This afternoon, King Aldric advised an audience involved in his meeting room. That includes my Mom, Ellyn, Brodveth, and I.

The meeting room differs from the room I’ve encountered. It has books and golden trophies displayed on the side.

In the center is a coffee table surrounded by a couch. We are all sitting on that couch, and I freed a space beside me for Ellyn.

After clarifying the misunderstanding in the Sinner’s Chamber, Dad freed Ellyn. After that, the other maids came to fetch her.

They sent her first to the doctor to treat her wounds and cleanse her body with healing. After that, they helped her take a bath and get something to wear.

While waiting for Ellyn, the only sound I could hear was the chirping of the birds outside. It was peaceful, not until…

"I have a chemistry joke, but I don't think it will get a reaction,” Dad joked and smiled as he looked at each of our faces.

We’re too slow to react we expected something next. No one reacted. Is he expecting that we’re going to laugh? How absurd, but it doesn’t stop there.

“Ehem! While waiting for our guest, did you hear about the kidnapping at the academy? It's okay, he woke up—”

“Stop it, popcorn!” My Mom scolded with darting eyes toward my father. Like in the novel, Mom called him popcorn, but the reason was never stated.

“Yes!!” He squealed like a rat being stepped on. Mom’s scolding is the funniest when Dad jokes.

The silence came back, but it was weirdly and awfully quiet. I can feel the air climbing in my nose while breathing.

“Where do fruits go on—”

“I SAID STOP!”

Just seconds later, the double doors opened. Ellyn’s entrance looks like a contestant in a pageant show.

The elegant dress with glitters of purple from top to toe blinds me. Unlike before, her hair follows every strand straight down her waist.

The dress fits her sexy body which eliminates the thought that she is an adventurer. It’s very accurate that I told her that she’s going to be popular as a receptionist.

Except for Brodveth, everyone hung our mouths open. When Mom noticed Dad doing the same, she growled and hit the table with her fist.

“Eek!” Dad cringed.

Like a princess from a noble family, Ellyn made her way and sat beside me. Elegance delivers even when she’s idle.

When I first saw her, I thought she was a quiet and warm female who didn’t care about norms. She betrayed me.

Dad coughed before he started speaking.

“On behalf of saving our daughter, Veniara, I would like to ask for forgiveness for rushing to a conclusion. It’s our fault that you ended up in such an unsightly punishment that you didn’t deserve.”

“I told you, popcorn” Mom inserted. “It’s possible that the former Grayrat saved her, but you didn’t listen. Are you still angry about the past?”

“No, honey,” Dad answered. “I just lost myself because I deeply cherish my daughter.”

“Your majesty, thank you for the consideration of my misunderstood case. I would also like to thank Princess Veniara for clarifying things and saving me,” Ellyn remarked with a soft voice.

“It’s alright, Miss Ellyn. It would have been convenient to ask my daughter first but I panicked,” Dad said. “We’ll give you compensation for everything we’ve done.”

“I don’t mind it, your majesty. The graze vanished anyway, and it’s just temporary.”

“It’s my full responsibility as well,” Brodveth added as he put his palm in his chest towards Ellyn. “We came at the wrong time and jumped to a conclusion. I will accept any form of punishment.”

“Aren’t we overlooking something?” Mom asked. “How can we be so sure that you aren’t manipulating our daughter’s mind?”

“If I had that ability, to be frank, we would have been switched positions already. Also, I met her, not knowing she had such a high position.”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“I would like you to hear the exact thing that happened,” I said and stood up to tell the side of my story.

I summarized it chronologically like plotting novel outlines. I made sure that everything that came out of my mouth was clear to be understood.

“So, that’s what happened, huh?” Dad pinched his chin while staring at the report from the knights. “But what’s this? This says that you have an ulterior motive for killing Elara.”

“That’s not true!” I shouted. “Both of them protected me, even though I’m making things hard for them.”

“It’s just like your daughter said, your majesty,” Ellyn replied. “Elara and I grew up insulting and challenging each other, but killing ourselves is too far and intimate for that relationship.”

“But you… Are you sure you didn’t mean any harm to our daughter?” Dad asked.

“Why are you asking that!? You’re pushing too much pressure on her! She didn’t deserve it,” I argued.

“You might be seeing me as an angel, little princess. Perhaps, I’m that beautiful,” Ellyn chuckled.

“You don’t know the Grayrats yet, Veniara,” Dad commented. “They’re a group of rebels that once aimed for the dethroning of our family.”

“How does it connect? Don’t tell me—”

“Red cat, these woman here and the royal maid assigned to watch over you were once a part of Grayrats,” Mom added. “They’re the ones who once tried to assassinate us.”

“No way…” I still can’t believe how the ones who protected me were the disgrace of the kingdom.

