55 When the bells are finished ringing (2/2)

”You misunderstand me, Your Majesty!　This is a trap, a trap set by the Red Rose to entrap me!

”...... Just for the record, Red Rose, do you know Hans?

No, I don't. This is the first time we have met.

When I proudly proclaimed the truth, the red-faced matriarch opened her big mouth and tried to retort. --And then...

I believe the Red Rose is telling the truth.

A hard voice with a hint of boyishness in it interrupted the headmistress. It was Mia's brother, Claude, who had been silent all along.

What do you mean?

'I was in the outer court a moment ago, compiling Hans' testimony. --He said that the client visited his store four afternoons ago.

Four days ago ......, muttered Juke, looking back at Claude with a roll of his eyes.

We're in the middle of a garden party, aren't we?

Yes. The Red Rose was in the courtyard the entire time. There's no way she could have left the palace in the first place.

You're right. At least, the person who visited Hans couldn't have been the Red Rose.

For the same reason, I would not be able to leave the palace during a garden party!

The response from the room was cold.

I can't say that. The Red Rose, who has been in the public eye for a long time, and the Master-in-Chief, who is said to have been in charge behind the scenes, have much different proof of existence (alibi).

I can prove that I have never left the palace, if you ask my ladies!

”Well, what do you think?　I'm sure that all the people who were in charge that day are very close to you. I'm sure you could get them all to agree with you if you wanted to.

”Well, then ask the soldiers guarding the gate!

I'm working on that.

Claude, with eyes the same color as Mia's, glared as hard as he could at the headmistress. He straightened his back to avoid being overwhelmed, and the door to the main room opened in support of him.

Excuse me, sir. The one who calls himself Orion Kargel of the Outer Court wishes to see you, Your Majesty.

I'm the one who went to talk to the soldiers at the gate.

Let him through.

Lurie bowed and stepped back, and was replaced by a large, muscular man. At first glance, he looked like some bandit, but no matter how hard he tried, he didn't look like a civil official.

I've heard that the outer court is really full of freaks. While Deanna was inwardly impressed, Orion, kneeling down, began to report.

I have heard from those who were guarding the gate on the day of the garden party.

”How did it go?

At first, they just kept repeating that there was nothing wrong, but when I questioned them about their behavior, they confessed that during the garden party, the headmistress, wearing an inconspicuous dress, went outside.

The headmistress's lips quivered. Alford and Chris casually moved into a better position to catch her. With so much evidence, there was no telling what she might do. It was natural for them to be cautious.

Why didn't the soldiers speak up from the start?

”It seems that the chief mistress had given them some money to keep quiet. I asked for more details, but it seems that bribing the soldiers guarding the gates and keeping no record of their outings is a common practice in the royal court, especially among those working in the inner palace.

”My goodness!　Isn't that a breach of discipline?

You're right. The soldiers on that day also said that they let the head mistress through without thinking too much about it, because it was the usual thing.

Juke's expression had been stern for some time now, but now it was clear that anger had risen in his eyes, and he glared at the commander-in-chief with indignation.

”Are you still not going to admit it?

”Your Majesty!　Please, please, please listen to me. This is all the work of the Red Rose. The Countess of Clester has set a trap for me to get rid of me so that I can rise to the top of the court and win your heart!

”This is unseemly, Serra Maris!

The Countess of Crestor's attempt on the crown, which can only be pardoned above the head of the High Priestess, is obviously the work of the Countess of Crestor!

At that moment, the head mistress shouted. All emotion drained from Juke's face.

”How did you know?

”Your Majesty, ......?

How do you know that the national treasure missing from the treasury is the tiara?

That's what I've been trying to tell you, .......

I'm sure people have said ”national treasure” but never ”crown”. I told everyone who knew about the crown to keep it to themselves. --The only other person besides us who knows that the stolen national treasure is the crown is the ...... killer.

Apparently, Juke was Juke, and he was setting a verbal trap. The matriarch, who had fallen for the trap, realized that she had made an irreversible mistake and was speechless.

Deanna was impressed by Juke's thoughtfulness, even though he did not show it on his face.

Juke didn't believe in the words of either the High Priestess or Diana. He was listening to both of them and trying to figure out who the real culprit was.

