Silent Witch

Book 14: Chapter 12: Monica's Intention, Louis' Intention

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The drizzle that had been falling during the day turned into heavy rain just as Monica ran out of the school building. Without a coat or umbrella, Monica kicked through the muddy ground as she raced towards the girls' dormitory.

Why did I mention my father's name?

Telling Felix her father's name had been an impulse.

Benedict Rayne.

He was the sacrifice to make you king.

Even if you don't know that truth, please, please don't forget his name.

When Monica spoke her father's name, Felix didn't seem surprised or perplexed, so he likely wasn't directly involved in her father's death.

Still, Monica didn't want Felix to forget her father's name. That feeling was almost like a curse. Please, please don't forget the name of the father you caused to die a curse like that.

Arriving at the girls' dormitory, Monica wrung out her dripping skirt and took a deserted hallway to the attic room.

What do I want to do?

When Monica lived in the mountain cabin, the only precious thing she had was a keepsake coffee pot.

Cutting off ties with others, she only had to face numbers, and that was enough.

But after coming to Serendia Academy and interacting with people bit by bit, she gained new treasuresclose human connections.

So to protect this place she could be as cruel as needed to anyone who threatened it.

When she fought Yuan disguised as Cyril.

When she struck down Hubert Dee.

When she faced the emperor of the neighboring country.

Against anyone who hurt or took away her precious people, Monica could act heartlessly and mercilessly.

And now, Monica is faced with a choice.

If she reveals everything Duke Crockford has done and denounces the fake Prince Isaac Walker, she may be able to prove her father's innocenceher deepest wish, that her father was killed by conspiracy unfairly.

Bringing the whole truth to light would grant Monica's wish.

But then Ike would be executed. An unprecedented great crime of impersonating the Second Prince.

If proving her father's innocence, fulfilling her wish, means discarding Ike

She could do so coldly and mercilessly, like removing a chess piece.

I can't.

Back in her room, Monica pressed her still loudly thumping heart and wiped her damp hair with a cloth. Nero then scampered up to her feet, looking up at Monica while wagging his tail.

"Hey, was it really okay for you to mention your old man's name? If people find out you're the Silent Witch, that'd be bad, right?"

Looking closely, Nero's fur was damp tooit seemed he had been watching the exchange in the student council room from outside the window.

Monica gently picked up Nero and wrapped him in the cloth.

"It's fine When Miss Hilda took me in, she hid my background."

Officially, Benedict Rayne's daughter was taken in by her uncle, with Hilda hiding Monica's relation to her father to prevent persecution. So even if it's revealed she's Benedict's daughter, it shouldn't connect to her being the Silent Witch.

"Well if you say so. So what're you gonna do from here? You promised that bigwig from the Empire you'd avoid war, didn't you?"

"Yeah."

Though she had declared she would avoid war to the Emperor, Monica had no concrete plan. Stroking Nero's back, Monica racked her brain intently.

Plan 1:

Ask Duke Crockford "Please don't start a war."

Of course, he wouldn't lend an ear to her opinion.

Plan 2:

Advise the King that Duke Crockford wants war.

But the current King is bedridden, so that's difficult too.

Plan 3:

Reveal that the Second Prince's identity is fake, ousting Duke Crockford and his group. This is the simplest and surest method. If she reveals the truth before Felix becomes King, she can barely prevent civil war. Moreover, by bringing the whole truth to light, she can assert her father's innocence.

But Ike would likely be executed along with Duke Crockford's faction.

Plan 4:

Install First Prince Lionel as King instead of Felix.

The most realistic and desirable option is Plan 4. The First Prince doesn't want war, and moreover, his mother is a princess of Randall Kingdom. If it goes well, their alliance with Randall could be strengthened as a deterrent against war.

The problem is that at present, the Second Prince's faction is too powerful. With the backing of Duke Crockford's authority, the next King is certain to be the Second Prince under normal circumstances.

"Ugh looks like we have to do something about Duke Crockford"

"Hey, don't you have any good leverage to threaten him with?"

