Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 118: The Third Star – The hunt for the lost princess.

In fancy terms, the emperor of the Astra Empire is called a sun, and the empress is the moon. Subsequently, their children will have the titles of stars.

The first star is the first in line for the throne, while the second and third are... well, second and third in line. It is common knowledge that there are only two candidates competing for the crown—until now.

Talks have emerged across the entire empire about the possibility of a third hidden star that has gone unnoticed all these years. All of them stem from an anonymous yet verified source, which, for the sake of this explanation, will be revealed as the very soldier who discovered an old document about a beast-kin princess of imperial lineage.

The location where this document was found? In the basement of the factory that I visited a few days earlier, of course.

As I imagine just how chaotic the political scene would be after some more development, I hear a grumble beside me.

''You... did you know about this?''

''Why not?''

''I see what you meant by that line telling me to be careful. Can you tell me who the third star is, at least?''

''I only found the document earlier than you. I have no idea.''

''That's fine. I have a rough guess, anyway.''

Sierra, with the word 'annoyed' practically written on her face, sighs again. In her defense, the instance she discovers that her position is guaranteed, the existence of another competitor emerges, after all.

Of course, she, or even the prince, would rather keep this matter hidden, and the life of a certain soldier will be on the line, but that is not my business.

In short, the document—the birth certificate provides information about an imperial princess born nineteen years ago from a raven-kin mother, and said princess's life and death have not been confirmed.

As for why it is considered trusted information... well, it has the signature mana imprint of the late emperor on it.

Now, every sane person with a functional brain should immediately point their finger toward Nydia. She is a raven-kin, and she is nineteen—a perfect match, basically. There aren't many raven-kin in the country, so a search would surely enable them to pinpoint the person.

And they would be right. Nydia is indeed the lost princess.

The reason why she has never been recognized is somewhat related to the fact that both Sierra and Killian are afraid of her. Nydia is the child born between the older brother of the current emperor and a raven-kin of common origin. Obviously, this coupling wasn't exactly well-received.

At the time, this older brother was actually the crown prince instead of the current emperor, and considering the fact that he was able to get the late emperor to sign the birth certificate means that he had his support.

Which is probably the reason why both of them died a 'mysterious death' a while later, and the only one left, Kaiser, became the emperor. Either way, Nydia's father made the right call by concealing her until he could make his wife legitimate. I'm not sure why the mother abandoned her, though.

In conclusion, Nydia has what it takes to make it as an empress. Legitimacy? The late emperor sighed her birth certificate himself. Do they want, no, to dare to criticize him when all they have been giving him is praise, even if they are utterly black-hearted ones? 

Probably not.

In the story, the cult tries to stir up the political scene by throwing the unsuspecting Nydia into the flame, and that is when that player can really get to know her.

Now, I could have burned the document beforehand to protect Nydia, but ultimately, how she lives her life depends on herself. If she decides to compete for the throne, she will have the Luminous Duchy's full support since we—Nydia, Chloe, and I—are, by any measure, good friends. If she wishes to remain a simple maid, then so be it. We will do our best to protect her.

At this point, either Sierra or Nydia taking the crown is fine with us. Most of the original plot cannot be trusted anymore.

''Hah... well, Miss Silaerob?''

''Hm?''

''The play. Will you do it?''

''Sure. Decide the details yourself.''

''Wonderful. Please stay there for a bit.''

Sierra tells me she wants to stage an encounter to establish the fact that Silaerob is supporting her. I have no problem with it.

A few more days have passed ever since the factory raid, and things are definitely becoming more and more apparent.

''Ugh... people stare too much, I swear...''

''It's because of the rumors.''

''Yeah...''

Walking hand in hand with Nydia on the academy's ground, students of all grades and standings inevitably shoot us, or more specifically, Nydia, a glance.

By now, the topic of the mysterious third star has become the most prominent. The ordinary folks might be left with no clue, but here in the academy, everybody knows Nydia. Some have even asked the person herself.

Of course, Nydia is quite confused by all this fuss, saying that she genuinely has no idea how to react.

''...Hey, Aurora.''

''Hm?''

''What would you do... if I was really the princess?''

Nydia's golden eyes are filled with uncertainty. Somewhere within those quivering lips contain a bit of fear as well.

''I would be a bit sad,'' I reply.

''Huh? Why?''

''We won't be able to hang out as often.''

This much is genuine. I do enjoy my time with Nydia.

''I... see.''

The road back to the dorm is enveloped in a suffocating silence. Although I can't see her expression as she is looking down, her hand tightening on my own tells me everything.

She is afraid of breaking this status quo.

With a sigh, I find myself pondering over things that have already been done. Is this a good decision? I wouldn't know until the end. 

In the game, Nydia does become a princess, but she remains a timid princess, not intervening in the competition. It's quite fortunate that neither of the current imperial siblings is as cruel as Kaiser, who would kill his blood for the crown. Not that I know of.

''Oh, isn't this Her Highness, the imperial princess?''

As we enter the room, a certain princess herself jokingly muses.

''P-Please stop it, Lady Luminous...''

''But it's true?''

''Isn't it only a rumor...? There is no concrete evidence—''

''There is. Being in my position, I can confirm that.''

At this, even the witty Nydia is rendered speechless. Standing here in this awkwardness is a bit iffy, so I pull her over to sit on the couch.

''It's ironic, isn't it?'' Chloe shrugs, leisurely mixing sugar into her coffee. ''Our relationship is about to be reversed.''

''...''

''Should I make you do something embarrassing before I won't be able to? That wouldn't count, right?''

''Please spare me of that...''

''Fufu... that's a joke, of course. But think positively for a moment, Nydia. If you were to become a princess, you would be able to attain many things you wished for but couldn't possess.''

''Things that I... couldn't possess...''

''That's right. Being in power has its own advantages, so think about it carefully.''

''...''

I can't believe the drunkard Chloe is giving good advice for once. Normally—hm?

Suddenly, I notice Nydia's eyes fixing on me sneakily as she looks down. Somehow, they seem to contain the very definition of curiosity and... desire.

This girl... she's thinking about something bad, isn't she?