I've Suffered for Five Years, Now It's Your Turn. ~The Crown Princess Has No Intention of Forgiving~ - Episode 12

The moment the king lowered his head in apology, the tension in the room grew even heavier.

In the thick, strained silence, I responded to His Majesty’s expression of regret.

“It is an honor to meet you, King Harvin. I appreciate you granting this audience. However, there’s no need to apologize. What I seek is a proper investigation—nothing more.”

My conditions hadn’t changed, not even after Erik’s desperate plea last night.
That’s why he still tried to resist.

“Father, I’m sorry for causing trouble during such a busy time. But there’s nothing inappropriate between Rosaline and me! Please, believe me!”

Erik shouted, but King Harvin stepped forward, walking up to him.
Everyone watched in silence, wondering what he would do—

“Erik. You foolish son.”

“F-Father…!!?”

A dull, heavy sound echoed through the hall.

Startled, I looked up to see the king striking Erik.
His tightly clenched fist landed on him again.
“Enough with the excuses. What I want is a sincere apology to Crown Princess Filia.”

“F-Father…”

“The mere suspicion is enough. It’s already an insult to our ally—Sylvan. Regardless of the truth, you must apologize first.”

“…”

“I’m truly sorry, Princess Filia. As his father, I bear responsibility for my son’s disgrace.”

King Harvin stepped toward me again.
He was as tall as the knight standing beside me, Ryug, and when he stood in front of me, his presence was overwhelming.
Facing a king who carried the full weight of his crown, I clenched my hands to keep them from shaking.

“Princess Filia, I understand your anger must be immense. It’s only natural to demand judgment—not only for his actions, but for everything that led to the suspicion.”

“Yes. As a representative of the Sylvan royal family, that is exactly what I want.”

I wanted the truth about Erik’s betrayal, and if proven, proper punishment.
When I said that clearly, King Harvin narrowed his eyes and murmured softly:

“However… I have decided to dismiss this investigation.”

“…What!?”
Shock swept through the room.
The first to react to the completely unexpected declaration was the second prince, Luans.

“Father, what do you mean!? Princess Filia has shown clear evidence of Erik’s wrongdoing. Ignoring it now is unthinkable!”

Chancellor Dalton also stepped forward in protest.
For a royal retainer to speak out without the king’s permission was normally a serious breach of etiquette.
But he still chose to challenge the king—for my sake.

“Your Majesty, I beg you to reconsider. Disregarding the offense committed against Princess Filia, who honored us by marrying into our kingdom, will tarnish the royal family’s reputation. A firm decision must be made.”

Despite their passionate pleas, King Harvin’s expression didn’t change.
He looked straight at me and sighed.

“Luans, Dalton… be silent.”

“…!”

“Princess Filia, I understand your frustration. And I know this outcome is far from satisfying.”

“…Yes. I don’t want to believe this is truly Your Majesty’s decision.”

“Then perhaps… that is your own shortsightedness. Ruling a kingdom isn’t only about uncovering the truth.”
Ryug’s eyes sharpened at the word “shortsighted,” but I held him back and waited for the king to continue.

“You were married into this family to strengthen our alliance, Princess Filia. Please reflect again on your duty. Would you truly disrupt our rule for your personal desires?”

“…”

“Our countries were once at war. After many struggles, we’ve finally built a fragile peace. If this scandal is made public, that balance could shatter instantly.”

“Your Majesty believes exposing the truth would destroy peace?”

“Yes. As king, I have a duty to protect peace. That’s why I have decided to close this matter. I want this problem to end—without stirring further conflict.”

There was no way I could accept that.
Yet King Harvin knelt before me, grasping my hand as if trying to persuade me.

“Of course, we will show sincerity toward you, Princess Filia. We’ll provide compensation and offer support for projects that benefit your kingdom. So please… just this once, overlook my son’s mistake—for the sake of peace.”

“So… this truly is Your Majesty’s decision?”

“It is. If the people learned of this disgrace, the peace our ancestors built would collapse. I must prevent that. It’s my responsibility as king.”

A noble decision—one made in the name of duty.
As someone who bears the fate of a kingdom, he wants to protect peace above all.
And now he was asking me, not to make this any bigger, to forgive.

If he begs like that, then I have no choice but to accept.

There’s no way I alone could go against the king’s decision…

Yes…
Not on my own.

“Please… just turn a blind eye this once. For peace.”

“…Heh… hehe…”

“Princess Filia?”

Suppressing my laughter, I raised my head.
Then I spoke to the king, to Erik, and to Camilla.

“Ahaha… That’s impossible. Because this is no longer just a royal affair.”

“W-What do you mean?”

The moment someone asked that question, the great doors to the throne room burst open.

“Y-Your Majesty! I must report something urgently!”

“What is it? What’s happened?”

“A newspaper has begun distributing special bulletins all across the capital! Th-The content is…”

“What is it? Speak!”

“Eyewitness accounts of Prince Erik’s affair! They include the head maid’s testimony!”

“What!?”

King Harvin cried out in shock. Erik fell to his knees, stunned.
Now he realized what I had done.
But this is only the beginning.

“T-There’s more. There’s suspicion that Queen Camilla embezzled funds meant for charity. Also, records show Prince Erik made lavish purchases of jewelry… which were gifted to Lady Rosaline!”

All of the evidence—all the documents—had been copied and given to the merchant guild yesterday.
And now, it had been printed and distributed to the public.

“W-What is this!? What did you do!?”
“Filia… you… no…!”

As Queen Camilla and Erik shouted in panic, I turned to the speechless King Harvin with a smile.

“Now the people’s anger will rise. You want to sweep the investigation under the rug? Go ahead—see what happens. The royal family’s authority will crumble.”

“Y-You planned this… Princess Filia, you knew…”

“The Sylvan royal family stands by its claim. This is no longer just about infidelity. We demand a full investigation into everything surrounding Erik—the son you yourself called disgraceful.”

“…!!”

“King Harvin, if you still try to dismiss this matter now… then your decision will be seen as abandoning your duty.”

I had anticipated this outcome.
That he might hide behind the idea of “peace” to silence the truth—because that would be easier for this country.

But that’s exactly what I swore to prevent.

A year ago, I feared the evidence would be buried.
So I spent that year preparing for this day—to trap the royal family with no way out.

“Well then… shall we uncover the truth? You can no longer ignore this matter.”

King Harvin’s face twisted in shock.
The relief Erik, Rosaline, and Camilla had felt just moments ago was now replaced with wide-eyed disbelief.

“This is no longer just my fight. It is the will of your people.”

Now, the people themselves…

Are watching—ready to judge them.