I Awoke as an Imprisoned Villainess - Chapter 68

The one being targeted

“I think it’s better to advise His Majesty to cancel the flower festival”

Claude sama said this after everyone had left.

Spreading the letter on the table, he looked at the seal stamped at the end of the letter. “This is the emblem of the House of Viscount Lannette. Violet had a hand in their downfall a few years ago”

I took a small gasp.

I wondered if that was the family Carter san had told me about before we swapped our bodies, that she had brought about their downfall just because the hem of her dress was stepped on.

“The kidnapping of Sophia, the stamping of this seal, the use of the word ‘pawn’, it shows a lot of malice as if on purpose. —–Although of course the person who planned this clearly has malice towards Violet—-”

After saying that much, Claude sama cut off his speech for a moment before turning his eyes to Violet sama.

“If they only wanted to harm her, they wouldn’t have done something that would only alarm her”

Violet sama was not shaken a bit being told this. She only looked back into Claude sama’s eyes.

I feel like he’s talking with a considerable amount of confidence in what he’s saying.

Does Claude sama know the criminal by any chance?

When I was puzzled like so, Claude sama turned to me with a slightly troubled smile.

“The heir of the House of Lannette was my classmate”

“Classmate….. He was a knight?”

“Yeah”

Nodding, Claude sama opened his mouth with a face that flashed a short moment of pain.

“We both aspired to be one of the royal knights, but just a little before his dream became true, his family collapsed. The path to become a royal knight was closed permanently when it was discovered that his impoverished parents had committed a crime. He has been missing since but…just the other day. He appeared when I was in town checking the security arrangements. He has dark brown hair and dark brown eyes”

“That’s…..”

“There’s no doubt he’s involved somewhere at least”

Silence prevailed.

Violet sama opened her mouth as if to break that silence.

“You’re that confident of it, and on top of that, you think the flower festival is better being canceled. Perhaps, you had an unsettling conversation?”

“…….Yeah. At first, Dominic told me he wanted me to tell him your schedule as he had something to say to you. But you’re definitely not someone who would listen to the words of a man who appeared suddenly. Because of that, I said I’d do my best to arrange a meeting in advance, but then…..”

Claude sama let out a small breath.

“ ‘Be careful so that you don’t lose your job. Your place will be taken away if you’re blamed for some sudden calamity after all’ ”

“——…..Such a kind friend”

Violet sama gave a mocking smile.

“He went out of his way to warn you that he was going to do something that would make you lose your job”

Claude sama nodded at Violet sama’s words.

“Since they’re trying to lure you—even kidnapping Sophia who’s rumored to have your special interest—it is reasonable to assume that his words suggest harm to you. However, this flower festival, His Majesty and Archbishop of the Cathedral will also be participating. I’m more worried about harm to them than harm to you who is an extraordinary magician. I can’t dismiss the possibility that they might attack His Majesty under the pretense that you’re being targeted, or that they might even attack you if they have the chance. I think it is unlikely Dominic himself has a grudge against His Majesty, but considering the current situation where he has a lot of money, there is a high chance he’s in cahoots with some influential noble”

Even I, who was struggling to swallow the situation by listening to their conversation since earlier, thought that it was as Claude sama said.

Violet sama has captured the grand duke who is said to have vanquished countless enemies in the past war.

When I thought about whether I would bother to send a letter to such Violet sama that would alert her, I knew I would never send it if it was me.

It may be partly because I’m a coward, but even so, I’m sure most people, other than people who don’t know how to treasure their life, will prefer to choose the surprise attack method.

But then again, the opponent is a former knight. I’m not sure if he’s an honorable person or not, but if he is, I don’t think he’d use the kidnapping method…..As I was thinking about various things, Claude sama continued his words.

“The security is anticipated to be perfect. But no matter how much you think there’s no flaws——No, it is exactly when you think there’s no flaws, danger is lurking in the corner without exception. If there is a possibility of harm to anyone, including His Majesty, I think we should take the important step of not holding the event. As the commander of knights in charge of the security, it can’t be helped if I’m criticized as running away when I advise to do so”

“Your pathetic righteousness is better than those who pride themselves on their perfection”

“But you know, Claude” Violet sama narrowed her eyes.

“A king will die the moment he’s underestimated”

The stillness of her words took my breath away.

“……”

“Now that the throne has been replaced due to the royal family’s scandal, Johanne’s position is looser than his head. In such a situation, Johannes’s participation in the annual grand flower festival is decided, and then, the flower festival is canceled because of one threatening letter. —–If such a rumor is circulated, what do you think will happen?”

With a big frown at the blasphemous words put in between, Claude sama stopped talking for a moment before he quietly opened his mouth again.

“……Some will think it’s the deed of the anti-royal faction”

“Yes. And then people will know that the anti-royal faction’s influence was enough to destroy the flower festival that people look forward to every year”

“……?”

Why would it become like that…..?

I was quietly baffled by their conversation so I raised my hand to ask.

“Umm, that threatening letter is a report of my abduction and a call to Violet sama so it has nothing to do with His Majesty’s reign, does it…..?”

“Foolish girl”

At my words, Violet sama exhaled a sigh of exasperation.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s the real reason or not. The fact that the flower festival was canceled because of security problems——That fact alone is enough to create rumors, especially if one is a good rumor-monger”

“A good rumor-monger……In which case, is Violet sama not very good at creating rumors? It’s very surprising….”

The words that had just slipped out, I hurriedly pressed my mouth but it was already too late.

Violet smiled at me with her beautiful and frightening eyes.

When I looked at Claude sama who was beside me, he was holding his forehead with an expression like there was nothing that could be done.

“—–Oh my, fufu. I’ve never been insulted this way before. I’m not very good at creating rumors? You mean I’m bad at controlling the situation”

“N-No-No”

“As a competent girl who got herself kidnapped and faced a crisis without any help, the things you say are indeed on a different level. —-You want me to spread the rumor that I myself gave in to the criminal’s provocations and canceled the flower festival?”

“S-Such a thought….!? I didn’t mean it that way. I-I’m really sorry”

Violet sama narrowed her purple eyes, lit with anger.

My lips quivered with panic as I realized my fate.

I already know. When Violet sama’s eyes turn that way, it’s time for her opponent’s heart to be smashed into pieces by her.