I've Suffered for Five Years, Now It's Your Turn. ~The Crown Princess Has No Intention of Forgiving~ - Episode 18

As Luans stood frozen in shock, Camilla was taken away without saying another word.

He looked at me, silently asking for an explanation. I hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to tell him the truth—but there was no point in hiding it. I told him everything.

“I see… So I might not be Her Majesty’s real son after all.”

“Luans, I’m sorry. I know this isn’t something you ever wanted to hear.”

“No, it’s okay. In a way… it kind of makes sense now.”

Luans spoke with a faint sadness in his eyes.

“As I told you before, I was never allowed to stand in front of my older brother. That was Mother’s decision.”

“So that’s what happened…”

“I never felt any kind of love from her. I thought it was because I wasn’t good enough, so I kept trying harder. But if we weren’t even related by bl00d, then no matter how much I tried, nothing would have changed.”

I didn’t know the full story, but it was likely that the King of Harvin had a child with a mistress. I had heard the mistress was erased from the royal records, but Luans may have been kept as a future heir.

Still, having a child with a mistress could have caused a scandal. So, they must have used Camilla as a cover, pretending the child was hers.

“Either way… the King of Harvin is starting to feel like a real disappointment.”

“Agreed. Even though he’s my father… he never told me any of this.”

“The current Harvin royal family has a habit of covering up inconvenient truths. It’s been that way for a long time.”

“You’re right… It’s something that needs to change.”

As Luans spoke, he looked directly at me with sincere eyes.

“You still have something you need to do, right?”

“Yes. I’m heading to the Rosaline family estate. There’s someone I need to bring in.”

“Then… could you let me investigate the person who left that note and the armor behind?”

“Are you sure?”

“Based on what you told me, and what’s happening with my mother… it has to be someone close to the royal family. With my position, I should be able to dig into it properly.”

I hesitated. But he was right—at the moment, I didn’t have the power to find the mysterious person who told me the truth a year ago. Luans, with his influence, might be the better option.

“Then I’ll leave it to you, Luans.”

“I’ll do my best to get results that meet your expectations.”

“Thank you for helping this much. But are you sure? I’m sure you’re busy.”

“It’s fine. I’ve lived in the shadows until now, always chasing approval, tied down by my mother’s expectations. But because of this situation, I’ve started gaining support in the palace.”

“…I see.”

“My brother isn’t doing well right now. For the first time, I can work to earn the people’s trust on my own terms. That makes me really happy.”

There was no deceit in his words. His smile was genuine—more joyful than I’d ever seen.

“Well then, I’ll get going. I’ll put together a full report on my mother.”

“I’m counting on you, Luans.”

As I watched Luans walk away, I turned to look at Ryug, who had been silently observing everything. As a knight, he never spoke his opinions freely. But this time, I wanted to hear what he thought.

“I’m relieving you of duty for now, Ryug.”

“Lady Filia! You have bl00d on you from that woman. It’s unworthy of your noble self. I know it’s just a lowly man’s item, but please use my handkerchief to wipe it off.”

“Thank you, Ryug. That helps.”

I took the handkerchief with a small smile, still amused by his over-the-top personality, and wiped away the bl00d.

“It might be ruined now. Sorry about that.”

“If it served Lady Filia, then even this handkerchief has found purpose.”

“You’re exaggerating. But I do want to ask you something.”

As soon as I said that, Ryug went quiet and waited for my question.

“What do you think of Luans?”

“He should be watched. Assigning someone to keep an eye on him would be best.”

I asked him what made him say that.

“From what I’ve seen, his actions seem honest. He’s dependable, and I want to trust him.”

“I feel the same.”

“However… this is the first time in his life he’s being recognized. That kind of emotional high is dangerous. A person’s need for approval, when fresh and unchecked, can easily lead them to make mistakes.”

His insight echoed my own concerns, and I felt reassured.

“But I don’t want to be the one watching him. I’d rather stay by your side.”

“I know. It’s fine.”

Once freed from duty, Ryug became like an eager dog—expressing his emotions without restraint. I couldn’t help but smile.

“I already have enough people to keep watch on him.”

“Really?”

“Yes. My father will surely understand what I intended.”

◇◇◇

Just as I’d expected, two days later, I was informed that new envoys had arrived from the Sylvan royal family. I went to the palace gates to meet them.

“Lady Filia! It is an honor to see you!!”

With loud, formal voices, dozens of knights saluted in unison. Their movements were perfectly coordinated and disciplined.

Of course—my father had understood my intentions and sent help without delay.

These knights were…

“We are the Sylvan Royal Knights—sixteen elite members, under orders from His Majesty of Sylvan. We now serve under your command, Lady Filia!”

The elite knights of the Sylvan royal family.

Even with just Ryug, I already felt secure. With these well-organized forces, I could accomplish far more. On top of that, a diplomat had come from Sylvan to lodge an official protest against the Harvin royal family.

Amid growing criticism of the monarchy, I was ready to find the final key evidence.

“I’ll be needing your help right away.”

“At your command.”

I assigned a few of them to watch over Luans at the palace. Then I took the rest of the knights with me and headed to Rosaline’s family estate—the home of the Duke of Telmond.

“W-What are you doing here?!”

Rosaline, under house arrest, shouted as soon as she saw me arrive. Her father, the Duke of Telmond, was equally surprised by my visit.

“Rosaline, I’ve come for everything you know. And for anything you’re hiding here.”

“…!”

“I don’t have time to waste. So let’s get this over with.”

Rosaline and Duke Telmond.

They had once conspired with a physician to deceive me five years ago. Now it was time to bring that man in.

They won’t get the chance to run.

To prevent any cover-up, I’ll act swiftly and decisively.
There’s no way I’ll let them escape.