Punishment
Rezamiliana’s Side
After parting from Elizalina and stepping outside the royal castle, Rezamiliana boarded a white carriage designated for royal use and set off toward the Duke Lage’s residence.
“The law is absolute, huh…”
I said that to Elizalina, but honestly, even if Lage were to show remorse, I don’t know if I could suppress this anger.
As both an older sister and a member of the royal family, Rezamiliana had told Elizalina that the law was absolute, hoping to set an example.
But she was just as angry that Lux had almost been harmed.
“There’s no point in overthinking it here.”
In the end, she wouldn’t know how this matter would settle until she actually met Lage.
With that in mind, she stopped thinking about him and lowered her gaze to her right hand, the one that had shaken Lux’s, and muttered softly.
“Rodwell…”
After that, until the carriage arrived at the Lage’s residence,
Rezamiliana thought only of Lux… and then…
“I am Princess Rezamiliana. I have matters I wish to discuss with Duke Lage.”
“P-Princess Rezamiliana…!? U-understood! I will prepare for your audience at once!”
When she told this to the gatekeeper standing before the residence, he hurriedly rushed inside.
After a short wait, the gatekeeper returned with a servant who would serve as her guide.
Rezamiliana entered the Lage’s residence under the servant’s guidance and walked inside the mansion…
When they stopped in front of a certain room, the servant turned the doorknob and ushered her in.
“My, my, Princess Rezamiliana. I never imagined you would truly come here… When my gatekeeper informed me you had arrived, I thought it must have been a mistake.”
The man sitting on the guestroom sofa, Lage, said this.
Lage was about twice Rezamiliana’s age. As expected of a duke, he was well dressed, though somewhat overweight, with a beard on his chin.
“…”
But Rezamiliana ignored him for the moment and focused her awareness on the surroundings as she stood silently.
Seeing this, Lage spoke.
“You need not stand there. Why not sit on that sofa? I have had tea prepared.”
When called out to, Rezamiliana turned toward him and responded without delay.
“I’m afraid I didn’t come here today to engage in a conversation over tea.”
“And what do you mean by that?”
“I came today to judge you… for sending an assassin and attempting to attack Count Lux Rodwell.”
“Wha…!? W-what are you talking about…?”
“There is no escape. The assassin you sent has testified.”
“A t-testimony!? Th-that man must be lying to frame me! You must not be deceived! Besides, I have no reason to send an assassin after a count’s household—”
“You’re someone with an inflated sense of noble rank. Most likely, you couldn’t stand the fact that Rodwell took second place at the recent swordsmanship tournament.”
“Wha…!”
His reaction made it clear her words had hit the mark.
Rezamiliana continued.
“I will ask just once. Do you feel any remorse? If you do—”
“Remorse…? Why should I feel remorse? A count’s house had the nerve to flaunt itself at one of this nation’s most important events. I merely intended to make them understand their place. Why should I feel any remorse for that!”
“…”
“But if you already know this much, then I have no choice. Come out!”
The moment Lage shouted,
Eight swordsmen jumped out from the shadows of the room and surrounded Rezamiliana.
Lage let out a triumphant laugh.
“Hahaha! Even you cannot withstand this number of skilled swordsmen!”
“…Heh.”
In that situation, Rezamiliana let out a small laugh.
Confused by this, Lage raised his voice as if to mask his unease.
“W-what is so funny!?”
“I only realized that this is what I wanted all along. Now there is no need to hesitate.”
Rezamiliana drew her sword with slow, measured, flawless movements. Then, her eyes turning vacant, she said.
“You dared raise your blades against me… all of you will lose your lives here.”