CHAPTER 307: A HYPNOSIS SPELL

"They haven’t contacted anyone the few days but they must have used some kind of coded communication to pass information. Or they communicate through magic. They might indeed be involved. Or it was another group with the same goal," Alwin decided to check on everyone.

His pride was hit to have failed to consider all the possibilities so he was ready to investigate without the need for orders from Ferdinand or Arabella.

Alwin then gathered everyone. He found that the ten kitchen staff and Bert were under a hypnosis spell so simple it was almost not noticeable.

It was a simple suggestion that barely needed any mana to be activated. That they simply ignore Risa’s presence and just get about their tasks but remember that Risa was there that day once someone asks about her.

It was why the staff did not think it was weird that someone who was not part of the kitchen staff was there. But when asked about Risa, they recalled seeing her and admitted to it.

Arabella also verified through her ability that none of them was the culprit. They simply saw what they saw.

The same was true with the maids. They were indeed just having tea with Risa in her room.

Alwin checked Risa and she was not under any spell. And she was the real Risa. Alwin would have been able to tell immediately if she was a fake. Thus, whoever pretended to be Risa was still freely roaming around.

"It seems Princess Lucille and her maid were intentionally framed due to the previous incident," Alwin and Ferdinand also realized that the culprit was someone who knew about it.

Since Lucille was not involved in the poisoning, Risa or her would no longer be punished.

However, they now had to reveal that they knew Lucille was the culprit in the attempt to set up Arabella and Andrew last time. It was so Arabella and those on her side could question all those who were involved with Lucille’s former plot.

They began with Beth and Julia. The two did not tell anyone else about it. Arabella verified it through her ability.

They then invited Lucille to the mansion so they could question her. They did not accept a no for an answer and indicated in the letter that Lucille refusing to see them meant admitting to her guilt. Thus, Lucille had no choice but to speak with them.

Lucille arrived with her parents, the King and Queen of Obrusca. They feared sending their daughter alone to the mansion since Lucille was suspected as the mastermind of the assassination attempt.

With Ferdinand’s dark reputation, they feared he would hurt Lucille before enough proof was gathered against her.

After all, King Neville organized a joint investigation team joined by other nations. They conducted their own investigations and were horrified when they found that Lucille could be the mastermind while Risa was the one who carried out the crime.

Lucille and Risa denied all of it but the witnesses among the kitchen staff verified Risa was there. If the maids who had tea with Risa did not vouch for her, she could have been judged to be executed already and Lucille would also be under some kind of punishment.

King Neville and his wife vouched that their daughter had no part in the assassination attempt on Arabella.

Arabella learned from their thoughts that they have spoken with Lucille to verify if she had no part in it. Thus, they were confident their daughter was innocent in this matter. And she was, indeed. But Lucille had already tried to harm Arabella in another way.

"Lucille, we have been friends for years since we knew each other. Or at least that was what I thought. However, several days ago, something happened that changed my mind," Arabella acted as if she was deeply hurt and disappointed by it.

"I swear, that wasn’t me. I would never have you poisoned," Lucille thought it was about the assassination attempt.

At least, Arabella was able to verify that Lucille had no plans to have her killed. Lucille was insecure and envious of her but not to the point that she would kill her.

"I know. But you already tried to harm me once," Arabella smiled once again and Lucille paled.

Arabella then revealed that through investigations, they learned that Lucille threatened Beth to have Arabella and Andrew drugged so they would be mistaken to have cheated.

Lucille tried to deny but Arabella summoned Beth who was in the other room with Julia.

Beth testified against Lucille and even took the risk of admitting her affair to prove why Lucille was able to control her. And that Lucille had instructed her that if she was ever to get caught she would remain silent or blame it on Julia.

"We have gathered the proofs. We even know who among your guards you have sent to buy the drug," Arabella glanced in the direction of the door. Outside, Lucille’s most loyal guard was waiting.

Alwin had found out that Lucille had no involvement in the production of the drug. She only sent her guard to buy the drug from a supplier in the underground market. How Lucille knew about it, they didn’t know yet.

Lucille had no choice but to admit it since they had all the proof they needed. She prioritized proving she had no intention of killing Arabella.

"I deeply apologize. I was blinded by jealousy and rage. I once liked Prince Andrew but you had him instead. It made me jealous how you two were so in love. But all of a sudden you both got married to someone else. I felt terrible and furious. Especially when I finally got to see you both again and saw that you both seem to be doing well with your spouses. Out of spite, I did something stupid. But I swear I had no part in the assassination attempt against you. I would never go that far. I never instructed Risa to do anything either."

King Neville and his wife were horrified to learn that their daughter tried to set up Arabella and Andrew who were already focused on their new partners.