106 Believing Heart




You've been sentenced to death. --A full day from now, tomorrow at noon.

 It was lunchtime, and Deanna had to make an effort not to look at the idiot who had brought such a smug message in lieu of a meal. Thanks to her, though, she was free from the suspicious behavior of unconsciously ruminating on her and Kai's relationship.

"Hmm. I'm sure you're not the only one.

 In the event that you've got a lot more than one, you'll be able to take a look at a few of the best ways to make sure you're getting the most out of your time. This is a great way to make sure that you get the most out of your time with your family and friends. ...... The level of stupidity is so high that it becomes troublesome to pay attention to it.

Truly, there is no way to ...... save it.
What?
Why should I be afraid that I will be executed for a crime I did not commit? In the first place, execution in our country is not something that can be carried out by the arbitrary judgment of a few, but can only be carried out after the crime has been carefully examined by the appropriate authorities, the appropriate punishment has been determined, and the approval of the upper echelons of the state has been obtained. It is not an execution, but a private punishment, and if it is a death sentence, it is called murder. Use your words properly.

 I want you to put yourself in the shoes of a little girl who has to earnestly explain such an obvious thing to an adult who is surely over thirty, maybe even forty by my estimate. I can't help but feel like I'm throwing my words away.
 The face of an idiot with a low boiling point turns red when the prisoner, despite being put in jail and sentenced to death, does not seem to be able to stand it, but rather retorts in a stubborn manner.

"You ......!
I didn't say anything wrong. I didn't say anything wrong, and I didn't mean to criticize the 'killing' you want to do. If you want to kill me, you can kill me.
Cheeky. Then you can cut me down right here, right now!

 The man was about to draw his sword, but she shot out a troublesome killing intent at him. When the man caught Deanna's gaze, he stopped with the blade halfway out of its sheath.
 I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

The fact that you think you can do that makes you a real idiot.
......
I'm not sure what you mean by that. What else can you do but look down on someone who tries to pull out a sword without knowing that?
"Sir.
What? Cheeky? Or rude? I'm tired of hearing it all. Can you expand your vocabulary a little bit and curse a little bit more?

 Deanna crosses her legs on the floor where she is sitting. The idiot in front of her seems to have forgotten what to say, and is just mouthing off.

By the way, have you said all you need to say? If so, I think it would be best for both of us to get out of here. I'm sure the lady doesn't want to hear any more of this cocky, rude little girl's nonsense.
Oh, you're a ...... red rose, aren't you?
You're a red rose, aren't you? You're not just dumb, you're blind too. If this face looks like anything other than Deanna Crester, you need to see an eye doctor.
"Or a shadow warrior. ......
You don't have the face to put that thing up. Yeah, but if you think it's someone else, why don't you just let it go?

 As he said this, the man came to his senses. After a few breaths, he put his sword back in its sheath and glared at Diana.

I see. I see. ...... You are an evil woman. You're a mean thinker.
I'm sure you've heard of it, but I don't care. I'm not sure what to say. I don't care.
"Hmm. You can pretend to be someone else for all I care. --You've only got one day left.

 With that, the man walks away from Deanna. Deanna is left behind.

(I wonder if they thought I was planning to escape from the prison by pretending to be someone else. ......)

 (I wonder if they thought she was planning to escape from the prison by pretending to be someone else...) I realized that it was too late, and I was strangely moved by this feeling of incompatibility.
 Incidentally, the reason why Diana reverted back to her true self was not only because she got into trouble, but also because she was convinced that the man who so gleefully tried to kill her would never be able to lead a normal life in the future. I don't think I would be so rude to someone I might have to deal with in the future in aristocratic society.

(Even so, ...... is a death sentence. (I wonder what His Majesty and the Prime Minister are going to do about it.

 If you want to make the death penalty official, you have to make it official. If you want to make it a formal execution, you must at least have the documents to show the approval of these two people. The old Juke could have been afraid of accidentally putting his stamp on the document without checking the contents, but he wouldn't be so foolish now.

(If His Majesty puts his stamp on it, no matter how hard he tries, he'll never be able to get it back. ......)

