The Villainous Lady Doesn't Speak Chapter 191

The Worm in the Lion’s Belly 7

The news that Crown Prince Riley Williams Slibegrad had been attacked by someone greatly surprised the members of the Advisory Council. Most of the nobles’ faces changed color, but some, in true aristocratic fashion, showed no emotion at all. Riley quietly observed each of their reactions.

“And on the way from the palace to the Knight Order’s barracks, you say?”

Earl Mellars growled bitterly. Riley turned his gaze to the Earl and nodded. Then, in a tone that brooked no argument, he stated clearly.

“That’s right. This inspection was unofficial. That means the number of people who knew was limited. I can’t rest easy with a spy in the palace. I will promptly investigate the identities and conduct of all those who enter and leave the palace, including civil and military officials, as well as the knights of the Royal Knights, and punish any who have rebellious intentions. In parallel, I have decided to select a personal Royal Guard.”

The nobles’ reactions were further divided. The majority were still shocked that Riley had been attacked in a place with almost no outside traffic, even if it was outside the palace grounds.

However, a few had recovered from the shock and were gravely considering Riley’s words. Duke Clyde Clark, Duke Ulysses Ealdred, and a few others led by Marquis Finch looked as if it were a matter of course. On the other hand, Marquis Scone, whose second son was the captain of the Eighth Squad, had a bitter expression. Earl Mellars and Lord Playstead watched Riley silently, their true feelings unreadable.

When Riley asked, “Any objections?” after a moment, Marquis Scone interjected, his voice tinged with displeasure, “If I may, Your Highness.” Not only Riley, but all the nobles in the room turned their eyes to the marquis. The marquis, now the center of attention, nervously stroked his mustache. But he couldn’t take back the words he had already spoken. Marquis Scone frowned and cleared his throat.

“I understand what Your Highness is saying. Indeed, yes, indeed, the thought of a traitor in the palace is chilling. In that respect, I understand the logic of conducting a—what was it? A background and conduct check on everyone. However, however.”

Though his words seemed to agree with Riley’s proposal, his attitude made it clear that he was opposed. In front of a narrowing-eyed Riley, Marquis Scone leaned forward.

“The civil and military officials working in the palace, and even the knights, would be a considerable number. The civil and military officials should have undergone a background check and a simple interview upon entering service, so there’s no way a spy could have infiltrated. However, unlike the knights who swore loyalty to Your Highness at their investiture ceremony, there will be many who could easily change their allegiance. Especially those of humble birth, like the maids and servants, who have no self-control or pride and can even be moved by money. In that case, we should start by investigating the civil and military officials.”

It seemed the marquis didn’t want anyone meddling in the Royal Knights’ personnel affairs. Realizing this, Riley was internally exasperated by the blatant favoritism.

Marquis Scone’s second son, Bruno, is probably guilty, Riley noted mentally, but remained silent. Then, Marquis Finch, with a sigh, interjected.

“What foolishness. From what I’ve heard of this incident, were not two knights of the First Squad involved? We should suspect that there are knights within the Knight Order who have treacherous thoughts towards His Majesty and His Highness. Surely you are not spouting nonsense out of love for your son?”

“—What? Do you insult not only me but my son as well?”

Marquis Scone glared at Marquis Finch, who had just delivered a cutting remark, as if he were about to grab him. The two men stared each other down, unmoving, and tension filled the room.

It was Lord Playstead, who had been silently observing the proceedings, who admonished the two. If it had been anyone else, Earl Mellars, who was also the Chancellor, would have mediated, but Earl Mellars and Marquis Finch were not on good terms. If the Earl were to intervene, it would only add fuel to the fire.

In that respect, Lord Playstead, though a central figure in the Alcasia faction, was on good terms with neither Marquis Finch of the same faction nor the unrelated Marquis Scone.

“You two, calm yourselves. You are in the presence of His Highness.”

“—Yes, my apologies.”

It was Marquis Finch who first withdrew his verbal assault. Marquis Scone, as if suddenly realizing, blinked his eyes wide and, with an awkward expression, averted his gaze from Marquis Finch and wiped the sweat from his brow.

Lord Playstead glanced at the two, then turned his gaze to Riley.

“It will take time, but this is a good opportunity to re-examine all the civil and military officials, knights, and everyone who works in the palace.”

Riley turned to Lord Playstead with a grateful expression and gave a small nod. There were no objections from the other nobles. He had brought the falsified report with him to shove in the face of anyone who complained, but it seemed he wouldn't need to use it.

Of course, the falsified report had its uses even if it wasn't presented here. He knew where the Royal Knights’ Vice-Commander Miles Spencer had submitted the report on Riley’s assassination attempt, and he had identified the military and civil officials involved. There was no doubt that there was a spy among them. However, Riley had no intention of punishing them immediately. After all, if he disposed of a mere civil or military official, the mastermind would just plant a new spy.

But he did expect that by announcing a full-scale investigation, it would act as a deterrent. If things went well, those who were thinking of rebelling against them with half-hearted feelings would surely disappear.

“As there seem to be no objections, we will conduct a background check on all those who work in the palace and belong to the Knight Order. Your Highness, may we handle the selection of those who will conduct the background check?”

It was Earl Mellars who summarized the opinions after looking around at the nobles. Riley hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

“Yes. Make a list of candidates and submit it to me, Earl Mellars. And Marquis Finch, may I ask the same of you? I will choose from that list.”

“—Understood.”

“As you wish.”

Earl Mellars was silent for a brief moment, but then nodded as if nothing had happened. Marquis Finch, who had been named by Riley, widened his eyes, but then his face broke into a happy expression. It was unlikely that all of them would be Earl Mellars’s men. But Riley had a plan. By deliberately asking the opposing Marquis Finch as well, he was fanning the flames of their rivalry, but his true purpose lay in the lists they would prepare.

