As expected, the atmosphere was tense.
“…”
Precipi, standing in front of Dietrich, was visibly worried. She did not say a word, but simply stared at the letter in Dietrich's hand.
It was a message Precipe knew all too well.
Dietrich's anger at this event was clear:
1. Contents of the message.
2. Suspicion that Precipe was in contact with outside forces. In other words, the idea that she was preparing to abandon him and run away at any time.
3. The misunderstanding that Precipe was talking about his undisclosed personal secrets.
Ah, that damned letter.
Having experienced this event countless times, Precipe knew exactly what would happen next.
“But still… it's no different than usual, right?”
She thought that maybe something might change since she made the wrong choice.
Just as something changed with Atari Hanan, developments here may also be different.
But Dietrich, as ever, was angry. Just looking at his tightly closed lips was enough to realize that. When Dietrich was angry, instead of exploding in his anger, he became cold and calculating.
“…”
Dietrich stared silently at Precipe before throwing the letter at her feet.
“I always seem to underestimate you.”
Then he spoke in a scary voice.
“I thought if I locked you in the tower and kept watching you, you wouldn't be able to find a way to communicate with anyone.”
“…”
“However, to think that you were secretly conspiring with others is truly astonishing.”
The letter was one of those that Precipe was already familiar with.
He mocked Dietrich's late mother and insulted her in crude ways.
She revealed a secret that only Precipi knew – it was about how on the anniversary of his mother's death, Dietrich, who had never drunk, had gotten drunk and spent the night crying in front of her tombstone.
“The options aren't showing up, so I don't know what to say...”
Usually, at this point, there are options. Options express discontent in different ways.
But whatever option was chosen, the result was always the same – imprisonment in the ice prison.
Now, because of this bug, the options in the conversation were completely gone, so while she could speak freely, it meant she had to come up with an answer that wasn't real in this situation.
“It's not like I'm trying to win him over this time, so maybe I should do what I want?”
From Presipe's point of view, this event was highly unfair.
Because, after all, she was not the one who broke Dietrich's secret.
In the original plot, Dietrich would not realize this until Precipe had suffered greatly.
“But what if things get worse if you act differently?”
Should she do things as usual?
Or try to get some satisfaction?
“…”
While Precipe was immersed in serious thought, Dietrich never left her.
Memories of the past few days, those vague and torturous memories.
And now, once again, Precipe has betrayed his trust.
Strong, indescribable feelings shook Dietrich's heart.
“Answer me.”
“…”
“Answer me, Prisippi!”
“It's not fair.”
Oh, whatever.
Presibe, who never wanted to stay locked in the ice prison again, finally opened her mouth.
"That's not fair? Are you really saying that? What's not fair at all?"
“First, I have never published news of His Majesty’s behavior on the anniversary of the Empress’s death. I have never conspired with anyone, especially those who are conspiring against His Majesty.”
“Are you asking me to believe that now?”
A wry smile appeared on the corner of Dietrich's lips.
“You're always like this. You pretend to be innocent in front of me, lie about not doing anything wrong… and then do things to make me angry behind my back.”
“Wait, Your Majesty...”
“Then you shamelessly say that wasn't the case, that you didn't do it!”
"Is this why I hate you so much? Will I never be able to trust you again? Just like in those strange memories?"
Dietrich thought to himself.
“No, this is…”
“You're talking like you're fooling me!”
“Your Majesty...”
“You are nothing but a vile woman...”
“That's why I'm being honest with you now!”
Precipi interrupted Dietrich's speech by shouting.
Dietrich, who had never expected this kind of response from her, looked in amazement. This was the first time in all their years that Precipe had behaved this way.
“On that matter, I only said one thing! And that was just to let someone else know that you were probably drunk and needed someone to take care of you.”
Of course, these weren't Prispe's own words, but rather something Prispe said in-game to someone else.
This sentence was also part of the preparation for the Ice Prison event.
“How could I have conspired when you kept me in the tower every day?”
“What are you...”
“And how could I be allied with the rebels when His Majesty has recently seized the throne? Presibe, no… I am not someone who lacks that kind of common sense!”
Did she just say something that would make things worse?
...This idea has already disappeared. I'm tired of this ridiculous event and, worse, Dietrich's obsession.
“I know you don't trust me, but don't you see how contradictory this is? Why do you always fail to see it?”
“Ha.”
Despite presenting a fairly logical argument, Dietrich seemed to completely ignore Priscipe's words.
