“What did you do, daughter?”

My father spoke in a grim and stern tone as he sat down on his desk, his one hand tapping on it.

“Which do you mean?”

“Count Farrimond, you gave him something. It has come to my attention that a poison has been requested. Is it what you gave him?”

“Oh, yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about it?”

“... Because I knew you would hesitate giving me one.”

He sighed. “Of course I would. For what purpose would a poison have, and you even gave it to him? Why?”

“He must pay for his sins. He confessed in front of uncle Meril if you need another witness.”

“I am still baffled why he would betray us. He was a promising subject.”

“A man’s ambition can be corrupting.”

“So his ambition became his downfall. But for what purpose is the poison? I fear asking, and I don’t want to imagine you commanding this. Do you want him to kill someone?”

I shook my head. “If you mean assassination, no. Why would I do that?”

“Then…?”

“I gave the poison so he can make a choice and commit his own punishment.”

Father looked away, his brow furrowed, pondering about what I meant. His eyes widened when he realized. “... To take his own life…?”

I smiled slightly.

“Why…? What would we benefit from this? This is not how we do things, daughter. He’s a noble, he should be processed and formally given a verdict.”

“He had decided his path.”

Father stared at me in silence, as if he was in disbelief. “... Estelia, what is this for?”

“... Father, Saerus Farrimond will announce his sin, his treason, to the aristocratic circle. And in front of all, he would express his guilt and regret. To make up for his mistakes, he willingly takes his own life. His act will shake the hearts of the nobles. And then, the kingdom shall know of his crimes, and his act of courage.”

“Courage?”

“It is never easy to punish oneself. It is an act of restoring honor, to himself and to his family.”

“I do not agree with this.”

“I hope to show the lingering traitors what will happen if they are discovered and continue to sabotage us. I want them to hesitate. Give them a chance to turn back. Or better yet, admit their betrayals.”

“This is too extreme, daughter. What has happened to you? Have you forgotten my words?”

“I…”

He looked like he experienced some sort of pain in his heart. Looking away, he closed his eyes and placed a hand on his face. I did not know how to respond.

Father lowered his hand. “How will the Count’s situation proceed?”

“... Next week, he will invite nobles to a party at his estate. There, the event occurs.”

“... I see. Estelia,” he looked me in the eye. “I will allow this. However, this is the last.”

I narrowed my eyes, puzzled. “... T-The last?”

“I remove your authority. I will take the helm, while you stand to the side, a mere observer.”

“W-What?” My eyes widened. “You’re relieving me of my command?”

“Yes, daughter. This is getting out of hand.”

“W-What do you mean getting out of hand? It’s all under control.”

“This has become too extreme.”

I stepped forward. “You can’t do this to me.”

“I can. You are dismissed. It is time for you to rest and live normally, as have you done before. I will continue your work.”

I gritted my teeth in displeasure. “Is this your final decision, father?”

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“Yes.”

I stepped back, lowering my head. “Very well. I’ll leave things in your hand. But, before I leave. I suggest after Saerus dies, assign someone to take temporary command over his domain. Someone that is loyal to you. That is all.”

Dammit! If I knew this was going to happen, I wouldn’t have made Saerus kill himself!

I turned my back on my father and left the room. My three servants were waiting outside.

“Woah, you look angry. What happened in there?” my knight asked.

“Father removed my authority. I am no longer in command.”

“What? You mean everything? All that you’ve done and managing?”

“Yes.”

“What? Why?”

“Could it be because of what you did to the Count, your highness?”

I began walking, heading for the library. What can I do to reverse this? Go to Mother and tell her what happened? Maybe have her convince father to change his mind? No, Father’s serious this time, there’s no way that would work.

Then there’s nothing I can do. Well, once the matter with the Count is finished, at least things would go smoothly onward. It should be safer. What mattered was lessening the damage Wisteria would incur. But that didn’t mean not ensuring everything went as expected.

In any case, I still have the merchants under my thumbs. If I need something, they will do.

I wonder if uncle Meril would still listen to me. His spies are important pieces. Would I still be updated about everything going on? I forgot to ask about that. Shit.

Am I really back to being the normal, normal princess this suddenly? Ugh.

Guess I’ll return my focus to my training. That will keep me occupied.

But I look forward to the end of the Saerus situation. It’s quite anxiety inducing knowing that I’m no longer the supervisor to things.

Fuck it.

Let’s pray to myself that everything will go well.

May goddess Estelia’s light shine upon all.

