NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 162.1
What I brought out was a small part.
“What is this…?”
“It’s a part of a carriage wheel. I sneaked this out from the broken wreckage of the carriage that princess Iroha was on when she went to the Chimera auction house.”
Ileph seemed to know what it was.
“Why did you take this?”
“I realized that someone intentionally damaged princess Iroha’s carriage wheel.”
“And you suspect it was me?”
“More precisely, those two young men who came to prince Ileph’s room during the day and incited prince Ranbi to take revenge. I suspect that you might have ordered those young men to do such a thing.”
As expected, she is… perfect.
Ileph could feel his heart pounding. The princess he had only heard of in stories was even more impressive than imagined.
“How did you know that those two were responsible for tampering with princess Iroha’s carriage?”
“It was simple. Their names were on the list of people who visited the stables that day.”
Leticia explained calmly.
“It’s odd that the carriage accident just happened to occur on that day. I’ve been suspicious from the start.”
“And then?”
“Firstly, those two would have had a grudge against prince Ranbi. And coincidentally, they visited the stables that day. I think there’s a possibility that they might have followed prince Ranbi. However, the possibility of it being premeditated is low. If it were premeditated, they wouldn’t have been foolish enough to leave their names on the visitor list.”
“And then?”
“But what they found in the stables was princess Iroha, disguised as a man. So, those two, mistaking Iroha for Ranbi…”
Iroha would have bribed the coachman and rented a public carriage. Those two, watching from behind…
Leticia could easily imagine the scene.
“They intentionally damaged the carriage parts in that short span of time. Yes, just as I heard from them.”
Ileph spoke calmly.
“They said they did it impulsively. They immediately confessed the truth to me and sought advice on what to do next.”
“So, prince Ileph…?”
“I wasn’t involved. I just told them to meditate and pray at a local shrine.”
“Did they obey?”
“I told them I’d publicize everything if they didn’t.”
“You handled it well.”
Leticia sighed briefly. Once again, her predictions were spot on.
“How do you figure out the entire story just by catching glimpses… I’ve heard from Cedric that you’re really a genius.”
“It’s just intuition I developed growing up in a Ducal house. To be honest, this time I half guessed, right?”
“Did you trick me into confessing?”
“Does it seem that way?”
Ileph just laughed. But his heart felt lighter, perhaps because he felt guilty about keeping a secret.
“Weren’t you planning to tell Cedric?”
“Ah… I thought maybe you were involved, prince Ileph.”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“You were trying to protect me?”
Leticia nodded.
“I thought if you were involved and that came to light, it might even lead to war. Wouldn’t it be a big deal if royalty almost killed another royalty?”
“I see.”
“Although the power dynamics within the royal family are complicated… there are people who suffer when a war breaks out.”
“You really think deeply.”
Ileph genuinely admired her.
Leticia shyly waved her hand.
“Well… Compared to what princess Iroha did, the punishment seems excessive. But they tried to threaten our country first. It’s partly their own fault. It’s a bit pitiful though…”
“…”
“Cedric has been treating princess Iroha not too badly.”
“…”
“I don’t know if it’s because he knows the whole story or not.”
Since one can’t fully understand Cedric’s heart. Leticia mumbled to herself. Cedric must have sensed that the carriage accident was a bit odd.
Ileph looked at Leticia quietly. She seemed to be lost in thoughts about Cedric.
“But you did lie about one thing.”
“Yes?”
“You took the carriage part not because of me, but for Cedric, didn’t you?”
Leticia blinked in surprise.
Oh, did she not realize? Ileph thought.
“If this got out, I’d have to step down from my position as the Crown Prince. That would also affect Cedric. He doesn’t want to be the king. Or maybe it’s just because I’m his close brother.”
“It’s not exactly like that. I thought you were a good person too. If it was a spontaneous act by those two… Since you’ve been bullied by Ranbi, you might get involved. People might suspect you as the culprit. That’s why.”
“Why would you…?”
“I really think that bullying in schools or such is terrible.”
So, you sympathized with me as a victim of bullying from Ranbi? Ileph inadvertently smiled.
“You’re really hard to read. But…”
You’re truly captivating. Ileph left those words unsaid.
“Princess Leticia.”
“Yes?”
“If I were healthy, I would have been one of your devout followers, even if it meant chasing you to the ends of the earth.”
“Huh?”
Leticia blinked in surprise.
“Suddenly, what context are you talking about?”
“I’m sick, so I won’t be like that. Anyway, I was amazed.”
“…What are you expecting by saying this?”
“I expect nothing. Just continue to shine. That’s all I want.”
Ileph suppressed his growing emotions and spoke. Leticia bowed her head.
“Anyway, I too was moved by prince Ileph’s character. You know how to protect your people, whether it’s right or wrong.”
Leticia decided to let go of this matter. She handed over the carriage parts to Ileph.
“Take it. I will turn a blind eye this one time. Dispose of the evidence as you see fit, and I’ll act like I know nothing.”
“I won’t accept it.”
“Pardon?”
“Please use this matter as my weakness, princess.”