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We followed Prince Edgar onto the stage, where he lauded our achievements in front of everyone as promised.
“As the disease was quickly brought under control, we suffered no significant damages. It is no stretch of the imagination to say that if it weren’t for Lady Lucille Gustelanola, we likely would have seen deaths before long.”
Several gasps shot out from the audience.
It was true—while the symptoms in the capital had been relatively mild in comparison to those in Leeuwenhoek, there was a high chance they would’ve worsened over time. Prince Bernard’s state of delirium was proof of that.
Come to think of it, why had Prince Bernard’s condition been so much worse than the others in the capital?
In the corner of my eye, I saw Prince Bernard fall to his knees. Beside him, Lord Kanelion appeared frozen in shock, staring at me with wide eyes.
Wow, they’re really surprised! I’m not sorry, though. No matter how different my attire and makeup might have been, everyone else except those two were able to recognize me. Probably.
“I can’t believe my angel was Lucille Gustelanola...” Prince Bernard muttered faintly.
I chuckled internally. That’s right. You were begging for the love of none other than me, Lucille Gustelanola!
He seemed so crushed that I almost felt bad for him. But it wasn’t my fault he’d made such a huge blunder in front of all of these nobles—several of whom appeared to be holding back laughter as they looked at him. And why wouldn’t they, when he’d been both defending and insulting me in the same breath?
He’ll surely cringe whenever he remembers this, but all I can do is pray that he’ll have the mental fortitude to survive it!
“I promise that you will be rewarded fairly, Miss Lucille,” Prince Edgar continued. “Please tell me what you would like as compensation later.”
“You honor me, Your Highness.”
I breathed a sigh of relief that he hadn’t told me to state my demands right then and there, only to notice his knowing smile. He must’ve already guessed that my wish couldn’t easily be expressed in public.
Prince Edgar can be a bit scary with his schemes, but he definitely has a keen eye for people and their needs... If only he’d share some of that ability with Prince Bernard!
“Now then, I have both good news and bad news,” he continued. “It is with regret that I must share that His Majesty has been in rather poor health for some time now. Fortunately, he did not catch the disease that was going around. However, he will be abdicating the throne.”
The hall fell silent as everyone stared at Prince Edgar with bated breath.
I heard Prince Bernard muttering, “What? Why would father step down?”
His doubt was understandable...because the king was perfectly fine. In fact, the king was probably the healthiest he’d been in years, considering that he’d asked me for a dose of the panacea, saying, “I want to drink it too!” He might have had a chronic illness of some sort, but whatever it was, it would have disappeared by this point.
If that was Prince Edgar’s bad news, then the good news could only be one thing.
“On the bright side, following His Majesty’s abdication, I will be ascending to the throne. The official announcement and ceremony will be held at a later date. I ask for your cooperation.”
The hall suddenly erupted with excited shouts of congratulations. A certain number of attendees surely had concerns that they were keeping to themselves, but the overall atmosphere was positive. Prince Edgar had always been popular, after all. He was sincere, quick-witted, and respectful...though he could also be secretive at times.
Oh well. My job here is done now, right? I just want to get back to my cozy life in Leeuwenhoek, growing vegetables with Grandpa Randy, making pastries with Sarah, and sunbathing with the kitties.
That said, before I could go home, I still had to get Prince Edgar to divulge everything he knew about the Great Sage Elios.
After leaving the lively soiree, Lord Felix and I were brought directly to a private room. At last, it was time to get down to business! Or so I thought. For some reason, Prince Bernard and Lord Kanelion were also waiting for us there.
Hmm? What’s going on?!
“Lucille, sit here,” Lord Felix said, casually gesturing toward the seat farthest from Prince Bernard.
“Oh, why, thank you, Lord Felix!” He really is kind and attentive!
Prince Bernard stared at Lord Felix, but naturally, he lacked the audacity to say anything.
Appearing at last was Prince Edgar, flashing one of his dazzling manufactured smiles as he took a seat on the sofa. “I’m sorry, Miss Lucille, but there is something I must make clear before I ask how you would like to be rewarded. Please let me address that first.”
“I understand,” I said, not because I truly understood, but because that was the only appropriate response. In reality, I had no idea what was about to happen.
Since Prince Bernard and Lord Kanelion were also summoned, it must have something to do with them, right? But they look just as clueless as I feel. Also, if this pertains to them, then why do Lord Felix and I need to be present as well?
As if reading my mind, Prince Edgar smiled and explained, “This concerns you two, so I thought you’d best hear it too.”
Now I was even more perplexed. Was this about the commotion Prince Bernard had caused earlier because he hadn’t recognized me? It felt like it had to be more than that, though.
The gentle smile vanished from Prince Edgar’s face when he turned to address Prince Bernard and Lord Kanelion. “Your punishment for the disease case has been decided. Bernard will be officially removed from the royal family, while Lord Kanelion will be stripped of his nobility and fined. You’re lucky that Miss Lucille developed a cure. If there had been any casualties, you could have received the death penalty.”
Prince Bernard and Lord Kanelion are receiving punishment because of the disease? That means they were somehow involved in spreading it, right?
Without the full picture, all I could do was quietly watch the conversation unfold.
“B-Brother?” Prince Bernard replied. “What are you talking about? I’m being punished for the disease? But why?”
Oh? He looks genuinely confused.
Prince Bernard was the frank and impulsive type, despite it being unbecoming of royalty. He wasn’t capable of putting on an act to avoid having his position compromised. In other words, his surprise was more than likely genuine.