One elaborated, “The same goes for the Suiran weave, a type of weaving from the marquess’s territory that borders Maldura. That specific technique for weaving fabric was falling out of use, but Lady Elianna brought it back, and it’s now in fashion with the nobles.”
“Yes,” continued another. “So popular, in fact, that I’ve been having a rough time getting my hands on it. There’s a six month waiting list!”
“There weren’t really any specialties of note from the marquess’s territory before, but thanks to that, they’re now booming with weavers.”
“Dear me, now that I think about it, there’s a pen that’s been a popular gift for noblemen for the past four years, imported from the east. Lady Elianna was the one who called attention to it.”
“It’s famous among women as well, since it doesn’t require as much force to use as a quill pen,” another added, the ladies laughing amongst themselves.
Talk spread like wildfire. Things such as, “People have had their attention on meteorologists ever since,” and, “Lady Elianna put in a recommendation for a new, improved loom,” and, “Both the researchers deciphering ancient history and the chief herbalist are doggedly chasing Lady Elianna around for her input,” and, “Now other regional lords whose domains lack stand-out specialties are looking to Lady Elianna for advice.”
The more I listened, the more dread consumed me. It was less because of the familiar stories they told and more so that the woman of whom they spoke was not Elianna the Bibliophile Princess but someone else altogether. This had to be some kind of mistake, I was sure.
Almost as soon as I got the urge to flee, I felt a sudden arm wrap tight around my waist, pulling me close. I looked up to find Prince Christopher’s eyes, blue as a vast ocean, threatening to swallow me up.
Why was it, I wondered. He was smiling at me, yet his face seemed to say, “I won’t let you get away.”
“It appears you are all well aware of my betrothed’s accomplishments and influence.” His gaze was brilliant, his voice commanding and kingly as it boomed through the hall. The admiring eyes of the audience down below immediately gathered on him (and by extension, me). Lady Irene was the only one at the base of the steps who was in a daze, and it was to her that His Highness turned his attention. “But it appears there is one amongst you who didn’t even try to understand. Ordinarily I would tell you to learn your place, but it’s thanks to that faux pas you just narrowly reduced one of the charges levied against you, Lady Irene.”
“What in the world are you talking about...?” she muttered, her malice completely deflated by this point.
The prince’s eyes were sharp as they turned to the man behind her. An audible gulp could be heard. “One month ago, Earl Casull came to the royal family saying he had discovered Zelger, a piece of porcelain from the Age of the Hero King, recognized as the royal family’s hidden treasure. The inspector appraised it as authentic, but Elianna recognized it as a fake. So, does that mean that Earl Casull and the inspector were trying to deceive the royal family? The inspector is one thing, but the Casull family is renowned for generations of loyal nobles. Could the earl of that kind of family really do such a thing?”
His tone made it clear that the question—one directed at those present—was rhetorical. He kept his gaze locked on Viscount Palcas. “Once I started looking into it closer, I found a trend had begun lately among nobles and merchants of gathering artworks and exhibiting them. But there was also frequent fuss about counterfeits. There seemed to be only one person pulling the strings on that operation, but they were being too discreet for us to catch. The inspector, who we’d allowed to remain loose, suddenly died under suspicious circumstances, and an ominous shadow began to loom around Elianna.
“Did they hold a grudge against her for unveiling the counterfeit, one that would have caused the downfall of Earl Casull had it not been detected so early? Or did they want to get rid of her so their own daughter could take her place? Well, which was it, Viscount Palcas?”
The man, still bound by the soldiers, elegantly leapt to his feet once called. “I-I don’t know anything! Just what proof do you have of any of this?!”
“Indeed,” the prince replied thoughtfully. “You gave me the run around in that regard. When your daughter approached me, I figured it was under your suggestion, but it seems she wasn’t privy to all of your evil deeds. Well...I do still consider her an accomplice in the rose garden incident with the intruder as well as the poison attempt.
“Lady Irene told me much. She appealed for my compassion, citing the discord between the main Casull family and yours, telling me how your family was once long ago from a western archipelago prior to being incorporated as a branch family. And how even now you employ a craftsman skilled at wood carving using techniques passed down from your ancient homeland.”
The viscount trembled, his face as white as paper.
His Highness smiled maliciously as he recalled the past. “When I heard, I almost forgot myself and nearly laughed. No wonder I couldn’t find anything even after searching your territory and related merchant families. I never dreamed you’d hide the counterfeits with the forestry goods—right there with the lumber on the edge of the Neville River.”
The prince lifted his gaze at the perfect moment, right as Lord Glen and a respectably dressed gentleman appeared. A wealthy air seemed to permeate around the upright-looking older man, who took a knee below us. Meanwhile, Lord Glen dashed up the steps and relieved the prince of his burden, trading the books for a stack of documents.
His Highness took a cursory glance through them, then turned his vibrant blue eyes sharply to the base of the stairs. “Evidence has been secured. Among wood materials in Viscount Palcas’s possession, we’ve seized a number of counterfeit artworks as well as what appears to be Zelger replicas. As a noble of this kingdom, you should be well aware that replicating Zelger is a crime akin to treason against the royal family. We have seized poison from a merchant family with intimate ties to the viscount, one of the same variety used to try to harm Marquess Bernstein’s daughter. We also have proof the viscount is connected with the intruder who broke into the palace. Have you any defense for yourself, Viscount Palcas?”
Crestfallen, the viscount crumpled to his knees. The prince had been hounding him for answers before, but apparently he was only waiting for the actual proof to be delivered. Now the viscount looked like an empty husk with no willpower to spout any more excuses.
His Highness next turned his attention to the older gentleman still kneeling. “Earl Casull, while you are one of the victims in this counterfeit scandal, I must also tell you that as the main family, you’re deeply responsible for not preventing the secret maneuvering of your branch family.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” came the rumbling, earnest voice of the kneeling earl, head lowered. “We of the Casull family are painfully aware of the weight of our responsibility in this affair. We ask that you deal with us however you deem fit.” His voice swelled with emotion. “It brings shame on our family that we could not see the counterfeit of the royal family’s hidden treasure, Zelger, for what it was. I would like to thank the young lady of the Bernstein house for preventing any dishonor from befalling the royal family. Presumptuous though it may be, we of the Casull family would like to extend our support for Lady Elianna Bernstein to be crowned Her Royal Highness.”
...Pardon?
I almost lost my footing. I was under the impression that there’d been no official talks of our marriage.
Earl Casull’s words lit a fuse with those at the base of the stairs; they erupted into murmurs, excitement spreading.
Prince Christopher returned the stack of papers back to Lord Glen and relieved me of the last few books still held in my arms. Then once again he wrapped his arm firmly around my waist, pulling me close. It was a complete change from the arbitrator of justice that he’d been moments ago. His smile, now dazzling and bright, turned to shine down on those below before I even had the opportunity to say anything.