第５２６堀：真偽混ざったお花畑 (Part2)
All the surrounding guards had been cut down. Stasia-onesama was now wounded and kneeling on the ground, leaving only Aage and me.
"…Onesama. I will use magic to distract the enemy. Please, take Carrie and run. Fortunately, I was taught how to cast Firewall just yesterday."
"…I will definitely come back to save you."
"Eh!? Eh!?"
"Carrie, let’s play again sometime."
As soon as Aage finished saying that, Stasia-onesama left Aage behind, scooped me up, and began to run.
"Tch, so it wasn't just a game of knights, huh… you…"
"I won't let you follow them. Firewall!!"
"What!? This brat!?"
That was the last I saw of Aage.
After that, war broke out between the Fendall Empire and the Lira Kingdom. I returned to my country, hearing only reports of the progress, until finally, a letter was delivered.
"Uncle, is that a letter from the Empire!? Is Aage safe!?"
"…Carrie. I have unfortunate news for you."
"Eh?"
"…Princess Aage has, regrettably, passed away. Princess Stasia has sent this letter and this item, saying she is truly sorry."
What was handed to me was that blue pressed flower we had made in the field of flowers.
"That's right. Give me the blue pressed flower you made, Carrie. In exchange, I'll give you the red one I made."
The blue pressed flower that was the bond between us.
"With this, you and I are sisters."
"Oh my, am I being left out?"
Those warm times would never return.
"Waaaaahhhhh…!!"
Before I knew it, I had collapsed in tears.
"…I didn't think I would have such a dream at a time like this."
I slowly sat up in bed. This was the mansion of Duke Kamishiro. It had been over seven years since that tragedy, and I had thought my memories had weathered away, but it seems that was not the case.
"I apologize to my uncle and mother, but with my enemy right in front of me, I have no intention of staying quiet."
Since that day, relations with the Empire had soured. Within the Kingdom of Haiden, foolish warmongers had begun acting strangely, so for safety, my mother withdrew into the inner palace, and I played the part of a fool to ensure my own survival. But with this recent incident, my uncle should finally be able to move to purge the scum from within.
"Well, if Yuki-sama and the others hadn't appeared, I would have already been dead."
That time was dire. I hadn't expected them to target us when we went out to Baide, nor did I realize the remnants of the Lira Kingdom were behind it. But thanks to the attack on Duke Kamishiro, I finally understood their goal. They were after our magical power—mine and Kagura's—and the pendants passed down through the three noble houses.
They intended to incite the Haiden Kingdom and the Fendall Empire to start a war in Baide where Kagura and I were, making it easy to deal with us. They planned to kidnap us and recreate that day.
But thanks to Yuki-sama and the others, I now know we can handle it. It is clear that Yuki-sama, Kagura, and Catherine are not our enemies.
"In that case, I must gather information. Fortunately, we have some scum in custody, and Yuki-sama and the others are away. It would be a disservice to our ancestors to push such ugly work onto the Hero."
Saying that, I gripped my sword and left the room. Since that day, I had begged my uncle to let me train, building up my strength until now. Not to protect myself, but so that one day, I could take revenge for Aage with my own hands. Besides, it would also protect Haiden, so neither my uncle nor my mother would say no.
"Princess, there is no need for you to dirty your hands…"
"It is something I must do."
My personal maid, Kuno, said that to me, but it was too late for that. She had played the fool alongside me, surviving until today, just to destroy the vermin nesting in Haiden. I never imagined I would also be able to exact my revenge.
"I won't hold back on the first one. There are two more left, after all. If I finish them off quickly and dispose of the bodies, they'll start talking."
"…As you wish."
Only the lamp held by Kuno illuminated the path leading to the dungeon. I walked without hesitation until I reached a cell.
"Who's there?"
"The Princess wishes to have a word. Behave yourself."
"Hah, the idiot princess? Don't make me—"
I thrust my sword through the gap in the bars.
"Gah!? Aaaah, my leg!? My leg!?"
"Oh my, how troublesome. Let's do the same to the other one."
I smiled, just as I always did, and thrust my sword into his other leg.
"Gugyaaaaaa!?"
Now, it has only just begun. Scream more, and make it easier for me to do what needs to be done.
And so, the princess begins to move. A master of deception who had been hiding her true self—well, she had to, otherwise she would have died long ago.