The Princess Who Was Married Off To The Prince of Slaughter In Place of Her Sister. While She Was Growing Fairies and Potatoes in The Garden of The Detached Palace, His Highness's Infatuation Began - Episode 24

One hour later, in the conference room.

I had come to the front of the conference room with my younger sister.

Fel is being held as a hostage and is in his sister’s room.

“Your Highness, the Crown Princess, we are currently in a meeting, so we cannot allow you to pass through, even for you.”

I was stopped by the soldier at the entrance of the conference room.

“Tell them to let me through because I have an important matter regarding state affairs. Do you care what happens to the fairies?”

My sister seems to want to attract attention to herself by making me give a false explanation in front of the ministers.

“I have an important matter regarding state affairs, please let me through.”

“I will confirm with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Please wait a moment.”

The soldier entered the conference room to confirm.

Lord Leonis, please do not allow me to enter the room.

“Please come in.”

Contrary to my wishes, I was allowed to enter the room.

“Please proceed as planned, sister.”

My sister whispers in my ear.

When I entered the conference room, I was met with the simultaneous gaze of the high-ranking officials. There were about twenty high-ranking officials gathered for the meeting.

Lord Leonis is sitting in the large chair in the center.

“First, go before His Highness Leonis.”

Following my sister’s urging, I go to Lord Leonis’s side.

“I was surprised when you came by during the meeting. What on earth is such an important matter?”

Even though Lord Leonis suddenly barged in, he welcomed me kindly.

My chest aches sharply… From now on, I have to deceive this person.

“Lord Leonis, actually…”

If I tell the truth here…

“If you don’t do as I say, the fairy’s life is forfeit.”

My younger sister whispered in my ear.

The real Fer has been killed. I’m sorry. Lord Leonis, I will deceive you from now on.

“I would like the esteemed ministers gathered here to hear this as well.”

I looked around at the faces of the gathered nobles, and then spoke.

“Actually… the fairy, Fer… originally belonged to my sister Charlotte. I hated my sister who was always doted on by everyone, so when I got married… I took Fer from her.”

A murmur arises from the conference room.

Lord Leonis is staring at me with wide-open eyes.

“W-What are you saying… A woman as ugly as me isn’t fit to be the crown princess!”

I can tell that my voice is trembling.

I really don’t want to convey something like this.

But… if I don’t say anything, Fer’s life…

“Lord Leonis, please divorce me, the ugly one. …My sister, who is loved by the fairies, is the one worthy of being the crown princess…”

The high-ranking officials are all talking about something, but I can’t hear them clearly.

I can’t see Lord Leonis’s face.

I want to leave this place.

“Princess Charlotte, is what you just said true?”

“That’s right, Your Highness Leonis. But please forgive my sister! She was probably just upset that only I was loved by Father and Brother! The fairy has returned to me. I will overlook my sister’s sins!”

The younger sister, with tears in her eyes, was playing the role of a caring and gentle sister.

My beautiful sister put on such an act. Surely, the high-ranking officials must be sympathizing with her.

“Originally, it was planned that I would marry His Highness Leonis. As per the original plan, I will marry His Highness Leonis. I will continue to bestow the protection of the fairies upon this country as before.”

My sister, with her eyes glistening, approached Lord Leonis.

I wonder if Lord Leonis will also become captivated by my lovely little sister…

My chest aches with a sharp pain.

“Princess Charlotte, may I ask you a question?”

Lord Leonis smiled warmly and gazed at his sister.

“What is it? I will answer any question from His Highness Leonis.”

“What is the fairy’s favorite food?”

“It’s an apple pie, peach tart, mandarin jam, and pear pound cake.”

I accidentally told my sister what Fer’s favorite food is.

“Then, what are the hair and eye colors of the fairy lady?”

“It’s a vibrant green, like fresh leaves.”

My younger sister answered with complete confidence.

“I know everything there is to know about fairies! Feel free to ask me anything!”

I shouldn’t have told my sister about Fel.

“Then one more thing. Ariaberta calls him ‘Fel’ as a nickname, but why do you call him ‘Fairy’ by his race name?”

