Chapter 12: Apologies and Compensation, War if We Break Apart
I looked down at the older Princess-sama, who was kneeling in front of me, desperately pleading, “That’s not it! Please listen to me!” with a cold gaze.
Why is she making excuses like a wife caught cheating? I thought to myself.
“What do you mean, ‘that’s not it’?”
When I asked, the older Princess-sama crumpled the wanted poster in her hand with a look of hatred and replied.
“This is a scheme that my younger sister hastily manipulated! The Royal Family has no knowledge of this at all!!”
“Huh? The Royal Family has no knowledge? Then what’s this royal seal on the document?”
“Th-That’s… my sister is a princess, so… if forced by the royal family, she wouldn’t be able to resist…”
“I see, so you’re admitting that your royal family is rotten.”
“That’s not it!! I, along with my father, have given up on bringing you to our side!! It’s just that my sister mistakenly believes that if she succeeds in the mission I failed, she could become the next queen…”
“Hmm.”
Well, I guess that’s the only excuse the royal family can come up with.
This whole incident was due to the younger Princess-sama’s reckless actions, and the royal family claims to have no involvement.
“Hey.”
“Y-Yes!”
“…Do you really think such excuses will hold up?”
When I said that, the older Princess-sama’s face twisted in distress.
“You keep saying the royal family has nothing to do with this, yet you just said your sister couldn’t resist because she’s part of the royal family.”
“…Ah.”
“Do you realize your story contradicts itself? The royal family is deeply involved.”
“Th-That is…”
“It’s obvious you want to shirk responsibility. Besides, why are you here instead of the younger Princess-sama?”
“…”
“I bet you thought it would be better for someone else to come instead of her to calm my anger, didn’t you?”
Well, in that regard, it might have worked.
If the younger Princess-sama were right in front of me, I’d probably skip the conversation and just kill her on the spot.
“N-No, that’s not it… um…”
“What do you mean, ‘um’?”
I waited for the older Princess-sama to start speaking.
However, she hesitated to begin.
“Ugh… fine.”
“What?”
“You’ve rejected the royal family’s involvement, so now I’m desperately trying to think of an excuse, right?”
“That’s not true!”
“Then what are you thinking?”
“Um, I’m just wondering how I can make you, Maya-sama, satisfied…”
“Wait, didn’t you say something earlier?”
“Uh, y-yes. I only came to buy the fight you threw at me…”
As soon as the older Princess-sama arrived, she knelt and begged, causing me to forget what I should have said first.
“Ah, right. So let me say this: because of the wanted posters issued by your royal family, we’ve been greatly inconvenienced. I demand an apology and compensation.”
When I said that, the older Princess-sama stood up straight, placed her hands in front of her stomach, and bowed deeply.
The official who had spoken to me earlier looked utterly shocked.
Apparently, royals aren’t supposed to bow their heads.
That’s what I heard from light novels in my previous world.
“On behalf of my sister’s blunder, I sincerely apologize for the great inconvenience caused to you, Maya-sama. I am truly sorry.”
The older Princess-sama remained bowed.
“Hmm. Well, I understand. I’ll accept your apology.”
When I said that, the older Princess-sama visibly relaxed and raised her head.
“Now, let’s talk about compensation.”
“Y-Yes! Please tell me how much. I will pay whatever you ask.”
She said that, but that’s not what I wanted.
“I don’t need money.”
“What?”
“Do you think I need money living in a place like that? I have no use for it.”
“W-Well then, what should I do…?”
Sigh, can’t she figure this out?
“Naturally, I want the punishment of the perpetrator, the immediate cancellation of the wanted posters, and strict enforcement of severe penalties for the offenders.”
“I-I understand. I will ensure it is done…”
“Oh, and let me make this clear: don’t lie. If I come to check and find out you’ve lied, then next time…”
I cut off my words and moved closer to the older Princess-sama.
“I’ll blow the capital to smithereens without hesitation.”
As I whispered this into her ear, the older Princess-sama turned pale and nodded vigorously.
Seeing that, I was sure she would desperately confront the younger Princess-sama.
After all, it seemed she was aiming for the throne.
Now she had a legitimate excuse to legally kick her sister off the path to the throne.
“Oh, right. I almost forgot.”
Having secured the older Princess-sama’s promise, I was about to leave when I remembered something I had overlooked.
I tossed the neglected Nigimaar in front of the older Princess-sama.
Oh, and I also threw the heads of the other two bounty hunters I had dispatched.
“Yikes!! W-What is this!?”
“These are the bounty hunters who came to me with that wanted poster.”
Upon hearing that, the older Princess-sama’s face drained of color, turning even paler.
“We’ve already suffered real damage. You’d better act quickly. If another bunch like this shows up, I’ll interpret it as the royal family breaking their promise.”
“Immediately retract this wanted poster and make it known that anyone who follows it will face severe penalties! Right now!!”
“Y-Yes, ma’am!!”
Hearing my words, the older Princess-sama immediately began issuing orders to the soldiers and officials around her.
Since everyone had been listening to our conversation, their actions were swift.
“Well then, I’m off. See you.”
After witnessing her take immediate action regarding the wanted posters, I cast a spell and activated Teleportation Magic right in front of the older Princess-sama, leaving the scene.
By the way, I didn’t demand a direct apology from the younger Princess-sama because I figured she’d just spout a bunch of excuses, and I didn’t want to hear anything unpleasant.
Also, I used Teleportation Magic in front of the older Princess-sama to imply that I could appear before them at any time.
Let them be scared out of their wits.
Now, let’s see if they’ll sincerely carry out my demands.