Chapter 103
People sympathized with Richard.
But Tenstheon did not raise his doubts about Richard. Ancia said that the black wizard, Domiram, was Richard's wizard.
However, Domiram himself, as well as the Duke of Cassil, admitted that the Duke was his master. Richard said that he didn't even know Domiram.
They could not execute a 17-year-old boy with only Ancia’s word to back their suspicion.
Eventually, Tensteon ended the situation by depriving the Duke of Cassil of his title and forfeiting his property.
Richard became a commoner, but he saved his life.
Tenstheon continued to monitor Richard even after that, but he never acted against the law.
Richard kept quiet, running a small merchant guild and an orphanage. His place was famous for its good facilities in the city, and Richard was rather respected by the people.
It had been seven years since Blake and Richard faced each other like this, because Richard never had a social life at all.
Richard often wore fancy clothes, and he was handsome. He used to care a lot about his clothes and accessories before.
But now, his clothes were far from being fancy. The material of the garment was luxurious, but it was surprisingly simple.
Richard was seen as a good philanthropist. It wasn’t just because of his clothes. He smiled and bowed politely to Blake.
“Your Highness, the light of the empire.”
“You brought this ‘woman'?”
Richard's eyebrows raised subtly when he heard the word “woman” but soon, he replied with a gentle expression.
“Yes, Your Highness. I run a small orphanage, and the children found a woman lying near the orphanage. But when I brought her inside, she looked like the Crown Princess, who went missing seven years ago.”
“Near the orphanage?”
“Yes.”
Blake glanced over to the woman's face. He was not happy to see his wife after seven years. Rather, Blake's expression was full of doubts.
An oppressive silence blanketed the room. At that moment, the woman hugged Blake.
“Your Highness, I’ve missed you!”
But Blake grabbed her shoulder and pushed her away from him.
“I have something to tell His Majesty. Everyone go out.”
“Your Highness…”
“Go.”
The woman was surprised and tried to cling to Blake again, but reluctantly took a step back when Richard told her to.
When everyone left, Tenstheon opened his mouth.“Aren’t you acting too harsh?”
“There’s no evidence that she’s Ancia.”
He admitted that her appearance was remarkably similar. But that wasn't enough.
“Did you identify her?”
“She said she lost her memory.”
Blake burst into laughter.
“That’s not surprising.”
Many of the fakes claimed to have lost their memory like she did. Blake had never met the fakes face-to-face, but he had heard the stories.
Looking at Blake's reaction, Tenstheon said, “That child is a polyglot.”
“A polyglot?”
The fact that Ancia was a polyglot was a secret that even the imperial family knew very little about.
Of course, none of the impersonators who claimed to be the Crown Princess knew that Ancia was a polyglot. Her ability was a very rare ability. They couldn't imitate her even if they knew.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve confirmed it.”
Tenstheon was a prudent man. If he said so, then it was definitely true that she had language skills.
It couldn't have been a fraud. In the first place, she couldn’t have called Blake without much confirmation just because she looked like Ancia.
“It wasn’t just language skills. She also had the power of light. That child is Ancia.”
Tenstheon’s argument was valid. Appearance, language ability, the power of light, everything was telling them that she was the real Ancia.
But as Blake heard what Tenstheon said, Rose's face appeared in his mind.
***
“Your Highness!”
As soon as Blake exited the Imperial Palace, he heard the voice of the woman. He stared at the woman quietly.
She really looked like Ancia.
“I heard you lost your memory.”
“Yes…”
“How about your injuries?”
“It’s fine. Richard has been very nice to me!”
She smiled brightly.
“I was frustrated because I couldn't remember. But seeing you again like this, I think it's reminding me of the past!”
Blake looked at Edon.
“Edon.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“…Bring this woman inside.”
He should call her the Crown Princess. All the evidence pointed to her being the real Ancia. But the words didn't come out. As the woman left with Edon, Blake glared at Richard.
“What's the trick?”
In spite of his blatant hostility, Richard smiled gently.
“You still haven't forgiven me. Of course, I understand that. I will never be forgiven for what my family has done to you. I'm always thinking about how to get your forgiveness.”
“Stop talking nonsense.”
He believed what Ancia said despite what others said. He was sure the black wizard, Domiram, belonged to Richard. But Domiram denied it and saved Richard’s life.
Seven years ago, when he was released from prison, Richard had that look on his face. So innocent, as if he had done nothing wrong, but Blake didn't believe Richard.
He was still convinced that Richard was hiding something despite his innocent face.“I know you had feelings for my wife. What the hell are you up to?”
Blake said blatantly and Richard smiled dimly, as if recalling old memories.
“Hahaha. That was a long time ago. It happened in the past. I won't deny it, but I’m about to get married. Can I even keep another woman in my mind?”
Richard was engaged to his brother's fiancee, Marquis Westin’s daughter. As a commoner, he became a son-in-law of the Marquis family.
Since Marquis Westin did not have a son, Richard would become the next Marquis after he got married. He pretended not to be greedy, but in the end, he became the heir to the family of the Marquis, and for the first time in seven years, he would make his spectacular return to society.
“I am a loyal servant of His Majesty. If I have found her, it is natural to take her back to the palace.”
Richard replied politely. His words were logical, but Blake looked even more suspicious.
“I hope that's true.”
“Of course I mean it. How could I lie in front of you?”
“Go back.”
“I'll leave now. Congratulations on finding Her Highness.”
Richard left the Imperial Palace, maintaining courtesy until the end. Blake's gaze was cold and sharp as he watched Richard leave.
***
The news of Ancia’s return spread like wildfire in the Crown Prince's palace.
“Is she really the Crown Princess? Is it true?”
“I don't know. Is there anyone here who knows?”
“They have all been fakes so far.”
“That’s why I called you all.”
Melissa said the Crown Princess had returned, and all the servants were gathered on the first floor.
Since I was a guest, I didn't have to follow her orders, but I really wondered who was impersonating me.
Everyone waited for the Crown Princess, who returned after seven years with faces full of joy and curiosity, but the maids looked stiff.
They had come in for the position of Crown Princess.
So there was no way they’d be happy to see the real Crown Princess.
But as long as they were in front of others, they couldn’t reveal their innermost feelings.
Instead, they let Chelsea feel worse.
“If the Crown Princess is really back, then Chelsea is completely screwed.”
“I know.”
“What does that mean?”
Chelsea frowned when she was attacked unexpectedly.
“When the real Crown Princess is back, Rose will be kicked out.”
The maids laughed at me. It was me who they really wanted to attack, but they attacked Chelsea instead because they couldn’t touch the Crown Prince's guest.
“Everyone watch your words.”
Chelsea warned them, as Camilla said,
“They’re not wrong. Your family name is already tarnished anyway.”
“Well, I don't know why my family name would be tarnished because I served a good woman. And it's you’re the one who's screwed, Camilla.”
“What do you mean?”
“No need to think about it. Just work hard on your duties.”
“What!?”
“Camilla stop it.”
Before Camilla and Chelsea began to fight, the other maids rushed to stop them.
But Charlotte stood by as she said, “How beautiful our Crown Princess must have become! Oh I hope she comes back quickly.”
But unlike other maids, she was purely happy that Ancia had come back. Charlotte must have really liked my appearance.
“Be quiet everyone!”
Melissa, who was standing at the door, gave strict orders to the servants, and the place quickly became silent.
I watched them quietly too. Now there was only one thing I was interested in. Who was it? Who was impersonating me?