Chapter 54: 54 Ringing Bells of Battle

What the hell have you been doing?

The moment I opened the door for the maidservants and returned to the Red Rose Room, Rita, who seemed to be waiting for me, yelled at me in a whisper. I knew she would be angry, but this was a bit unreasonable.

I have my own problems. I can't always wait around for things to happen.

"That's not the point!　This isn't a home, you'll have to cut the tomboy some slack.

Wait a minute, Rita. Who's a tomboy?

Who else but you, Diana?

Rita's smile is really scary. Rita's smile really scares me. She pushes me into the dressing room and strips me of my maid's clothes.

"Rita?

Please get dressed. I'm afraid Yuri is going to explode at any moment.

...... What's going on?

His Majesty has been waiting in the main room for some time now, with the head mistress.

I've been waiting for you in the main room for a while now. At the same time, she wondered.

"Why is Your Majesty here with the Master-in-Chief?

"Well, I don't know the details, sir. I just...

Just?

From the looks of it, it seems that the High Priestess is trying to pin her sins on you, Deanna. I'm not sure what to make of this. I don't know what to say.

"Oh. Well then, I'd better go back outside and enter the main room again.

Hurry up, please. Yuri's been staring at you like he's going to stab you to death.

Her words were calm, but I could tell by her demeanor that Rita was in a hurry. You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.

"I'm more afraid of Yuri than I am of ...... his Majesty, or of the Commander-in-Chief.

I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.

"When all is said and done, ...... I'll have to apologize as best I can.

I'm not sure if I'll be able to do it, but I'm sure I can.

"Let's go, Rita.

She sneaks out of the maidservants' door and proudly shows herself in front of the main door. The knights in front of the door hurriedly bowed their heads.

"My Master Red Rose.

I was told you were waiting for me?

Yes, she's in there.

"Master Diana?

The door opened from the inside. It's Luly in the antechamber.

She's been waiting for you. Come in.

I nodded and went in, and then...

"Why don't you just tell us what's going on?　They blame me for all their misdeeds, and run away when they're in danger!　Where is the Red Rose, no, the Rose of Ice and Fire, Deanna Crester?

"Stand down, High Priestess!

Your Majesty!　Isn't the fact that she's not here the best proof?

Ruly is frozen in front of the door leading to the main room. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.

I wonder if there's a machine somewhere that can record sound. I wonder if there's a machine somewhere that can record sound so we don't have to go through all this trouble.

Is this really the time to be talking like that?

"No, because I've got ...... in the ceiling and in the room. How many people do you think you're killing and raging?

"Don't worry. Probably all of them except for Master Diana and His Majesty.

I'm afraid of the main room to the point that even the most airheaded person would instinctively turn around.

(Are you going to jump into this ......)

It's scary as hell, but seriously, if we don't do something, someone is going to jump on the headmistress. When she was ready, Deanna shifted Lily to the side and turned the knob with a click of her own.

The girl saw the danger and ran!　She's probably at her parents' house right now, plotting. Please, Your Majesty, give the order to pursue her!

"There's no need, Madam President.

By the time the door slammed shut, everyone in the room hadn't even noticed that Diana had entered the room. If Alford and Chris hadn't noticed, they would have been very angry.

What the hell is going on in my room?　Well, your tea is getting cold. Yuri, get me another cup right away.

Deanna smiled at the king.

"Welcome, Your Majesty. I'm sorry to keep you waiting.

"No, no. I haven't been waiting that long. ...... Where have you been, Red Rose?

It's a beautiful day, so I thought I'd take a walk. But the wind was still cold. It's almost time for snow, isn't it?

As he spoke, he sat down with a natural movement, and the King sat down in front of him as if he had been caught.

Do you like the snow?

"I like to look at it. I like to look at it, although it's not always easy to move around in it.

That's true. It's hard to get around in winter.

The Chief Magistrate became impatient when she saw the King talking to the Red Rose in a very natural way, with a normal face, but not a smile.

"Your Majesty!　What's going on, it's the Countess of Clester there!

"And the Red Rose at the same time. What's the matter, Your Majesty?

"...... I've told you many times!　I was sent by the Red Rose to do evil!

If what you say is true, I do not believe the Red Rose will return to her chamber.

"She is the Countess of Clester. She is the 'Countess of Crester' and she is confident that no matter what happens, she will not be caught!

