Beneath the Surviving Princess's Joyful Facade - Chapter 40

As his rage surged, Eirik’s rationality grew colder.

Given the circumstances, it was likely they intended to poison her slowly. The fact that they chose this method instead of staging an accident indicated a deliberate plan.

Had this taken some time, Cladnier would have likely realized that Crispin was behind it.

So, what was the extent of the king’s calculations?

Whether to accuse them of neglecting the princess or to frame Crispin for plotting against her, it might not have mattered. The king’s ultimate goal was likely the downfall of both Cladnier and Crispin.

“Hah…”

A sigh escaped Eirik’s lips.

In the end, the king was willing to sacrifice Miesa to ensure the enmity between the two houses. Her life being treated so cheaply was not entirely surprising.

Grinding his teeth, Eirik quickly calculated his next steps. The king probably didn’t care whether the deceased was a princess or a maid, as long as the two families were set against each other.

Eirik slowly turned toward Mrs. Dialle. He needed to handle this side first.

“Mrs. Maleca had many problems, as you are already aware, Mrs. Dialle.”

Mrs. Dialle, trembling despite her large frame, seemed not to register Eirik’s words.

“Mrs. Dialle.”

“Yes, yes?”

“Mrs. Maleca couldn’t handle her father’s gambling debts and even stole palace decorations, didn’t she? When caught, she bribed Chief Lady-in-Waiting Namirea with a large sum to cover it up.”

“That, that…”

Mrs. Dialle nodded, her lips moving soundlessly.

“This time, she needed money again, didn’t she?”

“Yes. Yes.”

“She was bribed by Crispin.”

“It seems so. Yes.”

In her desperation to find a way out, Mrs. Dialle readily agreed with Eirik. Seeing her vigorous nodding, Eirik handed the blood-stained towel to a servant.

“Cullen, go to the palace and inform them that there is a conflict between the two families. Tell them Crispin attempted to harm the Young Lord’s wife out of greed for the Cladnier family.”

“Yes, understood.”

Eirik needed to compromise with the king’s wishes to some extent. Swallowing his curses, he lifted Miesa and gave orders to the knights and servants.

“We won’t be using this room anymore. Clear out a room on the third floor. Gella, confirm the contents of the potion and analyze it.”

“Yes.”

“Is my father still not back?”

The butler’s face was full of guilt. It was evident that his father was still at his mistress’s house and had not returned.

“I’ll go see my mother.”

Eirik carried Miesa to the living room. The Margravine Cladnier looked serious, having apparently been briefed on the situation.

“Tell me exactly what happened,” she demanded.

He summarized the events, omitting only the suspicion that the king might be behind it all.

“I thought nothing of it when they were making strange comments about dropping handkerchiefs or not having children,” the Margravine said, gripping the sofa tightly until her knuckles turned white.

“Crispin, how dare they target Miesa.”

To calm his agitated mother, Eirik took her hand firmly. “Crispin isn’t the most pressing issue right now. A maid from the palace has died, so we need witnesses.”

“Witnesses?”

“Soon, someone from the royal court come. We need someone to corroborate Dialle’s testimony.”

“I see. If the king takes her, he might twist her testimony to attack us.”

The Margravine sighed and turned to Edil. “Edil, the testimony of our own vassals won’t hold water. Who is someone less influenced by the king?”

“I’m not sure… Perhaps the head of the House of Salachez?”

“The one who recently inherited the title?”

“Yes. He’s a bastard who doesn’t know much about politics and has no power to oppose the king, but he has a respectable image. After all, it involves two of the kingdom’s three pillars.”

“Then we must send a message to him immediately.”

The Margravine frowned and gestured to Edil. “Fetch another sheet of paper. We need to inform the Margrave of the situation.”

By afternoon, Eirik had left Miesa in his mother’s care and was now alone with a well-dressed young man.

“Thank you for coming on such short notice,” Eirik said.

“No problem. I’ve been idly eating and sleeping with nothing else to do.”

The red-haired man named Doid was the bastard son of the previous head of the House of Salachez and a maid. He had survived by laying low and, as soon as he became an adult, claimed his inheritance from the royal court.

“So, what do you need me to do?”

The new head of Salachez was thin but had sharp eyes. Despite his friendly smile, he scrutinized Eirik’s expression carefully.

