Avril resolved herself and began to walk toward the stage.

On the stage, His Highness Listeard awaited her arrival with a composed smile. Beside him was not only the prime minister, but Alois who looked down at her while standing at attention. Perhaps he hadn’t been told Avril would be there for his brows were furrowed and his expression was filled with anger.

Amidst all that, Avril reached the stage. A strange tension filled the air, one of not knowing what would happen.

“Avril Allingham, you who passed the national examination with excellent marks—”

Just as His Highness Listeard was about to read the royal decree aloud, it happened.

“Please wait!”

The one who raised his voice was, as expected, Alois. Although interrupting the king’s words was something that must never be done, he seemed unable to even wait the time it would have taken to read the decree. Alois continued, his face bright red.

“That woman is suspected to have cheated on the sacred national examination and on having passed through fraudulent means. To begin with, she is a person who should be in prison. She is not someone who should be here.”

Well…

Alois’ words were far too predictable, Avril almost gave a nod in agreement without realizing it. Furthermore, as what she thinks often slips right out of her mouth, she firmly pressed her lips together, just in case.

This should have brought a sense of assurance, yet Listeard didn’t waver.

“This is an appointment ceremony. There is no place for you to step in.”

“…Yo-your Majesty the King…!”

Brushed off without mercy, Alois’ face turned even redder. Not only his cheeks and ears, but even his neck was bright red, clearly revealing his agitation.

“Kugh…”

For a few seconds, Alois appeared to barely be able to contain his anger, but such seemed impossible. His voice came out in a low growl.

“…Ye-yesterday, I heard that evidence of Avril Allingham’s misconduct was uncovered. Is it that Your Majesty the King was not yet aware of this?”

“What was that?”

When Listeard asked back as if he were saying, “This is the first I’ve heard of that.” Alois seemed convinced of his victory. He pulled back his twisted expression and regained his calm.

“A report was received from the maid assigned to her room. She said that within this person’s room, the exam questions, which should have been prohibited from being taken out, were discovered.”

“What did he just say?” The venue stirred with whispers.  Alois grinned, pleased by the reaction, and continued

“What’s more, both sets of exam questions, including the spare version, were found. The existence of the spare was only known to a select few. So why was it in this woman’s room? The only conclusion is that she committed some wrongdoing beforehand, obtained both sets of questions, learned the answers, and then took the exam.”

That’s…

Avril already knew the answer to that, but she stuck up her nose and didn’t reply. As His Highness Listeard had ordered her not to do anything until he gave the signal, it couldn’t be helped.

Meanwhile, voices of confusion spread throughout the great hall.

“That can’t be.”

“But how did she obtain the questions? Isn’t she from a foreign country, and without connections?”

“No, she’s the peerless villainess who can toy with any man, steal his wealth and jewels, and strips him bare—both physically and mentally. Something like that should be child’s play for her.”

The last comment seemed to be just what Alois needed. As soon as he heard it, he delivered one final, decisive remark toward Avril.

“Surely, it must have been easy for you to tempt our country’s civil officials and steal the exam questions using your tactics of a wicked woman. But you can’t fool my eyes. I shall have you imprisoned immediately as a criminal.”

Read more than 10 chapters ahead and support American Faux on Patreon for only $3~

<Previous Chapter

Next Chapter>