By the way, one of the legends of the Crester family is that they can't be accused of wrongdoing because they can't get proof of it. Duiris laughed it off, wondering if there was any evidence of wrongdoing he hadn't done.

"By the way, may I ask what brings you here?

It's hard to make progress at this point. When the new tea had been poured, Deanna straightened her posture and got to the point.

What are you talking about now?

"Shut up, matron. How dare you disrespect His Majesty just now?

Interrupt the king while he's speaking and deny his words. That alone would have been enough disrespect in the past. Nowadays, it's not enough to be considered a crime, but it's still disrespectful.

She glared at the Chief Magistrate, silencing her, and turned to the King.

"Actually, the Red Rose. There's been a serious problem in the treasury of the palace.

"A problem, sir? What kind of problem is it?

It turns out that about thirty percent of the jewelry stored in the ...... treasury has been replaced by imitations.

"Well, ......!

With her cool slit eyes wide open, Diana's expression alone showed her surprise. The king, with a serious face, nodded broadly.

All the items in the treasury are the property of the state. All of the items in the treasury are state property, and it is strictly forbidden to take them out of the palace without the king's order.

I'm sure that's the story.　Are you sure about that?

Yes. I've just been there and seen it with my own eyes. ...... And that's not the only story.

The king's face, as he explains the situation, is filled with indignation. It seems that he is really angry.

I've been looking into the national treasure vaults at the back of the treasury. I checked the national treasure vault at the back of the treasury and found signs that someone had broken in there as well.

Diana was doubly surprised. It seems that the king is deliberately trying to hide the fact that the crown has been replaced by a counterfeit. That fact, and the fact that Juke seemed to think so much of it.

You're sure about that, aren't you?　There's no such thing as a ...... national treasure vault!

Oh. It's ...... hard to believe, but it's true.

Oh, my God. ......!

It's hard to believe, but it's true. --It's all an act, of course.

It's all an act. ...... I understand what you're saying. I'm sure you're not the only one.

"You are the ...... Red Rose.

It is only a temporary position within the current court. I consider myself to be a concubine, just like the rest of you.

With the support of Rita, I tried to make my voice sound as shocked as possible, but what I said was my true feelings. If Deanna is really a Red Rose, this matter is deeply related to her, but if she is only a concubine, it has nothing to do with her.

Of course, Diana had an idea of the real reason why the king had come here. Of course, Diana had an idea of the real reason why the king was here, but she didn't dare mention it.

--And so the king said.

You are the highest-ranking of all his consorts, but you are only a consort. You are the highest-ranking member of my entourage, but your status is merely that of an entourage member. ...... I have come here to find out if you have anything to do with the matter of the treasury.

With me?

Yeah. --In fact, the Political Office was investigating the possibility that the culprit was the Countess of Maris, the current Master-in-Chief.

"Your Majesty!　Please, please, please be careful not to be misled by the poisonous woman!　I was only ordered to--!

"And since you say so. I came to confirm the truth.

The king's expression as he explained this was casual and unconcerned. It's not that he's doubting Deanna, but he doesn't trust her completely either, and he really just wants to confirm the truth.

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A few minutes ago, he would have been convinced that the Chief Magistrate was telling the truth, but now, as he had declared, he was thinking for himself and trying to get the answer. His appearance was even somewhat noble.

Deanna let a smile that was not an act rise to the corners of her mouth.

I'm sure you're not the only one.

"...... mine?

Yes. In spite of this desperate plea from the Chief Magistrate, His Majesty did not immediately detain me, but simply waited. If I'm not mistaken, I think that's where His Majesty's thoughts lie.

The Chief Magistrate, who had been trying to maintain a fierce expression of righteous indignation, heard Diana's words and a slight hint of anxiety appeared in her eyes. It's a good idea to take advantage of the fact that the king doesn't think. She had taken advantage of the king's lack of thinking and had done many evil things.

That means that if the king starts using his head, things will go wrong.

That's my opinion, okay?

Yes.

I'll tell you. I think it's highly unlikely, if not impossible, that you were involved.

May I ask why?

Of course.

Before he knew it, the atmosphere in the room had changed. Everyone was listening intently to what Juke was saying. Although their anger towards the queen consort had not disappeared, they were drawn to the king's thoughts spoken at this stage.