Eirik briefly explained the situation, including Crispin’s involvement and the expected testimony from the royal maid, Dialle.

“Very well. It’s an honor to be connected with the House of Cladnier through this matter.”

The man bowed politely and picked up his teacup. His refined movements were impeccable for a nobleman.

“By the way, it’s surprising the palace hasn’t responded yet, given that the princess was almost harmed,” he remarked.

They must be busy formulating a plan. Keeping this thought to himself, Eirik replied calmly, “They must be cautious since it involves both houses.”

“I understand now. So, it’s not about the princess but a simple lovers’ quarrel involving the Young Madam Cladnier.”

“It’s a minor dispute between families, not a lovers’ quarrel.”

Eirik raised an eyebrow, correcting him. Doid quickly put down his teacup and added, looking quite apologetic, “Ah, I see. My lack of education led me to choose my words poorly. Now I understand correctly.”

Perhaps he would have fallen for the cunning man’s words if he hadn’t noticed the fleeting expression on the Duke of Salachez’s face.

“That’s a relief.”

Although the probing look in Doid’s eyes was annoying, Eirik skillfully suppressed his irritation, meeting his gaze calmly.

Doid Salachez, wiping nonexistent sweat with a handkerchief, asked, “By the way, may I pay my respects to the Margrave?”

“My father is currently out.”

“Ah, I see.”

“I will convey your respects to him.”

Before the sly man could seize the conversation, Eirik deftly changed the subject.

“You say you lack education, but I didn’t notice at all. On the contrary, having grown up on the battlefield, my words may be rough.”

“Not at all. I wouldn’t say so.”

As they exchanged these pleasantries, a servant politely knocked on the door.

“Pardon the interruption. Someone from the royal palace has just arrived.”

Eirik stood up, hiding a wry smile. It was the first time he felt relieved at the mention of the palace.

“They’ve finally arrived. Shall we go?”

“Quite nerve-wracking,” Doid Salachez muttered to himself as he stood up to follow.

Eirik’s face remained expressionless as he led the way, but he was already irritated by the cunning man.

“How is the princess, or rather, the young madam?”

The royal palace had sent the Captain of the Guard.

The man, likely just past thirty, had a neat appearance and a long scar running from his eyebrow to his forehead.

“My mother is currently caring for her. She is uninjured.”

Despite the straightforward answer, the Captain’s expression remained tense.

“She must have been very frightened by the incident. Was she by any chance near Mrs. Maleca when she died or did she witness it?”

Eirik carefully observed the Captain’s face. It didn’t seem like a leading question; rather, it appeared to be genuine concern.

“Thank you for your concern, but my wife is fine.”

Then Eirik introduced the Duke of Salachez. “Given the gravity of the situation, I’ve brought His Grace, the Duke of Salachez.”

“Oh, I apologize for not introducing myself earlier. I am Tilberg, Captain of the Guard. Please excuse the rudeness.”

“It’s nothing. This is our first meeting. I regret that it’s not under better circumstances.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Eirik guided the two men to the second-floor bedroom and briefly explained the situation.

“This is the place.”

Inside the room, guarded by Cullen and a few knights, were Maleca’s body, the witness Gella, and Mrs. Dialle.

“Your Grace, Duke of Salachez, this is Baroness Dialle, a maid who served my wife from the royal palace. Captain Tilberg, you are already acquainted, I believe?”

Short introductions were exchanged among the group.

“Hello, Mrs. Dialle. I didn’t expect to see you here,” Tilberg greeted.

“Yes, Captain Tilberg. Indeed,” Dialle replied, looking like she had much more to say, but Eirik cut her off.

“This is Gella, a maid assigned to attend to my wife.”

“And which noble house is she from?”

“She is not from a noble house; she was a docto in a knight order. We assigned her to ensure the young madam could receive immediate care if needed.”

“I see.”

Tilberg seemed unexpectedly pleased to hear this rather than seizing on it as an issue, which surprised Eirik.

He continued his explanation calmly, “Gella happened to be present at the scene. She said it would take two days to analyze the ingredients of the potion. The palace may also wish to conduct its own verification—”

“No, just inform us of the results. We will need to compare and confirm.”

Surprised by this remark, Eirik maintained a neutral expression and nodded. “Very well.”