“Little princess, now that we’re exposed, you should rethink your verdict again. I might someday hunt your head too,” Ellyn said with a smile, but it won’t change my decision.

“M—My verdict will remain the same. Past is past. What matters now is that I’m safe, and those who protected me deserve to be thanked,” I announced.

“True,” Mom nods and agrees. “I can see your potential in becoming the Ravelgrace’s successor. Jacques is plainly a bastard.”

“Now that we’ve clarified things as is, we should go to the main agenda,” Dad said to change the topic to a serious one. It looks like he isn’t joking. “Start the debriefing, Brodveth.”

“Yes, your majesty. Princess Veniara and Adventurer Ellyn, I would like you to cooperate with me concerning what happened yesterday evening.”

“Of course, it is,” Ellyn replied. “Isn’t this script in your by-laws?”

“Well then, we should start. By the time the knights rushed into the forest in search of the princess, a strange light appeared from your location. Would you like to tell me what would that be?”

That strange light he said? Couldn’t it be the one that glowed from my hand while I was healing Elara?

“Before the light came, Elara was already deeply wounded trying to protect Ven. I can’t see what exactly happened. I’m too much focused on deflecting claws. The moment I turned back, Elara’s wounds already healed.”

“Then that explains the scattered blood that came from Elara. We did see no wounds but only claw marks on her body and ripped clothing. What about you, Princess Veniara?”

If I told the truth, they would suspect me of this unidentified magic that I own. Everything remains a mystery. I can’t say something I’m unsure of.

“I’m sorry, Cavalry Captain, but I can’t clearly remember what happened back then. I think I’m already unconscious after seeing Elara in—”

Once again, that bloody memory triggers goosebumps in my skin. My face puffed in terror, but I bit my lip to hold it in.

“I’m sorry for asking you such a question that made you uncomfortable. Don’t mind answering that question. We should move to the next one.

“This question is especially for you, Ellyn. Did you encounter something strange when fighting the bears?” Brodveth asked.

“Well, that’s somewhat a professional question, Cavalry Captain. Let’s see, hmm… The first wave was your typical bear family to be hunted, but the second—”

“It became stronger?”

“You knew it right? Since you’ve fought it with your men too.”

“What happened before the change of waves? Did someone enter the scene to revive the bears? I didn’t see a dead bear’s body when we came.”

“No. From what my navigation can tell, no one’s nearby except us. Do you expect them to be drugged by stimulants?”

“That’s the only possible cause I can conclude. This sudden rampage and strength are abnormal. We once fought creatures like these but stronger ones. They’re drugged by a certain person.”

“And that person what a Grayrat too? You should stop concluding just for the conclusion, Cavalry Captain.”

“I didn’t expose much information than you do. Overall, what happened to the wild is abnormal. I will let my knights investigate other methods or plans in that regard. I would also like your cooperation for this.”

“There’s no way I can decline, right?”

“Are you finished, Brodveth?” Dad asked.

“This matter can’t be concluded. Further investigations are needed. Other than that, I have no buts to say,” Brodveth replied.

“Before we end this session, I have to tell you something important first. What do you call a factory that makes okay produc—”

Before Dad finished his statement, Mom threw her shoe into his face with force.

“That’s satisfactory— and somewhat satisfying. If you want something okay, I still have my other shoe,” Mom threatened.

“N—No please!”

I stood up to raise a concern about what would happen to Brodveth and Ellyn, both have mistakes I can take advantage of.

“Mother, Father, I still have to decide what punishment will be thrown upon them.”

Both Brodveth and Ellyn’s eyes widen. Brodveth already expected his punishment. But, Ellyn digs into her memory trying to find what she did wrong.

They nervously gulped.

“Go on,” Mom approved without a doubt.

“For the Cavalry Captain who punished an innocent civilian because of a false conclusion, I would like you to train me to be able to defend myself.”

Everyone suddenly tilted their heads out of confusion.

“I humbly apologize, Princess Veniara, but I think you’re mistaken for what a punishment means,” Brodveth clarified.

“You dare to defy a royal that she’s in the wrong? What I’ve said is absolute,” I declared with my authority.

“I’m deeply sorry for doubting you, princess. I will do the punishment as you please.”

“As I please, you say? Then, don’t go easy on me.”

“Understood!” Brodveth agreed.

“As for the Adventurer Ellyn who let a royalty ‘kid’ wander inside the dangerous forest, you have a more special task.”

“You’re a sneaky one blaming your fault on mine. What a cunning princess. I’m all ears with the punishment you speak of,” Ellyn said.

This request might only be filling holes in my heart, but it’s the first selfish request that I’ll order from someone.

“While Elara’s still recovering,

“You’ll be going to become the royal court maid.”