Formerly, The Fallen Daughter of the Duke

21. Unconscious

Drawing on Claire's will that the truth really wanted to know, Veek opened his mouth.

"The demise of the Lindell Nation involves the Paft Nation deeply"

"... what do you mean?

Claire listens back with a stare straight into Veek's eyes.

"Among the Paft countries, there was a border ambassador who had territory in the area bordering the Lindell country. The neighborhood uncle stormed out on his own to expand his territory. As a result, he destroyed the land of Lindell and was destroyed by King Paft. … This is a sad story about the commonly known country of Lindell. You know Claire too."

"Yes."

Upon confirming Claire's answer, Vike elbowed to the table and put his hands together.

"This is my story from here, okay?"

Keith and the three of them will not move into Veek's sight.

Seeing their reaction, I guess the story from here is an open secret they know if they are royal or nearby.

"Here's the actual story"

Vik continues.

"The neighborhood uncle didn't suddenly raid the Lindell country. The first thing I aimed for was King Puffett at the time. But the coup failed and the territory was confiscated. The head of the Borderline House was executed, but the rest of the family and ministers only had to fall because of the warmth.... But the Borderline House, unable to abandon its ambitions, ambushed the Lindell Country, which was a small neighbor, trying to make it its own"

And I drop my gaze regrettably.

"It is no exaggeration to say that the demise of the Lindell Nation was caused by the demise of the Paft royal family.

"So you had a history in the forbidden book area."

It was quite a shocking story for Claire, but it's something she can't help but do when it comes to the country's flourishing.

Indeed, it was a fact of shock when it came to the fact that my mother might be the princess of the persecuted Lindell country and the circumstances.

But that itself had been accepted over time after going to Lindell Island.

Look at Claire looking a little hoarse, and Veek listens.

"I hear Claire's mother died, but when was that?"

"When I was five years old or not."

"Are you sick?"

Vik always cares about Claire and doesn't cut too deep into private matters.

But today I rarely dig deeper and ask.

Claire answers with her neck tied.

"No... my father hasn't told me the details, but I hear it was an unfortunate accident"

"Right..."

Veek's eyes clouded.

"What does that have to do with anything, Vik"

It seemed like an overt secret when it came to the truth about the demise of the Lindell Nation, but what Vik was concerned about now was that Keith, Lewis and Donnie, too, seemed unsuspecting.

"The story from here is really just my imagination."

Vik continues.

"... I had heard at the time that there were two houses that detected the movements of the Borderline Uncle and moved to stop them, and one that helped the Borderline Uncle raid Lindell Country"

Claire felt the air of the three Keiths instantly tingly nervous.

"The house that detected and moved the movements of the Borderline Uncle is the Marquis of Carrail. Thanks to this, the Borderline House was suppressed early and did not have to become a war. Perhaps... I presume this House is also involved in the rescue of Princess Lindell. I hid the material to get away with the princess and protect her."

"Protect..."

Everyone on the spot shut up about the words Keith uttered.

Claire breaks the silence and confirms to Vik.

"I helped the Borderline House, from the nobility of the Paft Nation."

"Oh."

Vik continues with few words.

"They did an investigation.... but I still don't know which house I helped"

(... no...!

Claire was in great shock.

"Even though I was young at the time of the raid, if they found me, it wouldn't be weird to be killed by a mouth seal..."

"Claire, I'm so sorry"

Vik bowed his head.

"Claire, it's supposedly the demise of King Puffett's family, but it was really confusing at the time. The previous king was an excellent temperament man. I can't believe you didn't kill all your clans."

Keith follows Veek with his head in his arms.

Donnie goes on too.

"This is the first time I've ever known that I had a home that secretly helped Uncle Borderline. In the last 40 years, it was because of that investigation that the fall of the aristocracy followed, or that Claire was raising a generation of aristocrats like the House of Lehne to the Baron."

Lewis didn't say anything, and he gripped Claire's hand firmly as he worried.

"Vik, look up, please"

Claire says, stretching her spine and staring into Veek's eyes.

"It's about the Lindell Country, about my mother, there's nothing I can do about it. Above all, you are nothing wrong. The Paft country is rich in all respects, including the hearts and minds of people. I sincerely respect all of you who are making this wonderful country."

And I bowed my head.

"On the contrary... I thank you all so much for creating an inspiration for me to know that I have lived without knowing anything so far"

Sure, the shock was huge.

But Clever Claire fully understood that the person turning that anger was different.

1 hour later.

"Claire, you don't always drink so much, do you?

Lewis asks me worried.

"A little today...... Would you like to join me for a drink?"

Claire asked Lewis to blush her cheeks.

As usual, Claire keeps alcohol to a point of sobriety.

Today, however, I was kind of driven by the desire to lighten my heart with the help of alcohol.

"Nice. I'll leave the escort to Keith, and I'll have it today."

Lewis replies with a smile.

"I'm fine because I've only had a little drink too, enjoy it fully with Lewis, Miss Claire"

Donnie also told me.

"... I've lived thinking I'm happy. But I can't believe it was all fiction."

As alcohol begins to spin, Claire raps with a glass of wine in her hand.

"What's with the Girl Martino house! Your father, who couldn't protect one wife, is disqualified."

Vik notices the words Claire leaked.

"The Martino family?

"That's right. I'm Claire Martino. The truth is, I've always wanted to tell you. To the Vikes and the Lehnes! 'Cause I can't stand deceiving the people I love."

Claire, who is completely drunk, returns it in a fuzzy tone.

"The Martino family… it's the Duke of Noston we met at a ceremony before"

Vik can't hide his surprise.

Again, take Claire seriously.

My cheeks are cheerful because I rarely drink them, and my eyes are still going to sleep.

Lewis, who noticed Veek's gaze, says with support for Claire.

"Vik, you can't open up today anymore. Why don't you give Claire a room at the Royal Palace?"

Vique listens further, ignoring Lewie's suggestion.

"What's the name of my fiancée taken by my sister at the Royal College of Aristocrats?

"It's Asberto Lucia Nottidam. But that's okay because my sister looks better..."

When Claire was finished, she left her body with Lewis and fell asleep.

Vik grumbles with his arms.