Chapter 93
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The beginning of July.
After the beginning of summer, Lubon became a bit hot.
“This is a contract to enter the cosmetics store. I will leave it here.”
“Thank you, Sienna.”
“I ground this with blueberries and ice. Hopefully it’ll make it easier to work in the hot weather.”
“Thank you too, Rebecca.”
“Thank you for the drink.”
Lark and I, who were sitting on the sofa, answered at the same time.
For a long time after Sienna and Rebecca had left, the only sounds in the office were the flipping of papers and the snapping of pen nibs.
As I relaxed my tired body and looked sideways, I saw Lark with a profound expression.
“Pfft.”
He turned when I laughed.
“What is it?”
“I thought we were excellent business partners.”
“What do you mean?” Lark raised his eyebrows.
Putting down the contract I was looking at, I took a sip of blueberry juice and said, “Who would guess that Your Highness and I have this kind of relationship?”
“What kind of relationship is this?”
“A grown-up man and woman are alone in a room, but they’re just busy working?”
“Mm.”
Burying myself deeply on the sofa, I chuckled.
“There are a lot of ladies who got sick because you kissed the back of my hand at the tournament. Everyone seems to be suspicious, which is very unfortunate.”
From what I’ve heard, ‘Madame Ruby’ has as many anti-fans as fans.
A woman who might be a commoner or an aristocrat dared to make a fling with the crown prince, everyone’s favorite.
Well, it was nothing special to me, who had been used to envy and jealousy…
“Hmm, that is definitely unfortunate. Come to think of it, there are many fans of Madame Ruby who are suffering the same way,” Lark, who was stroking his chin, added. “Right now, even within our knights. A few days ago, a guy from the 3rd Order of the Imperial Knights, whom I had no business with, came and asked if I was dating Madame Ruby.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah. Everyone seems to be writing a novel in their heads.”
Lark put down the papers he was holding, put his hands together, and cupped his chin. He muttered thoughtfully, “Isn’t it a bit unfair to be misunderstood? Why don’t we make their doubts a reality?”
“… What?”
Looking back at me, he said, “Let the grown-up man and woman alone in a room have a relationship that meets everyone’s expectations?”
“…”
As I blinked, Lark smiled and lightly touched my forehead. “Just kidding.” And then he picked up his papers again and concentrated.
“Excuse me, Your Highness.”
“Sure. I won’t hit you back.”
No, I didn’t mean to say that I wanted revenge…
I asked while staring at Lark, who was looking at the documents pretending to be casual, “What are you busy doing these days?”
“Looking for the shaman.”
“The shaman? Are you talking about the one who sold the drug to Princess Lisbeth?”
“Yeah. You said they’d never get caught in the future you saw—”
“The future could change.”
“Yes, like you said, I’m suspicious of someone.”
“Oh my, who is it?”
“I’ll investigate a little more, and when I’m certain, I’ll let you know.”
“Okay, okay.”
“And I’m also working hard to look into Mrs. Molga’s background again. I’ll let you know when something more comes out.”
“Wow, thank you.”
“Also…I found traces of Nathan gathering assassins. Ren is struggling to get rid of this while following me around.” Lark’s mouth, which had been muttering involuntarily, was shut.
The 2nd Prince was gathering assassins? Why?
Slightly, I felt Lark looking at me. That made it clear.
‘Looks like the last attempt to kidnap me is not over. That disgusting fellow. I guess he’ll keep going after me.’
As if seeing my frightened expression for a moment, Lark lightly touched my cheek.
“Don’t worry. We’re not sure where he’ll use them, and even if he’s aiming for you, I won’t let him touch a single hair.”
“Yeees.”
“I’m just grateful that you’re in Lubon. I can protect you thoroughly and there is no room for Nathan to approach you legally.” Lark put on the coat he had taken off and stood up. “But you can’t be careless like last time. When family members visit, the investigation team must always be in the vicinity.”
“Okay. By the way, are you leaving now?”
“Yeah. There is a meeting of nobles at 2 PM today.”
“There’s still a long way to go before 2 PM. It only takes about an hour to get there from here. Two hours is too long.”
“What, are you sad that I leave early?”
… A little?
But I just shrugged because telling the truth would make the atmosphere ambiguous. “No. If you’re busy, you should go.”
“I have to go and get ready in advance. These days, I’m very troubled at every meeting because of the revision of the law.”
“A revision? What law are you revising?”
“Oh, you know. Something.” Lark, who smiled, suddenly bent down and made eye contact with me. “I’ll be back.”
… What was this goodbye?
It felt like a husband going to work.
***
When Lark returned to the palace.
News like thunder from the blue sky was waiting for him.
“Your Highness, this is good news. A little while ago, a shaman confessed all their sins.”
“… What?”