 Things are steadily coming to a standstill (for the country). Please don't anger the Cresta family any more than you already have.
 In the cold prison, Diana sighed to herself. As she had expected when she was brought here, no food was brought to her, even though it was lunchtime, and she didn't even want to touch the water that was left for her, as she didn't know what was in it. You can't die for a day without eating or drinking, but as the daughter of a nobleman, it wouldn't be wrong to complain that she should be treated with more respect. --In the first place, the dungeon itself is not used for capturing nobles.

 As long as she is in the dungeon, there is nothing she can do. I closed my eyes quietly and wondered if there was anything I could do,......, and then I noticed the sound of shoes echoing in the distance. While she was wary that the idiot had come back, the approaching presence was familiar. Deanna released her tension and stood up.
 I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's a little nervous about this.

"I'm sorry, Miss Diana!



 I'm not sure if you've ever heard of this or not, but I'm sure you have. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this. ...... Or rather, don't be so obvious in a dungeon with guards.

"...... Commander, please raise your head. You're being watched.
"Eyes? You mean guards? There were no guards. Do they think they're safe as long as they're locked up?
I'm not trying to run away. ...... Well, you're not wrong.
I'm not going to run away. If she wanted to, this place wouldn't even be an obstacle.

 I chuckle at Alford's words. Aside from Deanna, there is no denying the fact that the Darknesses are equipped with the skill of prison breaking.
 I'm not sure if he accepted Deanna's words or not (at least it's hard to have a conversation when you're on your knees), but Alford looked up and sat back down, crossing his legs. Knowing that they were going to have a long talk, Deanna also sat down on the floor.
 Taking a glance around the cell, Alford does not hide his bitterness.

What kind of idiot would lock up the daughter of the Crester family in a place like this ......?
Not all of us carry the lessons of the past into the future as the Swoons do. As my father used to say, it's the times we live in.
It's too shallow an idea to be an era. ...... It's not for me to say. The idiots are completely working in the name of "The Royal Court". To the Cresta family, they, we, and ...... you are all the same.
"My family is not so narrow-minded, sir. My father and brother understand that there are many people who think differently about the Royal Court.
But ...... there is nothing more the Cresters can do for a king who couldn't stop this from happening. --Don't you agree?

 I'm sure you'll be able to understand that the Swoon family has been in the kingdom for 400 years, and they've been around since before the kingdom was founded. They seem to be able to understand the Crester family's "reverse scales" and how the angry Crester family will act.
 Deanna tilted her head and gave a small laugh.

My father said he was going to use ...... 'total power'.
"......, right?
I tried to stop him, but... I'm sorry I couldn't help you.
Miss Diana has nothing to apologize for. How can you defend us in this situation, when you've been thrown in jail? ......

 You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.

I won't cover for you for no reason. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. ...... Now, you didn't come down here to the basement just to apologize, did you?

 In the midst of the agony, the light twinkling in Alford's eyes is unshakable. This proves that even in this situation, he has not given up on everything.
 You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the best results.

I'm sure you're right.

 I'm not sure what to say.

I'm not sure what to make of that. We are working under the orders of His Majesty to save His Favored Princess from being kidnapped and to save the Red Rose from being framed for a crime she did not commit.
"The search for Her Highness is fraught with danger. Please don't go too far. ...... There are some things I need your help with. Please don't choose death.

 The movement of the Kingsguard knights will be covert. If they make a big move here, it would be the same as announcing that the king has a special interest in the kidnapped wife. If that were to happen, the royal knights involved in this matter would have to make a move as well, but I couldn't sense such an atmosphere from the smug idiot who had just arrived.
 And while I appreciate the sentiments of the king and his knights, rescuing Shayla involves enough danger that Dualis will suspend the deployment of the Darkness. If you go in head first, you will only end up with more bodies.
 Even if the guards are slacking off, you never know when someone will come. Alford and Deanna conveyed information to each other in abstract terms.

"Do you have any idea where your darling is?
I feel as if I'm... ...... I'm leaving her in the hands of someone I trust.

I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but it's a good idea. I've been waiting for you to say that.
 I'm not sure what Alford thought when he saw the smile that unconsciously appeared on her lips. Deanna doesn't know, but she does know.

