My Sweet Deceiver - Chapter 78

Knock

 

In the morning when she was working as usual, someone knocked on Tehez’s door.

 

“Princess. Guests have arrived from the Central Police Department.”

 

“Hmm?”

 

Tehez raised her head and looked.

 

“It is said that an anonymous complaint has been received regarding the misconduct of the Princess. Would you like to meet them for a while?” said the lady assistant with a perplexed face.

 

Danielle raised her face and looked at Tehez.

 

“Take them to the tea room.”

 

Tehez got up from her seat and straightened her dress.

 

“I will go with you, Princess.”

 

“Alone is enough. You stay here.”

 

Tehez refused Danielle’s words and went lightly into the tea room.

 

Two uniformed policemen sat there, looking nervously straight ahead.

 

“It must be your first visit to the palace.”

 

Tehez stood in front of them with a natural smile. She had the dignity of a Princess.

 

Seeing her, frozen, the police officers rose up and saluted her with respect. Tehez nodded her head and beckoned them, only then did the officers sigh and take their seats.

 

“I’m really sorry for coming in without contact. Princess. My name is Alexis Chevalier, police officer of the Central Police Department.”

 

“This is Thomas Garcia, Princess. It is an honour to meet you.”

 

“Sir Chevalier. Sir Garcia. On behalf of the Royal family, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and respect for your passionate and sincere service. So, what brings you here today?”

 

Even though she knew that police officers would not be knighted, Tehez smiled and called them ‘Sir’ and raised them up. The police officer, who introduced himself as Alexis, took a piece of paper from the envelope and showed it to her.

 

“This is an anonymous complaint that came in yesterday… I think it would be right for you to check it first.”

 

“Where can I see it?”

 

Tehez accepted the document he handed over. As she turned each sheet of paper, her expression gradually changed to expressionless. The police officers sitting in front of Tehez also began to get nervous.

 

The sound of flipping papers filled the room. She took care of the messy papers and gave them back to them with a smile.

 

“It’s a lot of mischief.”

 

Tehez’s words brightened Alexis’ expression.

 

“Isn’t it? I think we overreacted to the absurd children’s pranks. We are sorry, we have taken the precious time of the Princess, haha.”

 

“No. If you have any doubts, you should investigate. Isn’t that the job of a police officer? You shouldn’t discriminate against the Princess. It’s a good thing you’re here. Well done.”

 

Thomas, who had been sitting in silence, scratched his head as if he was nervous.

 

“Thank you very much for saying that, Princess.”

 

“You can visit me anytime. I have another schedule, so I have to leave first. I’ll ask you to get some dessert on the way out, so feel free to take it. How often do you get to eat royal desserts?”

 

Tehez paid attention to the appetizing dessert that had not diminished at all. Thomas answered in a booming voice, as if he had heard her thoughts.

 

“Thank you very much, Princess!”

 

“Please have a bite.”

 

Tehez came out, leaving the officers bowing and greeting with exultant faces.

 

Danielle couldn’t fathom how Tehez felt when she returned. She seemed angry, but she didn’t at the same time.

 

“Danielle.”

 

“Yes, Princess.”

 

“Looks like the Flamingo has a spy. I’ll leave the disposition up to you. And could you make an appointment with the police chief as soon as possible? It looks like there will be something to cover.”

 

Danielle looked surprised for a moment, then nodded her head.

 

Tehez recalled the documents the police officers handed over in the tea room earlier. She almost lost control of her expression. The documents they brought were really unexpected that she hadn’t thought of.

 

What was written on the papers was an indictment detailing that she was the de facto owner of Flamingo, the largest gambling hall in the capital. A large amount of evidence was also attached.

 

Immediately, the officers were sent back to cover it up. However, once the complaint is filed, the police investigation will begin.

 

That shouldn’t happen.

 

Tehez thought about it as she touched the handle of the chair with her fingertips.

 

And that afternoon.

 

A revealing article about the reality of the First Princess was published in the evening newspaper.

 

Allegations that were not listed in the complaint were also included. Abduction and confinement of the innocent Second Prince, violence, and manipulation of public opinion.

 

Rumours about the First Princess quickly spread like wildfire.

 

* * *

 

Tehez let out a low laugh. Only her sonorous laughter resounded in her chilly, sunken office.

 

“This is a trap!”

 

Ellie exclaimed in a fit of rage.

 

In just one day, her reputation was in tatters. As time passed, outrageous crimes that she did not commit were placed on her neck.

 

Tehez spread the newspapers on the desk.

 

“Most of it is true. Although ‘innocent’ is not a very appropriate modifier for the Second Prince.”

 

“Is this all that woman’s doing? She seems to have retaliated with the false murder case against the Second Prince and the Lemac bank case.”

 

At Danielle’s words, Tehez replied with a smile.

 

“Yes. I guess so. Who else in Valloise knows me so well, if not Miss Giselle? It’s a strange feeling. Seeing this, I want to say that there are so many.”

 

Looking at each one, a lot has happened in the past five years. Even the things she had buried in her memory floated to her surface and aroused many emotions in her.

 

Tehez, too, was not meant to be forgiven by God and go to eternal paradise.

 

She sneered.

 

Danielle furrowed her brow.

 

“The atmosphere is not good. The reporters we recruited also said they would not release a defence article because of the tone of the company’s reporting.”

 

“Is there anything special? We should do the last thing left. Get me a suitable corpse.”

 

“All right.”

 

The last thing left.