Lord Leonis’s calm expression faltered as he fixed a sharp gaze on his sister.

It was a gaze as fierce as one would have when staring down a monster on the battlefield.

“Huh?”

My sister was shaken by Lord Leonis’s sudden change.

“The Fairy Lady calls Ariaberta ‘Ali’ and adores her like a mother or sister, so much so that there’s no room for me, her husband. If Ariaberta really did steal the fairy from you, the Fairy Lady wouldn’t be so attached to her.”

My sister’s face turns pale.

“Fairies get attached to anyone, so even to you, sister…”

“Really? At first, I believed the bad rumors about her spread by the neighboring country and treated Ariaberta poorly. Because of that, the Fairy Palace was wary of me at first.”

“Fairies are not good with men, so…”

“I’ve been told countless heartwarming stories about your past with Fairy Hall, and each time I’ve nearly gone mad with jealousy. Now, to suddenly hear that Fairy Hall was yours all along, do you think I can just accept that?”

Staring at her with an absolute zero gaze, Leonis-sama’s eyes made my sister’s complexion turn from blue to white.

“Ariaberta, I can’t believe what you just said is your true feelings! Please, tell me the truth!”

“Lord Leonis…! I…”

Lord Leonis believed my words.

I was so happy that tears were about to overflow.

“Sister, don’t forget that I hold the fairy’s life in my hands! Help me!”

My sister whispered in my ear and pinched my back.

Fel… As long as he is being held hostage, there’s nothing I can do.

“Lord Leonis… what my sister said… is true…”

“Ali!!”

At that moment, I heard someone calling my name.

The door swung open forcefully, and Fel entered the conference room.

“Fel!!”

Fel jumped into my arms.

From the high-ranking officials gathered in the conference room, surprised voices were heard: “Is that a fairy…?” “It’s floating in the air!” “I’ve heard rumors, but this is the first time I’ve seen it with my own eyes!” “How adorable!”

“No way…! You were supposed to be locked in the cage…! And you were supposed to be asleep from the sleeping pills…! Ah!”

My sister realized her slip of the tongue and covered her mouth, but it was too late.

“I am a fairy! Human medicine doesn’t work on me! I was just full and fell asleep back then!”

“Ugh! So annoying!”

My younger sister is stamping her feet in frustration.

“Fel, but how did you get out of the cage? And there was your sister’s maid in the room, right?”

“A birdcage is nothing; if I set my mind to it, I can easily escape! After that, I vanished and slipped out of the room! The servants were chattering about the princess’s plan, so I hurriedly followed Ally’s scent to get here.”

Fel placed his hands on his hips and spoke with pride.

“I see, thank you.”

I hugged Fel tightly.

I’m glad Ferl came back.

“Sorry to rain on your parade during this emotional reunion, but could you not flirt with other men in front of your husband?”

Leonis-sama was looking at me with a troubled expression.

“I’m sorry.”

“Is it correct to say that everything you just told me was because the Fairy Palace was taken hostage and you were threatened by Princess Charlotte?”

“Yes, as you have surmised, Leonis-sama.”

“I’m glad. When you demanded a divorce, I felt like I couldn’t live.”

Lord Leonis gently embraced me.

When he hugged me, my heart raced in a different way than when I had just deceived him.

“I apologize for the inconvenience.”

“You don’t need to apologize.”

The eyes of Lord Leonis, who was gazing at me, were very gentle.

Will you forgive me for doing something so terrible?

“The root of all evil is Princess Charlotte…!”

Lord Leonis returned to his stern expression and glared at his sister.

“Your Highness Leonis, please trust me…!”

My sister, with tears in her beautiful eyes, appeals to Lord Leonis.

“I’m much more beautiful than you, sister! I’m the legitimate child and I’ve received proper lady’s education! Marrying me will definitely make you happier! Even the fairies would prefer to be with someone as beautiful as me, right?”

Indeed, my younger sister is more beautiful, and she comes from a good family and upbringing; that’s undeniable.