It's always been like this.
The answer was already decided, and she was only supposed to beg.
“Then bring the evidence!”
Dietrich shouted angrily.
“Proof of everything you just said!”
If things had been business as usual, this wouldn't have happened, but given the circumstances, Preseppe was not entirely without evidence to offer.
In the original game progression, it was enough to give Dietrich the opportunity to learn the truth.
Just as Presibe was about to speak, she was suddenly interrupted by the voice of a guard.
“Your Majesty, Duke Fenric and maid Ella have requested an audience.”
“Ah, Ella…?”
Prisippi was surprised by the guard's sudden voice, so she hesitated.
“Ask them to visit me later.”
“It's…”
The guard looked disturbed.
“It is a matter of such urgency that they insisted on an immediate meeting despite our apology.”
"What?"
“What should we do...?”
Dietrich sighed deeply, clearly annoyed. After a moment, he nodded, motioning for them to enter.
“Let them in.”
The door opened immediately.
Fenric looked at Presippi with a deadpan expression before meeting his eyes with Dietrich, while Ella followed him, her face pale as if she had committed a great crime.
“Your Majesty, we salute you.”
"What is this?"
Fenric gave a formal salute, then continued his speech.
“Your Majesty, do you know this maid?”
Dietrich's gaze turned to Ella.
“She's the maid who serves Prisippi, isn't she?”
Since Ella always followed Presibe, Dietrich clearly knew her well.
“You didn't bring me here just to greet Maid Prisse, did you, Duke Fenric?”
Dietrich's voice was full of ice, but surprisingly, Fenrick didn't seem bothered at all.
“I was concerned about the incident at the church, so I investigated the maid, Ella, who accompanied Mrs. Preseppe to the church. Surely you remember, Your Majesty, how you once told me that you would give me the authority to investigate anything concerning your safety?”
“What does this have to do with this…?”
“However, I found these things in the maid’s room.”
Fenrik gave Dietrich something in his hand, and as Dietrich examined the contents, his eyes trembled with anger.
“It is a message written in codes. She seems to have been in constant contact with traitors outside the palace.”
“….”
“It seems that the reason Ella became Lady Presippi’s servant was to gather information about Your Majesty.”
So, the culprit behind this cursed incident was Ella all along.
Poor Prisibe in the game was worried about Dietrich as the anniversary of the Empress's death approached, and asked Ella, one of his maids, to look after him.
Ella only approached Prisippi for the reason mentioned by Fenric.
Since Dietrich is no fool, he must have realized what was happening as soon as he saw the evidence.
“….”
Precipe's face, alternating between looking at Fenric and Dietrich, was filled with bewilderment.
Well, things went as planned, and the timing of their arrival was just right, but…
“And Noah Duvern is dead.”
…What?
This time, Precipe's eyes were wide in shock.
“He was found dead in his house. He was not mingling with anyone in the house, and since the servants had been furloughed, it was not discovered until later.”
dead? Like Atari?
Why now?
"It is believed that he was killed by an animal, as his neck was torn off. Only his group and his body were found at the scene."
“A monster in the middle of the capital?”
Precipe wasn't the only one surprised by this sudden news, Dietrich seemed stunned as well.
He stared at Fenric with a look of disbelief, but Fenric continued, his expression unreadable.
“There are rumors of black magic or curses, and Chief Magician Ivan is expected to visit the place.”
“How long has it been since Prince Attar died in this suspicious manner...?”
“Yes, that is exactly what I wanted to ask.”
Fenric spoke with a blank expression, his lips barely moving.
“I have heard, Your Majesty. Mrs. Priscipe and the maid have noticed a suspicious person in the church.”
“….”
"It was the same when Prince Atari died. Lady Prisby was the last person he met before he died, and Noah Duffern was there too."
"Why is this happening now? I thought they were on my side all this time, but was I wrong?"
Precipe's face showed confusion.
"They're all dead now, and even the maid closest to us, Ella, has been in contact with the traitors. Moreover, just yesterday, Mrs. Precipe personally met the suspicious person in the church."
“What do you want to say...?”
Dietrich asked in a tense voice.
“What exactly is the matter, Duke Fenric?”
“I think...”
“…?”
“I think someone might be targeting Ms. Priscipe.”
"What?"
“So far, she has narrowly avoided danger, but she shouldn’t rely on luck to escape unharmed again. So...”
“…?”
“For Ms. Prisippi’s safety, I suggest we remove her from the palace.”