# 77
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My hands clenched tight with tension. I thought I had done everything I could to save Sirtain, but maybe this was a warning from fate… Maybe it was telling me that I hadn't done enough yet.
'There is still something else I can do.'
According to the original events, Cyretin wasn't supposed to die in the near future, but if it was going to happen in the early summer, that means it would happen within the next couple of months.
It became clear to me why Princess Elizabeth had gone so far as to summon Sirtain here.
It was simple—reshape the future in a way that was manageable.
“Then, we will return to the Imperial Palace after the Golden Arrow Flowers wither, right?”
Princess Elizabeth nodded.
“I asked to meet you alone because I have a question for you. Do you still want to save Sirtain?”
“Yes. I definitely want to save him.”
That was my decision. Certain was not someone who was supposed to die. I no longer wanted to save him just for my sake, but for his sake as well.
But there was another question on my mind—why was Princess Elizabeth telling me this?
“Why are you telling me this?”
“...You were there.”
My eyes widened.
“You were crying while looking at two cars, and in your hand was a sword covered in blood.”
‘What?!’
'I was carrying a sword?
'Does this mean I killed Sirtain?'
I felt as if my head was going to explode from so many questions. Or is that just a symbol of something else?
“I wanted to make sure you weren't his enemy.”
Could it be that Duke Spellman is trying to use me to achieve something? Could I fall into his trap?
I bit my lip tightly.
No no.
This cannot happen.
“If you were a danger to him, I would keep you away from him at any cost.”
I paused for a moment, then looked into her eyes. Suddenly, she realized something else she hadn't said out loud.
She's testing me. You will continue to test me until you reach a final judgement.
And if I decide that I might hurt Sirtain...
“You were planning to kill me here.”
Princess Elizabeth smiled faintly.
“You're a smart girl.”
'So, you were right.'
I felt a shiver run through my body. Elizabeth was a good person—but only when it came to two biographies.
I did my best to stay calm. It wasn't easy to pretend to be calm in front of someone who thought about killing me.
And prove my worth? This is something I was used to.
“Don't worry, Grandma. I'm willing to kill my father even to protect Searden.”
"The blood that will stain my sword will not be Cyrtain's blood. I will risk my life for it."
Princess Elizabeth smiled faintly. There was a hint of satisfaction in her eyes.
***
“What did you two talk about?”
As soon as I entered the bedroom, Sertin confronted me with a nervous question.
His face, which had always been calm, was noticeably flushed.
“Were you worried about me?”
I asked him in a joking tone.
"naturally."
Certain answered with a sigh. Then he said in a calmer voice.
“I'm the one who brought you here, so you're under my responsibility.”
'So, he wants to protect me.'
I was impressed by Sertin's behavior, so I held his hand tightly.
Just as I was doing my best to protect him, he was also trying to protect me.
'A lot has changed since I incarnated here.'
“It was just a conversation between women.”
'But now I need to sharpen my sword.'
I thought that I should sharpen my sword and prepare to face anyone to protect Siren as I promised.
“You'd better not try to find out the details.”
“…Great-Grandma…?”
Sertin frowned, choosing his words carefully.
“…Did she treat you badly?”
It wasn't exactly nice.
“She was a wonderful person.”
However, it was true.
“…ha.”
Sertin ran his hand through his hair impatiently. I couldn't help myf and hugged him, then left him.
“Don't worry too much, Sirten. I think I'll get along well with Great-Grandma.”
Only then did Serten reluctantly nod his head.
While I was gently kissing his cheek to console him, Certain's assistant came over.
I picked up a small piece of candy and put it in my mouth while I listened to the conversation.
His assistant completed his report without any caution.
“…Her Highness Princess Veronica has filed suit against Duke Spelmann for the murder of Taylord.”
What?
Veronica did that?!
Veronica isn't the type of person who would do something like that? She didn't do anything special in the original story either!
I almost spit out the candy in surprise, but somehow, I ended up swallowing the small candy the size of a 100 won coin.
“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”
“Evelyn?!”
What a crazy person I am, really…..Can’t I stop embarrassing myf?
Why can't I be the beautiful, innocent and mysterious big sister?
The assistant and Sirtain both looked at me simultaneously.
Sertin gently patted my back and handed me a glass of water.
‘Why is this only happening to me in front of two people?!’
“Are you okay?”
“H-My throat hurts… my husband…”
Sertin smiled lightly and patted my head. I wiped away the tears that fell while drinking water.
Meanwhile, Certain's gaze returned to his assistant, and I listened to the conversation as well.
“There's little chance of winning the case, right? Do they have any solid evidence?”
“According to what Mortega said, the probability of success is low. But Princess Veronica believes that simply hindering Duke Spellman with this charge will be enough. She wants to help the Crown Prince, that is what she said.”
Wow…..
It's really impressive. I didn't expect Veronica to think this way!
I thought about the situation.
Augustin is also currently in trouble, as he is suspected of killing his wife.
It was a very shocking situation as the Spelman family members were involved in murder cases at the same time.
This unintentionally increased the pressure on Duke Spelman.
Certain seemed to come to the same conclusion, as he let out a satisfied laugh.
“Oh my God. I wish I could see his miserable face. Finally, Veronica is doing something useful for me.”
“…Your Highness.”
“Send an urgent message. Tell Mortega to keep the pressure on them until Duke Spelmann decides to let Augustin go instead. No doubt he is already calculating.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Certain's assistant seemed pleased to see his master so pleased.
‘The seeds of our plan are coming to fruition perfectly.
“Did you introduce Ines to great-grandmother?”
“Yes. Fortunately, she liked it. She said her reading voice was beautiful.”
"That's reassuring. Did she get the message that Ennis is an important hostage?"
“She said she understood.”
Everything was going smoothly, without any complications.
I think coming here was the right decision.
At that time, in the palace of Duke Spelmann
Duke Spelman was smoking a strong-smelling cigar, while shards of a broken vase lay scattered on the ground around him.
The room was filled with the strong smell of cigars, while Lucas stood in front of him with a tense face.
“That idiot keeps doing stupid things, day after day.”
He was talking about Augustin.
Today, Duke Spellman had just come out of an interrogation session, and he was feeling angry as if his head was on fire.
“What’s up with Duchess Roger?”
"She seemed reluctant to arrange a meeting with the Supreme Court judge. She said it was best to be cautious in this situation."
She's careful now, huh!
When only Duke Spelmann was the accused, they were cooperative with him. But as soon as Augustin was sent to the capital, Roger's family relatives withdrew entirely.
'If I were in their place, I would do the same thing.'
However, he gritted his teeth angrily.
“Hurry up and get married. There's no problem with that, right?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“How about trying to contact Count Chenchis?”
Despite everything, he was not ready to abandon Augustin completely.
“This...”
Lucas sighed before answering.
“Count Chinchis refuses even to meet anyone from our side. He repeats the same sentence like a parrot: Young Monsieur Augustin murdered his wife.”
Lucas answered in a tense voice.
Then, Duke Spellman gritted his teeth hard, and curses automatically came out of his mouth.