That’s why I instructed Kulgan: if Baroness Heronia inquired about anything, he should not confirm or deny, but rather respond evasively and remain non-committal. Now, we found ourselves in this predicament.
Dragged along by the clear and simple scenario of the otome game, her perspective had narrowed drastically, which led her to make a critical error. If she had done nothing, we wouldn’t have acted either. The last opportunity given to Baroness Heronia was spectacularly ruined by her own actions. “Pity, isn’t it?” I continued, addressing the stunned expression on Baroness Heronia’s face.
“Ah, yes, that’s right. Count Connery, Baron Sagir, and Viscount Consabtier—though his name wasn’t mentioned, we are also aware of the crimes committed by Count Uradil and his connections with Marquis Noches,” I revealed. “His Majesty and I know that they have been engaging in suspicious activities. We were collaborating with Marquis Noches and Kulgan on an undercover investigation. In other words, Marquis Noches isn’t a criminal; he was posing as an ally to conduct an investigation and catch the real culprits.”
I looked to Marquis Noches for confirmation, and he nodded in agreement.
“The investigation is finished, and given the current situation, we will detain Count Connery and Baron Sagir immediately. As for Viscount Consabtier and Count Uradil, knights have already been sent to apprehend them,” I announced. However, unknown to those present, their locations had already been secured, even though they were not here. Anticipating that today’s graduation party might unfold this way, I had arranged for their capture in advance. It wa crucial to address such matters quickly to prevent any chance of escape.
Baroness Heronia was clearly stunned by my words, collapsing to the floor in disbelief. I pressed on, speaking to her as she sat there, dazed, “It appears all your ‘objections’ were mere misunderstandings. What should we do now? You’ve humiliated my fiancée and Marquis Noches in front of everyone, and we can’t overlook that. Our families will have to discuss this, but for now, maybe you should take a moment to gather yourself.”
A nearby guard knight seized Baroness Heronia’s arm, trying to help her stand. While it may seem he was supporting her, he was actually ensuring she couldn’t escape. The knight started to pull her arm to lead her away from the scene, but—
“This isn’t right,” she whispered while remaining seated.
“Why won’t anyone understand? I’m supposed to be the heroine…” Heronia looked up defiantly, glaring at me and Bertia. “Why won’t you choose me?! I’ve done everything you wanted! I even wore a yellow dress today because you like it! I chose you! And this is how you repay me? It’s too much!”
Baroness Heronia, screaming wildly and exhibiting a demonic expression, lunged at us. The knights quickly restrained her, but she continued to struggle, attracting more guards to her side.
“Your words sound odd. I never requested to be selected by you, nor have I ever felt that way,” I replied calmly.
“What? You’re just a prince android! Without being chosen by me, you’re nothing but a clever doll without a heart!” Baroness Heronia lashed out at me, her words growing more severe.
Bertia’s face, on the verge of tears, contorted as she shook her head. “Please stop,” she whispered.
Although several knights held her back, Baroness Heronia’s intense gaze remained locked on me. “I am your ‘Maiden of destiny,’ aren’t I? A kiss would confirm that immediately. After all, I am the heroine. The mark of the ‘maiden of destiny’ is meant to be evident on my body. Don’t you understand, Your Highness? If you do not claim me, you will continue to dwell in a dull, colorless world, overcome by boredom. Eventually, you won’t be able to endure it any longer… and that will lead to your downfall.”
I was completely confused by her assertions. She talked as if I should be aware of this “maiden of destiny.” However, I was entirely in the dark about it. I had never heard of any mark resulting from a kiss.
I turned to my father for guidance; his expression was intricate, yet he shook his head, signaling that he too was puzzled about what she meant.
As I looked at Bertia in my arms, I noticed her trembling and crying, her face nearly white with fear. She weakly shook her head and murmured, “no, no,” as if trying to fend off some terrible threat. Desperately, she reached out to cover my ears.
I held her hand gently and reassured her, “Everything will be fine.”
Throughout this time, Baroness Heronia remained relentless in hurling severe accusations and claims.
