Chapter 5

My name is Siena.

I wonder where I went wrong.

I just wanted to help my sick brother.

My brother, who was born with a weak constitution, needed expensive treatment, but our family, not being very wealthy, could not afford it. One day, Viscount Mondria, a distant relative, offered to cover the cost. The viscount then told me to work at the castle to repay the debt and wrote a letter of introduction for me. Despite my family's concerns, I happily agreed to work there.

However, I did not know that the ‘repayment’ the viscount wanted was not money.

At first, it was just a handkerchief. As a cleaner, I was ordered to bring one of Lord Ryouk's possessions.

Stealing, especially stealing from one's master, is absolutely unforgivable. But I couldn't refuse the viscount, who was helping my sick brother.

Rumors began to circulate among the young ladies and maids that Lady Flore, the viscount's daughter, had Lord Ryouk's handkerchief.

After that, I was made to report on Lord Ryouk's preferences and his whereabouts. Lady Flore increasingly found herself ‘coincidentally’ in the same places as Lord Ryouk. She was one of the few young noblewomen in the area, and rumors of their secret meetings became well-known among the maids.

After the sudden death of the previous margrave and his wife, and the ensuing conflicts with neighboring countries, Lord Ryouk became extremely busy and could no longer manage the internal affairs of the castle. The viscount had repeatedly suggested Lady Flore as a suitable fiancée, but Lord Ryouk had always politely declined. However, on that day, he only said that he could not respond at the moment.

The viscount smiled slyly.

However, the situation changed dramatically. The royal family proposed a marriage alliance with a princess. The viscount, who was on the verge of achieving his long-held dream, was left hanging.

As for me, I was promoted and appointed as the attendant to the new princess. Was this also the viscount's doing? I had no way to confirm, but for me, it was an unfortunate promotion.

I pretended to sympathize with the princess and whispered to Lord Ryouk that she had a long-term lover. The lie, combined with Lord Ryouk's distant attitude, seemed very convincing. The princess was incredibly beautiful, and she had never been treated so formally before.

On the surface, the princess remained calm, but she began to avoid Lord Ryouk more openly. The castle residents, who were loyal to Lord Ryouk, viewed this with great disdain.

It was easy to spread lies and rumors about the princess, making her the villain.

However, the princess did not want to return to the capital, and Lord Ryouk did not want to break the engagement.

The viscount, frustrated, threatened to cut off my brother's treatment. I deliberately scalded my arm and secretly accused the princess of abuse to the head maid.

Finally, Lord Ryouk decided to break the engagement.

I was secretly overjoyed. The burn would leave a scar, but it was worth it to save my brother. I thought everything would finally be over, but then something unexpected happened.

"Merciful Lord Ryouk Bartelink! Please, give me one more chance!"

What on earth was happening? She was not the type to apologize. I thought she would happily return to the capital, but I couldn't understand her actions. Moreover, her unexpected behavior was not over.

"Princess Justine might not be as bad as I thought."

An, another maid, started saying this. What happened to you? You were supposed to spread rumors about the princess and isolate her. Even when I tried to fabricate more stories with the other maids, they didn't seem to go along with it.

(Something is wrong.)

The princess had somehow won the maids over. I expected her to be expelled within days, but now Lord Ryouk was even visiting her room. I was terrified, but I didn't understand why.

However, I was mistaken. Lord Ryouk was secretly investigating to finally expel Princess Justine. When it was my turn, I provided detailed information, adding a little embellishment. The other maids wouldn't suspect me of lying to frame the princess, as we were all co-conspirators.

(Certainly, this will be the end of the princess.)

I could finally rest easy. No more sleepless nights, no more threats from the viscount, and no more worries about my brother's treatment. I should have been happy, but my insomnia worsened, and I was falling apart.

I have to be strong; who will protect my brother if I don't?

That day, everyone was gathered in the lord's chamber, just like before.

The only odd thing was that the most prestigious seat was occupied not by Lord Ryouk but by Princess Justine.

Everyone was shocked by this unusual scene, but her confident demeanor made it hard to question her. Lord Ryouk stood behind her. We finally realized that the highest-ranking person in Bartelink was not Lord Ryouk but Princess Justine.