Feeling a gaze, Riley looked up and met Clyde’s eyes. Clyde’s smile deepened meaningfully, and Riley nodded with his eyes only. But so that the other nobles wouldn't notice, Riley quickly looked away.

“Now, for the selection of the Royal Guard,”

Having decided that the matter of the personnel review of the palace and the Knight Order was settled, Riley smoothly moved on to the next topic. At that, Earl Mellars, who had seemed to be following Riley’s wishes until then, spoke up. “With all due respect.” When Riley turned his gaze to him, Earl Mellars spoke calmly.

“I believe this background check on the palace and the Knight Order will cause unrest among the knights. In such a situation, entrusting Your Highness’s protection to the First Squad, as is customary, will show the knights that you trust them. However, selecting a Royal Guard in conjunction with the background check could be misconstrued as a lack of trust in the Knight Order. I humbly believe the timing is not right.”

In other words, the act of selecting a Royal Guard at this time and removing the First Squad from their guard duties would lower the knights’ morale and weaken the royal family’s authority. Riley raised an eyebrow at Earl Mellars. At first glance, his argument seemed to make sense. But Riley had no intention of accepting the count’s proposal.

Perhaps knowing this, Clyde interjected. Looking directly at Earl Mellars, Clyde spoke a single fact to undermine the premise of the argument.

“You say it is customary, but there is no tradition of entrusting the protection to the First Squad, Count. Though the selection of the Royal Guard has not been carried out due to His Majesty the King being bedridden, in the reign of the previous king, the selection of the Royal Guard was carried out. The duties of the First Squad include the protection of the royal family, but its essence is limited to the security of venues for official events and guarding during childhood. Entrusting Your Highness’s protection solely to the First Squad is both historically unprecedented and illogical.”

Earl Mellars fell silent. Clyde’s point was indeed correct.

Clyde had not seen the reign of the previous king with his own eyes. So he only knew of the existence of the Royal Guard from books and what he had been told. But Earl Mellars was different. He had seen with his own eyes that the selection of the Royal Guard was always carried out.

He had used the word “customary” to persuade Riley, but he realized too late that it was a bad move. But he couldn't take back his words.

“Indeed—you are correct, Your Grace.”

Earl Mellars agreed, a slight twitch in his cheek. But still, he did not back down.

“But still—I must say the timing is bad. At the very least, the selection of the Royal Guard should be carried out after the background check is complete and things have settled down.”

Riley listened in silence, but when the Earl finished, he smiled. But the gaze directed at the Earl within that smile was sharp enough to pierce him.

“I see. In that case, Count, what do you make of the fact that two knights of the First Squad were involved in this incident?”

Asked in a low voice by a Crown Prince far younger than himself, the Earl was at a loss for words.

The fact that two knights of the First Squad were on guard duty and then disappeared was clearly stated in the report. If there had been no witnesses at the scene of the assassination, the spy would have deleted that entry, but unfortunately, Riley, Liliana, and Gild had all confirmed that the First Squad knights were there. Therefore, that entry remained in the report submitted to the civil officials.

“Yes, I agree that it is regrettable. But are you not conducting this background check to allay such concerns?”

So be content with the background check, Earl Mellars implied. But Riley would not nod in agreement. On the contrary, he sighed, a hint of irritation showing.

“That is a separate matter, Count. I do not disrespect the Knight Order. But next year, we will also hold the ‘investiture ceremony.’ At that time, it will be better to have my own personal Royal Guard rather than the First Squad to proclaim the stability of our country both at home and abroad. It is just a coincidence that the timing overlaps.”

“But—!”

“Enough.”

Riley silenced the count, who was still trying to argue, with a single word. The face that Riley, who had until now shown a glimpse of it but had acted in a way that saved face for others, now showed for the first time as the next king left not only Earl Mellars but also Marquis Scone, Marquis Finch, and many other nobles speechless.

The only ones who looked at Riley calmly were Clyde and Ulysses Ealdred. And Lord Playstead, sitting next to Ulysses, was expressionless for a while, but then he laughed deep in his throat as if he couldn't hold it back anymore. In the silent room, the low laugh echoed surprisingly loudly. Lord Playstead, now the center of everyone’s attention, remained unperturbed, and with a complex expression that was a mix of exasperation and pity, he turned to Earl Mellars.

“In this case, His Highness has the advantage, Earl Mellars. On the contrary, if the selection of a Royal Guard were to weaken his authority, then this country does not have a long future.”

“Lord Playstead—,”

Earl Mellars growled, his face contorted as if he had bitten into something bitter. But Lord Playstead did not answer, instead turning his gaze to Riley.

“In that case, Your Highness, how about a compromise where you agree to include members of the Royal Knights in the selection of the Royal Guard? That way, the loyalty that Earl Mellars is so concerned about will not be lost.”

He was implicitly mocking Earl Mellars’s words. Perhaps realizing this, Earl Mellars’s cheeks flushed slightly. But the Earl had no way to refute Lord Playstead.

And Riley had no intention of rejecting Lord Playstead’s proposal either. Originally, there were knights in the Royal Knights who he intended to appoint to the Royal Guard.

“Let’s do that.”

But without letting on that it was already part of his plan, Riley nodded gravely as if he had just decided.

In place of the silent Earl Mellars, Clyde asked, “Are there any objections?” No noble tried to object at this point.

Riley, with the most beautiful smile, stood up from his chair.

“Then this meeting of the Advisory Council is now adjourned.”

The nobles also stood up one after another and saw Riley out of the room. The moment the door closed, Riley confirmed the expressions of those who were satisfied, those who were displeased, and those who looked bewildered.

—-

Toc

Chapter 192