The duke's youngest daughter did not understand what was happening until the very last moment, when the whole situation completely threw her off balance. Looking at the woman's face, which was completely serious in front of her, Remesis could not find the words for some time.
Finally, when the silence became increasingly unbearable, Liana Dexsin let her go.
As if understanding from the expression on her face that the girl would no longer resist, the young head of the order took a step back and finally moved away from her.
However, the distance between them was still quite insignificant. So much so that Remesis could see every wrinkle on her face when the woman in front of her frowned.
— Lady Dexsin. What are you talking about? — Remesis asked in a hoarse voice.
— Princess Rania, I know you are not a stupid person and you are not easily fooled. Have you really not had the slightest suspicion in all these years?
Remesis frowned. Although she still did not fully understand the purpose of this conversation, she remained cautious.
In any case, she already understood that resistance was futile. If she tried to scream or run out of the room again, Liana Dexsin would only beat her to it and cover her mouth with her hand again.
Remesis, who valued her ability to speak, had no intention of losing it. Therefore, in this situation, she decided to simply play along with the woman to understand what she was up to.
— Lady Dexsin, I don't know why you suddenly decided to talk about my wife at a time like this. But rest assured, I have absolutely nothing to tell you.
Hearing her calm words, Liana's gaze faltered.
— Is that really true? — she asked again.
— What are you...
However, the heiress of the order interrupted her mid-sentence.
— You know, — she said seriously, — Lord of the North is definitely involved in my sister's death.
Remesis frowned. She didn't quite understand where the young head of the order had gotten such ideas. Nevertheless, as she was still the mistress of the northern castle, she had to protect its reputation and that of her wife first and foremost. With that in mind, Remesis opened her mouth and said:
— Lady Dexsin, I don't understand why you are suddenly making these unfounded accusations.
At that moment, completely out of place, she was also overcome by a new wave of sleepiness. Remesis had to fight it so that she wouldn't end up falling asleep right in front of Liana Dexsin.
Trying to keep her mind focused, the girl concentrated on the conversation at hand.
— Unfounded? — Liana smiled bitterly. — Princess, do you really not know? Or are you just pretending not to know?
— Your sister was torn apart by demonic beasts. Isn't that so? — Remesis said slowly.
— It is true that monsters attacked my sister, — she confirmed, — But, Your Highness, have you considered the circumstances under which this happened?
With every second of this conversation, Remesis unconsciously tensed more and more. She clenched her fists.
— What are you getting at? — she asked cautiously.
Liana Dexsin continued imperturbably:
— After my sister's remains were brought to the Dexsin estate, our family doctor examined them carefully. Do you know what conclusion he ultimately came to?
Remesis didn't have time to say a word before the woman continued.
— He found traces of a cold weapon on Gardenia's bones. These marks were so deep that they even touched the bones and left cracks... You do understand that such a wound could not have been inflicted by a demonic beast, right?
— .....
Remesis pressed her lips together.
— This means that before my sister fell into the clutches of the monsters, she had already been wounded by someone.
The statement that escaped the lips of the young head of the order seemed indisputable. However, after a moment's thought, Remesis still tried to object:
— As far as I understand, Lady Dexin originally ended up at our borders because of a bandit attack in the border zone, is that not correct? She fled to our lands to escape them. Doesn't that explain what happened?
In other words, Remesis wanted to say that it was these people who could have wounded Gardenia. However, the cold smile on the young head of the order's face only became even sharper.
— So you're saying that my sister was able to walk such a long distance while seriously wounded? — she sneered contemptuously.
«......»
Remesis hesitated, but couldn't think of anything to say in response.
— I know my sister well, — Liana continued in a restrained tone. — Her health has always been poor, and she often caught colds several times a year. How could such a frail noble lady, who has never been known for her physical strength, overcome such a difficult ordeal?
At that moment, the girl felt she had lost. Remesis was completely unable to refute her passionate speech, every word of which was true.
— I... I don't know... — In the end, that was all she could say.
Liana Dehsin smiled bitterly.
— You know. You just don't want to admit it.
«...»
Those words pierced her heart like a poisonous dagger.
At the moment when Remesis was most confused by what she had heard, Liana suddenly approached her again. While the lady of the northern castle looked at her nervously, like a cornered rabbit, the woman placed her hand on the wall next to her and spoke, moving closer to her face:
— You don't think I took a risk today just to come here, do you?
After a moment's hesitation, clearing her throat, the girl finally managed to speak.
— What exactly do you want? — Remesis asked cautiously.
— The Lord of the North is responsible for my sister's death, — the emerald eyes flashed dangerously, — Although I don't know why she did it, but it was definitely her doing. And I will not rest until justice is served.
Remesis remained silent. Then Liana spoke again:
— Princess Rania, I know you are a fair person. Please help me so that justice may prevail.
At that moment, Remesis had no chance to hesitate. She had known from the beginning what position she should take.
«Of course, I know the princess's bloodthirsty nature better than anyone else.»
Although there was no clear evidence of Asil's involvement in the matter, it was not difficult to believe that she could have done it. Although Remesis herself could not fully understand her motives. Unlike in their past lives, if Remesis really knew everything and nothing was hidden from her, then Asil and Gardenia had met at most once.
Why would the Lord of the North suddenly wish death upon a noble lady she didn't know? However, name one instance when a princess really had a compelling reason to commit murder...
Remesis sighed when she finally came to the conclusion that there was no point in thinking about it now.
All of this could be left out.
In any case, Remesis had decided from the very beginning that she and the princess would be allies in this second life. And, of course, she was not going to betray her now to avenge the death of a noblewoman whom Remesis did not know very well anyway. Her alliance with Asil and the future benefits it would bring were much more important to her.
Therefore, the lady of the northern castle did not hesitate. She was going to side with a possible murderer, even if Asil really was one. Remesis opened her mouth to respond to the woman's proposal with a categorical refusal:
— Lady Dehsin, I beg your pardon, but I am forced to...
However, she was unable to finish her sentence because at that moment, the door to her bedroom suddenly opened. Standing in the doorway was the person Remesis least expected and least wanted to see there. Her heart stopped involuntarily.
— Wife, I would like to know what exactly you two are doing here?