I Don’t Need Them Anymore — Abandoning the Family That Never Loved Me, I Find Happiness in a Neighboring Kingdom - Chapter 21

I was seized by the impulse to slap Lord Zerath’s face right then and there, but violence is never the answer.

To suppress my anger, I gripped the silver tray tightly, only to dent the part I was holding.

Both Lord Zerath and Prince Rix looked at me with startled expressions, but I decided not to care anymore.

Then, Prince Rix cleared his throat and resumed the conversation.

“You claim you had no intention of killing Dahlia because it wasn’t a lethal dose of poison, but that alone doesn’t prove you had no murderous intent. And what do you mean by not letting her marry?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. Surely you wouldn’t take someone in poor health straight back to the Rofeus Kingdom?”

“…Were you trying to buy time?”

“Yes. I intended to ask His Majesty to introduce me to another woman instead.”

“That’s a naive plan.”

Prince Rix muttered under his breath.

I agreed with Prince Rix. Lord Zerath’s thinking was far too naive. The King only wanted to make Lady Dahlia miserable, so he would have tried to marry her off to Lord Edith no matter what.

“Looking back now, I think so too.”

As Lord Zerath hung his head and spoke, Prince Rix asked, “So you admit you gave the poison to Dahlia?”

“I prepared the poison, but it was Lady Ramula who delivered it. I truly had no murderous intent. Besides, as long as Dahlia herself doesn’t speak up, I shouldn’t be charged with any crime.”

There have been many cases where incidents were never treated as crimes because the victims remained silent. He probably thinks that if he explains his feelings to Lady Dahlia, her gentle nature would prevent her from making a big deal out of it.

“Even if Dahlia doesn’t press charges against you, you’ll still be arrested.”

“…What do you mean?”

“You might claim you approached my sister under royal orders, but it seems she’s saying it was against her will.”

“Unbelievable!”

After shouting, Lord Zerath covered his face with both hands.

“I’m such a fool! I should have known her purity was only skin deep!”

It’s too late for regrets now.

In his case, he could try to escape by claiming it was the Queen’s orders. Though whether Her Majesty would admit to it is uncertain, the ducal house isn’t foolish either. They would surely take some countermeasures.

Lord Zerath would likely claim he was ordered by royal command to approach Lady Ramula and that she was the one who pressured him. This could potentially lead to civil unrest.

I wonder which side Lady Ramula would take when that happens.

“Prince Rix, I may have done wrong. But my feelings of caring for Dahlia weren’t false. For her sake too, please let me tell her the truth myself.”

After glancing at Lord Zerath who stood and bowed deeply, Prince Rix turned his eyes to me and stood up.

It seemed the conversation was over.

As I rose, Prince Rix spoke.

“I refuse. I’m not Dahlia. If Dahlia ever says she wants to see you herself, I’ll tell her you said that.”

“Your Highness!”

Lord Zerath lifted his head with a pained cry.

Neither Prince Rix nor I looked back as we left the room together.

As I let out a small sigh, I could hear Lord Zerath’s sobbing from behind the closed door.

“Dahlia, being sent to a neighboring country like that. She can’t do anything without me.”

Lord Zerath is just like Lady Ramula. Claiming to act for others while ultimately only thinking of themselves.

It’s truly fortunate that Lady Dahlia woke up.

In the end, with conflicting testimonies from both Their Majesties, Lady Ramula, and Lord Zerath, no resolution was reached that day.

The next morning, a messenger from the King of Rofeus Kingdom arrived with orders for me to remain in the Yusers Kingdom a while longer, as they were gathering evidence to expose the crimes of the Yusers Kingdom’s royalty.