Estelle Will Not Forgive a Second Time: The Condemned Noble Lady Returns in Elegance to Dance with the Incompetent Prince - Chapter 15

Victor Wiesenberg slammed his fist onto the long table in the heavy, opulent conference room within the royal castle.

“Damn it… Estelle’s assassination plan failed? We took every possible precaution, didn’t we?”

His shoulder-length blond hair swayed, reflecting the fury boiling inside him.

Maps and documents were scattered across the table, and among them rested a sealed letter bearing news of the operation’s failure.

Standing across from him, Captain Rodolphe Eisel of the Royal Knights bowed deeply, his expression solemn as he spoke.

“My deepest apologies, Your Highness… we failed to eliminate the target. We accounted for her escort, but it seems an unexpected mercenary intervened.”

Victor glared at Rodolphe, his expression hard and unforgiving.

Normally, Victor would not hesitate to punish failure on the spot—but Rodolphe was different.

He was one of the kingdom’s most formidable knights, and his loyalty was unquestionable. Far too valuable to discard lightly.

“Rodolphe… How could someone of your caliber fail? The plan was flawless, meant to look like an accident.”

Victor’s voice was laced with irritation as he questioned him.

Rodolphe exhaled briefly, his eyes—loyal to the royal family—reflecting both regret and frustration.

“There was an unknown guard of exceptional skill. Had it not been for him, the plan would have succeeded. We have no information on his identity, but I have already begun an investigation.”

“A guard… just a mercenary? Hmph. Estelle Grandier seems to have found quite the capable pawn. Fine. Make sure the next attempt succeeds. With your talents, it shouldn’t be difficult.”

Victor’s command was sharp, and Rodolphe bowed even deeper.

The nobles watching from the sides held their breath as Rodolphe gave his resolute reply.

“As you wish. This time, I will lead the operation myself. I will ensure there is no failure.”

“You’ll go yourself? You have enough subordinates—are they not sufficient?”

At the prince’s words, Rodolphe met his gaze squarely.

His rugged, scarred features were marked by unwavering determination.

“I must redeem my disgrace. This time, I will personally oversee the operation and see to it that Estelle Grandier is eliminated. I will cut down any threat to Your Highness without fail.”

“…Very well. I’m counting on you, Rodolphe. See that it’s done cleanly—I won’t tolerate any loose ends.”

Rodolphe bowed again and quietly left the chamber.

Even the high-ranking nobles he passed on his way out, rather than chastising him, seemed relieved by the exchange.

After Rodolphe’s departure, Victor turned to those who remained, his lips twisting into a cold smile.

“Now then, it’s about time I paid Minister Gustav a visit. Is there any traceable link on his end?”

The question was directed not at Gustav himself, but at one of the nobles who served as his aide—an austere man with jet-black hair and narrow eyes. He bowed respectfully as he replied.

“Minister Gustav is operating flawlessly, Your Highness. There is no cause for concern. The flow of funds related to the embezzlement is carefully managed, and there is no trace of impropriety on the surface.”

“Good. After that debacle with Clarissa, at least this is being handled perfectly… That’s reassuring.”

Turning over a document in front of him, Victor nodded in satisfaction—though a trace of anger still lingered in his eyes.

“Still, Estelle… For Rodolphe to fail… That guard she hired—whoever he was—was far more skilled than expected.”

No one in the room dared to respond.

Failure was failure, and now they had to move forward and devise the next plan.

“That reminds me… I should contact them. If we remain inactive too long, they may grow suspicious.”

Victor murmured to himself, not addressing anyone in particular.

The surrounding nobles offered no reaction to his words, instead bowing their heads in silence.

“For now, let’s place our hopes on Rodolphe’s success. Any fool who stands in the way of my ascension to the throne… will be purged.”

At Victor’s declaration, everyone in the chamber could only nod solemnly.

The light caught his golden hair, but the once-glorious figure of the First Prince now seemed draped in a cold and ominous darkness.

With Rodolphe preparing to take matters into his own hands, the danger to Estelle had never been greater.

Yet, within that closed room, no one questioned it—all was accepted under the grand justification of securing Victor’s path to the throne.