“Lord Leonis…”

What if he chooses my sister…? Out of anxiety, I end up gripping his clothes tightly.

“Don’t worry, Ariaberta.”

He gently stroked my hair like that.

After that, I turn to my younger sister and give her a sharp glare.

“Even if your face is well-shaped and you come from a good background, what does it matter?”

“Huh?”

“You made your half-sister wear the false accusation of being a spendthrift and abusing servants, and married her off in your place! Even after she married, you sent your own maid to Ariaberta to monitor and bully her! When you learned that your sister had the blessing of the fairies, you shamelessly visited this country, flattered her, and took advantage of her to kidnap the fairy, using her as a hostage to threaten your sister! There’s no way I would marry such a despicable person!!”

Lord Leonis stated in a cold tone.

“I heard that your servants were the ones who assigned the mean maid Janet to Ali! I absolutely hate anyone who bullies my precious Ali! I won’t grant any blessings to you or the Noble Grant Kingdom!”

Fel stuck out his tongue at his sister!

“I completely agree with that! I also hate people who hurt my beloved wife!!”

Huh…? If I didn’t mishear, did Lord Leonis just call me “my beloved wife”??

“What? What do you mean? You all pamper my sister so much…! Are you blaming the beautiful me? This is ridiculous!”

It seems that my proud sister has taken quite a hit after being completely rejected by Lord Leonis and Fel.

“Princess Charlotte, you are under arrest for the kidnapping and confinement of fairies, as well as for threatening our country’s crown princess! Capture that woman!”

Receiving Lord Leonis’s orders, the soldiers all simultaneously lunged at my sister.

“Let go of me! I am a princess! Don’t touch me with your filthy hands…!!”

My sister desperately resisted, but despite her efforts, she was restrained.

“Put that woman in the underground prison!”

“Understood.”

The soldiers took my sister away.

Eventually, my sister’s voice faded away, and silence fell over the room.

“Lord Leonis, even though I was coerced by my sister, I made statements that deceived you and the high-ranking officials. Please, annul our marriage.”

I can’t blame everything on my sister and run away.

“Ariaberta, I will never let you go.”

“If it’s about the fairy’s blessing, please ask Fer to continue it…”

If Fer and I stay in this country, it should continue to receive Fel’s protection.

“I’m not talking about protection! I love you!”

Staring straight at me, Leonis-sama makes it hard to breathe.

Lord Leonis… loves me?

“I love you, Ariaberta! Please don’t go anywhere!”

Lord Leonis took my hand and held it tightly.

“I’m… not as beautiful as my sister. I’m the child of a mistress, and I’ve been confined to the detached palace for so long that I haven’t received proper education as a lady. My hobby is digging potatoes…”
“You are such a lovely person. You have such clear eyes. You have the kindness to take up a plow and till the fields for the people suffering from hunger. Who could possibly blame you for that?”

The flattery from Lord Leonis has begun…!

“Even if Lord Leonis is good, what will the high-ranking officials say…?”

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince, please allow me to speak.”

At that moment, one of the high-ranking officials stood up.

“Forgive me, speak.”

“Your Highness, the Crown Princess, it was the potatoes you cultivated that saved my subjects and the people of my domain. Who could possibly speak ill of you?”

“In my territory, we were suffering from the damage caused by monsters and carnivorous animals. How much we were saved by the healing potions and antidote potion materials distributed by Her Highness the Crown Princess.”

“That is the same in my territory!”

“It’s my territory too!”

The high-ranking officials stood up and raised their voices.

“We all appreciate Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess. Please, do not say you will divorce His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and stay in this country forever!”

The high-ranking officials knelt down and paid their respects.

“Everyone…”

Tears spill from my eyes.

I never thought the day would come when someone would need me this much…

“You heard me, right? This country needs you. Don’t even think about divorcing me.”

Lord Leonis is looking at me with kind eyes.

“Yes… I also want to stay in this country… by Lord Leonis’s side… forever.”

“Great!”

Lord Leonis hugged me tightly, and applause erupted from those watching.