Please Fall in Love with Me! – A Villainess on Her Second Loop, using 'Seduction' to Avoid Ruin! - Chapter 1.4

“Why!? Why would you do this!? Why was Lord Argento executed!?”

I clung to the iron bars, my voice breaking as I screamed.

“Why?”

Prince Gerald let out a scoff, as if mocking my desperation.

“Not only did he interfere with the execution of a traitor, but he also conspired to help you all escape. That, without question, is treason.”

“Escape!? Lord Argento planned to help us escape!?”

“Indeed. We confiscated letters exchanged with a foreign nation discussing asylum, documents detailing the arrangement of carriages, accommodations, and mapped-out escape routes. The evidence is undeniable.”

“…That can’t be…”

My legs gave out, and I crumpled to the floor. Gerald sneered at my reaction.

“Finally realizing the truth?”

But I wasn’t even listening.

Because this didn’t make any sense.

Siegvard… executed?

He was a main love interest in Knights of the White Lily.

Even in bad endings, he never died.

What is happening? Why is this happening?

“He was incredibly useful to me.”

Gerald’s offhanded remark jolted me back to reality.

“Had your crime been anything less than an attempt on the Saintess’s life, I might have granted you a pardon.”

“…What?”

For a moment, I thought I had misheard.

“Your Highness…? What did you just say?”

“I said you were useful.” Gerald smirked. “I never expected to eliminate a nuisance so easily.”

“A… nuisance?”

No… he couldn’t mean—

“You mean Lord Argento? But why!? He is the son of Grand Duke Argento—His Majesty’s own brother! He is your cousin!”

“And?”

His flat response made my stomach drop.

“‘And?’ What do you mean—”

“Bl00d ties are meaningless in the line of succession.” His tone was chillingly indifferent. “Or rather, they matter in only one way—the closer the bl00d, the stronger the resentment. It’s only natural. Anyone who threatens my position is an enemy.”

“…!”

“Our uncle renounced his claim to the throne long ago. That left Siegvard as the second in line—directly behind me. He was a Holy Knight with an impeccable record, backed by the temple, and above all, he was the Saintess’s most trusted protector. Of course, he was an obstacle.”

Gerald smirked, his expression devoid of remorse.

“So, truly, I must thank you. You made things much easier for me.”

Perhaps, in both politics and love, they had been rivals.

But he was still family.

Did Gerald feel nothing? Not even a hint of grief?

Even if he truly harbored such sentiments, to say it so openly—and to smile about it—was monstrous.

I glared at him, filled with disgust—only for my breath to catch in realization.

‘Undeniable evidence’…?

Siegvard would never…

Even Gerald himself had admitted that Siegvard was an exceptional knight.

And it was true—he was one of the best.

That was why he had become vice-commander of the Holy Knight Order at such a young age. That was why he was entrusted as the Captain of the Saintess’s Guard, charged with protecting the kingdom’s greatest treasure.

Would someone like him ever leave behind incriminating documents—letters with foreign nations, detailed escape plans—where they could be easily discovered?

No.

Someone as meticulous as Siegvard would have memorized every detail and destroyed any written records.

This wasn’t just suspicious—it was impossible.

And it wasn’t just his case.

The evidence against me was too perfect as well.

Everything fit too well—too easily.

This wasn’t the game forcing me back into the original storyline.

Someone had set us up.

Someone deliberately framed both Siegvard and me.

“How dare you say such things?”

I trembled with rage as I glared at Gerald.

“You shouldn’t speak so carelessly, Your Highness. People might start to think you orchestrated all of this to eliminate Lord Argento.”

For the first time, Gerald flinched. His expression twisted in anger.

“How dare you—!”

With a loud clang, he kicked the iron bars, shaking the entire cell.

“Do not compare me to a filthy criminal like you! To commit a crime is to disgrace oneself! Why would I ever stoop so low for someone like Siegvard!?”

“I never said that, Your Highness.” I exhaled slowly, keeping my voice steady. “I never accused you of anything.”

“Tch…!”

Gerald’s jaw tightened, his fury barely contained.

“You truly are a vile woman.” His voice was laced with venom.

“You defied the Saintess. You will atone—with your life.”