wouldn’t find this satisfactory.

It wouldn’t be strange for them to hold a grudge against the royal family. Most nobles were likely barely restraining themselves.

But I won’t forgive.

While Princess Celestina was sent to a monastery, all those behind the attacks and poison arrangements were sentenced to execution.

We watched them from the observers’ seats as we spoke.

“Hmm. It seems Celestina will be escorted away three mornings from now. Many nobles will probably want to see her.”

“Father, what will happen to the Queen and the Crown Prince?”

“The Crown Prince remains as he is for now, but the Queen has taken ill. However, since the Crown Prince also helped cover up Celestina’s crimes with the Queen, it wouldn’t be strange if many hold a grudge against him. What will happen…?”

He might disappear during an inspection, I suppose. The Second Prince, son of a consort, is highly trusted by both commoners and nobles.

“Lady Olga, will you be meeting with Lady Celestina afterward?”

“No, I have no need to see her. Besides, my house will be busy. Members of the Saraphis family stand accused as criminals.”

“True. Shall we return home for now? I don’t want to let you go, Lady Olga…”

“Miss Ginette. Just hearing you say that makes me happy. It’s all right. I’ll settle things properly.”

“Understood. Please don’t overexert yourself.”

“Of course.”