Chapter 46: I Don’t Trust My Brother-in-Law at All!!
“—So, Duke Lecherie is involved in human trafficking, huh?”
The scene shifts back three days to my clandestine meeting with Prince Lucas.
He spoke of the legitimate reason Lily could annul her engagement with Duke Lecherie. In the Kingdom of Reese, human trafficking is a grave crime. Even nobles face strict punishment in the name of His Majesty the King.
“Is that true?”
I turned to Roan, who was leaning against the wall. Prince Lucas tilted his head, wondering why I wasn’t asking him, but I ignored it. This guy might just fabricate nonexistent crimes for all I know.
If it were Roan, he could probably see through any lies with his enhanced insight from the «Ninja» Skill.
“Ah… you remember that human trafficking organization you took down, right?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Hold on a second, when did you do all that? This is the first I’m hearing of it.”
Lily looked at me, surprised.
Now that I think about it, I hadn’t mentioned the incident on the day of the entrance exam. There was no particular reason to bring it up.
“The clothing store he and my sister stumbled into was actually a kidnapping spot for human trafficking. He saved her when she got abducted.”
“That’s why she’s so attached to you…”
With a brief explanation from Prince Lucas, Lily murmured in understanding, her fist pressed against her lips.
“Back to the topic. When we interrogated the captured members, we found out that some noble was involved in the kidnappings. They didn’t know who that noble was, but the transportation route they used over the lake was obtained through that noble’s connections. The name that surfaced as a result of the Knights Order’s investigation was…”
“Duke Lecherie. He holds the rights to the lake transportation. However, he’s not a fool. Right now, all we have are circumstantial evidence. Just because Duke Lecherie seems suspicious doesn’t mean we have definitive proof of his involvement. Even if we get an arrest warrant from my father, it would likely be suppressed.”
“…So, if we had definitive proof that Duke Lecherie is involved in human trafficking…”
“It would legitimize Lily’s annulment of her engagement.”
“Exactly. House Puridi was already aware of Duke Lecherie’s involvement in human trafficking beforehand. By annulling the engagement and severing ties, we can ultimately protect Prince Slay. Even if we’re resented by his faction, we shouldn’t face unwarranted attacks. The problem is how to obtain that definitive proof.”
As he spoke, Prince Lucas turned to me and smiled brightly. …Well, I suppose that’s how it would go. Since I asked for his cooperation, I should do my part.
“Understood. I will—”
“I’ll get the evidence.”
Lily interrupted my words, determination etched on her face.
“Uh, how?”
Prince Lucas looked at her with a wry smile, clearly not expecting her to say that.
“…If there is any evidence, it should be in Duke Lecherie’s private chamber. If I accept his invitation, it shouldn’t be too difficult to enter.”
“That’s a risky plan. There’s no guarantee you’ll find any evidence. It’s far too dangerous.”
“Even so, if it means I can annul the engagement…”
“You’re saying you’d be willing to spend a night with Duke Lecherie?”
“…It’s like being bitten by a mosquito.”
She said this while trying to appear brave, but the hand she held onto mine trembled slightly.
…Damn it.
Why do you always try to shoulder everything by yourself…?
“Do you agree with her, Hugh?”
“There’s no way I do…!”
“Wait, Hugh!?”
I couldn’t help but respond harshly, causing Lily to look at me in alarm.
“How can you speak to His Highness like that?”
“It’s fine, Lady Lily. His anger is justified. You might want to learn to rely on others a bit more.”
“Uh…? Oh, yes…”
Lily seemed bewildered, not expecting to be admonished by Prince Lucas, and she nodded in confusion.
“Now then, Hugh. While Lady Lily believes she can obtain evidence by sacrificing herself, don’t you think you could get that evidence more easily?”
“If you told me to go get it right now, I’d do it.”
“That’s reassuring. But there’s no need to rush. It would be best to aim for the day after tomorrow. There will be a lot of comings and goings in preparation for the ball the following night, so security should be thinner during the day than at night.”
“I see…”
The day after tomorrow is indeed a holiday for the academy. It shouldn’t be a problem to infiltrate Duke Lecherie’s mansion during the day. I’m a bit worried about leaving Rouge alone, though…
“Hugh, you’re not seriously thinking of infiltrating Duke Lecherie’s mansion alone, are you? That’s far too dangerous! If something were to happen to you, I…”
“Just so you know, you’re not the only one who thinks that, alright? I’d be sad and hurt if something happened to Lily too. I might go into a rage. That’s why I’m going. With my skills, I should be able to sneak into Duke Lecherie’s mansion without anyone noticing.”
“That may be true, but… at least take someone else with you…”
Lily’s gaze wandered, landing on Roan.
Roan shrugged at her stare.
“I can’t do it, you know? I’m not suited for stealth missions where you can’t be noticed, especially if you’re going in head-on… Ah, don’t worry, Lady Puridi. I haven’t actually fought him, but Hugh’s strength is real. He took down a human trafficking organization all by himself without killing anyone. What he did is much harder than just wiping them out. Sneaking in to find evidence should be a piece of cake for him. Right, Hugh?”
“Yeah, well…”
Being praised like that by Roan makes me feel a bit awkward. I know he’s just trying to reassure Lily.
Perhaps with the endorsement of the kingdom’s strongest knight, Lily finally felt a bit more at ease, loosening her grip on my hand slightly.
“Are you really going to be okay…?”
“Isn’t it about time you started trusting me?”
“Trusting you and not worrying are two different things. If something were to happen to you, there would be at least three girls who would be heartbroken… don’t forget that, okay?”
“Ah, yeah. Does that make me sound like a terrible womanizer…?”
“It’s not just a feeling; it’s the truth, isn’t it?”
“I thought I was living a wholesome and honest life…”
Rouge, Lily, and Lecty too. If a friend suddenly got caught while infiltrating a duke’s mansion and was executed, it would be shocking and heartbreaking, for sure.
“Have we reached a consensus? Then let’s discuss our future plans.”
After that, Prince Lucas and Lily led a discussion about our plans moving forward. We explored various possibilities, such as whether we could recruit Marquis Puridi as an ally and what to do if Prince Slay decided to take matters into his own hands without believing in the arrest warrant.
We wrapped up the discussion around 2 AM. We decided to call it a night and would have our final meeting the night before the ball. Lily and I would be sent back by Alissa in the carriage, just like when we arrived.
“Can I have a word, Hugh?”
Just before we exited the building, Prince Lucas stopped me. When I asked what it was, he draped an arm over my shoulder, leaned in closer, and spoke in a hushed tone.
“If there’s no evidence of Duke Lecherie’s involvement in human trafficking…”
“Are you suggesting we forge something…?”
“I’m not saying you have to. But Duke Lecherie is a cunning man. There’s a chance he might not leave behind anything that could serve as evidence. If we’re certain of his involvement but have no proof, wouldn’t it be justifiable to take such measures? My dear brother-in-law.”
“…I suppose so, brother-in-law.”
At my response, Prince Lucas made a slight grimace, his mouth forming a displeased line.
I’d prefer not to use the «Brainwashing» Skill on others. But it seems I might have to rely on that power this time.
If Duke Lecherie is truly involved in human trafficking… I need to brace myself.