She’s so Cheeky for a Commoner! - Chapter 68

“You must think this is some sort of joke!”

Back in the dorms after the sun had already set, we were in our room which was lit by magic torches. My outburst caused the room to shake, and Relaire, who sat atop of my desk, shrunk back in response.

After being released from her cell, Rei came back bearing ridiculous news. First, Rei was no longer a student at the Royal Academy but was instead appointed as a special official that reported directly to King Rousseau. I was also informed that Cardinal Lily and I were to assist her as advisors. This of course, was quite the surprise, but it was still something that I could accept. The fact that Rei, who was no more than a commoner, had received such a promotion was something that I should feel joy for. I had absolutely no reason to object. The problem was that Rei had been tasked with an investigation of fraud and corruption among nobilities, and the list of nobles included my very own father!

“My father!? Taking part in illegal activity!? Absolutely not, he would never do something so foolish!!”

My father was the ideal Bauan noble. He had always served the best interests of the kingdom as its treasurer, and never once did anything to bring shame to the François name.

“Let’s not get overly worked up. At this point it’s still just a suspicion.”

That’s what Rei said, but I could not imagine that King Rousseau would not make any of these claims lightly. I was sure that His Majesty held some amount of confidence.

“That His Majesty would even raise these suspicions makes me doubt his sanity! House François has very strictly managed the kingdom’s treasury for generations now! For him to claim that our service has been dishonest…!”

Ever since I came to hold doubts about the aristocracy during my vacation, I set out to learn more of the corruption that existed among the nobles. In actuality, as I continued my search I did come across illegal activity. But my father was different…! Surely… He was surely different from the rest.

“B-But Claire-sama, if you think about it, this could be our chance.”

Even while clearly afraid of my ongoing outburst, Cardinal Lily spoke up. She just coincidentally happened to come and visit, so she was now listening to Rei’s report with me.

“Our chance? What do you mean by that, Cardinal Lily?”

“L-Lily doesn’t want to believe that her father would do anything dishonest either… That’s why, L-Lily thinks that we should work together to prove their innocence…!”

Cardinal Lily’s words were very optimistic. It was true that if we could use this opportunity to prove their innocence, it would be for the best. However, compared to proving that there was a fault, it was much more difficult to prove that there were no faults. I couldn’t help but worry now that these suspicions were cast on our fathers, they might gradually receive infractions until their eventual collapse.

“W-What kind of allegations… Are our fathers under?”

“Actually, I still haven’t received those details either. His Majesty told me to ask Rodd-sama for more information.”

“The sooner the better, let’s go ask him now.”

I wanted to confirm just what ridiculous accusations had been thrown our way as quickly as possible. However,

“It’s too late to go tonight. I was informed that Claire-sama and Lily-sama would receive official notice about our mission tomorrow, so let’s wait for that before we go.”

“… How vexing.”

Rei stopped us. While I was on the verge of losing myself, Rei remained very calm. Or well, I suppose you could say that Rei was almost always calm.

“In the first place! Just what are you doing getting Cardinal Lily involved in all of this!”

“Eh? No, I mena, if we’re going to be investigating Salas-sama, I thought it would be best if Lily-sama helped―”

“You really don’t understand the severity of the situation do you. We’re investigating the truth behind the most influential people of the kingdom. Don’t you understand just how much danger is involved?”

Lower class nobles were one thing, but when it came to investigating high class nobility like my father and Salas-sama, things were entirely different. Our fathers were some of the kingdom’s most influential people. If, in the unlikeliest of scenarios, our fathers had something that they wanted to hide, they would without a doubt look to erase anyone or anything that tried to pry. The methods they might use to do so… Absolutely did not guarantee the lives of those who pursued the truth.

“L-Lily is capable of using water magic. Lily is sure that she’ll be helpful.”

“It’s far too dangerous! And before that, I am more than enough to protect Rei.”

I myself had a high affinity for fire magic. I would not lose to just anyone who claimed to have pride in their magic.

“B-But, Lily is worried!”

“Your worries are unfounded.”

“B-But there’s no telling what Claire-sama would try to do to Rei-san if Lily were to leave you two on your own!”

“That’s what you were worried about!?”

If you’re going to worry about something like that, shouldn’t it be the other way around!?

“Huh? Wait, Claire-sama, were you going to do something like that?”

“Absolutely not!”

Somehow even these ridiculous exchanges felt nostalgic. It was true that there had been a lot going on recently. Sensitive to the relaxed mood that had taken over the room, Relaire too appeared happy.

“I suppose there’s no helping it, I will allow Cardinal Lily to accompany us, but I ask for the utmost caution.”

