Chapter 214.3
Chapter 214.3
Chapter 214.3
That being said, there was something I really needed to say. My stomach hurts.
“By the way, Your Majesty, there is something I must tell you about. I hope you will forgive me.” (Welner)
“Go ahead.” (King)
After receiving permission from His Majesty, who had a slightly doubtful tone, I kneeled on the spot.
“Since it was my retainer who killed the demon priestess, I humbly ask that you forgive me for the punishment of my subordinates who were working under my command.” (Welner)
I could feel the presence of doubt coming from all over the place, but I was prepared and followed up.
“However, regarding the body that the demon priestess was using (possessed), may I respectfully ask you a question? Where is Her Highness, the First Princess?” (Welner)
(T/N: Here First Princess is referring to the Crown Prince’s younger sister and Laura’s elder sister.)
For a moment, the air seemed to freeze.
When I thought about whose body Juliane‘s soul originally possessed, I could think of no other person. It must be the First Princess, whose name I could not even remember. Her memories were really blurry, as if erased. Maybe this was why I always felt that I was missing something.Perhaps the First Princess had something to do in the underground library at that time. And then she found that hidden passageway. Perhaps she was drawn to it, but we don’t know that anymore.
Then, behind the hidden door, the person who called herself Juliane possessed the First Princess’s body. That was also why she was able to easily leave the underground library in the first place.
Underground library had three areas: an archive room, secret chamber where Juliane’s soul was sealed and a room from which the capital’s barrier was operated.
The reason Juliane did not touch the main structure of the barrier itself was because she did not have the key to enter the room where the barrier crystal was located.
Thus, she opted to mess with the magic circles that extended to the archive room. After all, no one would find it strange that the First Princess wanted to read books in the archive room.
After everything was done, she disappeared, slowly forgotten by those around her.
As a matter of fact, if inducing thoughts was one of the Demon Lord’s abilities, it would make sense that no one would talk about the First Princess. This may be the reason why only the archives have been modified, and why it was a perfect crime.
Another possibility was that maybe the royal family covered up everything about her and pretended that she didn’t exist at all. Maybe both.
Besides, this part of what the person who called herself Juliane told Lily may be true: She said that the Demon King’s power would dye her opponent’s soul from the distortion and wounds. For this part, there was no reason to lie.
Let me put myself in the position of the First Princess. Crown Prince Hubert, who would be her elder brother, seemed to be a real genius, while her younger sister, the second princess Laura, was the most saintly woman in the history of the world. For her to be compared between the two would have been too harsh.
Even if the nobles around her may have no malice towards her, I think they must have taken the First Princess very lightly. It would be understandable if she had some distortions due to the constant comparisons. That may have been the point that she was hit by Juliane.
If this were a correct assessment, it would mean that I was the one who had injured the body of the first princess, a member of the royal family, for whatever reason. So I bowed deeply on the spot.
His Majesty and the Crown Prince seemed to be having a brief discussion, but I continued to bow my head. Eventually, words escaped from His Majesty’s mouth.
“I don’t know what you misunderstand, but the First Princess died of illness when she was very young.” (King)
I looked up in surprise, but then I looked into His Majesty’s eyes and understood. These were the eyes that said, “That’s how it is”.
Certainly, it would be a scandal in another sense if the First Princess had anything to do with the resurrection of the Demon King. Along with the possibility that the first king assassinated Juliane-sama, it could cause a huge mess. On the other hand, if she went missing or something, many fakes might appear.
Considering all of this, King decided to politically settle the matter by saying that since the First Princess died of illness at an early age, this would not be recorded or remembered. Royal family would likely bribe noble families.
“…Is that so? Please forgive the misunderstanding of this subordinate of yours.” (Welner)
“There were many problems and intense work to be dealt with. There are times when we make mistakes. Don’t worry about it.” (King)
“As for the demon priestess, I want you to give me a report about her later.” (Prime Minister)
“Yes, your majesty.” (Welner)
After His Majesty, the Prime Minister took over from the side. He wanted me to write a story that made sense. I would take the facts with me to my grave.
But while I understand this decision politically, I felt a little sorry for the First Princess. She had spent her life in the royal palace sandwiched between a talented elder brother and a promising younger sister, and now she had been made to look like she had never existed in the first place.
Once I was done dealing with all of this, I would go to the ruins to give flowers for her. I might as well forgive her for aiming at Lily, but that was beside the point.