 

The ladies-in-waiting, who understood the meaning of the words, returned to their seats with hard faces.

 

The next day, a whistleblower from Lemac Bank was found cold dead, floating in the Allir River. In his will left at home, the names of those who had received bribes from Count Lemac were written.

 

He said he had worked at Lemac Bank all his life but was threatened and forcibly fired for whistling. At the end of the will, it was written that he hoped that Count Lemac would receive the punishment he deserved.

 

Those who heard the news were deeply moved by the heart of the employee who gave his life. Su!c!de was a grave sin forbidden by doctrine, but the threats and violence he received at work were so terrible that it was difficult to describe.

 

The Central Police Department has launched an investigation into Count Lemac and the bank. One after another, Count Lemac and other influential aristocrats went to the police station to be investigated. Few nobles escaped the investigation. This was because the list contained the names of almost all nobles in the capital.

 

Meanwhile, customers of Lemac Bank, who felt uneasy when the bank manager went to the police department, rushed to the bank to retrieve their deposits.

 

People gathered in front of the police station and booed and criticized whenever nobles entered the station. It was unusual. It was not common for aristocrats to go openly to the police department to be investigated, except for serious crimes. In particular, the old nobles, who valued honour and pride as nobles, strongly opposed it. In response, they demanded that the King “stop the public investigation of the police officer who accused them of being a felon.” Letters of protest from the old nobility rained down on the King.

 

The King responded quickly. Elliot issued a statement saying, “Illegal solicitation and bribery will be an obstacle to creating an honest Valloise. I hope you will do your best to clear all doubts for a bright and healthy future.” To sum it up in a word, it was a kick.

 

Elliot had to placate the angry people. Otherwise, he was in a precarious condition that he might have to step down from the throne.

 

At the same time, rumours about the First Princess did not stop. Tehez wondered if there was an organization that produced rumours. To the extent that even Tehez could not handle it.

 

***

 

Then, a small, tender bud sprouted from the tea planter.

 

“It has sprouted. Does anyone know what kind of flower tree it is?”

 

Tehez was looking at the flower pot Dennis had given him. The ladies-in-waiting came and tilted their heads as they looked at the buds in the pots.

 

“It’s not easy to know just by looking at the buds.”

 

“But did he really not tell you?”

 

“He said I can tell when the flowers bloom. Can I wait until the flowers bloom?”

 

Tehez touched the tender leaf of a small sprout. It was as smooth as a baby’s cheek.

 

“…”

 

The ladies-in-waiting were silent, as if the weight of Tehez’s words had suddenly become heavy. Even tomorrow. If she fell into a situation where there would be no problem even if she got divorced.

 

Recently, Tehez has been living almost confined to the Prince’s secret palace. It was because of the rumours that spread inside and outside the palace. Everywhere she went, the gossip and insistent gaze followed. It was the worst she had ever been through.

 

At first, she responded by issuing rebuttal articles, but she gradually let go of it. Shall we say that she has crossed the critical point? When her anger exceeded a certain level, Tehez became cold. Tehez did not feel anger or embarrassment.

 

As her situation spiralled out of control, Dennis threatened to sternly counter fake news, but to no avail.

 

‘Do you resent me?’

 

‘Maybe he thinks I have been playing with it.’

 

Tehez let out an absurd laugh.

 

He sent gifts several times a week to ask about her well-being, but when malicious articles about her poured in, he did not come to the palace or send gifts.

 

It was like going back to being what they were like before.

 

Looking at Tehez’s face, Danielle cautiously parted her lips.

 

“They say the Prince is very busy these days. That’s why it’s difficult to come to the palace to see the Princess.”

 

“Who? Was it Sylvan?”

 

“Yes…”

 

Seeing her drooping mood, it seemed like Danielle deliberately asked Sylvan.

 

“I heard that Your Highness has something important to say, so he is choosing the right time.”

 

“He is going to give it to me.”

 

‘What was he saying? Is it divorce?’

 

‘If there was something important to say, wasn’t that the only word?’

 

‘Yes. I have to accept it. All the good things so far have been dreams.’

 

In fact, it was. She had been alone for six years, including the last five years, during her engagement. It was only in the last half year that she thought that he and her heart were connected.

 

Since their relationship has been ruined, won’t she get a divorce this time?

 

He wouldn’t want to ascend the throne hugging the Princess, the national outcry.

 

***

 

Sasha, an old friend of the academy, came to her, who was almost imprisoned.

 

“Princess.”

 

“Ah, Sasha.”

 

Sasha was holding a box of cakes in his hands. It was from a cake shop famous for its deliciousness in Lubern.

 

“Hot tea and cake in the winter. Don’t you think so?”

 

Sasha smiled as he picked up the box. He then handed one box to the ladies-in-waiting in the room next to Tehez. At Sasha’s thoughtful meticulousness, the ladies-in-waiting shouted in appreciation. Then, the remaining box was placed on the sofa table and opened.

 

“Take a look. It’s because I bought it from a restaurant that is known for its deliciousness these days.”

 

Tehez was very grateful for Sasha’s consideration. He personally came to visit his friend who was imprisoned in the palace.

 

“Thank you, Sasha.”

 

“What? I can drink tea with the Princess, right?”

 

Tehez happily brewed tea using her skill. Then she brought out the things she had been thinking about asking him. As an employee of the Ministry of Justice, Sasha answered Tehez’s questions wholeheartedly.

 

(To be continued in the next episode)

***