Chapter 220
“How exactly were you managing the monster?”
“What if someone had been hurt?”
“I’ve always been uneasy about handling monsters from the beginning. I knew something like this would happen.”
The one who added fuel to the murmurs was Aunt Bastina.
“Oh my! She went around meddling in things she shouldn’t, thinking she was so clever. I knew the day would come when she’d be brought down a peg!”
She gave a mocking snort, then spoke in a sweet voice to Grandfather.
“Father, just look at our Selene. Compared to that reckless child, Selene is so thoughtful and wise.”
Then Aunt Vasilia, Deianira’s mother, came to my defense.
“Before blaming and criticizing Erylotte, shouldn’t we get all the facts straight? The monster has been calm for a long time. Isn’t it odd that it suddenly became violent?”
Uncle Gustav chimed in as well.
“Exactly. Not long ago, my youngest son approached the monster, and it behaved peacefully. I remember it clearly because my son was so proud.”
His son Armand liked Ragon a lot, and I had let them play together.
But the imperial officials raised their voices even more.
“Yes, exactly! We are wondering about that too!”
“Why did the supposedly gentle monster suddenly turn violent when the palace officials arrived? And near the rooms where the members of the imperial family were staying, no less!”
“It certainly raises suspicions!”
‘…They’re determined, aren’t they?’
The officials clearly wanted to use this opportunity to put the Astra Dukedom in their debt.
‘And I’m the one they’re making into the scapegoat.’
Indeed, I was standing at the center of the hall, being treated like a criminal and facing all kinds of accusations.
At that moment, I saw someone quickly entering the hall with hurried footsteps.
‘Dad!’
Dad looked at me, as I was clinging tightly to the edge of my skirt.
Then, turning to the gathering, he said,
“I’ve been informed of the situation.”
His voice was calm and steady, but that only seemed to annoy the imperial officials even more, and they started pressuring Dad, using me as leverage.
“This was no mere accident! It was an incident that almost involved an imperial family member!”
“We must adhere to imperial law!”
“Of course, Lady Erylotte, the owner of the monster, should be taken to the capital!”
At the mention of escorting me, Dad’s face hardened. Grandfather’s gaze turned sharp, and Aunt Vasilia and Uncle Gustav showed signs of discomfort.
Up until now, the Imperial Consort, who had been quietly observing, raised an eyebrow, her gaze filled with intrigue as she looked at me.
It seemed that the Imperial Consort found this situation amusing.
‘…At this rate, the imperial family might classify me as a dangerous individual.’
Being Duke Astra’s granddaughter, they wouldn’t go as far as to kill me.
But I might be forced to wear a magic-restraining shackle for the rest of my life.
‘If I’m shackled, I won’t be able to use my blessings freely.’
Being unable to use blessings— that would mean losing my status as a noble.
‘Especially since I need to use my true blessing, <Browse>, to verify the rumors.’
That’s the only way to confirm who within Astra is targeting me.
The Imperial Consort tilted her head as if considering something, then put on an expression of sympathy.
“It pains me to treat a child this way, but the law is the law. As a member of the imperial family, it is my duty to uphold and protect the laws of the empire…”
She prolonged her words, casting her gaze on me, and then, in a grave tone, declared,
“Erylotte Astra will—”
“All of this is my fault.”
Dad stepped forward, shielding me.
“I am the one who granted permission to station Erylotte’s monster at the estate to protect my daughter.”
What?
“This incident happened because of my selfish desire, so it is I who should take responsibility.”
“……!”
This couldn’t be.
I was the one who had asked him to give permission.
“She’s only ten years old. Responsibility falls on the child’s guardian. If anyone is to be escorted, it should be me.”
“But…”
The Imperial Consort pressed her cheek as if troubled, but couldn’t hide the excitement in her eyes.
For the Imperial Consort and the imperial family, this was a chance they wouldn’t want to miss—an opportunity to escort the empire’s strongest knight, Daymond Astra.
‘And if she were actually escorted…’
Who knows what they would do to Dad in the underground prison.
“Dad!”
I clutched his coat in desperation, but he gently pushed me behind him.
Then, bowing to the Imperial Consort, he said,
“Please, show mercy.”
—And he lowered himself.
“……!!”
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