kscans

Chapter 47 - No Holding Back

Who broke things in the first place? Falty-Ardia and the Crown Prince, Liam.

Lupia had no desire to repair their relationship, not in the slightest. Even if she did, things could never go back to the way they were. While she was being stripped of her position as the Crown Princess candidate, having everything taken from her, and being laughed at by the nobility, they were basking in their own happiness without a second thought. So, she simply left. For them to now come crawling to her, begging for help, was beyond irritating.

She read the letter with an icy gaze, muttered, "How absurd," and slipped it back into the envelope. She was under no obligation to meekly obey the demands written within. Furthermore, she had a few words for whoever had placed it in her room. If you're going to rely on someone else's power, is that really how you ask for a favor?

Lupia left her room and headed for Aristerios's office. His duties with the Knight Order were supposed to start today, but she had heard he was beginning a little later in the day. After knocking three times, she heard her father's voice from within. When she announced herself, he replied gently, "Come in."

"Pardon my intrusion, Father."

"What is it, Lupia?"

"This somehow found its way into my room."

Smiling brightly, she handed the letter to her father for him to see. She took a seat on the sofa by the small table set up for guests in front of his desk. Her father's aide brought her a cup of tea. When she thanked him, he returned a familiar smile. The aide had known Lupia since she was a child and was like a second father to her. As the two of them shared a smile, a tremendous wave of fury emanated from her father's direction.

"Father, what's wrong?"

"Who delivered this to you?"

"It was just there... It must be the work of someone connected to Falty-Ardia."

He couldn't just rip up a letter sent to his daughter, but the contents were so infuriating that Aristerios felt a wave of nausea from sheer anger. The audacity of it all was so overwhelming he pressed a hand to his forehead, wondering what to do.

After they had moved, his family told him about Lupia's strange behavior and the existence of someone who had 'created' that state. When he heard that the culprit was Falty, who was now the Crown Princess, Aristerios had thought, I should have killed that woman for stealing my precious daughter's future. He sighed, thinking it was the end of days for a woman who used strange arts to become the Crown Princess. But in contrast, Lupia was wearing a refreshed, radiant smile.

"...Lupia."

"Yes, Father?"

"You're in a rather good mood."

"But of course! This gives me the perfect justification to refute her when I go to that country! How could I not find this delightful?"

Lupia declared this with a tremendously joyful laugh. Aristerios supposed it was only natural for her to be furious after receiving such a letter. And he was sure—no, certain—that she would say it. What gives you the right to send a letter like that? It seemed the people of her former country were still lost in their fairytale romance, oblivious to the difference in their stations.

"They seem to have the blissful delusion that if we just stay quiet for a while, we'll forgive them. I suppose they'll have to learn a... painful lesson."

"Hmph."

"As for Falty, she has the gall to call me her 'friend.' What a tremendous liar. And besides..."

"Besides?"

With a bright smile, Lupia said:

"Shouldn't a person clean up their own messes?"

Falty had chosen this path herself, even if she had help from the 'System.' So what if it wasn't a perfect ending? It was Falty's failure that she couldn't reach that route, so why should Lupia have to clean up after her foolish whims?

The letter she received read as follows:

'To my dear friend, Lupia. I was so surprised to hear you went to the Qua Kingdom. Why didn't you tell me? Hey, remember what we talked about before? What happened with you being my aide? I wanted to ask your father to guard Liam and me, too. And Rupert-kun must be having a hard time, being dragged to the Qua Kingdom against his will by you, isn't he? I'll overlook your selfish actions. After all, I'm going to be the next queen! I'm sure you'll agree that it's better for you in the long run to stay my friend! Let's have a proper talk sometime. I still haven't been congratulated by you, and only you.'

"I feel sick every time I read this."

"Her thought process is not only blissful but also supremely selfish, isn't it? What a piece of trash letter."

Aristerios thought his daughter was making a rather incredible face. It was the look of a child who'd just had a universally hated insect fall in front of them, or one who'd been tricked into eating something they despise, only to have the truth suddenly revealed.

"That woman seems to interpret everything in a way that's convenient for her. I see no need for restraint anymore, do you?"

"Lupia, how far will you go?"

"All the way."

"What resources will you use?"

"Let's have Vernella cooperate as well. It seems Falty has managed to get on her bad side, too."

"Oh?"

"How unusual," her father commented. Lupia's expression suddenly shifted from before, becoming one of exhaustion as she continued.

"I received a rare emergency message from Vernella through a communication tool. She was so furious, which is unheard of for her, so I calmed her down and had her explain everything step by step..."

"Ah..."

Say no more. He could imagine—no, he was certain—that Falty had stomped all over one of Vernella's landmines. If Falty was going to cause this much collateral damage, then they would have to respond in kind, pay her back in full, and make her understand 'reality.'

Perhaps Falty viewed this world, this present moment, as some kind of game.

Only the Creator God of this world had the right to do such a thing. Most likely, when she was swayed by that ridiculous entity called the 'System,' she felt like she was one of the chosen ones, and she probably still believed that to this day. But she was wrong.

The 'System' was merely interfering with their world with some unknown intention, seeking only to achieve its own goals. Her entire perception was fundamentally flawed.

"By getting involved with something inhuman, that woman seems to think she's become some kind of higher being herself, doesn't she?"

"I'm sure she does. Even though the curtain has already fallen on the play that was staged for her, with no curtain call in sight."

"Lupia, let us move quickly to secure your position in this country."

"Yes, Father."

With a graceful curtsy, Lupia finally smiled like her usual self. The first position she had set her sights on in this country was to become a member of the Knight Order. After all, her parents had given her permission to try out all sorts of things. First, as a knight. Nothing would start until she tried. Placing a hand over her heart, Lupia looked straight at her father and continued.

"I'll start by doing my best on the written exam."

"Good. Oh, and by the way, on the condition that you pass the Knight Order exam, he'd like to ask you to be his guard."

"Pardon?"

"His Majesty."

"But you are here, Father."

"He wants to show off his niece."

"...Ugh..."

"Give it up. That man truly adores you."

"Even though he has his own wonderful daughter to be proud of...?"

"Well, that's just how he is."

"...Father, the next time Uncle comes here, may I complain to my heart's content?"

"Make sure Millière is present."

"...Okay."

Though she looked slightly displeased, things would surely proceed in their favor. And the country she had once called home was steadily heading towards its own ruin.

By now, the damage from magical beasts must be growing noticeably worse. After all, the entire Calmond clan, which had been responsible for the nation's defense, was gone. Not a single one of them remained in that country.

They're reaping what they've sown, she thought with a smirk. She was nothing but grateful to the Crown Princess for sending such a convenient letter, one that so clearly laid out her transgressions. Both Lupia and Aristerios were.