Volume 01 Side Story 04 - Side Story 04: Angry Princess (2/2)

In the forest where the Roma’s residence was, we took a few steps and then an abandoned mansion appeared. It looked as if it used to be a noble’s residence, and it looked desolate, even though it maintained its large structure.

Several men were gathered at the corner of the garden, and a large pile of books were laid at their feet. I trembled because it looked like they would light the books up at any moment.

I stepped into the garden with my breath ragged because I had been running.

“――― Wait!”

The men turned back in surprise when I suddenly barged in. I know one of them; a man dressed like a noble.

I said his name in anger, “Why are you doing such an outrageous thing?! Baron Mole!”

“It’s Moseley!” The man corrected me. I remembered his face even though I didn’t appear in social circles much because when I did, he would stick to His Highness. But, I don’t care about his name now.

“You’re less than an animal for burning books. It’s unforgivable. You’re lower than trash! Shame on you!”

“T-Trash…”

He has probably never been subjected to verbal abuse. The Baron staggered, but I didn’t take back my words.

“It’s clear that you used the Roma children to steal books and deceived them with my family name. Admit your guilt, and hand over Rene’s mother. You can still plead extenuating circumstances right now.”

The Baron’s face twitched, and he argued, “I was wondering what you would say since you suddenly appeared here… As for you, Miss Elianna, this might sound rude, but did you have a bad dream? Or do you truly accept the words of rootless people like the Roma children? Oh dear! I can’t believe the Crown Prince’s fiancée would get involved with Roma people and be deceived by their words. This is a big problem, isn’t it?”

Gradually, he began to grin, and his smile was repulsive. I replied firmly, “Then, how do you explain the books over there?”

“These are books I bought. I can use these books however I want. You have no reason to order me even if you called the 『Princess Bibliophile』.”

Rene spoke, “No! He’s the one who ordered us to steal the books. He said that he was a Bernstein noble!”

The Baron smiled at shrugged.

“What noble listens to things that rootless people say? Much less children. What they say isn’t reliable at all as testimonies. If you accuse me because of what that child says, then you’ll only undermine your reputation. On a different note…” The Baron’s disgusting eyes fixed on me.

“Won’t you make a deal with me, Miss Elianna?”

Deal? I frowned, and the Baron proposed as if it was a good idea, “I will keep it a secret that you, the Crown Prince’s fiancée, are involved with filthy people like the Romas. In exchange, I want you to stop the stupid policy that has just started. I can’t believe that the budget is being used for something like that and the deal with Berth Company has gone to waste. The Berth Company are about to manufacture new weapons right now.”

The Baron leaned forward in excitement.

“We should monopolise it in our kingdom before it gets passed to another. This is for the future of our kingdom. Miss Elianna. I want you to think of the future of this kingdom rather than try to curry favour with the lower class.”

Excuse me…?

None of what Mole… Baron Moseley said made any sense to me. But, I understood one thing.

“Baron Moseley. If I were to think of the future of this kingdom, then I would assign the budget to books rather than weapons, and research on how to cure diseases instead of developing weapons that can kill people… Our predecessors said that burning books is like burning human history. Even I understand that we shouldn’t be a kingdom like that. I can’t accept your deal.”

The mole’s face flared up in anger.

“How impertinent of someone just borrowing the authority of His Highness! Then, I have no choice but to force you.”

The Baron signalled men who looked like private soldiers, and they pulled out their swords. I quickly pulled Rene to me and put myself on guard.

It was when the private soldiers faced their swords towards us, and I was stepping back.

“――― That’s as far as you go,” a dignified voice said.

I understood this place was under control the moment he showed up. The Baron opened his mouth stupidly, and the private soldiers froze as if they were pinned by his stare.

His Highness calmly appeared with Sir Glenn and the guards. I can also see the children who guided them here.

“Yo-your Highness Christopher… Why are you here?”

His Highness showed his cold smile to the Baron, who looked flustered.

“Outrageous. I wouldn’t let Elli face danger alone. Baron Molesey.”

“I, I haven’t done anything! Your Highness, please don’t listen to what the Roma children say. They are dirty people who wander without a kingdom, they might take revenge on Southlynd someday. Your Highness, you are intelligent, so you can tell who is more trustworthy. Me, a noble who is loyal to the kingdom, or them.”

“――― Setting aside what you have to say…” His Highness’s voice was chilly. His bright blue eyes stared at the men relentlessly.

“You pointed your swords at my fiancée. I think this current situation is more problematic than anything else.”

The Baron panicked, and His Highness cornered him further, “And you seem to despise the Roma people, but I have acquaintances in Thistle Star. I listened to what they had to say fairly.”

His Highness signalled, and the Baron and the private soldiers were captured by Sir Glenn and the guards. The Baron shouted in vain, “You’re naïve, Your Highness Christopher! Don’t you know what this kingdom needs?!”

“――― I forgot to say something, Baron Molesey.”

His Highness directed his sparkling smile at the Baron.

“It’s about the Berth Company’s manufactured weapons that you’ve been raving about… You’ve been scammed horribly. The old man, said to be the best among weapon developers, took part in the designing and drawing of the weapon’s blueprints; but the completed produced ended up being unviable as a weapon. Berth Company mass-produced this weapon because they hadn’t noticed, and now they’re going bankrupt. And the old man who designed the blueprints took a large sum of money for alcohol and ran away… There are good-for-nothing old men in this world.”

“That’s impossible…”

That was like a finishing blow to the Baron; he was no longer shouting and was dumbfounded and dejected.

“Huh?” A carefree voice said. It was Lord Alan and Paolo who was with the royal capital guards.

“What? You’ve already captured them? I don’t get a turn?”

“You’re late,” His Highness rejected him with two words, and Lord Alan grumbled, “I rushed, you know.”

“――― Elli.”

I stared at His Highness as he walked up to me and pulled back in surprise. I thought that he might be disappointed or angry because I acted selfishly even though they warned me a lot.

“Jeez,” His Highness sighed. He pulled me towards him and hugged me. I can feel his heartbeat and body temperature and my heartbeat instantly jumped.

“I really can’t take my eyes off you. There aren’t any Princesses who would march up to the bad guys without waiting for the Prince,” he said and laughed strangely. “You really don’t change,” he said.

“… Mm, are you angry?” I asked timidly, and His Highness raised his eyebrow. “Do I look angry?” He replied.

His blue eyes looked at me seriously, and I knew that he wasn’t angry. I tried to apologise, but Paolo spoke, “Rene.” He called Rene, who was also being held by His Highness.

“They said mum Marissa is in this house. Let’s go. If you don’t show your face, then mum Marissa will be worried.”

Seeing the children rush off, His Highness took my hand and followed after them.