Lord Baby Runs A Romance Fantasy With Cash [EN]: Chapter 134

“Ugh, how bothersome.”

I ignored the Emperor’s wink and said,

“I’m still young and inexperienced, but I’ve heard the more you deny a sin, the worse it appears. So, admitting a wrong immediately is the best way to minimize the damage.”

*Everyone watching, we need aggravated punishment here. Got it?*

“Does the Princess imply that I am denying a sin?”

“His Highness Prince Sidrian has directly vouched for the fairness of the evidence.”

*Of course, he didn’t.*

I was just testing the waters.

It was such an obvious trap. Surely, she wouldn’t try to drag Sid down with her, would she?

That would be incredibly foolish.

“Ha! You believe Sidrian’s guarantee?”

Uh oh, is she really going there?

Even as the Empress of the Empire, can she really be this reckless?

Come to think of it, sending Lady Aphelia to the Duke’s estate and hastily siding with Clatie weren’t exactly wise or prudent moves either.

Well, she probably never needed to think or be careful.

Her power likely smoothed over most mistakes and made difficult tasks easy.

*But the situation has changed now.*

“Shouldn’t I believe it?”

“The Princess is superficially clever. Don’t you understand the situation? Sidrian is trying to frame our Esteban to get ahead! And besides, who knows where you crawled out from—”

“Empress!”

The Emperor’s sharp shout cut her off.

“Y-Your Majesty…….”

The Empress seemed to realize her blunder then.

The unfavorable evidence and the betrayal of her trusted maids.

The shock, anxiety, and anger had stripped away what little prudence she possessed.

“I trust you are not implying that my son, whom I have acknowledged, crawled out from who knows where.”

The Emperor glared at the Empress, displeasure etched on his face.

“It is natural for siblings to compete. But since when has it become acceptable to commit injustice out of competitiveness? The Imperial Family has always severely punished such actions.”

Honestly, there must have been a lot of underhanded fighting that never came to light.

*But that’s all happening beneath the surface.*

Bringing it into the open is a different matter.

“……I apologize, Your Majesty. I was so shocked by the fabricated evidence that I misspoke.”

In the end, the Empress lowered her head.

“Um, but shouldn’t the Empress be apologizing to someone else?”

I tilted my head and blinked innocently.

“You should apologize directly to the person you wronged, to be a good child.”

As I grabbed Sid’s arm and spoke, the Empress’s eyebrows twitched.

But in this situation, even the Empress can’t shout ‘What nonsense!’ at me.

“……If I misunderstood, I will apologize to the Prince.”

It was an ambiguous apology, but it was clear that a commotion was spreading among the nobles.

The Empress gritted her teeth and exclaimed,

“If the evidence is insufficient, the Prince will have to take full responsibility for what he guaranteed.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

Sid said with a crooked smile.

The Emperor waved his hand wearily and opened his mouth.

“We’ll know once we see it. Princess, is there any evidence other than the questionnaire?”

“It’s the contract between Professor Bronshwe, who administered the questionnaire, and the Empress. Your Majesty’s seal is clearly stamped on it.”

I proudly held up the contract with a flourish.

Leaving it in writing to prevent either side from betraying the other turned out to be the source of the problem.

“It’s a forged contract! They forged my seal……!”

“It is definitely the Empress’s seal. I can feel the energy of the seal.”

The Emperor, who received the contract through a servant, declared in a heavy tone.

“Energy……?”

The Empress’s eyes trembled slightly.

“The Imperial Family’s seals have a special energy flowing through them. And those who are of the Imperial Family can read that energy.”

“T-That can’t be…….”

The Empress trembled, her face pale, and strode towards me.

*Slap!*

The sound of a cheek being slapped echoed sharply.

Mrs. Victoria clutched her cheek in dismay.

“Y-Your Majesty?”

“You! You dared to steal the Empress’s seal and do this?!

Oh dear…….

“Your Majesty! My sin is great for appointing such a person! I told her everything, even the location of the seal, so Mrs. Victoria must have—”

“No, Your Majesty! It’s definitely not me! Why would I do such a heinous thing……! No!”

Mrs. Victoria knelt and cried out to the Emperor.

The crime of stealing and using the Empress’s seal is naturally punishable by death. She had no choice but to be desperate.

And.

“Mrs. Victoria is right. None of the maids have ever held the seal even once!”

“Please believe us! We will testify to when Professor Bronshwe and the Empress met!”

These were the maids who had already promised to testify after my persuasion(?).

But they had no choice but to hesitate to come forward due to reputation and other issues.