In the first place, it wasn't the treasury that started all this. When I saw the report on the revenue and expenditure of the inner palace, I realized that there was a possibility that 'someone' in a higher position was embezzling public funds. The more I looked into the matter, the more I came to suspect that the chief consort and the jewels in the inner palace were being secretly sold.

"That's why the Red Rose!

It's been two years?

This is the first time that Jukes has ever faced the Chief Magistrate head on. The color of his eyes was grim.

"You said it yourself. You said earlier that everything you've done has been at the behest of the Red Rose. But the embezzlement of public funds began at least two years ago. At that time, the previous king was still alive, and the head of the palace was my mother, the current Queen Dowager. And of course, the Red Rose here must have been nothing more than the daughter of a nobleman who had nothing to do with the palace. How was she able to embezzle public funds in the most sensitive part of the royal palace, the inner palace?

"Your Majesty!　She's not just a nobleman's daughter. Are you forgetting?　She is the direct daughter of the infamous Countess of Clester!

So, you want to say this?　So you're saying that you've known Deanna Clester for a long time and that you've been complicit in her evil deeds?

"Yes, that is correct, sir.

At this point, the matriarch's face contorted. She turned her head, shook her shoulders, and put her eyes against her cuffs.

--It was an imitation of tears.

I am a servant of the King, but I will never be forgiven for being involved in such a great crime. I am well aware of that. Please believe me when I tell you that I am ....... I am in the grip of the Cresters, and even if I wanted to defy them, I have been unable to do so to this day. The root of all evil is the Cresta family!

......?

The root of all evil is the Crester family! Deanna, who had been watching the Chief Magistrate's performance with some admiration, could not find any reason to nod in agreement.

She shrugged her shoulders and looked at the King.

If you have any doubts, please look into it. If you have any doubts, go ahead and look into it, because no matter where you go in my family, you won't find any connection to the matriarch.

"Yes, of course!　After all, you are the 'Countess of Clester'. You're the Countess of Clester, after all. As usual, you think that you can erase the connection with me as well!

I don't know what you're thinking, but we don't erase our connections with the people we associate with.　I'm sorry to say that there have been many times when people who have been associated with our family have done bad things, but we have never denied our association with them. If you have any doubts, I'm sure there are records in the arbitration office, you can check them out.

Sophistry, that's what it is!

Which is sophistry?

That's ridiculous. If you are the head of the Royal Household, you should at least have the decency to leave.

I'll make this very clear. You and I have never even met before I became the Red Rose. Even after I became the Red Rose, we only exchanged the bare minimum of paperwork, didn't we?　How can I tell you what you're doing wrong?

"Because you are the Countess of Clester!

He said it so clearly that it was almost refreshing. I don't think there is any other situation in which the word "mouth agape" would be more appropriate.

You are of the House of Clester, and you can do any evil you want, can't you?

"No, sir.

I reflexively and stupidly denied it. Rita is behind me, holding my head. In my mind, I wanted to hold her head too.

(When did the people of this family become "certified" as superhuman?　(When did our people become "superhuman"?) (Their faces are a little scary, but everything else is pretty normal.

(When did our family become "certified" as superhuman?) Thinking that the word "normal" might express her great regret, Deanna gave the chief consort a look of disgust.

I'm sure you're aware that you've been contradicting yourself for a while now.　Your Majesty just asked me if I knew Deanna Crester from before. But you brought up the Crester family. House Crestor is indeed my family, but it is not me. And when I deny my relationship with you, you don't mention it at all, but make an illogical leap as if to say that the Countess of Crestor can make any impossible thing possible. You are indirectly admitting that there is nothing between you and me, aren't you?

"How dare you! You've come too far at this point!

"I'll take that right back.

Deanna got up from the sofa and faced the headmistress with all the seriousness she could muster.

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's had to deal with this.　The Countess of Clester is no stranger to any kind of wrongdoing, right?　--How far do you think you can go to underestimate His Majesty?

There is pure anger there. I can't let something as trivial as this trip Juke up when he's finally looking forward and starting to walk. Even now, he is alternately staring at the High Priestess and Diana, desperately trying to find the truth, and I will not allow him to be insulted any further.

"Why don't you realize that the more you pretend to be true, the more you are blaspheming His Majesty the King? The only thing you can do now is to admit your sins and repent sincerely. If you have even a shred of self-respect as a nobleman, you'll know that's the last rope to protect your pride.