"...... I don't know what's out there, in a cell. The only reason Miss Deanna is so calm is because of him?

 I'm sure you're not the only one.

It's not just that person. I believe in all of my friends and colleagues.

 If I had been in a situation like this when I first came to the palace. If I had been in a situation like this when I first came to the palace, I would not have been able to keep my composure, Deanna thought to herself. The only people she could trust were herself and Rita, and the rest were outside the palace. She might have escaped from the prison, knowing the risks, and taken it upon herself to rescue Shayla.

 But... Not now.

I did everything I could before I came here. Rita is in the palace. I have friends in the Inner Palace who know the palace and the Inner Palace better than I do. Even the outer court, where the most capable officials are gathered, is on our side. The family that decided to go all out will not indiscriminately bury innocent people. --It would be disrespectful to everyone to despair when we have so many supportive friends.



 Even Shayla's life, the only thing she fears the most, is someone who has sworn to protect her.
 The only thing Deanna can do in this situation is stay in her cell. ...... is.

I'm not going to give up until the very end. I will not give up until the very end. I will believe in myself, my friends, and the people I love. ...... As Al says, if there is anything I can do for everyone in a tough situation, it is to never give up hope. It is to never give up hope. I think that we should believe in everyone and wait.
"...... I wonder if the king of this country is among those who are 'waiting and believing' in Miss Diana. The king of this country?
Of course. I'm not sure if I believed her or not. At least, I have been waiting for you since the moment I entered your palace.

 Smiling softly, Diana said.
 I've been waiting for you since the moment you came to my palace." With a soft smile, Deanna thought back to her 'promise' of a few months ago.

But, Deanna, ......!
But Deanna ! I'm sure he'll be happy to hear that. ...... Even you know that there is no way to move forward with the situation as it is now, don't you?
"I don't want what's coming to you at your expense!
It's not a sacrifice. It seems like there's no way to prevent it anyway. If we can't resist it, we'll just use it to our advantage.
"It is against our covenant to initiate.
"Oh, you didn't give the Imperial Order. I'm just following the order. I'm a Crestor myself, and I know what I'm doing and what I'm not doing.
"Diana ......
I'm sure you're not going to want to give up, are you?

 I'm sure there are things that work when I'm around. You can watch over him and wait for him to change.
 So, brother, don't give up yet--.

I'm not going to give up on you yet," she said, ruminating on the promise made that day.

I did not want your favor from the beginning. I have no intention of making love to you, then or now. ...... That's not what we wanted.

 This is a great way to make sure you are getting the most out of your time and money. Alford's eyes widened.

I'm not sure if that's a ...... thing.
I'm not sure. I'm sure you know that, don't you? It's simple, it's intuitive, but the more you really want something, the less you can hide it deep down inside.
"Oh, really? Has he always been that way?
He's watched your father and your father's father since he was a child. It was only natural for a young boy to want to be like them.

 He shook his head again, and again, and again.
 Alford stood up abruptly and without warning.

I'm going to see him now.
"To your brother?
It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to be doing.
I'm sure. I'm sure your brother can cut it better than your father in this case.

 Alford looked at Deanna, who nodded.

"Miss Diana. --Will you trust him?
"Your Majesty, you mean?
"More like ...... Juke.

 With calm eyes, Alford gazed off into the distance.

I'm not sure what Juke is doing now that would disqualify him from being a king. But for Juke to be Juke, for Juke to continue to be king without losing himself, it is a line he cannot compromise. ...... That's what I'm thinking after seeing him since yesterday.

 It's an abstract term, but Deanna understood it.
 Even now, at this moment. I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not.
 I'm not sure if I'll be able to do it.

"All I can do is believe in my friends. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.
"You owe me!
No way. ...... If you'd like to see your brother. May I take a message for him?

 He's been keeping his wishes to himself for a long, long time.
 I'm sure he's not really convinced about the total power.

 --I'm not going to give up.

I'm not going to give up. I will not give up. --So, give me a message.
"Okay.

 She nodded firmly and watched Alford walk away.

I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will help you. ...... Please be safe, everyone. I hope you can find a future other than annihilation.



 Not to God, but to themselves, Diana prayed.