(I might have done something terrible.)

"Let's get straight to the point."

When Princess Justine spoke, everyone tensed. Her voice, though not loud, carried a strong will and authority, making it clear who was in charge.

"There is a disrespectful person spreading lies and discord in this castle. If you realize who you are, come forward now."

There was a murmur of unease. Could the princess have suspected what the viscount and I were doing?

(No, that's impossible. Even if she suspected, she has no evidence.)

I glanced at the viscount, who, being a noble, managed to keep his composure. I felt relieved and confident. No one could accuse a noble without evidence.

The room fell silent, and Princess Justine stood up.

"Of course, there can't be such a traitor here. So, I win the bet, Ryouk. Bring her in."

What bet? As the princess signaled, the door opened, and someone was dragged in. Everyone was shocked to see who it was.

The viscount stepped forward.

"Flore, why are you...?"

It was undoubtedly Lady Flore, the viscount's daughter. Her usually bright face was now lifeless, and her hands were bound behind her back. Unbelievable! What had happened?

"No, it's not me, Princess Justine..."

Lady Flore weakly protested, tears streaming down her face. She was a kind and pure person, unlike her father. She didn't deserve this!

"No, if no one else admits it, it must be you. You wanted to be the margrave's wife, so you spread lies to defame me, didn't you?"

"Princess, I would never—"

"At this point, it's embarrassing. The real culprit is this woman!"

The princess signaled, and Lady Flore was forced to kneel. A palace knight with a large axe appeared.

"Princess Justine! Please stop!"

Several influential people stood up, breaking the princess's oppressive presence. But when she glanced at them, they froze.

"It's not just that. You've been secretly investigating the castle's layout and the weapons and troops at the garrison. Who were you planning to sell this information to?"

Lady Flore was a kind person. Knowing how busy Lord Ryouk was, she often brought food to the castle and garrison and checked for any issues. To use her good deeds to frame her was despicable! My hatred for the princess grew.

But it changed with her next words.

"I am the princess. Killing a viscount's daughter or two won't get me in trouble."

(That can't be true! It can't be...)

Despite my denial, I felt a wave of unease. Could the royal family's privileges be that extensive? If the princess was right, innocent Lady Flore would be killed. I couldn't let that happen. After all, the one who committed the crimes was...

My brother's smile flashed in my mind.

"Wait! Lady Flore knows nothing; I did it all!"

Before I knew it, I was shouting. The viscount glared at me with hatred. What would happen to my brother and me? But I couldn't sacrifice the innocent Lady Flore for my own sake.

"Are you protecting this girl? Is it loyalty? We don't need that now."

"No!! Lady Flore knows nothing!! I did it all!! I have the evidence! Please!! If you must cut, cut me, only me!!"

"Only you? No, Siena. If you confess, tell me everything. If not, I'll cut Lady Flore."

"…The viscount gave me the orders. I have the evidence."

"Liar!! This girl is lying!!"

The viscount shouted, but was quickly restrained by the palace knights. Kneeling before the princess, he confessed to all his crimes, trembling with fear but also feeling a weight lifted off his chest. I realized how exhausted I had been for a long time.

"Please, spare Lady Flore..."

"Hmm, I see. But that doesn't explain everything."

I didn't know about the castle's layout or the weapons.

"Then, let's punish the suspicious ones."

"Ah, no!"

This princess would do it!

Everyone in the room thought the same.

"I'm sorry! I leaked information to the viscount! Please forgive me!"

"Me too! I answered the viscount's questions about Lady Flore's security."

"I also answered the viscount's questions once."

One by one, several servants knelt, admitting their involvement. The princess was right. The culprit was the viscount, not Lady Flore.

After a while, one of the servants whispered something to the princess.

"I'm glad you're finally telling the truth. Indeed, Lady Flore is not involved. Release her."

Lady Flore, finally freed, stumbled to her father.

"Father, I'm sorry... I..."

"Grgh... This wasn't supposed to happen...!"

"Father, I'm sorry. I was asked by the princess to help lighten your punishment."

At that moment, I realized it all.

The entire charade was to expose the viscount's crimes from the beginning.