I am not the Villainess

Chapter 34 pt.2

CHAPTER 34 (pt.2) 

The officials from the Aristocratic Faction exchanged glances. They couldn’t help but worry as they are losing their chance to oppress the Crown Prince. They must find some kind of hole that could at least raise suspicions against the Crown Prince. 

“How is that possible?! This is too suspicious to believe in!” Marquess Browne, a member of the aristocrats, first complained. 

“I agree! Isn’t it obvious that this is a part of some kind of scheme?!” Marquess Morgan seconded. 

Noah turned and looked at him coldly that even the onlookers felt chills on their bodies.  

“What are you trying to imply, Marquess Morgan?”  

At Noah’s icy voice, Marquess Morgan trembled. He cleared his throat and avoided Noah’s gaze. 

“I-I mean, your highness...I-it sounded too far-fetched that it’s unbelievable.” 

Noah already expected this kind of reaction from them. Even he would be suspicious with all the sudden information. However, what he said was actually closer to the truth. 

At first, he didn’t agree when Kai told him of his plan.  Noah was so sure that the mysterious man from the bombing incident was Tatiana. Hence, he couldn’t understand Kai’s intention when he said he’s Julio when he’s not. 

“It was me, Your Highness. I am Julio.” Kai said. 

“What?! Do you know what you are saying, Arder?” Noah exclaimed, angrily. 

Noah felt annoyed when Kai was shamelessly claiming he’s Julio. He didn’t expect he’d be so brazened to even think of deceiving him. 

“Yes, Your Highness. However, I am not the suspect you are looking for. I was not the one who caused the bombing nor hired those assassins. I am merely a traveler from the South who happened to be there during the bombing.” 

Now, Noah was confused. 

“What do you mean by that?”  he asked.

“Let me start from the beginning, your highness.” Kai started. “As I’ve said, I have come from the South, but I’m sure you already know that. The truth is, I only came here to the capital to visit a friend, and I just coincidentally met George who was looking for a kid that I am taking care of. During the night of the bombing, my friend and I planned to meet at the central plaza. This was the reason why I was there when the incident happened.”  he explained.

Noah was starting to get impatient, but he only raised an eyebrow at Kai.

"While I was trying to help other people to safety, I noticed some suspicious movements in the forest. I went in believing the bombing's culprits were hiding there, and I wasn't wrong. The assassins were hiding in the woods. They surrounded me as soon as they saw me, but I was fortunate enough to beat them. Ah! the name Julio was the name I used to trick the assassins. Though I didn’t expect they would use it the other way around. Anyway, as soon as I heard the knights approaching, I escaped since I fear of being suspected.”  Kai continued.

Noah was stunned at Kai’s story. It was exactly what happened except it was Tatiana who did all of that.  

How did he know that? Was he really there during the bombing? Did he witness the fight like I did? Or did Tatiana tell him? — No, the latter is impossible. They don’t know each other, so why would Tatiana even talk to him? 

That’s what Noah thought. He has no idea nor did he suspect that Kai and Tatiana knew each other. This was because Kai and Tatiana lived in a completely different world despite both being nobles.  

Tatiana is the pampered daughter of the Duke, and Kai was only the son of an insignificant Baron. Their differences were too wide for anyone to even consider them being friends. 

As such, Noah just ended up being confused. But he also thought this was a good opportunity. Since it was already Kai who’s telling all of this, Noah could use him to solve the matter regarding the name Julio. 

It’s like hitting two birds with one stone. He can resolve the Julio issue and protect Tatiana’s identity at the same time. In addition, he could easily put the blame on Kai if anything goes wrong. It was the perfect plan, indeed.  

“I see...then, it is settled. I will call for you for tomorrow’s meeting.” Noah said, concluding their conversation. 

“I understand, Your Highness. Then, I shall leave now.” 

That was how their conversation went.  

Now, the officials have shown their doubts. 

“What do you find unbelievable, Marquess? I was also present when the assassins were apprehended, and they were indeed on the ground and badly beaten when we arrived. Aside from myself, my knights, and a few royal knights, House Lankinson's knights were also present. If you still doubt even the knights of Duke Lankinson, then you must really be trying to imply something unrelated to the bombing.” Aaron attested. 

Because of that, the Marquess wasn’t able to rebut and only clenched his fist in anger.  

“But, it’s not just about that, Lord Cromello. Isn’t it questionable that this man claims to defeat 10 professional assassins all by himself too? Not to mention, he also has to be very precise to only leave them unconscious and unwounded.” This time, it was Marquess Browne who objected. 

What he said made a lot of sense that the other officials nod in agreement. 

“That’s true! How could such an inexperienced man even wield a sword?!” 

Noah looked at Kai to see his reaction. He expected they would question that as well, and he was curious how Kai would respond to this.  

However, Noah saw Kai flinched for a moment. This left Noah frowned in confusion.

Is he not confident? He was the one who suggested this in the first place, so he should have at least expected this kind of reaction. What will you do, Arder? 

As the voices of the officials started to grow louder, His Majesty, the emperor, decided to step in. He stood up and raised his hand, causing the officials to fall silent.  

“I have heard enough." His Majesty remarked. He then turned to Kai. "Kael Arder, you claimed to be the man behind the alias ‘Julio’, correct?” 

“That is correct, Your Majesty,” Kai answered, lowering his head. 

“As much as I wanted to believe that, what Marquess Browne had said is also true. Hence, I believe that the only way to resolve this is to see it with our own eyes.” The officials, including Kai and Noah, were confused at His Majesty’s words. 

What is he planning? Noah thought. 

“I propose to have Kael Arder fight against the assassins one more time, as well as our most talented knights. This way we will be able to see if he was truly skilled enough to defeat those professional assassins by himself.”  

His Majesty's proposal was unanimously accepted by the officials. Noah, on the other hand, was a little taken aback. It sounds reasonable, but he is unsure how it will turn out. Could Kai handle it? 

“If there are no more objections, then it is settled. Tomorrow afternoon, Kael Arder will fight against the assassins and some chosen royal knights. The battle will happen at the Capital Arena.” His Majesty announced. “That will be all for today’s meeting. I hereby announce this meeting is adjourned.”  

The officials left the hall with satisfied grins. They were all so sure that Kael Arder will only end up humiliating himself, and they can’t wait for it to happen. If that happens, then the Crown Prince would be humiliated as well. 

Meanwhile, Kai was left all alone in the hall, frozen and paled. 

What do I do now?! 

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