landbeastnovel Chapter 61
Chapter 61
Chapter 61
“Misunderstanding?” Leonard raised an eyebrow. “Allowing my daughter to stay in the Tower of Silence even while violating the imperial regulations is a misunderstanding?”
“...”
“And dismissing the nobles whenever they bring up even a spherical agenda that they think is excessive is another misunderstanding?”
“Aah, right. I did that.” Lark averted his eyes slightly.
In response to his suspicious appearance, Leonard added more persistently and interrogatively, looking suspicious. “Some of the aristocrats said nasty things about how light the disposition was, but honestly, it wasn’t something they couldn’t say. There was no need to get worked up about it.”
“...”
“Although I have lived in seclusion for a long time, I have heard a little about Your Highness from my eldest son. He said even as undisputed heir to the imperial family, you’re the kind of person who is wary of dictatorship...”
“...”
“That’s why you’re more lenient to noble officials than anyone else. No verbal or power pressuring.”
Lark felt cold sweat running down his back.
“The reason such a person dared to use his hand excessively in the trial outcome, even abandoning his cause and image...”
“...”
“Do you have ulterior motives toward my daughter?”
“Hahaha...” Lark, who tried to smile, shook his head lightly. “That’s a real misunderstanding. As the head of the investigation for this case, I’ve learned a lot and become the person who can be more certain of the princess’s innocence than anyone else. So, I just didn’t want to make the princess take responsibility for something unfair.”
“Thank you, but you didn’t have to try so hard. It doesn’t feel good to be in debt.” Leonard’s eyes were still full of doubt. “I don’t like the situation of having to repay someone in any way later.”
“...”
Reflecting on his words, Lark thought to himself.
‘What’s this... Does this mean that I should not even dream of stealing his daughter after giving a little help?’
Seeing Leonard’s terrifying expression, it seemed like the right interpretation.
“Yes, I understand what you said, but as I said, this is a misunderstanding...” Lark, who was trying to reassure Leonard, who looked displeased, stopped talking for a moment.
He would continue to help Rubette and protect her from any possible threat. Wouldn’t it be a problem if Leonard gets offended and intervenes like this every time?
“Misunderstanding...”
“...”
“... It may not be, yes, to be honest.”
“What?”
Lark pretended not to notice when Leonard’s expression suddenly became stern.
“Since you’re her father, you must know best that the princess is a pretty charming friend.”
“Excuse me, Your Highness.”
“I mean, well... Even though she’s your daughter, she can’t live by your side for the rest of her life. When the time comes, she will marry and give you grandchildren...” Surprised by Lark’s clever reply, Leonard’s mouth slowly opened. “Of course, I won’t hold on to someone I don’t like, so don’t worry about that.”
“What do you mean? So it’s true you have ulterior motives toward my daughter?”
“Mm-hmm.” Lark, who had been lightly tapped by Leonard on the shoulder several times, hurriedly left. “See you later.”
“Your Highness! Finish what you say before you go!”
Lark, who was scolded from the back, was holding back laughter at his uncharacteristic reaction.
‘Ulterior motives?’
To be more comfortable next to Rubette, he was afraid Leonard would misunderstand, but...
‘Well, maybe it’s not exactly wrong.’
Lark shrugged as he recalled Rubette’s face.
***
“Yes, take care.” I smiled kindly as I watched the devils swell with futile dreams of taking over this house again.
It’s about time...
“The Imperial Investigation Team came to pick up the princess.”
“Sigh.”
They’re here. When one of the maids informed me of the Investigation Team’s visit, Molga sobbed even more and hugged me.
“How can we send our Rubette there alone!”
“I’m fine, Grandma.” I smiled and patted the arm of Molga, who was holding me.
Soon the door opened, and the investigators rushed in. At the forefront was Lark, the head of the investigation.
“Princess, are you ready?”
“Yes,” I replied with as much sullen expression as possible.
“Alright. Let’s take over from here.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“Yes!”
Lark ordered the investigation team members who came with him, and they quickly scattered throughout the duke’s residence. The number of heads reached twenty.
“...?”
Molga and the twins were taken aback when the investigators suddenly came in and took their positions.
“Um, what’s going on? Why are the investigators-”
“Oh, didn’t anyone tell the madam?” Lark shrugged and added, “While the princess is being quarantined, 20 members of the investigation team under my command will live in the duke’s mansion.”
“...? What’s that?”
“Well, it is a matter of course. There’s a suspicion about the princess. She may be able to communicate with the culprit through the main house, and evidence of the crime may remain, so the team came to this decision.”
While snooping beside the contemplative Molga, Wishit grabbed their stomach and giggled.
“E-Even though the convictions have not been confirmed, the investigation team is going to live in our duchy’s residence?”
“Mm? The duke and the young duke have already agreed to cooperate, though?” Lark turned to Viego carefreely.
“It’s probably pretty unpleasant because it’s kind of surveillance, but don’t worry, they’re hand-selected by me and will concentrate on the investigation without any other inspection. Thank you for your cooperation.”
“No, Your Highness. Cooperation is a matter of course. Not to mention it is to make sure that Rubette is innocent.”
“Yes, yes.” Lark laughed and patted Viego on the shoulder.
The faces of the twins and Molga were so dark that they couldn’t get any darker.
They must’ve thought that the time bomb was finally gone, but no way. How could I let Molga be free while I was gone? I had already informed Lark about the deaths of my family members and asked him to protect my dad.
“... Can you help me? When I go to Lubon, I won’t be able to watch my grandma, and I worry about my father.”
“If your suspicions are true, isn’t the madam a criminal? It’s not a matter of helping or not; it’s something I have to do. We should not only monitor but also secretly investigate.”
Aside from his sense of justice, Lark was naturally enraged and decided to monitor Molga while I was away from the capital closely. So, the investigative team that came to my house right now was actually not to investigate my charges but to investigate the corrupt house and block nonsense in advance.
“Grandma must be uncomfortable because of me...” I opened out my mouth and grabbed Lark’s hem. “Your Highness, do you really have to do this?”
“Yes, I have to,” Lark pretended to be firm, and I let out a deep sigh.
“Our girl did nothing wrong! And she’s a little kid who didn’t know what she was doing-!”
“That’s right. Since they could be more certain of the princess’s innocence than anyone else, the duke and the young duke had readily agreed to the investigation team. We also kindly ask Madam for your cooperation.”
Molga became speechless before Lark, who was smiling.
“Grandma, I shouldn’t have...” I ran over to her and grabbed both of her hands, and added with a smirk so that only she could see. “... I’m sorry, okay?”