I've Suffered for Five Years, Now It's Your Turn. ~The Crown Princess Has No Intention of Forgiving~ - Episode 4

“Oh, in the royal palace… they are in an unused library.”

The head maid, with a fearful expression, resigns herself and confesses.
Ah, that’s a relief.
I knew they would meet today, but since the location changes frequently, I had to ask.
Erik, on the days he meets Rosaline for their illicit acts, does a sloppy job of preparing—special perfume, styling his hair—but still, he’s using some poor tricks.

“Ah… um… so, that means you’ll forgive me, right?”

“…Huh? What are you talking about?”

“Well, since I’ve confessed, I thought you would forgive me. Ah, um…”

“Ah, I see. You’re right. Since you’ve confessed, I should give you a little bit of leniency, shouldn’t I?”

The head maid immediately shows a relieved expression, but… how foolish of her.
I’ve already decided—I won’t forgive her.

“But, head maid, did we ever agree that confessing would mean your sins are forgiven?”

“Huh? W-What are you saying?”

“Promises that aren’t written down in a document don’t mean anything, do they?”
The head maid’s expression freezes.

“You clung to a mere verbal promise and betrayed your master, Erik. At this point, you’re already trapped.”

“…W-Wait. You’re lying, right?”
“You pushed your own master, the one who should have protected you when your sins were judged, into this position, didn’t you?”

“Ah, ahhh…”

“Do you understand now? As of today, you’re dismissed, and I will have the knights come to take you away later. Wait for the results.”

The cup of tea I had been pouring slips from my hand, shattering on the floor.
The tea made from muddy water soaks into the ground as the head maid drops to her knees, her face filled with despair.

“Well then, thank you for the information.”

“No, noooo. Please, please! Forgive me, please!”

Bang!
She was about to start screaming, so I quickly closed the door.
I didn’t want her to cause a scene and disturb what I needed to do next.

“Now, you said they were in the library, right?”
Before heading directly to the library, I enter the office where the civil servants are working.

“Wh-What’s going on, Princess Filia?”

The civil servants are surprised by my sudden visit.
It’s no wonder—due to my duties, I’ve been cooped up in the palace, so it’s been a while since they’ve seen my face.
“Excuse me, may I ask if there has been an application for Rosaline to visit the royal castle today?”

“Huh? Lady Rosaline, the daughter of Duke Telmond? No, there was no application for her visit today…”

Just as I expected.
On a day when Erik had clearly dressed up, it seems he never applies for permission when he’s planning to secretly spend time with Rosaline.

“Princess Filia, what is this about?”

“No, if she enters the castle without permission, it would be considered a crime. That’s the law of this country, isn’t it?”

“Y-Yes, that’s correct…”

I nod with a smile, watching the bewildered civil servants.
Entering without permission, plus having an illicit relationship with the married crown prince.
If I could reveal that, what would happen?
It’s easy to imagine, and it would be my first step.

“Thank you for the information, gentlemen. I apologize for interrupting your duties in service of this country, but may I ask one last favor?”

“N-No, of course! If it’s the Princess’s command, we will do anything!”

“I’d like to issue entry permits for a few people. Their names are–––”
“Now, now, the preparations are complete.

All that’s left is to head to the library, so I walk lightly through the castle.
A fresh start, a feeling of excitement as if a young maiden were heading to her wedding… I didn’t know I still had such emotions left in me.
The reason my heart is racing is because I can already foresee the end of Erik and the others.

“Wait, Filia!”
A voice suddenly stops me, and an impolite person stands in my way.
It’s the queen—Camilla—her crimson hair flowing just like that man’s, with sharp, angry eyes.

“Why are you wandering around the castle without my permission? This is the way to the unused library. Go back at once.”

“Move aside. I have business to attend to.”

“Silence. You, who cannot bear children, should be working on state affairs right now—! Ugh!!”

Camilla, the queen, spits out words without grace, showing no semblance of nobility.
I stuff a document into her mouth, silencing her loud and untidy outburst.

“Wh-what are you doing?! Ugh!”

“Will you move aside? I don’t have time to deal with you right now.”

Camilla falls to her knees, spits out the document, and grips the paper, now damp with saliva, coughing violently.
I look down at her, her eyes wide with shock from my actions.

“I have things to do now. Don’t get in my way.”

“What do you think you’re doing?! Do you think you can get away with this?!”

“Be quiet, Camilla Harvin, Queen. I told you, it’s not your turn right now.”

“!! Wh-what are you saying?”

“Take a good look at that document.”

The document I shoved into Camilla’s mouth is part of a ledger concerning the management of the royal family’s national taxes.
It was one of the papers I had been tasked to manage as part of state affairs.
I had noticed something hidden within it.

“According to this document, you’ve been donating monthly… to a children’s facility from the national funds. A facility you founded yourself.”

“Ugh… th-that’s… What’s the matter with that? It’s just part of a charity initiative.”

“However, when I looked into the project, I found that an unusually large amount of donations had been sent, far beyond the scale of the charity. This was cleverly hidden.”

A bead of sweat, almost like cold sweat, trickles down Queen Camilla’s forehead.
Her eyes frantically shift around as though searching for an excuse.
It’s too late now, though.

“Donations far exceeding the scale of the charity. The large surplus funds… where did they end up? To a certain count, who is said to be involved in running the charity alongside you. Could this be a close associate of yours? Either way, it’s embezzling national funds.”
Queen Camilla’s words falter, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.
It’s almost comical but now is not the time for her.

“F-Filia… let’s calm down and talk about this… Give me some time.”

“I told you, it’s not your turn now.”

I pass by Camilla, who is trembling, holding the saliva-soaked papers in her hands.
She seems to have given up resisting, so now, I’ll head towards the library where Erik and the others should be.

“They’ve likely already arrived, so let’s see them.”

“Well then, Queen Camilla, shall we discuss this properly next time, including this little matter?”

“How much do you know?”

“Surely… everything.”

Now, Queen Camilla stands frozen with a look of fear in her eyes.
The tables have turned.
If I was manipulated and ensnared by schemes, I will now bring down your prosperity with righteousness.
This first step — I have no intention of letting anyone stop me.