How to Survive as a Princess in a Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 100

“Why has it turned out this way?”

“It’s likely the first time for Your Highness and most others to see this. The exterior has corroded.”

“Corroded? Is that even possible?”

“Yes, it is. This phenomenon occurs when an object is left unattended for a long time. Commoners and blacksmiths call it rust. This is my first time seeing it as well, as we seldom use an item for such an extended period.”

“I understand what you’re saying, Duke. But if it’s a natural occurrence, why is it an issue?”

“As I mentioned, rust typically takes a very long time to form. However, as you can see, this happened in a surprisingly short period.”

Duke Futurum fixed his gaze on me and said.

“It started occurring after the First Princess began distributing the same items.”

I hadn’t expected him to attack me this way.

But, just like when Meliana accused me of stealing her designs, this baseless claim didn’t faze me.

More than anything…….

‘You’ve made a grave mistake.’

I couldn’t help but feel grateful that he was playing right into my hands.

“So, Duke, you’re formally accusing the First Princess of orchestrating this?”

“Indeed.”

“And do you have evidence? Based on what I’ve heard, it seems your claim relies solely on circumstantial evidence.”

“The evidence lies in the sacks piled up at the royal distribution center.”

“What about them?”

“The sacks contain barley powder, turnips, kohlrabi, and cinnamon. While seemingly unrelated, the healers mentioned these are remedies used when someone consumes rusty water. I also have related documents.”

The duke’s aide handed a bundle of papers to Evgenia’s attendant, who promptly placed them before her.

“In addition, I’ve submitted the First Princess’s library borrowing records.”

“……?”

Even my borrowing records? Was that even allowed?

“Library records? Did you dare to access the princess’s activities without permission? And the librarian handed them over to you?”

Evgenia frowned, clearly displeased. Her reaction mirrored my own.

While I’d suspected the librarian didn’t hold me in high regard, I hadn’t expected them to collaborate with the duke like this.

“The librarian acted out of loyalty to the kingdom. Please consider their noble sacrifice with compassion.”

“Loyalty to the kingdom or irresponsible negligence? That remains to be determined. Now, why do you claim this is evidence?”

“As you can see, the First Princess borrowed books containing the relevant information. This means she knew everything about this issue and deliberately orchestrated it.”

The duke added with a hint of excitement.

“By highlighting flaws in our supplies and distributing grains and vegetables, she could win the favor of the commoners—and, moreover, gain Your Highness’s trust!”

Half of it was true, but the other half wasn’t. Lies are always more convincing when mixed with some truth.

Many nobles, already allied with the Futurum family, seemed persuaded by his argument. Fortunately, Evgenia didn’t appear too swayed yet.

“Nepheli Leta Anesis.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Are the duke’s accusations true?”

“I do not deny borrowing the books. As you can see from the records, I frequently read, and the material was part of my pursuit of knowledge.”

“…….”

“However, as Your Highness knows, I proposed an alternative to the Hezica medicine before the duke’s announcement. Borrowing those books was part of my efforts to find solutions during that process.”

“No, Your Highness. Our family was already working on this before you borrowed the books. Furthermore, parts of our designs were stolen. Isn’t it quite the coincidence that Your Highness began distributing the same items afterward?”

“You sound certain. Are you accusing the First Princess of stealing your designs?”

“I wouldn’t dare suspect a princess. I’m merely concerned about potential misunderstandings among others.”

“And who might be harboring such misunderstandings?”

“Though they might not express it, surely someone in this room might feel that way. I urge Your Highness to dispel these doubts regarding the princess.”

“This seems never-ending. Are you suggesting we search the First Princess’s palace?”

“I assume there’s no reason for her to refuse.”

The duke’s malicious gaze landed on me, as hostile as it had been from the moment I entered.

Clearly, he believed he had set a perfect trap, but I had no reason to fall into it. If he was so confident, it was likely because the designs were already hidden in my bedroom.

They must have acted while I, Isaac, and Reno were away.

I couldn’t afford to take the bait.

“First Princess, what will you do?”

“I refuse.”

“Your Highness, refusing will only deepen others’ misunderstandings.”

“I appreciate the duke’s concern, but isn’t it the accuser’s responsibility to provide evidence? Why must I prove my innocence? You’ve been accusing me based solely on assumptions.”

“I agree with the First Princess. Duke Futurum, your claims lack solid evidence and rely heavily on conjecture.”

“Conjecture? Let the other nobles here weigh in. Why not put it to a vote? As per tradition, if more than 80% of those present agree, we must proceed.”

A vote? And 80% approval?

I quickly scanned the room. Over twenty nobles were present. Even if Evgenia, Killis, Isaac, and I voted against it, that would barely be enough.

‘We need more support.’

Most of the room sided with the Futurum family. Who else could I rely on?

The odds were stacked against me.

Evgenia’s intervention could have helped, but the other nobles’ momentum made even her hesitant.

“……Prepare for a vote.”

In the end, Evgenia gave the order.

* * *

The vote was conducted anonymously. Each attendee received a pen and paper.

“If you believe we should search the First Princess’s bedroom, draw a circle. If not, draw a diagonal line.”

The sound of pens scratching paper filled the room.

The votes were collected, and the results were tallied in plain view. With each vote counted, my anxiety grew.

‘But why…….’

Why weren’t the opposing votes increasing? With myself, Evgenia, Isaac, and Killis, there should have been at least four.

‘Calm down. There are still a few votes left.’

I watched nervously as the tally continued.

But in the end,

“Out of 24 attendees, 21 voted in favor, and 3 voted against.”

The count ended without any additional opposing votes. The attendant announced the results to Evgenia.

I had assumed I’d secure at least four opposing votes. Even one more noble’s support would have sufficed. But three?

‘Isaac wouldn’t betray me… right?’

Killis, with his high affection, was also unlikely to turn against me.

Then was it Evgenia? Had she doubted me enough to vote in favor?

‘No, wait. Can I even trust Isaac?’

A phrase from the system echoed in my mind:

[―If your ally character’s affection level becomes too low, the chances of them betraying you increases.]

And Isaac’s affection was still at ‘1’. Not negative, but dangerously low.

Could Isaac have……?

I glanced at him, my eyes trembling. His expressionless face revealed nothing, but in this moment, it felt colder than ever.

“Over 80%.”

“…….”

“As per the vote, I will authorize the search of the Princess’s palace. The meeting will resume afterward. However, to prevent any unforeseen issues, no one who attended this meeting is permitted to leave the main palace until the search is complete. Once it’s concluded, gather here again.”

Evgenia’s words fell like a decree. As she left the meeting hall, the other nobles began to file out one after another.

‘A search, after all…….’

A sharp pain throbbed in my head. Judging by Duke Futurum’s triumphant expression as he managed to push through the search, it was only a matter of time before evidence would emerge.

The ‘design he claimed I had stolen’.

The maids in the Princess’s Palace were relatively obedient, but it was difficult to see them as entirely loyal to me.

Their unease toward Reno as a Medietas was proof enough of that. Manipulating one of them to execute a scheme like this would be child’s play for the duke.

‘What should I do?’

Should I have Reno find and destroy it first? But I can neither leave this place nor contact him…….

“Your Highness.”

Isaac and Killis approached me. Unable to mask my emotions, I met them with a wavering expression.