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“I was surprised to hear the news from Lady Crowne. You were in Sheraford on an inspection tour?”
“Yes, it was a coincidence. It must be fate that I could meet Lady Beatrix there and rush here in time,” Alicia answered carefully. She watched the chancellor’s back as he walked ahead of her. It was hard to imagine this kind and thoughtful man leading their countries into war. However, Riddhe’s letter and her memories from the previous life were enough to convince her that he was the mastermind they sought.
Still, she didn’t know why he insisted on taking Heilland. But no matter what his interests or beliefs were, she would not back down and let him have his way. She would sacrifice her entire soul to challenge the chancellor and save her people and kingdom from ruin, leading them to the future she’d been striving for ever since she was given this second chance.
Besides, the chancellor wasn’t her only opponent.
“Your Highness, I have brought Princess Alicia.”
“Enter.”
The crown prince’s response was curt as he signaled for the chancellor to return to his side. Alicia’s eyes narrowed as she saw Fritz seated upon Empress Elizabeth’s throne.
Fritz’s aura had drastically changed since she’d last seen him. His handsome but expressionless face now held the sharpness of a finely honed blade, and his deep green eyes, just like his mother’s, gazed upon Alicia coldly. He looked dignified on the throne, his stance filled with determination.
Leaning forward slightly on his elbows, he raised a brow and addressed her. “I’m surprised to see you came here uninvited after hearing the news… I admire your courage. Perhaps you don’t know fear?”
“I fear the ties between our countries being severed and the shedding of the blood of innocents. That is the only reason I have come,” Alicia said, holding her ground.
“Blood of innocents? You always know how to give the ideal answers.” The crown prince’s gaze turned sharper as the corner of his lip curled. But that was gone in a flash, and his expression returned to its usual bored look. “How unfortunate, then. You’ve come here with such conviction, but this whole precarious situation was caused by the scheming of your ignorant subject.”
“I believe my strong will and justice will bring the truth to light, Your Highness.”
“So you think him innocent?”
“Of course. I trust Riddhe. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have sent him here.”
Fritz snorted at Alicia’s answer. Then he took a piece of parchment and quill from the chancellor, signing it.
“Here’s your permit,” he declared as the chancellor passed the parchment to Alicia. “To ensure fairness, those who will take the witness stand are given a chance to meet with the accused. Apparently, that’s our tradition; isn’t that right, Yggdrasil?”
“Yes. It is as you said, Your Highness.” The chancellor smiled.
His tone made Alicia shiver. If they were allowing her to meet with Riddhe so easily, it could only mean one thing. The trial outcome was mostly decided, and Heilland was in danger.
“That’s all. The trial will begin tomorrow at noon. Until then, you are free to do whatever you please.”
At the crown prince’s signal, the guards opened the throne room doors. Alicia bowed slightly and turned to leave, but not before she looked up at Fritz one last time.
“Prince Fritz. There is one thing I’d like to ask you.”
“What is it?” The crown prince tilted his head and probed.
Staring into his cold, deep green eyes, Alicia remembered the question Empress Elizabeth had posed to them that day while out riding on the hill.
“When Her Majesty asked us what a ruler was, you answered that a ruler holds all power and represents the country. Do you still believe that?”
The prince remained silent for a while as he stared at Alicia as if trying to find out her true intentions. Slowly, he opened his mouth.
“Yes. And that won’t change… I know that you have a different answer, but that’s where I beg to differ. It’s not about who’s right and who’s wrong, so I choose to chase my own ideals. You’re probably no different yourself,” he finished with a smile.
Alicia nodded. “Yes. I will also stick to my beliefs, and that’s why I’m here.”
A quiet but intense spark ignited between the crown prince and Alicia before she turned and left the throne room.
The two were too different. Their ideals as royalty and how they viewed their countries were as different as night and day. As Fritz said, it wasn’t about right or wrong, so there was no way she would be able to stop him with mere words.
…They had to win the trial.
“He’s as stubborn as you, princess. This isn’t going to be easy,” Robert commented in his usual easygoing way. He’d been the only Heillander to accompany Alicia into the throne room while Beatrix and the other escort knights waited in a separate room. “So, now that you’re a proper guest, what will you do next? No matter where you go, I’ll be there to protect you.”
“I’ll be using this.” Alicia smiled as she held up the permit from Fritz. Robert grinned as if he’d expected that answer all along.
“Of course.”
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“YOUR Highness?!”
Riddhe Sutherland bolted up in shock as Alicia descended the cold, dark steps into the dungeon, accompanied by Lady Crowne and Robert.
Seeing Riddhe in better shape than she’d expected despite his slightly dirty clothes, Alicia breathed a sigh of relief. Lady Crowne had informed her that aside from the wound on his head, Riddhe showed no other signs of injury, meaning that he hadn’t been tortured.
A guard unlocked the cell door, and Alicia rushed to Riddhe’s side.
“Riddhe! I’m so glad you’re all right…”
Riddhe looked between Alicia and Robert with confusion.
“How did you get to Erdal so quickly? I thought you’d arrive during the trial at the earliest, but…”
Lady Crowne had told him that she’d bring Alicia into Erdal as a last resort, though she didn’t hold out hope that King James would agree to it. Despite it all, the princess had rushed here so quickly, so it was natural for Riddhe to be surprised.
Before Alicia could explain what happened, they heard more footsteps coming down the stairs.
“Your Highness! Lady Beatrix!!”
“Charlotte!”
The red-haired girl dashed out from the shadows and into the cell when she spotted Alicia.
“I’m so glad Your Highness could come… I’m so sorry, Your Highness. My father and His Highness—”
“Don’t worry. Thank you for protecting Riddhe.” Alicia took Charlotte’s hand in gratitude, but the girl’s large eyes filled with tears.
If Beatrix and Charlotte weren’t on their side, Riddhe would have been in grave danger. The crown prince and chancellor could have had him executed without a trial or arranged an “accident” that would cause his death, inciting war between the countries. The only reason that hadn’t happened was because of Charlotte, Fritz’s lover and emotional support.
So, where should they start?
Alicia, Riddhe, and Charlotte, all caught up in the maelstrom of politics, stood facing each other, at a loss for what to say.
Suddenly, two loud claps sounded out, pulling them from their thoughts. They turned to see Beatrix smiling with her hands clasped and a relaxed Robert, who stood with his arms loosely crossed.
“I know how all of you must feel right now, but let us calm down.”
“The lady is right. Ready? Breathe in; now breathe out. Feel better?” Robert teased.
“Y-Yes.”
“I guess so…”
“So, here we are,” Riddhe began, scratching at his cheek awkwardly.
Alicia blinked, and Charlotte giggled, and suddenly, the damp and dark atmosphere in the dungeon felt a little brighter.
Robert winked and raised his right hand elegantly. “Shall we update each other? My motto is ladies first, but that doesn’t matter now. Let’s start with you, Riddhe boy. Do tell us all that has happened to you since you arrived in Erdal.”