If Deanna was the ”mastermind” as the chief mistress had said... It would be difficult for her not to slip that the treasure she had her hands on was the crown, when she was in the presence of the people who had found the national treasure. You can be sure that no matter how much you mend the top, when you say the word ”treasure crown,” the juke will be certain. ...... You've got a good idea.

I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear that.

”...... What are you talking about all of a sudden?

”When did you take up with the king?　You poisonous b*tc*!

Red Rose!

The Matriarch doesn't stop. She reaches for Deanna on the couch and tries to tighten her slender neck.

In contrast to Juke's impatience, Deanna doesn't move an inch in the face of the approaching matriarch.

Excuse me.

A rapier with a sheath intervenes between the chief and Diana. Chris, who had been watching the headmistress carefully, moved. With a power that was unimaginable for her small body, she restrained the chief. With a fierce expression, the headmistress went into a rage.

”Let me go, or I'll let you go!　I'll show you what happens when a little girl who doesn't know her place gets her hands on me!

”Have I been cleared of ...... suspicion, Your Majesty?

I'm sure you've been cleared .......

I'm not sure what to make of this, but I think it's a good idea. I'm not sure what to make of this. Not long after, several female guards rushed in and used restraints to completely capture the head mistress.

”Countess Sarra Maris. I cannot overlook the outrageous act of the Countess Maris, who, despite her position as Master-in-Chief, attempted to wreak havoc on the Red Rose, the first in her entourage. Therefore, by order of the Imperial Court, you are now stripped of your position.

”...... What do you intend to do by removing me from my post? There is no one in this country more qualified for the position of matriarch than I am. The Dowager Queen knows that very well.

Even though she was tied up, she was still just a Master Maris from this moment on. ...... She raised her chin arrogantly and said to the king.

You are not fit to be the head of a lady's household.

”Your family background, your education, your experience in the royal court. Your family background, your education, your experience in the royal court... is there anyone in this country who is better than I am?

Behind me, I could see the maids of honor, Mia, shaking with anger and frustration.

Her family background, her education, her experience in the royal court. --But there are more important things that are essential for a person who rises to the top.

It seems as if even their voiceless screams can be felt.

”Can we stop now, sirrah?

The silence was broken by a deep, soothing voice that no one, not even ...... Diana, had ever heard before. A woman who looked to be in her late forties, dressed in a plain, unadorned dress, who had been in the room for some time, quietly walked up to Mrs. Maris.

All of the things you mentioned are necessary for a person to stand as a matron of honor. ...... But it is not essential. You have lost something that should not be lost.

Oh, you're ......

The only thing an official in the royal court must never lack. --The only thing an officer in the royal court must never lack is the love of his people, the love of his men, the love of his fellow officers.

Madame Maris looked shocked. The stranger, who was both dignified and friendly, looked back at Deanna, who tilted her head, unsure of what was shocking her.

The woman, who was both dignified and friendly, looked back at Deanna. Compassion is listed at the beginning of the manual as something that must never be lost.

”So ...... is it?

I had never heard of it. The Crester family has been far from the royal palace for generations. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

Perhaps because Deanna was convinced, the woman turned to Master Maris again.

”Saara. I sympathize with your situation. I sympathize with your situation, but that is no excuse for disobeying the path of righteousness.

”What does a loser who runs away from ...... know?

I'm sure you ran away, but I don't consider it a defeat.

I'm sure you're not the only one who's had it. She was led away by the palace guards, and somehow they all stood up to watch her go. Juke let out a sigh of relief.

”I'm sorry, Madame Magnum.

”That's very kind of you, Your Majesty.

I must go with you. --Red Rose.

He turned at the sound of her voice. Juke seemed to smile, just a little.

”Sorry about that. Can we talk more later?

”Of course. I hope you're not too tired.

”Oh. Mrs. Magnum, I'll take care of the rest.

Yes, sir.

Alford, come on.

Ha-ha-ha.

With Alford and the King's bodyguard in tow, Juke left the Red Rose Room. After seeing them off, no footsteps were heard and even signs of their presence disappeared.

...... Thank you all for your hard work. Somehow, we managed.

The air in the room relaxed greatly, and everyone breathed heavily.