“Your highness, what will you do now?”

“Observe.”

“Will everything go well without you keeping an eye on things?” Rogan asked.

“Everything is designed to turn even if I'm not there. Father can keep things in order if required.”

“At least you’ll get to rest.”

“Yes.”

I’m sleeping early tonight.

***

The next day, early in the morning, I met with my uncle in an emergency meeting. With permission from my father of course. I couldn’t do anything freely now that involves important business. This meeting was so he could catch up.

When I told him that I was stripped of my command and the reason, he looked shocked at first, but then he chuckled. Both chuckle and smile almost seemed like he had heard something truly hilarious. “You went too far.”

I pouted. “It was within my parameters.”

He shook his head. “Even I was surprised by what you made the Count do.”

“At least it would effectively get the result I want.”

He leaned back on his couch. “Is the result all that matters to you?”

With narrow eyes, I answered. “What? Are you going to tell me the end doesn't justify the means?”

“Does it not?”

“It depends on the people involved.”

“And if it’s someone you don’t care about, the means won’t matter?”

“Uncle~.” I said sweetly. “I am not heartless. I care about everyone. Just as how I gave the Count a way to redeem himself.”

His face twisted, looking away as if reflecting on recent events. “... Yes… But you are quite dramatic about it.”

“People love drama, especially one that displays in public. Drama and theatrics stick in everyone’s head.”

Theatrical presentation is quite an effective thing if you want something that gains the attention of others. Otherwise, it would be too boring. And boredom means a failure of an event and the show. You think psychologically, executing the Count through beheading in the palace or in the city would be extremely impactful? Where’s the drama?! As I said, we need something that really sticks, you know.

“So that’s why it happens at a party?”

“Indeed.”

“His family will be there.”

I fell silent for a moment. “... It will be up to him whether he wants them to watch.”

He lightly scratched the back of his head. “... Alright. Then, what will I do now that you’re not in command? Because I can’t report to you anymore.”

“I would like you to support my father to the best you can.”

“Of course I will. But you don’t want me to sneak reports to you?”

“... Father will become furious if he finds it out.”

“I suppose.”

“Once the Count has paid for his crimes, I wish you to oversee the change of command in his domain.”

“I imagine the steward would be another noble. Or do you want someone else?”

“I don’t know other nobles. But, I would like it if it’s someone you can easily con — get along with. Someone that will listen to the crown without question.”

“Count Farrimond’s family will not take power then after his passing.”

Normally, if the family head, or the father dies, the wife would take over his authority. Or if the wife chooses to give control of the domain to the son. Which reminds me, Saerus’s son was at an age where he could take over the seat. However, he may need more experience. Still, he won’t be taking over for the time being.

“No they won’t. Their loyalty remains in question. Keep them on standby in their homes until they prove their loyalty.”

“How?”

“You think about that.”

At first, I was thinking of throwing them into a dangerous forest with only their plain clothes after the Count’s death. I won’t sentence them to death, especially like the tribe I mentioned. I could strip them of everything and throw them into exile or some shit.

And then, surprise surprise, they are dumped into the farthest forest where monsters lurk. Luck will only be their salvation. They could get out of the forest, or they could get devoured. If it’s the latter, then they would still need to figure out how to live without riches. If it’s the latter, hey, I didn’t kill them…

But of course if I did that, it would never pass with father. And… I am not that heartless, hehehe.

‘Estelia, are you really that mad that you would throw an entire defenseless family in a forest to die?’ Whaaat? I’m not maaad. Wait, which definition of mad would that be?

“... Very well. About other matters aside from the Count?”

“Keep close coordination with the merchants still. That’s our priority. How are things going, by the way?”

“I heard it’s going well.”

“Good. Keep at it. Help them as much as you can, we need their work finished for the preparation.”

“Preparing for the inevitable, huh?”

“And watch out for the traitorous nobles and keep a close eye after the Count’s event. Might have others make some mistakes on the way.”

“Certainly. Things would be different without you at the helm.”

“Yes, I suppose it would be easier for you now?” I giggled. “You don’t get to listen to my demands anymore.”

“Heh, I don’t know about that. So, what will you be doing from now on?”

“I’m learning as usual. Training.”

“Oh? What are you training for?”

“It’s a secret.”

“I see. Well, I’ll figure it out eventually anyway.”

“Of course you would. I know how you love a good gossip.”

Get it? ‘Cause he’s a spy!

“Ha-ha, very funny, niece.” He said sarcastically.