Please Fall in Love with Me! – A Villainess on Her Second Loop, using 'Seduction' to Avoid Ruin! - Chapter 1.3

The hall erupted into chaos as Prince Gerald’s sharp command rang out.

The knights moved swiftly, seizing both me and Siegvard.

“No! Stop! He has nothing to do with this! Lord Argento! Siegvard!”

I pleaded desperately, but my cries went unheard.

“Lady Kishtaria…! Stop this! There’s no way she would attempt to assassinate the Saintess—!”

Still struggling against his captors, Siegvard tried to reach for me, his bloodstained hand trembling.

Before he could, Gerald’s sword pressed against his throat.

“Your Highness!”

“I will not tolerate interference. That is an act of treason.”

“Your Highness! Please, think rationally!”

Siegvard’s outstretched hand was slick with crimson. The blade at his neck glowed with a sinister glint, making my fear spiral out of control.

“No! Wait! I didn’t do anything—I swear!”

I screamed as I was forcibly dragged away by the knights.

“Let me go! Your Highness! Please, believe me!”

It wasn’t just me—Father, Brother… and Siegvard too.

He had done nothing wrong!

“Release Siegvard!”

But no matter how much I screamed, my voice did not reach them.

I was dragged out of the hall, and with a resounding thud, the heavy doors slammed shut behind me—cutting off my last hope.

◇＊◇

A rhythmic clinking of footsteps echoed through the stone corridor.

I stirred awake, my eyes snapping open as I bolted upright.

This was Infer Tower, the infamous prison where high-profile political prisoners were held before execution.

It had been over two weeks since I was thrown into this cell.

Not once had I been interrogated.

Twice a day, someone would bring a bowl of thin soup and a piece of stale bread. Every three days, a bucket of lukewarm water and a towel would be left for me. No one spoke, no matter how many times I asked about the investigation, my family, or Siegvard.

I knew nothing—whether the investigation had progressed, whether my father and brother were safe, whether Siegvard was still alive.

I quickly turned to the small barred window above me.

Dark.

Even though some time had passed since my last meal, morning had not yet come.

The sound of footsteps grew louder, approaching the stone staircase.

No one ever came at this hour.

It wasn’t mealtime, and it wasn’t the usual visit for supplies.

I climbed off the cot and approached the iron bars.

Beyond them, the heavy iron door creaked open—and through it stepped Prince Gerald.

“…Your Highness…!”

He stopped before me, looking down with an expression of pure disdain.

“Adelaide di Kishtaria. Your execution date has been set.

Tomorrow.”

For a moment, my mind refused to process his words.

“What…?”

An execution date…?

“W-Wait! What do you mean? Where’s the investigation? The trial—”

I had undergone neither.

For more than two weeks, I had been imprisoned without a single formal interrogation.

Gerald’s expression twisted in annoyance, as if I had asked something absurd.

“There’s no need. The evidence is overwhelming. Why waste time confirming a crime that is already obvious? A trial would be meaningless.”

“That’s…!”

How could this be allowed?

“Your Highness! I had no part in this! Please, investigate properly!”

“Hah. I never expected you to confess. But how revolting. Truly disgraceful.”

His golden eyes glowed with contempt.

“If you were truly innocent, there wouldn’t be an abundance of evidence proving your guilt.”

That… that was exactly why this whole thing felt wrong.

But arguing would be useless. No reasoning would reach him now.

Instead, I had to use this opportunity to gather information—while he was still willing to speak.

Taking a steady breath, I asked the question that weighed heaviest on my heart.

“What about Lord Argento? My father and brother—are they safe?”

Gerald smirked cruelly.

“The Duke and his son will be executed alongside you.”

My breath caught.

“And Siegvard—”

Gerald’s voice lowered as he paused deliberately. Then, his lips curled into a merciless smile.

“His sentence was carried out today.”

“—What!?”

A jolt of horror shot through me.

Today…?

His execution was today!?