Chapter 47 - Chapter 47
In other words, the magic tool in His Highness's hand could record past conversations and play them back later. What an innovative idea. If such a thing were possible, there would be many situations where one wouldn't have to rely on the ambiguity of human testimony.
I stared at the device in his hand. His Highness smiled and said, "I'll tell you more about it later."
"By the way, it was hidden in that flowerpot before you arrived. Every word of your conversation has been captured."
"What..."
In the flowerpot? Indeed, there was a large potted plant by the window right behind this table. I never imagined it would be placed there.
I didn't think His Highness had predicted Katrina-sama would invite me here today. However, he must have already known she was the source of the rumors. Therefore, he set the magic tool here, targeting the place where they always hung out after school. His Highness was further ahead in his thinking than I imagined; I could only stare at him in wide-eyed wonder. In the corner of my vision, I saw Cyril standing there with a wry smile.
His Highness tucked the magic tool into his pocket and turned his gaze back to Katrina-sama and the others.
"I traced the rumors back to you. I didn't think you'd be foolish enough to attack Rachel directly, but you're even more thoughtless than I expected. To think you dared speak of being the Mother of the Kingdom..."
His Highness's final words were a low, dangerous murmur. Katrina-sama heard them, turning deathly pale and trembling.
"You wished to replace my fiancée, was it?"
His Highness gave her his usual obligatory smile. Suddenly, Katrina-sama's pale face flushed red, and her eyes began to sparkle. Beside her, Wilhelmina seemed to grasp the situation; she whispered "Katrina-sama" and tried to pull on the hem of her uniform under the table.
However, Katrina-sama, seemingly entranced by His Highness's smile, ignored Wilhelmina entirely and stared back at him.
"You believe Miss Higgins is more suitable for me than Rachel, whose mana has diminished?"
"...Yes, exactly. Ever since I first met you at the age of ten, I have devoted everything to the sole purpose of standing by your side and supporting you. I am more confident than anyone that I am the right choice! Please, Your Highness! Won't you give me one more chance?"
Wilhelmina, knowing this was disrespectful, tried to stop her. "Katrina-sama!" she cried out. But His Highness silenced her with a frigid glare. She let out a small gasp of terror before shrinking back and whispering, "I am so sorry."
"A chance? You still haven't thought this through, have you?"
"No, that's not—"
"To deny my fiancée is to deny me... and by extension, the Royal Family. Furthermore, you deliberately spread false, malicious rumors about the Spirit of Darkness, which has been recognized by the Church. Such actions risk inciting national unrest. Don't you think that's a serious crime? Right, Cyril?"
His Highness's voice was soft, but his eyes were harsh as he looked at Katrina-sama. Even she began to tremble, trying to stammer an excuse, but she finally fell silent under his suffocating gaze.
"Indeed. We must investigate whether this was the Higgins girl's sole decision or if her family was involved. We'll need to pursue that thoroughly," Cyril added, nodding and glancing at them with an interrogating look.
At the mention of her 'family,' the twins' eyes widened. "Our family... please, anything but that!" they pleaded with His Highness.
But His Highness showed no sign of listening. His lips were curved upward, but his eyes were piercing. He radiated an overwhelming pressure as he spoke in the deepest voice I had heard all day.
"You would do well to remember this. I hate nothing more than people laying a hand on what is precious to me. ...Don't think you'll get off easy."
As he said this, Cyril muttered under his breath, "The Demon King has descended."
Cyril led the girls away for questioning, their faces so pale they looked ready to faint. Before they left the cafeteria, His Highness asked them, "Do you have any last words?"
Wilhelmina and Euphemia offered tearful apologies to me. But Katrina-sama was different. Despite her pale face, she bit her lip and glared at me until the very end without looking away.
Just before they disappeared, she looked back one last time. Her lips moved, forming words.
What? Is she saying something?
I focused on the movement of her mouth. From those bright red lips came the words: "I won't forgive you."
A chill ran down my spine. But they were gone a moment later, following Cyril's lead. As they left my sight, the tension finally drained from my body.
"Um, what will happen to them?"
"For now, we need to hear the details of their family's involvement and the rumors they spread. However, insulting you is no different from insulting me or the Royal Family, who desire you as my fiancée. Furthermore, their statements go against the Church's decree. These matters must be taken seriously."
"...I see."
"They brought this upon themselves. You understand what would happen if we let them go now, don't you?"
"Yes. It would affect the prestige of the Royal Family and the Church."
"Rest assured, they will certainly never return to social circles. Nor will they attend this academy again."
So, I'll never see them again...
I had many thoughts about them. In my previous life, although I was egged on by Katrina-sama, I was the one who committed the misdeeds. Because I was given a chance to start over, I was able to break away from them. If I hadn't... I would have been just like them.
I couldn't view it as someone else's problem. Yet, I had no intention of defending them. Their own actions had brought about this result; whatever the outcome, it wasn't my place to interfere.
Still, I couldn't help but hope they would take this time to truly reflect on themselves. That was also my honest feeling.
As I was deep in thought, His Highness spoke up beside me. He must have been thinking about many things as well; a deep furrow remained between his brows.
"Even if we deal with the source of the rumors, things will get complicated if we don't properly correct the stories that have already spread. It's unclear how much people know about the mana depletion as well."
"Yes, you're right."
"As you suggested, let's move up the official announcement."
"Yes, but will it not cause trouble for you, Your Highness?"
"I will crush anyone who has a complaint about this engagement. I will show them overwhelming power. ...So, Rachel."
His Highness's demeanor shifted from his previous dignified air to one of pleading. The intensity in his blue eyes was so strong I felt as if I were being pulled into them.
"I want you to be by my side... for the rest of my life. It has to be you, Rachel."
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