Elena cautiously started speaking.
“You said that Leticia and those people ran away with the same clothes they changed into?”
“Yes.”
Cedric and I answered at the same time.
“Prince, at the time of discovery, you were in a shirt, trousers, and boots. And Leticia was in her pajamas.”
It was Elena’s statement.
“…”
But my memory was…
I was at a loss for words. Someone cautiously started speaking. An old man’s voice. One of the people from the Southern Gathering.
“Perhaps the two of you were confused because you’re still young?”
“You went out for fun and got into an accident…”
“Maybe you’re lying because you’re afraid of getting scolded. You both would have been surprised at the princess’s injury.”
“I’ve heard that a blow to the head or a fall can cause temporary vision damage.”
Judging by the familiar voices, they’re all from the Southern Gathering.
My heart stopped.
“That’s not it!”
What happened last night was real. I’m not lying.
“Honey, Leticia, it’s okay. You didn’t make a mistake. No one would doubt that you two were just playing around because you’re still so young.”
Elena began to comfort me.
“Twelve and fifteen years old is enough age to like each other. Of course, not in an unhealthy way! I’m just talking about a wholesome relationship.”
This was another voice of an old man I didn’t recognize. Furthermore, someone muttered this.
“Considering the situation, it might be faster to propose a betrothal… I wished for a marriage with a southerner.”
I was increasingly at a loss for words.
It was absurd. Do they think that Cedric and I had hallucinations because we were young? I felt that the expression of Collen standing next to me was gradually changing.
‘It’s a big trouble.’
Even though I can’t see, I could feel my Dad’s anger. It was almost like adding fuel to the fire.
“Do you think my daughter is a fool?”
Collen whispered. However, Cedric also spoke almost simultaneously.
“The princess is not a liar. And neither am I.”
The room went quiet again.
“We’re not crazy. And we’re not playing jokes or lying, I stake my royal status on it.”
Gulp, someone swallowed.
I didn’t exactly know what that meant, but I knew it wasn’t an ordinary statement.
“Even if I were to court the princess, it wouldn’t be through such a process. I appreciate your concern for our future, but…”
“…”
“Perhaps you should focus on the crime case now?”
Cedric’s cold voice. While listening to his voice, Collen held my hand.
“Honey, what should we do if they don’t believe you? Should I scold them and start the investigation?”
When Collen’s sweet voice reached my ears, I felt like crying.
I shook my head.
“We, let’s go to the scene, Cedric and I remember. Where we were. Everyone go and check.”
The fanatics who were worshiping Demon God. If we go to the place where they held the ceremony, we would find clues.
“Also, send someone into the forest. Look for us, whom Cedric saw there. And is there a space where children could hide nearby?”
“There are many unused outbuildings. And there are also huts for workers.”
“Can you search inside them?”
“Give it a try.”
Elena nodded. Besides us, the kids who were supposed to be the original victims. If we find those kids, that will also be evidence.
“I think I can guide. A building right in front of the daffodil field. It was an old building across a small forest behind the Duke’s main estate.”
Cedric said.
“Isn’t that a building no one uses?”
“Is it that close?”
Everyone spoke in surprise.
“Also, Dad, we have something to talk about, just the two of us.”
I whispered to Collen. Upon Collen’s command, people went out first.
“What is it?”
Collen looked curious.
“Dad, there’s something I couldn’t tell you before.”
I explained to Collen about the red flower I saw.
“Your state became strange when they burned the red flower, with a golden line, that I was looking for?”
“Yes, I’ve never done drugs, but it was as if I did…”
“That’s another strange thing.”
“Yes?”
“I chased the flower’s whereabouts using all sorts of methods after getting it. You know that, right?”
“Yes.”
“And I’ve tried all sorts of experiments. Burning the flower, soaking it in water and various chemicals, and even deliberately letting it wilt and die.”
“But was there no result?”
“Ah, that flower was just a normal flower. It was just a form that can’t be seen anywhere.”
I was more speechless.
“My memory… Something’s strange…”
Memories that conflict with Cedric’s. Hallucinations that can’t possibly exist.
“Dad, I’m not lying.”
Collen silently lifted me in his arms.
“I believe you, Leticia.”
I nodded my head. I was anxious.
That feeling grew bigger and bigger.
‘What on earth happened to me?’
Blinding. An incident from last night that can’t hide the truth. I feel so sick, I might vomit.
I tried to compose myself.
‘I mustn’t waver.’
It was the same during the festival. Only I can prove that I’m not a liar.
‘I’m scared, but I can do it.’
Will my sight return? I suppressed my anxiety.