“The poison in question was submitted as evidence. Not only that, but all the medicines that Her Highness the 5th Princess had.”
“There was an order from His Majesty the Emperor to finish the investigation of this case and to lift the sentence of imprisonment for Her Highness the 5th Princess and the isolation sentence for Princess Diollus.”
The investigators were delighted that Lark’s sister, Lisbeth, was finally cleared of the charges as if it were their first job.
“Congratulations, Your Highness!”
But why?
Lark’s expression turned grim.
***
The shaman was a woman in her 30s.
It was consistent with Lisbeth’s statement that all she could see around her thick cloak was her lower face and golden hair.
“Her hair color is the same!”
Although unsure of the shaman’s montage, the poison and several testimonies she submitted were clear evidence, and the investigation was quickly concluded.
“The poison submitted by the shaman matches the poison delivered to Her Highness the 1st Princess. Other than that, all of the types of medicine that Her Highness the 5th princess had, match as well.”
“The location of the magic shop and the contents of the conversation all match the testimony of Her Highness the 5th Princess.”
“The culprit is said to have always had an aversion to aristocrats. However, she did not know that the poison would be delivered to Her Highness the 1st Princess, and as the investigation progressed, she was afraid and confessed to seek mercy.”
Lark was sure Nathan had moved quickly, intending to lift Rubette’s isolation as soon as possible.
The Emperor’s Palace.
“The investigation must not be completed yet, Your Majesty. This is not a single crime. There must be someone behind it,” Lark, who had come to the emperor with a pale face two days later, protested.
“The testimonies are consistent, and all the evidence is in the hands of the investigation team, so what’s the problem?” the emperor asked disapprovingly.
“The reason for the crime is too loose to say that she deliberately sold poison out of hatred for the aristocrats.”
“…”
“I mean, the culprit deliberately delivered poison to the 1st Princess. There must be someone who ordered this.”
“So who is behind it?”
Lark’s mouth fell shut at the emperor’s question.
“Have you found anything out about the person behind while you were the head of the investigation for over half a year? Have you found any useful evidence?”
“Give me a little more time—”
“Fool.” The emperor spat and added, “What have you from half a year investigation that has not progressed? The stigma of being an incompetent prince? Do you actually doubt that they were really aiming for the 1st Princess?”
“…”
“Whether there was a hidden culprit or not, it is perfect for you that the perpetrator confessed. Now that Lisbeth and Princess Diollus have been cleared of charges.”
Lark clenched his fists. It was a problem for him instead.
He had blocked Nathan’s demonic hand from reaching out to Rubette in the name of isolation…
“If you are really suspicious of this case, you can do a slow and private investigation. Now that Princess Diollus’ quarantine can be lifted, you should concentrate on preparing for your wedding for the time being.”
“… What?” Lark frowned at the sudden remark of the emperor. “What do you mean?”
The emperor, who avoided his gaze, slowly lifted the teacup from the table and tilted it.
“I sent a marriage proposal to Diollus.”
“What are you talking about…”
“You have already pacified half of the nobles in the council to pass that absurd marriage law amendment.” The emperor’s sharp gaze turned to Lark. “Did you think I would lose if you pushed on with the noble subjects as your backers?”
“Sigh.” Lark, who grieved, covered his eyes and swallowed his anger.
As soon as the sentence was lifted, he sent a proposal to the Diollus Duchy without even discussing a word with his son, Lark, who was the real party…
“A marriage proposal sent without prior agreement. It will feel like a threat to them.”
“It can’t be helped if they feel that way.”
“Your Majesty, why are you doing this?”
“You started first.”
“…”
Lark, silent while sharing fierce glances, soon bowed toward the emperor.
“… I’ll be right back.”
He was thinking about how to explain the marriage proposal that was suddenly sent to Duke Diollus and Rubette.
“You punk!”
As if he had recognized Lark’s true intentions, the emperor, who jumped up, strode forward and grabbed him.
“What’s wrong with you!? Why does someone who has never been moved keep trying to go astray!?”
“…”
“I have no intention of approving that absurd law! Wake up!”
“The marriage law is not an issue to discuss right now. First of all, I will contact the ducal family first.”
“No, you have to wait for a call. If you get a reply from Diollus, proceed with the wedding within this year.”
“I have never discussed this matter with Princess Rubetria, nor have I heard her opinion. This is an absurd imperial tyranny.”
“It would be nice to simplify the national wedding by bringing in the empress without having to bother multiple times.”
“Your Majesty!” Lark finally exploded in front of the emperor, who didn’t listen to him and only said what he wanted to say. “I have no intention of proceeding with a national marriage until the marriage law issue is finalized! Why-“
The moment his excited voice rose fiercely, at the same time.
Slap—!
The emperor’s powerful hand struck Lark’s face fiercely. The gold on his finger had cut his cheek, leaving a line of reddish scar.
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