The Attack Incident
Elizalina’s Side
“Huh, Rezamiliana-oneesama.”
As she walked through the castle corridor, Elizalina spotted Rezamiliana and called out to her.
“Hm, Elizalina?”
When Rezamiliana turned toward the voice, Elizalina ran up to her and spoke.
“I didn’t see you from noon to evening today. Did you go somewhere?”
“Yes. I went to town to eat some bread.”
“What? If you wanted bread, you should have told me. I could have prepared some, so you wouldn’t have to go all the way into town.”
“There are times when I want to go into town and buy something with my own hands.”
“So that’s how it is?”
“That’s how it is… and also, you should stop using polite speec—”
“Wait, wait, judging by the direction you’re walking, are you going out again?”
Rezamiliana fell silent for a moment, perhaps thinking something about being interrupted, but after a brief pause, as if long years of giving up had worn her down, she spoke.
“Yes. There’s been an attack incident, so I’m going to deal with it.”
“An attack incident…? Could it be from another country? Well, no, you’re the one handling foreign negotiations, so that wouldn’t make sense.”
“I won’t overestimate my own ability, but at the very least that’s not the case this time… this time, it was a scheme by a noble of our own country and a noble of the same kingdom was attacked.”
Within the country… in the country I mediate for, a noble attacking another noble? Who would be stupid enough to do that…?
That was what Elizalina thought, but without pausing, she said,
“If it’s a domestic issue, then it’s my responsibility, so you don’t have to do anything, Rezamiliana-oneesama… Can you tell me the details of the attack incident? I’ll handle it.”
“By coincidence, I’m actually one of the people involved this time, and I already have a witness to confirm it.”
“No way, that fast? So I’m basically unnecessary this time?”
“For this case alone, yes… but just in case, let me tell you the mastermind and the victim.”
Rezamiliana continued speaking.
“The mastermind of this incident is Duke Lage… by giving orders to a swordsman notorious for that sort of thing, he caused this incident.”
“What…!”
A domestic attack incident, and against a noble of our own country no less. I was wondering which idiot would do something like that, but of course, it’s him… He had that useless pride and was annoying to deal with, but attacking a fellow noble might even get him the death penalty, depending on the ruling.
And even if it isn’t, she would definitely never have to see his face again.
With that in mind, whatever the ruling was ended up not mattering much to Elizalina… but,
Rezamiliana’s next words changed everything.
“Next, the victim… since he’s your friend, it feels a little improper to say his name, but… it was Count Rodwell.”
“What?”
The moment she heard that name, Elizalina’s expression twisted in panic as she shouted.
“Rodwell? You mean Lux Rodwell?”
“Exactly… but you can rest easy. Even if I hadn’t been there, he would have been able to handle it on his own, but I happened to be present, so he wasn’t harmed, and the attacker was neutralized.”
Lux is safe. That’s truly a relief… but,
Elizalina’s eyes grew distant, and she spoke in a dull, emotionless voice.
“Rezamiliana-oneesama, Lage is going to die, right? You’re not planning to let him live, right?”
“I understand being angry when your friend was nearly harmed, but the law is absolute. If he shows genuine remorse, we won’t take his life… naturally, even then he’ll be restrained so there’s no chance of repeating the crime, so you don’t have to worry about that.”
“…”
As Elizalina fell silent, Rezamiliana placed a hand on her shoulder and spoke in a voice softer than usual.
“I know it’s impossible to tell you not to be upset, but leave Lage to me and take some time to rest… If necessary, you may take several days off.”
“…Thank you.”
“I’ll be going.”
Rezamiliana removed her hand from Elizalina’s shoulder and walked out of the castle.
That won’t do, Rezamiliana-oneesama… The one who tried to harm Lux must have his life taken properly… There isn’t even a speck of room for leniency toward someone who tried to hurt him.
“Well… if Rezamiliana-oneesama lets Lage live, then I can just take care of him myself.”
Just a little longer, just a little more, Lux… Once a little more time passes, Felisiana’s plan and Florence and all the rest won’t matter anymore, and I’ll finally be able to stay by your side… And once that happens, I’ll make sure nothing like this ever happens again. I’ll protect you more closely than anyone and make you happy.
With her eyes still vacant from her murderous intent toward Lage and her cheeks flushed with love for Lux, Elizalina raised the corners of her mouth slightly and began walking again.