Chapter 56: Rehabum

Gold, silver, and jewelry were haphazardly stacked in a space half the size of the hidden room. The treasure’s highest point appeared to reach the ceiling.

We three went inside and examined them in the dim light. There were common bangles, necklaces, and anklets, as well as rich people’s gold ornaments and silver tableware. They were piled on top of each other in a heap.

But there were no bodies with anguished expressions.

—○█○—

“Perhaps they were taken from the people after the flood. The entire amount that went missing after it was collected was hidden in the palace. It’s a shameful story.”

His Majesty’s expression is solemn. On the contrary, the Finance Minister appears to be overjoyed.

“Your Majesty, this is enough to pay for the construction of the canal to the dry well!”

“The wizard’s power is truly incredible!”

The ministers are ecstatic. And I’m glad I got the pebbles out of my shoes.

I’m going to sleep well tonight.

After the meeting, I attempted to catch a ride back to the farm in my usual simple attire. But for some reason, Second Prince Moshe’s would not let me go.

“Alesia, is there anything you can think of that could be worse?”

“…I don’t think so.”

“Well. That’s too bad. I thought there might be more rooms like that.”

His Highness Moshe looks so disappointed, I can’t help but smile.

“What are you up to?”

A rough voice approached. It was Prince Mark.

“Brother, welcome back! Alesia just discovered the treasure in the hidden room!”

“So it seems. I’ve been notified. So, what are you up to?”

His Majesty Mark’s gaze is fixed on His Highness Moshe’s hand, which has gripped my wrist and refuses to let go.

“Oh, this is nothing, brother. Then I’ll excuse myself!”

As he walked away, His Highness Moshe merrily whispered, “My brother is jealous!” And then he flees…

“Alesia…I’m sorry for making you stay with my younger siblings when you are exhausted from working on the water supply.”

“No, your highness, the hidden room was my idea to begin with.”

His Highness Mark raises his eyebrows for a moment.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you, can’t we return to the tone we had when I first arrived at the farm as Al? It’s far too stiff. Don’t you like it?”

“No, it doesn’t bother me. It’s just that if I spoke in a casual tone, the women around me would criticize me.”

“I see. That breaks my heart. If a nobleman or a servant says anything, please mention my name.”

In a previous life, I was the daughter of a lesser noble who was summoned to the royal palace when I was eight years old due to my magical abilities. Because I was treated so well as a child, I was frequently mistreated and bullied. They were not limited to women. There were men, too.

They eventually stopped saying anything when my power became known and I became the king’s fiancée, but I learned then that if I put up with it quietly, the harassment would only get worse and would never stop. The first time is the most crucial, and it is a common practice of abusers to take advantage of you when you believe you are weak.

“Alesia? What’s wrong?”

“No. If something happens, I might use your name.”

“Please do so. If you do, please give me the name of the person you’re speaking with.”

However, when I meet His Highness Mark, I am usually dressed as a wizard in a robe and veil, so nothing happens. The issue arises when I’m with Her Highness Edna, dressed as a commoner. It’s amazing that nothing has happened thus far.

—○

After they talked about it, the thing happened on her way back from a tea party with Edna.

—○

The man approached from the front, his face distorted and mumbling, as if something was wrong with him. Then he noticed me.

“Hey, you there! You’re a peasant, aren’t you, because of your tan? Why are you so deep inside the palace?”

“Rehabum-sama.”

Her Highness Edna’s lady-in-waiting, who was with me a short distance away, tried to stop him.

“I wasn’t talking to you. Stay back!”

I wonder why this person doesn’t consider why the lady-in-waiting was with me.

“Answer me. Why is there a peasant here?!”

“Because I was summoned.”

“What? What arrogant language is that! You’ve been summoned? Don’t lie to me. You must have entered out of curiosity. Like a peasant!”

“I only answered because you asked. I didn’t tell a lie.”

I was so enraged by the man’s arrogance that I purposefully made eye contact with him, lifted my chin, and responded something like, ‘Try it if you can,’.

Slap!

I fell to the ground with a hot pain in my left cheek.

I wasn’t scared. Men like this don’t have the guts to kill. But people like this can’t be tolerated. Pests do not grow to be useful. They only grow into bigger pests.

As I lay on the floor, I nodded to the lady in waiting, and she dashed toward Edna’s room with surprising speed. The man grabbed my collar, forced me to stand up, and slapped me on the left cheek. I fell to the ground once more. What a knucklehead! But I won’t mention His Highness Mark’s name just yet.

Let him carry on with his violence.

Soon, Her Highness Edna dashed in. She was accompanied by two guards. Rehabum was about to grab my collar and be violent again.

“Stop right now!”

Rehabum quickly removed his hand from my collar. His Highness rushed over, looked at my red, swollen cheek, and yelled at the calm Rehabum.

“You hit my friend!”

“What? No, I mean, this one has a cheeky mouth!”

“What did he do to you, Alesia-chan?”

“He asked me why I was here, and I told him honestly that I had been summoned, but he accused me of lying and hit me.”

“Guards! Take Rehabum to the dungeon. I’ll notify your father.”

“Oh, no! Your Highness! Please forgive me! I don’t understand what you are talking about!”

Her Majesty Edna fixed her gaze on Rehabum, who had been detained.

“Yes, I know. I knew you were stupid, but I didn’t know you were this vile.”

She signaled to the guards with a snap of her chin after saying this. I thanked her and tried to leave, but was not allowed to do so and had to cool my face in Edna’s room.

“Rehabum is the Finance Minister’s second son. He is taking advantage of his parents’ success. I’m not going to let it happen. I’m going to have him executed!”

Her Royal Highness is furious. But the death penalty is too much.

“I was also a little cheeky myself because I found the whole thing so off-putting.”

“That is completely normal! I hope your cheeks don’t turn blue.”

“If they do, it’s nothing. It’ll heal in no time.”

“No. You’ll be staying for a while.”

Applying silk takes only a few seconds. I apologize for not informing you, Your Highness.

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