Elena cautiously started speaking.
“You said that Leticia and those people ran away with the same clothes they changed into?”
“Yes.”
Cedric and I answered at the same time.
“Prince, at the time of discovery, you were in a shirt, trousers, and boots. And Leticia was in her pajamas.”
It was Elena’s statement.
“…”
But my memory was…
I was at a loss for words. Someone cautiously started speaking. An old man’s voice. One of the people from the Southern Gathering.
“Perhaps the two of you were confused because you’re still young?”
“You went out for fun and got into an accident…”
“Maybe you’re lying because you’re afraid of getting scolded. You both would have been surprised at the princess’s injury.”
“I’ve heard that a blow to the head or a fall can cause temporary vision damage.”
Judging by the familiar voices, they’re all from the Southern Gathering.
My heart stopped.
“That’s not it!”
What happened last night was real. I’m not lying.
“Honey, Leticia, it’s okay. You didn’t make a mistake. No one would doubt that you two were just playing around because you’re still so young.”
Elena began to comfort me.
“Twelve and fifteen years old is enough age to like each other. Of course, not in an unhealthy way! I’m just talking about a wholesome relationship.”
This was another voice of an old man I didn’t recognize. Furthermore, someone muttered this.
“Considering the situation, it might be faster to propose a betrothal… I wished for a marriage with a southerner.”
I was increasingly at a loss for words.
It was absurd. Do they think that Cedric and I had hallucinations because we were young? I felt that the expression of Collen standing next to me was gradually changing.
‘It’s a big trouble.’
Even though I can’t see, I could feel my Dad’s anger. It was almost like adding fuel to the fire.
“Do you think my daughter is a fool?”
Collen whispered. However, Cedric also spoke almost simultaneously.
“The princess is not a liar. And neither am I.”
The room went quiet again.
“We’re not crazy. And we’re not playing jokes or lying, I stake my royal status on it.”
Gulp, someone swallowed.
I didn’t exactly know what that meant, but I knew it wasn’t an ordinary statement.
“Even if I were to court the princess, it wouldn’t be through such a process. I appreciate your concern for our future, but…”
“…”
“Perhaps you should focus on the crime case now?”
Cedric’s cold voice. While listening to his voice, Collen held my hand.
“Honey, what should we do if they don’t believe you? Should I scold them and start the investigation?”
When Collen’s sweet voice reached my ears, I felt like crying.
I shook my head.
“We, let’s go to the scene, Cedric and I remember. Where we were. Everyone go and check.”
The fanatics who were worshiping Demon God. If we go to the place where they held the ceremony, we would find clues.
“Also, send someone into the forest. Look for us, whom Cedric saw there. And is there a space where children could hide nearby?”
“There are many unused outbuildings. And there are also huts for workers.”
“Can you search inside them?”
“Give it a try.”
Elena nodded. Besides us, the kids who were supposed to be the original victims. If we find those kids, that will also be evidence.
“I think I can guide. A building right in front of the daffodil field. It was an old building across a small forest behind the Duke’s main estate.”
Cedric said.
“Isn’t that a building no one uses?”
“Is it that close?”
Everyone spoke in surprise.
“Also, Dad, we have something to talk about, just the two of us.”
I whispered to Collen. Upon Collen’s command, people went out first.
“What is it?”
Collen looked curious.
“Dad, there’s something I couldn’t tell you before.”
I explained to Collen about the red flower I saw.
“Your state became strange when they burned the red flower, with a golden line, that I was looking for?”
“Yes, I’ve never done drugs, but it was as if I did…”
“That’s another strange thing.”
“Yes?”
“I chased the flower’s whereabouts using all sorts of methods after getting it. You know that, right?”
“Yes.”
“And I’ve tried all sorts of experiments. Burning the flower, soaking it in water and various chemicals, and even deliberately letting it wilt and die.”
“But was there no result?”
“Ah, that flower was just a normal flower. It was just a form that can’t be seen anywhere.”
I was more speechless.
“My memory… Something’s strange…”
Memories that conflict with Cedric’s. Hallucinations that can’t possibly exist.
“Dad, I’m not lying.”
Collen silently lifted me in his arms.
“I believe you, Leticia.”
I nodded my head. I was anxious.
That feeling grew bigger and bigger.
‘What on earth happened to me?’
Blinding. An incident from last night that can’t hide the truth. I feel so sick, I might vomit.
I tried to compose myself.
‘I mustn’t waver.’
It was the same during the festival. Only I can prove that I’m not a liar.
‘I’m scared, but I can do it.’
Will my sight return? I suppressed my anxiety.