*Since the Empress is trying to pin the blame on the maid first, they are becoming more active.*

It wouldn’t end with just blaming Mrs. Victoria.

* * *

“I came with a light heart, but what is this…….”

“I thought it couldn’t be just a festival since the two princes are candidates for the win, but I never thought something like this would happen.”

The nobles pressed their temples, looking at the Diluculum Hall, which had instantly turned into a headache-inducing power struggle.

Conclusive evidence had emerged that the Empress was involved in the fraudulent exam.

“Your Majesty, they are all plotting to trap me! It’s definitely not me! This is a frame-up!”

The Empress was in an uproar, claiming she was wronged.

“What do you think will happen?”

The important thing here is not the real culprit.

In fact, everyone realized that the Empress was behind the scheme when Princess Paeraton appeared with evidence and witnesses.

What matters is how the judgment will be made.

The official outcome is more important than the truth.

“It seems that His Majesty is now giving strength to Prince Sidrian. The evidence is clear, so he will punish the Empress.”

“Supporting Prince Sidrian is just to balance things out and keep the Empress in check. Whether he will continue to support him after the balance is achieved…….”

“Leaving aside other issues, won’t he side with the Empress for now? If the Empress’s guilt is acknowledged as it is, the prestige of the Imperial Family will fall to the ground.”

“But if the Emperor sides with the Empress when the evidence and witnesses are clear, wouldn’t that also cause problems?”

A dilemma.

As for the Emperor, whether he sides with the Empress or not, his face and dignity will be tarnished.

At that moment, Princess Paeraton stepped forward and knelt towards the Emperor.

“The differences of opinion between the two sides are not narrowing at all. If a trial is held according to the strict Imperial Law, the truth will be revealed clearly, but now, His Majesty the Emperor, who upholds and enforces the laws of the Empire, is here.”

A clear and bright child’s voice.

The nobles looked at Ruatisha, wondering, *’Could it be?’*

“I believe that His Majesty the Emperor, who is fair and just, will discern the truth.”

*’Entrust it to His Majesty here? He’ll try to get out of it somehow since it’s a dilemma, right?’*

What they suspected was true.

Everyone watched the Emperor with anxious hearts.

Worrying that a harsh order might fall on that little child.

But.

“Yes, since the young Princess praises my fairness and justice with such clear eyes, I must make a clear judgment!”

The Emperor laughed heartily and nodded.

“Privately, I am the Empress’s husband, but before that, I wear the Emperor’s crown and swore to exclude all my personal gains and emotions for the sake of this Empire.”

At those words, Ruatisha lowered her head.

“I don’t know the weight of the crown well, but I have learned the history of the Empire. His Majesty’s grandfather and his grandfather’s grandmother, and that grandmother’s grandfather. The successive Emperors of the Empire have protected the Empire by driving themselves and even their own flesh and blood into the abyss. Who can be fair and just if not His Majesty the Emperor, who has inherited that spirit.”

“The Princess’s words are truly correct. Since I have been asked for a fair judgment from the future of the Empire, responding to it is also my joy and pride in leading this country. As the Emperor of the Empire, I will exclude all personal relationships and judge.”

*’Huh?’*

*’Did His Majesty eat something wrong? Why is he acting like this?’*

The nobles tilted their heads at the conversation that was flowing smoothly.

Knowing the Emperor’s nature of putting himself and the imperial power first, they were embarrassed by this reaction.

He should be angry at the Princess instead?

“The testimonies of the witnesses are consistent and no contradictions can be found. Moreover, they are speaking in detail and accurately, even down to the date and time.”

“Y-Your Majesty! No! They matched their words beforehand and said that!”

The Emperor ignored the Empress’s words and picked up the contract in his hand.

“Also, the seal stamped here is definitely the Empress’s seal. And the Imperial Family’s seal cannot be stamped arbitrarily.”

“……!”

“Only the chosen one can stamp it. The Empress received that right when she married me. It is one of the Imperial Family’s long-standing secrets.”

The Empress’s eyes widened as if they would tear.

Since the number of people who can stamp the seal is limited, the excuse that the maids secretly stole it and stamped it no longer works.

At that moment, Ruatisha quickly spread her skirt wide and bent and straightened her knees [a formal curtsy].

“I am impressed by Your Majesty’s strict judgment, even revealing the Imperial Family’s long-standing secrets.”

“It is a natural thing to do as the Emperor of the Empire.”

“But it is not an easy task. I heard that Your Majesty has been cautious and prudent in his actions since entering the hall.”