Yes, that's the truth. If you have even the slightest conscience, it would be crazy not to understand, that was a fair statement.

--But...

"Shut up!　I don't need to be lectured to by the Cresta family!

To a person who had abandoned their conscience, it was nothing more than a string of words that would not resonate, but would become noise.

At this point, Deanna's sorrow became greater than her anger. ...... What could possibly warp a person's mind to such a degree? I'm not sure if it's that important to have more money than you can spend in a lifetime, or more jewelry than you can wear.

Countess Maris.

Juke abandoned the idea of even calling her 'matriarch' at this point. The Countess of Maris," Jukes said, abandoning even the title of "Countess.

"No matter who says it, the rightness of the word cannot be denied. The Red Rose is, indeed, the Countess of Clester. But that is no reason to deny her words or the heart that dwells in her.

"Your Majesty!

The empress turned pale. Juke's words were clearly in favor of Diana.

"Don't be fooled, Your Majesty.

"May I have a word?

Just as they were all gasping for air, a voice came from the door. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

Leaving the rest of the team behind, Alford walked up to him.

"How did it go, Assistant Manager Hi-Zed?

"Yes, sir. I've been looking into Deanna Crester's actions two years ago, but only briefly, according to His Majesty's instructions. ......

"Well, how could you?

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea. It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your time and money. It looks like she finally couldn't keep her mouth shut at this point.

It seems that the Countess of Maris has been cornered and is now unable to keep her mouth shut. Such a thing is obvious to anyone who thinks about it. You're saying that the Red Rose is not at fault, and that you've done something to expose her past without her permission?

Refrain from doing so, Yuri, for I do not care.

No, my dear Red Rose, even at Your Majesty's behest, it would be impolite. You're acting as if you're the ringleader before you've even come to speak to the Red Rose.

"So calm down a bit. You shouldn't make assumptions about the Outer Palace before you've even heard their thoughts.

Deanna slid her gaze over to Keith.

"Can you please explain?

"Please forgive me for being so rude without the Red Rose's consent. We had to find out if the Countess Maris was telling the truth.

I know what you mean. Deanna nodded hawkishly.

If what Countess Maris says is true, then I must have met her in the past and instructed her to commit embezzlement. And that was after I found out that she was going to take the position of matriarch.

"Yes. According to my research, the Red Rose was far away in the Cresta Domain when Countess Maris was offered the position of Master-in-Chief. It's practically impossible for the Red Rose - then Deanna Crester - to meet with her in secret in the short period of time it took for her to enter the royal court as the head mistress.

"Impossible!

A cut-throat cry rang out. The pale matriarch fell at the king's feet.

Impossible! Your Majesty, this is a trap. It's a trap set by someone who wants me to fall!

"You're disgusting, Mrs. Maris!

"You're disgusting, Mrs. Maris!" The Matriarch was not intimidated by Alford's threat. She glared at Alford, as if to say that justice was in her hands.

"Unseemly?　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on. ...... Commander, are you one of the people who think I'm a distraction?　No, you're not the only one. It's not just you, but the assistant manager, the Red Rose, everyone!

--In a way, you're right. In a way, you're right, because these are the people who were instrumental in getting rid of Countess Maris.

But the swamp into which she has fallen is none other than the one she herself has raised. Calling it a 'trap' is misguided.

Do you want to punish me?　"Do you want to punish me? Can you punish me in this situation without any solid evidence?　--If so, go ahead and try. Let's make the world a place where the guilty are created without any evidence, just based on testimony!

There's plenty of evidence. Evidence seized from the stores that did business with the matriarch, testimonies from the nobles, and the actual items that were handled.

--But they only show that the lady-in-chief was involved, but they don't prove that she was the main culprit.

Are you still persisting? Are you still unable to admit your guilt after coming this far?

I pity her stubborn heart. ...... Even though she's already lost.

In a stalemated space where no one moves, Juke takes a step forward with determination in his eyes. He opened his mouth to say something, but at that moment...

"Your Majesty!　Please return to your office right now!

The knight of the King's Kingsguard who was in the anteroom rushes in, bloodied.

The King's Kingsguard, who was in the anteroom, rushed in bloodily, all eyes on him as he shouted.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

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