I'm glad I made a good impression from the start.
In the novel, Perez discovers the truth and clears up a misunderstanding with Deidrick, only to later acknowledge him as a trusted ally. By now, through just a short conversation, Perez was able to realize that Dedrick was not the person who could have done what he was accused of. He had a sharp eye that picked up details easily.
“How about we search Daedric’s room, Your Highness?”
Somerset sat up and suggested it confidently, then cast a smug glance at Diderick, as if certain of his mother's influence.
Perez hesitated for a moment, wavering between options. “Okay...”
"Come on, Daedric. Clearing up the misunderstanding would be to your benefit as well, wouldn't it?"
Axel interjected in an annoyed voice, interrupting Perez mid-speech. Perez's features froze for a moment, while the Duchess looked at Axel coldly, before saying his name in a sharp voice:
“Axel.”
Axel took a step back, shrugging his shoulders nervously. “I-sorry, mom...”
Then he backed away slightly, casting a nervous glance at the Duchess.
He should have apologized to Perez, not his mother.
As I expected, Perez's displeasure was evident.
“Hmm.”
At the Duchess's sharp gaze, Axel quickly bowed and said: “I apologize, Your Highness.”
The Duchess moved seamlessly to the Didric theme.
“If Dedrick doesn't want to, we won't pressure him.”
She said that, but if Deidrick refused, Perez would surely begin to become suspicious. The Duchess knew exactly what she was doing, and she was confident that Daedric would not refuse.
“That's fine. If it helps clear things up, you can inspect with pleasure.” Deidrick replied.
“Dedrick...” Perez tried to reassure him that it was unnecessary, but Dedrick politely refused.
“This way, His Highness can remove any doubts.”
It was strange that Perez didn't feel suspicious, especially since they had just met. Perez seems to appreciate Dedrick's candor more because of it.
"Thanks. I'll apologize properly after we confirm."
“No need.”
We all headed to Deedric's room.
The Duchess was not reluctant to show it, for Deederick's room was in very good condition—in fact, it was in excellent condition. Thanks to the Duke's orders, Daedric was using one of the large rooms in the main building.
Once everyone entered the room, Daedric nodded to his servant.
“Check where I told you to hide it.”
Daedric pointed towards his desk. The servant frowned but bravely opened one of the drawers.
“Here it is! The same place where the young man asked me to hide something!”
But the servant froze. The drawer was empty.
“W-What…?”
A panic attack began to creep in, and he started opening the drawers at random, searching frantically.
"He was here! I swear he was here!"
As the servant emptied each drawer and turned the room upside down, Perez's features began to wrinkle. Realizing something was wrong, the Duchess quickly stopped the servant.
"Enough."
“But, ma’am! I swear he was here! As you ordered…!”
When the terrified servant tried to approach her, Somerset lightly kicked him, interrupting his conversation.
Perez and Deidrick certainly noticed this. They had sharp eyes.
This should be enough.
Now, Perez will begin to suspect that this was all the Duchess's plan.
"brother!"
As the servant stumbled, the brooch she had planted in his pocket fell with a thud on the floor.
Buzz!
Everyone's eyes turned to the brooch. Daedric urged quickly.
“Don't stand there—say something like 'Mom's brooch…' now! Quick!”
If he had said that, they would have discovered that the servant had stolen from him.
Although he was still feeling a little embarrassed, Deidrick began to move his fingers nervously and whispered in a low voice, “My mother’s brooch...”
Although he whispered, Perez heard him clearly. Exhale lightly.
“Hmm.”
“W-why is that…?”
“It seems that you did not steal on Dedric's orders, but rather stole from him,” Perez said coldly.
“N-no!” cried the servant, his face pale.
Then Perez turned to the Duchess. “Ma’am, since my belongings were not found here, we must search this servant’s room. He seems suspicious.”
The Duchess hesitated for a moment before answering hesitantly, "Of course, Your Highness. We will search his room immediately."
“Yes, ma'am.”
“West, follow them and report directly to me,” Perez ordered his assistant, who followed the servant.
The Duchess had lost control of the situation, and her facial features began to distort in a moment of frustration before she hid them behind her fan.
As for the servant, who became in a state of panic, he began to plead with Perez. “T-Stop, Your Highness! This is all a trap from the young man…!”
"Daedric was with me the whole time. How could he trap you? It doesn't make sense. What would he gain by ensnaring an ordinary servant?"
Perez's reasoning was clear. The servant's actions were undoubtedly suspicious, something the Duchess would have understood better than anyone else.
click!
The Duchess suddenly closed her fan and pointed it at the servant.
“How dare you try to implicate your master?”
The servant looked at her in surprise, but she did not hesitate.
"And on top of that, you stole Deedric's property? Arrest him immediately!"
The guards entered from outside and tied up the servant.
“Wait, ma’am…!”
“Take him away!”
“Madam! How could you…”
Before the servant could say more, the guards blocked his mouth.
“Mmph! Mmph…”
“Looks like he has something to say yet.”
“Your Highness.”
The Duchess turned to Perez with a kind smile.
“This is a matter that concerns our family. I sincerely apologize for disturbing you with such unpleasant matters. For now, I suggest you confirm whether your belongings are really missing. We can discuss other matters afterward.”
Even a prince could not interfere deeply in the affairs of the powerful Blackwood family.
Until the theft of Perez's property was confirmed, the matter was at the Duchess's disposal to deal with.
After apologizing kindly, the Duchess left, Somerset and Axel following closely behind. Before she walked out, Somerset shot a murderous look towards Deidrick.
Perez watched them for a moment before giving an order to one of his knights.
“Go to West and check if my belongings have been found. If they are found, tell the Duchess that I will handle the punishment. If she objects, remind her that since I am the victim, I have the right to intervene.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” the knight replied and left.
Now, Perez, Diedrick, and I remained in the room.
Perez picked up the brooch from the floor and handed it to Deidrick.
“Is this a souvenir from Lady Amelia?”
Daedric's eyes widened as he took the brooch.
“...You know my mother?”
“I remember meeting her briefly a long time ago. She came to the palace with the Duke.”
Palace? With Dedric's father?
Not with the Duke's official wife, but with his mistress?
'This doesn't make sense.'
The deeper I delved, the more mysterious the Duke became. Not only had he escorted a mistress to the palace, the Second Prince seemed to remember it favorably rather than with disdain.
“Ah…” Daedric whispered, his fingers gently touching the brooch. He smiled slightly, as if he was recalling a memory with his mother.
'But that's not what matters now.'
I pushed my curiosity aside and headed towards the closet.
“Ah,” Deedric instinctively extended his hand, as if trying to stop me.
“What's the problem?” Perez asked.
Daedric hesitated before giving me a wave of surrender. "nothing."
“I will check how things are going. You, try to get closer to the prince,” I said, smiling.
Daedric's face showed hesitation for a short while, but he quickly nodded in understanding and approached the closet.
“Come back soon,” he whispered softly.
She gave him a reassuring smile. “Don't worry, I'll be back!”