Chapter 1
𝕍𝕠𝕝𝕦𝕞𝕖 𝟞:
𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℍ𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕤 ℝ𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕓𝕠𝕨
The knights who discovered us that day led us secretly and unnoticed to the Imperial palace.
The chapel with the bell tower was situated far away from the main house, and since it was April Fool's Day, the guests at the banquet wouldn't have suspected what had actually transpired while they were occupied with their festivities.
I learned the details later from Lethias and Benya, and the circumstances leading up to this were roughly as follows:
As far as I recall, it was known to the world that the Serpente siblings were studying abroad at the Royal Academy in Fzeia.
They were well-known children of the Serpente family within the Empire.
Additionally, the mystery surrounding the reason why some nobles had left to study in the same place we had fled to during the Great Plague two years ago was now unraveled.
The cause of this curiosity was Assad di Romena de Avalonia, the Emperor's eldest son and the Crown Prince of the Empire.
Despite his young age, the prince was known for his political acumen and keen judgment of people. He was the male lead in the original story.
The exact reason that led him to doubt the status of the Serpente Duchy remains unknown.
Nevertheless, it was said that the prince suddenly ordered a tax investigation into most of the Serpente-related businesses, including Python Bank, which caused quite a commotion.
The imperial finances had been severely impacted by the excessive spending of the previous and current emperors over two generations, leaving considerable debt owed to Python Bank.
Moreover, the Imperial authority's reputation had significantly plummeted during the period of the Great Plague.
So, even though the order came directly from the Crown Prince, there was no way the nobles would obey it obediently.
In the end, a full-scale tax investigation did not take place, but the Crown Prince managed to uncover suspicious circumstances surrounding Python Bank.
For instance, the case of the young Duke studying abroad in Fzeia who had suddenly redistributed his stake to his relatives, or the fact that Viscount Hippolyte, the least significant among the deceased duke's siblings, had moved to the Imperial capital and started various businesses.
In any case, the Crown Prince secretly collaborated with the Python Knights and sent an undercover inspector to Fzeia.
This led to the discovery that the Serpente siblings had requested homeschooling at the academy shortly after moving there, citing the poor health of the Ducal Princess.
In reality, the siblings were residing in a villa owned by the Serpente family in the capital of Fzeia. To be precise, they were using look-alike substitutes.
While we were locked up in the tower, we had our look-alikes in Fzeia, which was something I had never anticipated.
If we had died during our captivity, they would have remained there for approximately ten years and then returned as if they were the genuine ones, living and moving according to the conspirators’ own desires.
After all, a child's appearance can change significantly as they grow older.
There were still unanswered questions.
If events were to follow the original storyline and we were eventually freed, how had these several months of development altered the variables?
And how did the knight commanders who found us, alongside the Crown Prince, come to the realization that we were imprisoned in the bell tower?
"How long has she been coughing like this?"
"About a month and a half."
"Are there any other symptoms? Such as a fever, frequent vomiting, or upset stomach?"
As soon as we arrived at the imperial palace, Lethias and Benya were quickly taken to the main palace, while I was guided by the Imperial Physician to attend to Estelle, who was slipping in and out of consciousness.
Being in the presence of a real member of the medical office and even a member of the royal family, I felt a surreal sense of awe.
The imperial court doctor, who appeared dignified and refined, asked me a series of questions, called in assistant doctors, and then dismissed me.
It all seemed out of the ordinary, leaving me feeling on the edge and quite nervous.
"I have prepared a meal. Are you hungry?"
"Ah… You see, I'm just the Princess' nanny. So…"
"It's all right. Don't be afraid, come and have something to eat."
Despite my anxiety and confusion, everyone in the palace was surprisingly kind. It was the kindness of strangers… And in the past, I might have been overwhelmed by it, but now I couldn't help but wonder what their intentions were.
Separated from the siblings, I was led to a small and lavish room where I dined alone.
The food was a luxurious feast unlike anything I had seen in a long time, but I couldn't truly taste anything due to my overwhelming confusion. It all felt like some sort of elaborate April Fool's joke.
Finally, as the day turned into night, we were able to reunite. When Lethias and Benya entered the room, I sat beside Estelle, who was sound asleep, feeling helpless.
We were waiting for someone or something, though we weren't sure exactly who or what it was.
"Sasha."
I looked up to see the tired and serious faces of the boys. For a moment, I was at a loss for words. The two quickly came and sat beside me.
There was a moment of silence. We all looked at each other, finding it difficult to speak. Eventually, Lethias, who had been quietly observing Estelle's sleeping face, broke the silence.
"What did the doctors say?"
"I haven't heard anything yet. When I asked them, they didn't provide much detail."
"Have you eaten?"
"Yes, I have. And what about you, Lethias and Benya?"
"We have eaten as well."
With that settled, I finally heard the full story of everything that had happened earlier.
As the two took turns recounting the events, I listened intently, feeling slightly distracted. The revelation that our doubles had been living in Fzeia was truly unsettling.
"A stand-in?! They really used substitutes?"
"We were just as surprised as you. They had a striking resemblance, dyed their hair, and took homeschooling classes. They managed to avoid suspicion by not mingling with students from Cherkesha during their home visits."
I almost asked how closely the person impersonating me resembled me, but it felt like a futile question, so I refrained. There was no way the kids would have met our doubles.
Oh my goodness... Stand-ins.
I couldn't fathom the level of meticulous preparation that went into making them resemble us not only in appearance but in all aspects. It must have been planned long before they imprisoned us in earnest...
"But how did they find out we were stuck there?"
"That..."
"Your Imperial Highness?"
At that moment, an unexpected person appeared. Lethias suddenly stood up and spoke, and I followed suit, glancing back at the door.
Then panic gripped me. God, why are you out here?!
Oh, right... This is your house.
His soft golden hair shimmered faintly under the chandelier's light.
I quickly bowed my head before the handsome young man, who gazed at me with deep purple eyes, secretly wishing I could sink into the floor.
Goodness, why didn't I think of that? I never imagined we would be reunited like this!
No, it's not a reunion. He didn't see me back then; he just left...
"I... I see, Your Royal Highness the Crown Pri–"
I tried to compose myself and quickly spoke, but he cut in at the same time. Actually, he tilted his head slightly to one side and said:
"You're just like before."
My face must have turned pale. What do you mean, beautiful prince? W-when did you meet me? Did you really see me back then...
"Have you ever met Sasha?"
The Crown Prince frowned slightly at Lethias' question and replied:
"What, did you forget? You eagerly introduced her as your cute little sister. It's been five years already."
"W-when did I act so eagerly?"
"You're quite bold, just like that time when I wanted to greet her, but you refused."
Aha, did that happen?
While I stared at him, Lethias blushed like a ripe tomato and turned away from my inquisitive gaze. And Benya, well, he just alternated between looking at us with an unexpectedly subdued expression.
Phew, I'm relieved he didn't see me back then. Not that it's a big deal if he did, but these guys might pester me about why I didn't mention seeing the Crown Prince...
Anyway, seeing him again after such a long time(?), he appears even more handsome.
I have to admit he seems more mature than before. They said he's two years older than Lethias, so he must be nineteen now…?
That this young prince is our savior...
"Oh, I had a little talk with the imperial doctor..."
"Yes?"
"... They say the princess seems to have pneumonia."
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