Chapter 247. The Proof of Blood, Part III

"Killian, bring in the princess." The Emperor's heavy voice echoed through the conference room, silencing the noisy hall.

Killian quickly took over Julietta from Vera and went into the conference room, holding her closely.

Julietta staggered with the support of Killian and greeted the Emperor, "Iris J. Kiellini is seeing Your Majesty."

"Where have you been, the princess? And what are you dressed for? ... Did you get sick?"

The modest dress, the shabby hairstyle without any ornament, and the bloodless lips clearly showed that the princess's condition was not normal.

Julietta answered the Emperor's question politely, "I did volunteer work in the area of the epidemic and fell down. I was saved with the help of someone who happened to find me unconscious."

As soon as Julietta's words were finished, the Duke of Dudley jumped up and hit the table in the conference room. "You are speaking like you're sick, but it's not an epidemic! Who are you lying in front of?

"She must have been scared when it turned out to be the poison of the Kiellini family! She had no place to hide anymore, so she was forced to show up and makes an excuse," the Duke of Miguel also protested, assisting the Duke of Dudley.

Julietta lightly pushed Killian aside and looked back at the nobles who agreed and added their words. "I've heard about what happened on the way. Yes, they said that it's not an epidemic, but the poison of the Kiellini family."

Julietta clenched her fists as if she was angry. "I almost died of the poison not long ago. So, my father poisoned me? Isn't that weird?" Julietta stared straight at the Duke of Dudley. "Isn't it more reasonable to think it was something someone who wanted to get rid of the Kiellini family did?"

"That's nonsense! Why on Earth would we harm the Kiellini family that have been living together for so many years?" The Duke of Dudley snorted as if it were funny."That's right. What good would it be for? Even though the Kiellini family would disappear, someone's position here would not be promoted or elevated. That's nonsense, isn't it? Now that you're hearing nonsense, why don't you listen to my personal thoughts?"

Julietta looked back at the Emperor. "Your Majesty, I'd like to express my own ideas. Please forgive my rudeness, and I beg you to give me a chance to resolve my injustice."

"I'll allow it. Say what you think."

Julietta looked back at the nobles when the Emperor's permission fell. "The epidemic went around, and I cut off all access to the outside world, and I stayed in the mansion, but I suddenly fell down one day. Out of all the people in the mansion, I was the only one who collapsed. Why would they want to kill me, just a noble lady, even though they would not gain any advantage in killing me? I couldn't understand, but I was only able to figure out a reason after much consideration."

Julietta held her breath for a moment and continued talking again. "The reason why they had to spread the poison of the Kiellini family as an epidemic, why innocent people had to die, and why I was poisoned in the mansion are all connected to one thing."

Julietta stared straight at the Duke of Dudley. "It was all connected to Prince Killian."

"What, what are you talking about?" The Duke of Dudley was outraged.

"Don't you understand? The intent of those who spread the poison was so a fake epidemic would kill the unrelated, and then kill one person without question. I was the medium for killing the only one, Iris Kiellini, the fiancee of Prince Killian."

The words contained a great deal of content. Everyone watched the Duke of Dudley and Julietta, who were standing face to face.

"Are you doubting ME now?"

Julietta shook her head with difficulty.

"Your Grace the Duke, I never said that. I was just surprised since I almost died, and worried, and I thought that it might be so. But I'm rather embarrassed if you ask me if you're suspicious, hearing my imagination."

The Duke of Dudley managed to put up with the urge to slap her ferocious, daring face. "It's not worth mentioning anymore, because you're imagining it."

Julietta grinned at the words of Duke Dudley, who was struggling to stay calm. "Yes, that's right. It's my imagination. But isn't it also the imagination of Duke Miguel if I had no choice but to come to the Imperial Castle because I had nowhere to go while I was fleeing?"

The Duke of Miguel cleared his throat at the words that pointed at him.

"You dismissed my imagination as nonsense, but there's no proof that it's not true? But I have someone who can prove to me that your imagination is wrong."

Julietta looked at Count Valerian standing by the door. The Count, who had received her signal, brought before the Emperor Lady Raviel, who was standing behind him.

People took note of what was going on when the brown-haired young lady, who they thought was the princess's maid, stepped forward.

"Themes Raviel says hello to Your Majesty."

The Emperor was curious when the new figure appeared as he watched the war of words between Julietta and the Duke of Dudley.

"Lady Raviel... It's the first time I've seen you. Yes. Talk to me."

After looking at Julietta, Themes carefully spoke, "I was very sad that there were so many people killed in the epidemic, but I was afraid to step up and do something for fear of getting sick. And then yesterday, I found out that the epidemic was actually a poison that somebody had deliberately spread."

Themes had to try not to look at the Duke of Dudley, who glared at her with a terrible expression. "I was wondering if there was anything I could do to help because I heard that it was not a contagious disease, and I thought they were short of hands."

"You have a very good heart."

At the encouraging words of the Emperor, Themes clasped her hands uncomfortably and poured out the rest of her words. "I visited the area with the largest number of sick people with the medication I had received from the treatment center, and I found Princess Kiellini lying down in a house with no one about. At first, I didn't know her because my family was so humble that I didn't have a chance to see her in person. Anyway, I thought she was sick, so I kept waiting on her until she woke up, and when she opened her eyes, she told me her identity. So I went out to tell the Kiellini family about it, and I met Count Valerian, who has been looking for the princess. Then I accompanied the princess to the Imperial Castle."

When Themes finished speaking and stepped aside, the Emperor looked back at the Duke of Dudley. "Duke Dudley, isn't the Raviel family close to the Dudley family? Are you going to say that this is also Killian's conspiracy?"

The face of the Duke, who had been feeling unusual since he had heard the name Themes Raviel, hardened.

Julietta glanced at him and said in a sullen voice, "Unfortunately, I fell and now I'm faced with my father's death. I came straight to the Imperial Castle because I knew I was being chased as a fugitive, before I could even begin to grieve."

"I really don't know what to console you with, the princess. However, all suspicions have yet to be revealed. I promise I'll dig this out to the end and find out who's responsible."

At the Emperor's tender words of comfort, Julietta gave a courtesy of gratitude.

"I heard another shocking story on the way. The Duke of Dudley raised the suspicion that I'm not the real princess of Kiellini. I'm angry, rather than feeling sad, about what I did so wrong that I should be insulted like this."

Killian affectionately embracing the shoulders of his fiancee as she let out her pent-up anger. "We must first solve the suspicion about the status of the princess. We can't stand this insult."

Killian glared at the Duke of Dudley with hostile eyes.

The Duke of Dudley met Killian's gaze. He was lost in thought when he saw the princess with her face buried in the arms of the Prince. It was time to move carefully. If they had poisoned Prince Killian, everything would have been easy, but things were strangely messed up. When he felt Francis had failed, he quickly declared that it was the poison of the Kiellini family and made a pre-emptive strike, but even as he fought back, the Duke of Kiellini committed suicide.