“O-Of course.”

“That applies to you too, Rei?”

“Okay~”

With that, the day came to an end.

◆◇◆◇◆

After classes the next day, the three of us promptly went to find Rodd-sama.

“Oh! You’ve all come.”

Rodd-sama’s room was, as one may expect, fitting for royalty. It was a large room where Rodd-sama surrounded himself with top quality furnishings of refined taste. All of the decor was brought together with warm colors. I myself was proud of my own room, but even that did not compare. The grandeur was probably far too much for Cardinal Lily, who had always lived a meager lifestyle at the church, but Rei was entirely unaffected. I wasn’t sure if she was just that full of herself, or if there was some other explanation.

“I hate beating around the bush, so straight to the point. Salas and Dor are believed to be committing embezzlement.”

Rodd-sama’s words did not make it sound like our parents were suspects, but rather already convicted. While he was normally rather brash and decisive, this was the one occasion where I would not simply accept his judgment and nod my head.

“With all due respect, Rodd-sama, but if you are going to make such claims, surely you have conclusive evidence to support them?”

Last night, Catherine had warned me to keep calm. I did my best to contain myself as I asked Rodd-sama for proof.

“No, nothing conclusive.”

“T-There isn’t?”

I could see the tension slipping away from Cardinal Lily in response to the anticlimactic statement. It only made sense that she would. Casting suspicions without any conclusive evidence was nothing more than a baseless accusation.

“Well, hold on. We don’t have any conclusive evidence, but we do have plenty of circumstantial evidence.”

Rodd-sama then let us see the records of his investigation so far.

“Both Salas and Dor are quick-witted. They wouldn’t just let themselves get caught so easily. Without directly putting it into words or to document, their subordinates and others around them simply know what must be done.”

Rodd-sama’s documents showed that not insignificant amounts of money were disappearing shortly after coming into contact with either Salas-sama or my father. Within that there were more specific suspects, with the names of some of the nobles involved, but there was nothing that proved a direct connection between these nobles and our fathers.

“Can’t you just start by capturing the individuals named here?”

Even now, I still did not doubt my father’s innocence. I offered that suggestion in hopes to eventually clear my father’s name.

“It’s true that these guys are the ones who are directly doing the dirty work, but even if we lock them all up there’s no point. They’d just be scapegoated allowing the ones truly at fault to go free. Just like how a lizard sheds its tail to escape from dangerous situations.

According to Rodd-sama, they had already locked some of the suspects up, but it never went anywhere.

“So? What’ll it be?”

With an almost taunting glint in his eyes, Rodd-sama asked Rei.

“I said this to His Majesty as well, but we’ll start small, with the nobles Rodd-sama mentioned and work our way up.”

“Oh?”

“Could I ask for a copy of these documents?”

“I thought you might, so I readied copies in advance. Take them.”

When Rodd-sama rang the bell on the table, one of his retainers brought us a stack of papers. Rei took them, and turned for the door.

“Well then Rodd-sama, we’ll be excusing ourselves.”

“Ah, just a moment, Rei Taylor.”

Just as she was about to leave, Rodd-sama, for some reason, called her by her full name. With clear disdain, Rei turned to face him.

“Is there something else you need from me?”

“No, it’s nothing important, but well, I thought it would be best to ask now.”

Rodd-sama uncharacteristically hesitated. Just what was he going to say?

“You know, I, really, feel like I’d rather just not hear this.”

“Come on, don’t say that.”

“Can I go?”

“Once I’m done.”

There was a short pause before Rodd-sama continued,

“Rei Taylor. Do you have any interest in becoming my princess?”

There was no way of mistaking it, he just proposed.

Translator Note: Rei really tried to get out of this one.

As always, welcome back for Chapter 7 of SSCC! Things were really crazy for me in the past couple of months. It felt awkward to talk about it too much, but I was actually hospitalized for a little while too, which is part of what delayed this release so much. I did my best with the translation though, so I really hope you enjoy the new chapter!

I do these translations out of passion, and I don’t intend to change that! If I’m honest I do have lofty dreams of eventually making enough money through streaming/content creation/translations to be able to quit my job and focus on this stuff full time… But I think at least for now that remains a dream. If you have the means and enjoy my translations or otherwise and want to support me toward that dream, please consider supporting me on my Ko-fi!

I’ll be working on Chapter 8, and hopefully it doesn’t take as long as Chapter 7 did. It’s hard to know what life will throw my way though. Being in the hospital wasn’t a fun experience, so I’m doing a lot more to try to take proper care of myself. Please try to take care of yourself as well.