Violant of the Silver

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Editor: Fire

Upon receiving Fion’s report, Ars declared with a frown, “I dislike it.”

“But, Your Highness…!”

Fion leaned forward to try and tell Ars how useful this information was, but Ars interrupted him, saying, “I’m saying that it’s bullshit. You’re saying that after his attack on Liona so conspicuously failed and he got caught, he confessed his client was Rupheus Lesserhain? And after that, he  killed himself with the poison hidden in his teeth? It’s too convenient so I can only think of it as a trap.”

Lantz, who happened to be there, turned his gaze to Ars. “Are there any chances that it’s all a coincidence so it simply sounds convenient?”

“That’s right, Your Highness. He happened to attack Princess Liona when she was with Lord Violant. And now it apparently is because of Rupheus’ doing? Since everything has been accidental so far, don’t you think it’s inevitable?” Fion said energetically. 

Ars raised his right hand to keep the knight under control. “Fion, you tend to lose your composure whenever Rupheus is involved. You’re being too eager. Analyze this matter a bit more. Did the attacker have any defining characteristics? You can ask for Night’s cooperation too.”

“Why should we cooperate with a knight from another country? We are enough!”

“I’m telling you to consider various possibilities. It’s Princess Liona that was targeted. Since he’s Princess Liona’s personal escort, he might know something we don’t.”

Fion bitterly kept his mouth shut at Ars’ fair point.

“In the first place, there’s no proof of the testimony. If we’re talking about Violant in this situation, what will happen?” said Ars. “Are you implying that he’s an accomplice in his brother’s crime? You should be able to easily imagine what would happen once we turn the Lesserhain family into our enemy without having a trump card under our sleeves.”

“However…!”

“I’m not saying that you are wrong. Just investigate this a little further. Do you understand?”

“…I understand,” Fion reluctantly conceded, leaving the office.

Ars sighed. “Really, Fion’s attentiveness decreases by half whenever Rupheus is involved… I‘ll order a level-headed person to join the investigation team. I’ll have you contact Night then, Lantz.”

“Yes,” Lantz answered politely. He then asked, “Your Highness, do you think that the client was a different person?”

“How about you, Lantz? Do you think that Rupheus would do something that outrageous and flashy?” 

Lantz shook his head. 

Satisfied, Ars continued, saying, “Right? I believe he will be more discrete. It’s much more difficult to detect the perpetrator and easier to do if he hires bandits to attack her when she returns home as opposed to the castle.. Not to say, Rupheus would give the person who humiliated him a taste of their own medicine in the presence of other people. He would send an assassin if the public makes a mockery of him.”

Lantz nodded. “Actually, there are chances that someone with a lower rank got forced into a tight situation by Rupheus and was taking their revenge on him.”

“Yeah. He’s a troublesome man, but unlike the Duke, he is decisive. Also, if he’s a culprit…” 

“Yes.”

“Do you think he will reprimand his brother after the party? Wouldn’t it look like he’s angry at Violant for disrupting the assassination? I’m sure he wouldn’t do such a stupid thing.”

“I understand your point,” Lantz said, then added, “Not to say, judging from Lord Rupheus’ tyrannical behavior, I feel like he’s going to tell Lord Violant to kill Princess Liona rather than make him an accomplice.”

“And he will push all the responsibilities onto his brother, right? I see, so you’re more level-headed than Fion.”

“It’s my duty to be neutral.” Having said that, Lantz asked Ars somewhat worriedly, “Your Highness, are you suspicious of Violant?”

“I want to refuse, but from my standpoint, I have to suspect him.”

“I see,” Lantz replied indifferently, but his green eyes expressed that he wanted to say something.

“No way, you’re not leaning towards Violant too, right? Fion will be angry if he knows that the conman is getting conned.”

“Leaning… Do I look like I am?” Lantz was puzzled as Ars teased him. Apparently he wasn’t aware of it.

“It’s clear that you’re emotionally supporting him. Either way, make up your mind about this.”

“You’re not telling me to be the leader’s ally?”

“What’s important is your sincerity towards the royal family. The rest is your decision.”

“…I understand.” Lantz bowed respectfully, then went off to accomplish the work Ars instructed him to do. 

When he was finally alone in his office, the prince sighed and looked out the window. Somehow, the deep blue summer sky looked dull.

　　　　　****

Around 3 o’clock in the afternoon, Ars visited Vio. He wished Vio to get well soon, and then gave a quick report about the situation. “The security guards were demoted and had their salary reduced for one year. I decided to place guards not only in the garden, but also on the balcony. I’m wondering if there was a traitor, but… the attacker knew what he was doing. Apparently, the woman openly brought in a weapon as the decoration of her dress.” 

While having a cup of tea at the table, Vio glanced at Ars who sat across him. Liona sat next to the prince, their positions the same as when they visited him the other day.

There were guards patrolling too… Speaking of which, the members of the Royal Knights were in the hall.

Vio remembered the first day of the party. As soon as he sat in the chair by the wall, Cheval had called out to him. In other words, he was guarding with that level of detail.

“A dress decoration? For me, it looked like he took the weapon off his belt…”

“Apparently, he took the weapon out when he pushed the woman away,” Liona explained. 

After recalling the incident, Vio nodded. “Ahh, at that time?”

So there’s a hidden weapon like that? I have to be careful.

They probably had prepared a large amount of decoration to disguise the weapon. There were a lot of women with plenty of decorations on their dresses at the party as well. Touching a woman’s dress was awkward, so the idea was well thought-out. 

Most of the time, the balcony was used when a couple wanted to be alone. Every noble would learn about this from their parents even before their social debut. ‘Bring your companion to the balcony so you can spend time alone with them.’

That might have been the reason why security there was loose. Since there were only two entrances to the balcony, it was easy to keep an eye on the entrance and exit.

While Vio was speculating, Ars asked, “Then, what would you do?”

“What do you mean…?”

“The woman with the attacker. She could be punished as an accomplice, but she seems to know nothing.”

“Why are you asking me such a thing? This issue is beyond my control…” This wasn’t something Vio could decide as it exceeded his authority. Ars should’ve known that, and yet he still asked such a question. Unable to read the prince’s intention, Vio was confused. 

Vio didn’t know why, but Ars and Liona’s expressions were stiff.

Ars took a sip of his black tea and said, “The attacker died of the poison he slipped in his teeth after exposing his client, Rupheus Lesserhain.”