“That is also a natural thing to do. Although the Empress is my wife…… no, rather, because she is my wife, I thought I should refrain from acting until accurate evidence came out. The moment I step in, it would become siding with the Empress regardless of the truth.”

“You are so considerate and fair, the people of the Empire will always support and follow Your Majesty’s judgment.”

The two of them were really in sync.

The Empress, who was looking at the Emperor laughing heartily with bewildered eyes, turned her head and looked at Ruatisha.

*’You, it was you!’*

The culprit who made the Emperor, who would have protected her as usual, stand by with his hands behind his back!

The person who made the Emperor acknowledge her guilt as the Empress in front of everyone!

*’Yes, it’s me.’*

Ruatisha smiled brightly.

*’Quickly cutting ties is the shortcut to quick happiness!’*

She had simply made the Emperor realize that simple truth once again.

The nobles who were watching nodded one by one.

“Certainly……. I thought he would step in and cover up the Empress’s sins, but he was quiet from the beginning.”

“This time, His Majesty really made a fair judgment.”

“He even revealed the secrets about the Imperial Family’s seal……. Only the chosen one can stamp it, so the Imperial Family has many special things after all.”

He revealed the secret because it was a secret that would be beneficial to reveal.

Of course, among those who said that, there were some who were sincere and some who were not.

*’His Majesty made a good judgment. If he does this, he will save His Majesty the Emperor’s face and only lower the Empress’s prestige.’*

*’Seeing the reporters moving their hands quickly over the typewriter, I can clearly see how the article will be released. This incident will rather benefit His Majesty the Emperor.’*

Since they are not so thoughtless as to say those words out loud in such a place,

“Oh, my, His Majesty the Emperor is truly fair and just!”

They just matched their words.

At the same time, they looked at Princess Paeraton with sharp eyes.

*’It was possible because Princess Paeraton openly created the atmosphere.’*

*’She brought clear evidence and witnesses and even linked herself with Prince Sidrian, who joined hands with her…….’*

*’Looking at the words exchanged with the Emperor, they must have matched their words in advance. When did they have time to do that? Did the Princess know in advance that there was clear evidence?’*

*’Either way, it’s amazing……! She’s only ten years old!’*

*’Paeraton’s military power is recognized, but I thought their political diplomacy and sociability were weak……. This is really like giving wings to a tiger!’*

Those who were quick to notice realized that the Emperor had only put a spoon on it [helped a little], and who was actually leading the game.

* * *

[You have completed the quest 〈Free Rice Cakes are Gone, Let’s Work!〉.]

[You have been awarded a 7000 Cash Gacha Ticket as a reward.]

[The Emperor is very pleased with your cooperation!]

[Count Chessia, the Minister of the Imperial Household, is impressed by your skills!]

[Duke Delbatren praises your political skills!]

[Duke Iscamil is amazed by your wit!]

[Count Micheloin feels great gratitude and grace towards you!]

[Marquis Schweb is moved by your courage and determination!]

Perhaps because it was a place where many people gathered, the reactions of the powerful continued endlessly.

I roughly skipped over those phrases and read the rest.

[Your influence within the Empire has greatly increased!]

[Additional rewards will be given!]

*’If the reaction is this good, the additional rewards will be substantial, right?’*

Hehe.

A smile came out on its own.

“I would have been in great trouble if it weren’t for the Princess.”

At the Emperor’s words, I came to my senses and looked ahead.

I was currently talking to the Emperor separately with my family.

“After all, the only person I can trust is our Princess Paeraton.”

“Oh, really? I thought you would resent me when I blocked the people of the Empress who were trying to take Lady Micheloin away.”

“Haha! I can’t beat you. It’s true that I blamed the Princess a little at that time. But I didn’t particularly sanction it, did I? That’s because I was trusting the Princess in my heart.”

It was very likely because of my dad and my grandfather, though.

*’Shall I let it go at this point?’*

“Wow, I’m so happy that Your Majesty trusted me so much!”

The Emperor laughed heartily.

“I really wish I had a daughter like the Princess, I wouldn’t have to worry…… Ahem! That’s what I mean, that’s what I mean! I can’t even drink water properly in front of the Duke.”

The Emperor coughed awkwardly.

“Haha, it’s nice to see Your Majesty throwing jokes like this after a long time.”

My grandfather is clearly smiling, but why do I feel such a cold aura?

“Eing! Now even the Marquis is giving me the eye! It must be nice to have a granddaughter like this, really! How can people without grandchildren live without feeling sad…….”

The Emperor, who was grumbling, suddenly shone his eyes.

“It’s not like there’s no way for me to have a granddaughter like the Princess.”