Bertia aimed to keep those words from reaching me, fearing they might wound me deeply.
Silly.
Silly and… incredibly sweet.
Amidst this, Baroness Heronia continued her tirade.
“You need me! Only I can help you truly gain a heart. Without me, you remain a heartless shell, unable to see others as people. Only I can help you shine as the greatest Crown Prince! That woman can neither capture your heart nor hold your interest. She’s just a third-rate villainess. So, stop them and take my hand!”
I fixed a cold stare on the screaming woman and ordered those holding her, “What are you doing? Take her away immediately.”
I struggled to understand Baroness Heronia’s words, yet hearing them was distinctly uncomfortable. It was as though she was recklessly scratching at a sensitive area within me… an area that should remain untouched. Without Bertia’s effort to cover my ears, I doubt I would have been able to stay composed.
“No! Stop!! I am the Crown Prince’s ‘maiden of destiny’! I’m unique and irreplaceable! Do you understand? If you don’t take my hand right now, you will definitely regret it. So… no! Stop!! Let go of me!!”
The knights dragged the still-shouting Baroness Heronia away, each gripping one of her arms. Her hair was disheveled, her face a mess of tears, but I observed her coldly.
At that moment…
CRASH!!!
A loud noise erupted as the stained glass skylight above us shattered. I instinctively shielded Bertia, wrapping my arms protectively around her head.
“Your Highness!” she exclaimed.
“Fsshaaa!!!” Screams erupted around us, but Zeno and Kuro were the fastest to react.
Kuro quickly created a barrier around us, and Zeno conjured wind magic to sweep away the falling shards of glass. As I momentarily relaxed my grip to survey our surroundings, I spotted a bright ball of light hurtling toward us from above—a projectile approaching with immense speed.
Squinting against the bright light, I identified it as Little Pi, the light spirit with Baroness Heronia. Noticing her evident malicious intent, Kuro inched closer to us, exposing his fangs and amplifying the barrier with fearsome growls.
“Shaaa!!” The barrier, once as thin as a film, grew thicker and crackled with dark lightning.
Still, the light spirit quickened its pace toward us, causing Kuro’s fur to bristle.
Zeno concentrated on preventing the energy emitted by Kuro from impacting the surrounding area, keeping a defensive posture.
I noticed the knights’ caution toward the mysterious glowing object as they rushed to shield me, yet I swiftly signaled them to halt. Not everyone perceives spirits or barriers; it’s likely that neither Kuro’s barrier nor the spirit was visible to the knights. Acting recklessly might place them in even greater peril.
The atmosphere crackled intensely with tension as the spirit continued its relentless approach.
✦ ✦ ✦
A harsh sound echoed in that instant as Kuro’s barrier met the orb of light. The light spirit, unable to move forward yet persistently trying to breach the barrier, sustained numerous injuries to its tiny form.
“… Little Pi?” Baroness Heronia recognized her companion, silencing her cries and staring in shock.
“Pii… Pii…” The light spirit, clearly struggling for breath, chirped in reply. Summoning its final reserves of strength, it shifted from the form of a bird into a simple clump of light, intensifying its energy.
Snap!
“Yelp!” A jolt like static electricity shot through Kuro’s paw.
Although Kuro instinctively pulled back her paw, the mass of light seized the opportunity. It transformed into a thin, thread-like shape, relentlessly boring into the barrier even as it was gradually worn down by it.
“Tia!” I called as the spirit, almost extinguished, made its final effort toward us.
I wrapped my arms around Bertia, positioning my body as a shield to protect her.
“Lord Cecil!” Bertia’s voice, nearly a scream, reverberated throughout the venue.
A small pop echoed near my ear—probably the chain of her earring snapped.
Crack.
A pain as faint as static electricity coursed through my back. The last flicker of the light spirit’s life.
Although it reached me, it seemed the spirit no longer had enough strength to cause me significant harm. The moment I experienced that slight pain, my vision was enveloped in white.
“Lord Ceciiiiiiiil!” Bertia’s anguished scream echoed beside me, yet I was powerless as I descended into unconsciousness.