I've Suffered for Five Years, Now It's Your Turn. ~The Crown Princess Has No Intention of Forgiving~ - Episode 8

Testimony of the Head Maid.

The hall was in an uproar, and from the very first move, the momentum was clearly on my side.

“Now that someone has stepped forward to testify, it is the duty of the state to conduct an investigation.”

If the royal family’s misconduct were proven true, it would be a disgrace so great they couldn’t even face their people.
An investigation was the natural course of action.
However, Rosaline’s father, Duke Telmond, objected.

“T-Testimonies can be faked as much as one like! Perhaps you even paid her off?”

Was it because of his love for his daughter, or because he already knew the truth and was trying to shield her?
Either way, his blatant attempt to deny the facts was thoroughly distasteful.

“Princess Filia, please refrain from casting such unjust suspicions on my daughter. Besides, there is currently no definitive physical evidence to support these allegations. That is not enough to mobilize the Order of Knights for an investigation.”

“Th-That’s right! Filia has no material evidence to support her suspicions! An investigation without evidence would be nothing but a waste of time!”

Erik cried out, as if seeking protection in the Duke’s argument.

As I listened to them, I couldn’t help but smile.

Because they had said exactly what I had hoped for.

This was the perfect moment to play my trump card.
“Princess Filia, how about we all agree that this was simply a misunderstanding? A fruitless exchange of accusations without physical evidence is meaningless.”

Duke Telmond’s words were met with nods of agreement from Erik and the others.
The chancellor stood up in anger, clearly ready to object on my behalf.
Only Erik looked at me in shock.

“…Why are you smiling?”

Ah—oops.
I couldn’t help it. A smile had slipped out.
Because…

“I’m sorry. It’s just that everything is going exactly as I prepared.”

“Prepared?”

To answer Duke Telmond’s question, I opened the trunk I had brought with me.
Then, I took out the stack of documents inside and tossed them into the room.

“W-What are you doing…?!”

The Chancellor, who picked up one of the scattered papers first, was quick to realize what it was.

“This… this is Crown Prince Erik’s expense ledger? Why would you bring this out all of a sudden?”

Just as they saw for themselves, these were the records of Erik’s entrusted administrative affairs.

And, like Camilla before him, he had left the bookkeeping to me.
“Now then, everyone. A person’s financial trail is, in essence, a reflection of their character.”

Erik… all this time, you used me and left everything in my hands — and now, that’s come back to bite you.
You entrusted me with the ledgers — vital records that reveal your every action.

“Please take a look at the red-marked sections of the papers I scattered. A variety of luxury items have been purchased, as you can see.”

“Th-those were necessary for high society events! I explained that to you, didn’t I?!”

Yes, you’ve always said that.
You had me manage the finances, justifying your expenses with pointed words.

“Filia, I need certain items for the next social gathering.”
“Can’t you even manage something so simple?”

That’s how you used to scold me.
Still, it was worth it to take on your administrative burdens — because you left behind such blatant evidence.

“Erik, the accessories of Rosaline is wearing right now — how is it that they match the items listed in your ledgers?”

“Th-that’s…”

“You claimed they were necessary for your presence at social gatherings, didn’t you?”

“Rosaline must have bought them with her own money!”

“Then, Duke Telmond — are you aware of the details? One look at your family’s accounting books should confirm it.”

At this, Duke Telmond turned to look at Rosaline.
There was doubt in his eyes — a confused gaze, as if suspicion had just started to form.

“I… I know nothing of this. What is the meaning of this, Rosaline?”

“F-Father…”

“Duke Telmond, surely you now understand why an investigation is necessary, if only to answer your own doubts?”

The evidence I had prepared finally silenced the duke.
After all, it was he who demanded physical proof.

“Rosaline, explain yourself. What’s going on? You are engaged to the Second Prince — this must be cleared up.”

“F-Father… I… I…”

“And you, Crown Prince Erik — please, do explain the matter of the accessories. There must be some other reason, surely?”

The Duke pressed on with urgency.

But from both the daughter at the center of suspicion, and from Erik himself — there came no reply. Only silence.
“Rosaline! Crown Prince Erik! Please, answer me!”

Now, I was no longer the one asking the questions.
It was Duke Telmond, caught in the midst of this crisis, who was now demanding the truth from the two of them.
Doubt had arisen within his own family.

“I-I haven’t done anything… Really––”

“Enough, brother.”

Before Erik could finish his denial, the door to the parlor opened, cutting him off.

“There’s no need for further excuses. What needs to be investigated, for the sake of the kingdom, is clear.”

“Luans!”

At the call of Erik’s name, everyone in the room, me included, turned to look.
Luans Harvin.

With his long golden hair neatly tied back and a gentle, almost serene expression in his eyes—traits likely inherited from his father—Luans stood there, not in any way acting arrogantly, despite his position as the second prince.
If Duke Telmond’s earlier statements were true, he was also Rosaline’s fiancé.

“The accusations against my brother are ones that could shake the foundation of the kingdom. With the evidence and testimony presented by Filia, understand that my brother’s excuses will not hold water.”

“…Silence, Luans. This is none of your business!”

“It is my business. My fiancée is involved in this matter as well.”

With those words, Luans cast a casual glance at Rosaline.
Though his eyes were smiling, his gaze was anything but warm.

“I will initiate the investigation myself. I’ll inform Father. Understood, Chancellor Dalton?”

“Understood, Your Highness.”

“My brother and Rosaline will be questioned by the knights. They will speak the truth before Father… the King, tomorrow.”

As the younger brother, Luans spoke the words that told Erik to give up.
Yet Erik, not mature enough to accept such a decision, was unwilling to comply.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Luans! What you’re doing is an irresponsible and rash decision that swallows the voice of doubt against the royal family!”

“Be silent, brother. If what you did truly tarnishes the royal family’s authority, I will not forgive you. I am deeply disappointed in you, truly.”

“…You know nothing about me, Luans. You’re too carefree.”

The brothers exchanged glares, but now, Erik had no more the dignity of the crown prince.
With Luans’s decision, the investigation was set in motion. By order of the Chancellor, the knights were to take Erik and the others for questioning.
Duke Telmond was also to be monitored by knights to prevent any destruction of evidence.

How fortunate.
It was just as I had planned, even better than I had hoped, and I couldn’t help but feel elated.
Then, the very person responsible for this outcome lowered his head to me.

“Filia, please allow me to first apologize for my brother’s misconduct. As one who shares the responsibility of this nation, it is also mine to bear.”
“Your Highness Luans, I should be the one thanking you for your cooperation. Thanks to your support, I have achieved a result beyond my expectations.”

“You’re being modest. With the testimony, evidence, and witnesses all present, this outcome was inevitable even without my involvement.”

Luans said this, then continued with a quiet, “And…”.

“The letter that Princess Filia delivered. I merely followed it.”

“…A letter?”

What is he talking about?
As I tilted my head, confused by something I had no recollection of, Luans also tilted his head and pulled a piece of paper from his pocket.

“You delivered it to my room this evening, didn’t you?”

The paper he showed me had unfamiliar writing.
However, the sender was listed as my name, and it said the following:

––––

Tonight, I will present the proof of Erik’s wrongdoing.
Please make a responsible decision as a member of the royal family.

– Filia –

––––

“This is…”

What came to my mind was the face of the knight who, a year ago, had revealed the truth to me.
Someone I didn’t know, who for some reason, knew the facts and never showed themselves.

Could it be that this letter, which I have no memory of, and which Luans received… was placed by that same person?

After all, it’s something that could only have been done if they knew of my decision.