When she turned around, she saw a girl clutching Natalia’s coat tightly, her eyes sparkling with anger. The girl’s beautiful face was flushed red as she pointed directly at Dominic.
“You’re lying, aren’t you?!”
“Leonora?”
Natalia and the others watched in surprise as the girl, who had been in a daze just moments ago, suddenly erupted in rage.
“What’s wrong? What do you mean, ‘liar’?”
“I won’t be fooled!”
Leo, as he was called, was so consumed with anger that he didn’t notice Bianca and the others’ bewilderment. From the moment Dominic confessed to being interested in women and trying to steal underwear, Leo’s mind was filled with fury, drowning out any other sounds. He hadn’t heard the rest of Dominic’s confession about his sister.
(What the hell! My sister’s underwear was stolen because some guy was interested in women? That’s absurd!)
From Leo’s perspective, a man interested in women wouldn’t resort to theft; he’d take a more direct approach. Stealing a piece of cloth wouldn’t do any good. Having the real thing would be much better. If there was any motive for stealing underwear, Leo could only think of one reason:
“It’s for money, isn’t it?!”
After all, the underwear Bianca gave him was worth two silver coins. That reason made sense to Leo—he couldn’t comprehend any other. He believed this value system was universal, even though it was actually quite rare.
(How dare he try to cover it up with such a ridiculous excuse…!)
Generally, stealing underwear for lust seemed more convincing, but for Leo, who saw the world as driven by money, Dominic’s claim was an unforgivable deception.
(Even if he admitted it was for money, which I could understand, but denying that? He’s a lowlife who defies even the code of thieves!)
Though Leo knew stealing was wrong, she could somewhat understand a noble purpose like money. But if he denied even that, there was no reason to forgive him.
So, Leo gathered his vocabulary and insulted Dominic.
“You liar! Fool…!”
Unfortunately, stronger insults were lost in her anger, so it lacked impact. Extending her range to softer insults, she continued, “Saying things you don’t mean! You swindler!”
Natalia quietly repeated her words, “For money… swindler…?”
“Sister Natalia?”
Bianca cast a suspicious glance at her cousin acting strangely. In response, Natalia’s eyes widened as her sharp mind connected the dots. Yes, Dominic’s claim was strange. If he had coordinated with female students, why would he risk stealing the underwear himself? Just having the students lie would suffice.
He said he tried to propose a change to the student council but failed, which was impossible. When Natalia reviewed past proposals for reforming the linen room, she found none. Even if attempts were blocked, submission of proposals was always allowed. Moreover, having a sister with magical powers was odd. Commoners with magic were monitored early, and information was reported to the student council. There should have been no such citizen of enrollment age next year.
Above all…
“I remember… your surname.”
“Eh…?!”
As Dominic looked up in shock, Natalia narrowed her eyes.
“Dominic Meinitz. You’re the son of Meinitz Laundry Service, aren’t you?”
“Meinitz Laundry Service…?”
Bianca repeated the name with a frown, then looked up as if struck by an idea.
“—So that’s it?!”
Meinitz Laundry Service was the private laundry company that recently bid to replace the old linen service. Reform of the linen room was due to frequent underwear thefts, and their timing was perfect—too perfect. Bianca now understood why Leo had called Dominic a swindler and money-driven.
“—No wonder he started ‘confessing’ as soon as his surname was pursued.”
“And with a reason so dubious it made us hesitate.”
Dominic initially posed as a lust-driven underwear thief, thinking it was a lesser crime. Under the Weitz Empire’s laws, fraud was a major crime, but petty theft was minor. Realizing he couldn’t escape scrutiny over his name, he quickly exploited Bianca and Natalia’s sense of responsibility to shift his story.
“I-I am indeed Meinitz, but I had nothing to do with this contract—”
His seemingly sincere expression didn’t hide the cold sweat beading on his forehead.
“Oh? What ‘contract’ are you talking about? Only a few student council members know about outsourcing the linen service.”
“……!”
Dominic was speechless and tried to flee, but—
—Snap!
“Eek!”
With a short chant from Bianca, the snow on the ground turned into icy shackles around his feet, making him fall awkwardly.
“You’re not getting away, Dominic Meinitz. Leaving a lady behind, how unchivalrous.”
“I-I’m so sorry…”
Bianca, still in her chemise, approached barefoot. Far from blushing, Dominic paled and trembled as he looked up at the princess.
“B-Bianca…?”
It was Leo’s turn to be confused. She thought Dominic was just a worthless guy claiming a lie for money, but it seemed more complex.
(A scam? Laundry contract? What? Is that the story?!)
The leap in logic left her struggling to keep up.
“Um, I also, the story…”
Hoping to join the conversation, Leo timidly called from behind,
“Leonora. Don’t speak to such a lowly person. Stay quiet.”
“Yes!”
Bianca’s threatening tone made Leo respond obediently. She felt the same intimidating presence as her furious prince cousin. Turning to Natalia, who was usually the calmer one,
“Leonora, let’s cover our eyes and ears.”
Natalia gently smiled and hugged Leo from behind, covering her face.
“Eh? Eh? Ehhh…?!”
Beyond her narrowing vision,
“Now, Meinitz. Shall we have a little chat?”
Bianca initiated a “Royal Behind-the-Gym Invitation,” and Leo thought she heard an otherworldly scream.