I've Suffered for Five Years, Now It's Your Turn. ~The Crown Princess Has No Intention of Forgiving~ - Episode 22

As Erik begged desperately, I knelt down and whispered in his ear.

“Stay there with your head bowed forever. I’m going to finish this—for your judgment.”

“W-Wait… please, wait!”

Leaving Erik reaching out to me, I muttered coldly.

“You’re in the way. I don’t have time for your pathetic excuses.”

“Filia… I—I only regret what I did…”

“Your crimes will soon be revealed. Everything will be brought to light.”

“Please… wait. I’m begging you… Filia…”

Erik lowered his outstretched hand and began to sob.

He wept uncontrollably, but… the outcome wouldn’t change.

I had no intention of forgiving him.

“Take Rosaline and the others to the royal castle. Leave a few knights behind to keep watch over Erik.”

“Understood.”

As I gave orders to the knights, I called out to one in particular.

“Ryug… I have one more request.”

“What is it, Lady Filia?”

“You may use the name of the Sylvan royal family. I need you to do something—just in case.”

Before returning to the castle, I feared a certain possibility and gave Ryug and the others specific instructions.

To be fully prepared, I headed back to the royal castle.

We waited until sunset to enter the castle.

The reason for the delay was simple—because I feared the worst might happen.

And I was right.

“Lady Filia, you’ve returned.”

As Rosaline and the others were led in by the knights, King Harvin came out to greet us.

He acted as if it was a coincidence, but he had clearly been waiting inside the castle.

I was already tired of his fake kindness, but I bowed politely regardless.

“King Harvin, it is an honor to see you.”

“I have something I’d like to discuss. Do you have a moment?”

“I appreciate your offer, but I’m quite busy with the investigation at the moment…”

“Oh? Did you uncover something?”

A probing question.

He probably already knew, yet he pretended not to.

“We have evidence of Erik’s betrayal and Camilla’s crimes. Also… the doctor who falsely declared me infertile will be questioned shortly.”

I told him the truth because he likely already knew. That’s exactly why I needed to be honest—because I’d already taken precautions.

“I see. You’ve done well.”

“…”

“However, I’m afraid you’ll need to hand over the doctor. He must be turned over to us.”

The doctor from House Thermond, the one who claimed I couldn’t bear children.

Now the king wanted custody of him.

I looked up in surprise.

“May I ask why?”

“It seems he’s involved in another case we are investigating. According to Camilla’s testimony, he may have accepted bribes in the past.”

“And so you want us to give up the person we apprehended?”

“Is that a problem? This is an order from me, the King. Understand that this matter is of greater importance than yours.”

There was no way I could accept King Harvin’s words.

With the public already furious, delaying the doctor’s questioning could allow everything to be swept under the rug.

Sensing my displeasure, the King placed a hand on my shoulder.

“You do understand, don’t you? This is a direct order. Disobeying it could be seen as treason.”

“I cannot accept that. We captured him through our own investigation.”

“That sounds like a personal mission. It seems you’re only doing this to protect your own status. Ignoring a king’s order for your own gain? That’s disgraceful behavior for a princess.”

King Harvin sighed and continued.

“Stop letting your emotions disrupt the order of the royal family. Hand over the doctor. I’ll also take over the investigation of Rosaline and the others.”

“What!?”

“If you truly came here for the sake of friendship, then you’ll understand. Revealing the full truth could destroy the monarchy. The public doesn’t need to know everything.”

So he wanted me to hand over all the evidence—just to protect the royal family’s image.

The very idea made me sick.

“Even now, you’re still trying to cover up their crimes for the sake of the royal family’s reputation?”

“Think about the image of House Harvin. There are truths that should never reach the people. I’m offering to filter that truth—for the good of both our nations.”

“You mean like hiding the fact that you loved your mistress?”

“…!!”

The moment I said it, King Harvin’s eyes widened in shock.

He never expected I had heard that from Camilla.

“Now that Camilla is gone, this castle was finally starting to feel like home again… Filia, forget what you know. Just follow my lead.”

“King Harvin. I will only reveal the truth I uncovered. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“I won’t allow it. If you defy me… I won’t hold back.”

He gripped my shoulder tighter, his tone turning cold and threatening.

“So you’re saying I have no right to pass judgment?”

“That’s right. To preserve order, I will decide what truths are revealed, and punish Erik accordingly. Accept it.”

I see.

It was a good thing I prepared for this moment. The king’s obsession with the royal family’s image made this outcome predictable.

And the trap I set?

It was about to pay off.

“Then, why don’t you explain that to everyone yourself, Your Majesty?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Ryug. Bring them in.”

At my signal, Ryug nodded and ran outside.

King Harvin looked confused at first—but that soon turned to panic.

Why?

Because Ryug returned… with the heads of Harvin’s noble families.

Among them were even dukes.

I had spent a year preparing. I researched which nobles might side with me.

These nobles did business with my homeland and were already expressing outrage over the royal scandal.

“Now then, King Harvin. Why don’t you explain the royal family’s disgraceful actions to these noble guests? Let them hear how you want to hide the truth.”

As I spoke, the nobles approached.

The royal family—who should stand for justice—wanted to cherry-pick which crimes to punish.

These nobles, already distrustful of the throne, would never accept that.

“Will your words convince them, Your Majesty? Will the royal family’s image survive this?”

“Damn you… Lady Filia. You would defy me again?”

“Yes. Because I’m not standing here as the Crown Princess anymore.”

King Harvin clearly understood.

His face twisted in frustration as he glared at me.

And I, with a mocking smile, gave him my final words.

“I’m here as a representative of the Sylvan royal family—to see justice done. I will not stop until this kingdom is judged.”