"Leverage against Duke Crockford?"

Monica furrowed her brow in thought, prompting Nero to wag his tail as he pondered, then looked up with realization and poked Monica's cheek with his paw.

"How about this! We know the Second Prince's secret. If you don't want this revealed, cede the throne to the First Prince.'"

Indeed, that would allow them to avoid revealing the Second Prince's true identity while containing Duke Crockford's ambitions. A rather clever idea from Nero.

To prevent both war and Ike's execution, this may be the only option.

"Yeah That might be, the only way. In that case, we just need to decide where to negotiate with the Duke"

In three weeks, there is a garden party at the castle to celebrate the blooming roses. This marks the start of the nobility's social season. The garden party is overseen by Duke Crockford himself.

As one of the Seven Sages and a magic baronet, Monica has received an invitation as expected.

If she attends, she can find an opportunity to negotiate with Croxford Duke.

The biggest issue is whether I can properly negotiate with the Duke though

Perhaps it would be wise to write down everything she wants to say, in case she can't speak properly at that time.

Having finally seen a glimmer of hope, Monica began drafting a letter accepting the garden party invitation, as well as notes for her negotiation with Duke Crockford.

Threaten Duke Crockford, and prevent Felix from becoming King to avoid war. That's all Monica can do right now.

However, to do that, she needs Ike to relinquish his claim to the throne.

Ike, I'm sorry I don't understand why you're so fixated on the throne, but

She cannot allow him to become King and plunge this country into war and chaos.

"So the Second Prince really is an impostor"

In the study of Ridill Kingdom's castle, the Barrier Magician Louis Miller looked over the documents in his hands as he leaned back in his chair, clearing his throat.

Beside him, Lynn muttered, "As expected of Sir Louis. You wear the wicked smile so well."

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that remark, considering your efforts in gathering these materials."

The main documents in his hands were the career record of a doctor named Arthur who had previously served Duke Crockford's household, as well as materials on body manipulation magic.

The Star Oracle Witch had said the Second Prince's star became unreadable ten years ago. When Louis heard that, he had a hunch

Could it be that the Second Prince had already passed away, and the one at Serendia Academy was an imposter?

His suspicions were bolstered by the Empire agents skilled in body manipulation magic who infiltrated twice.

Thus, Louis Miller reached one conclusion:

Duke Crockford conspired with Imperial agents to create a fake Second Prince amenable to him using forbidden magic.

From the moment the King ordered him to guard Felix, Louis had doubts. He was known to support the First Prince, so why did the King assign him to the Second Prince's guard?

But now, the answer was clear.

"His Majesty is quite crafty He must have noticed the Second Prince could be an impostor. So he assigned me, waiting for the Second Prince to slip up, knowing I would meticulously pick apart anyone I dislike."

At Louis' words, Lynn impassively clapped her hands in realization.

"In other words, the King exploited Sir Louis' petty lover by finding faults in those he dislikes."

Louis was in too good a mood to take offense at his contracted spirit's insult. This was a chance to bring down both Duke Crockford and the Second Prince after all.

For Louis, who openly admits his love of bullying the strong, there could be no greater delight.

"Now, where should I reveal this fact? Ah, there's a garden party in three weeks. I'll announce it there Duke Crockford conspired with the Empire to install a false Second Princehe is a great criminal.'"

Louis' eyes gleamed behind his monocle as Lynn asked, "Shall I report this to the Silent Witch?"

"No, keep silent. That inept actress shouldn't know the truth yet."

More importantly, Monica has recently become a bit too easily swayed by emotion. If the impersonator playing Second Prince and Duke Crockford end up executed, she'll likely be shaken.

Then the Silent Witch should continue her infiltration until the fake Second Prince is completely ruined. Louis hummed as he planned how to reveal the truth at the garden party.

"By the way, Sir Louis. I have an urgent matter."

"Speak, if it's not too pressing."

"I just received word that Lady Rosalie has gone into labor."

You idiot maid!! Before the foolish maid could finish, Louis cast a flight spell and shot out the window like a bullet.