“It’s alright, Your Highness. And if you get the chance later, try speaking honestly to His Highness Karan.”
“Tell him that I like him?”
“That too, and… about your situation. His Highness will understand everything. He’ll help you.”
“No, if my brother hears my story, he’ll hate me more.”
Cowett’s shoulders slumped.
“I… can’t betray my mother… and my mother will… not leave my brother alone.”
“What do you mean?”
Cowett bit his lower lip nervously, avoiding the answer.
Just as Elise was about to stop him, fearing he might draw blood, Cowett raised his head.
“You. Are you close with my brother?”
Elise’s eyes narrowed at his resolute gaze.
****
–Elise.
Late at night, as Elise tossed and turned, Karan sent her a message.
Startled, Elise reflexively sat up and looked around.
–Are you up looking for me?
Embarrassed by Karan’s words, as if he could see her, Elise blushed.
“No, I’m not.”
Elise spoke aloud and then caught herself. She could have just thought it.
–Your Highness, how is the situation at the Gate?
–It’s going smoothly. The 4th Gate will be cleared by tomorrow, and the 5th Gate will take three days at most.
–What about casualties on our side?
–It would be a lie to say there are none at all. But there are no major injuries. I’m sorry for the late contact, Elise. Were you worried?
–No. This time, I wasn’t worried.
She believed Karan would do well.
–That makes me happy. It seems your trust in me is special.
–It’s true.
–My, is it my birthday today? It feels like I’ve received a gift.
Elise and Karan exchanged a few more personal words through their messages.
However, Elise didn’t mention her meeting with Cowett. Nor did she talk about the shocking things Cowett had told her.
Karan likewise didn’t speak of the difficulties he faced.
It was because they were both being too considerate of each other.
–I’ll be back soon, Elise. Ah, is there any gift you’d like?
–Can you get it from inside the Gate?
–Well, depending on the circumstances.
–There’s nothing in particular, Your Highness. You returning safely and in good health is a gift to me.
–I’m telling you, it must be my birthday.
Karan’s message ended with what sounded like a mumble to himself.
Elise waited a little longer for another message from Karan before getting out of bed.
She took a sip of the wine Regina had brought at her request, which naturally reminded her of the grape juice she had shared with Cowett, and his words came back to her.
[Mother is trying to bring down my brother on charges of treason. Maybe… she’s planning to… harm Father. I can’t stop Mother. Please help my brother protect both Father and Mother.]
It was too big an issue for a mere 6-year-old to know. Elise had reassured Cowett that she would definitely pass on the message and asked him to keep their meeting a secret.
[Can we meet again?]
[Yes. Definitely.]
That’s how they parted.
“I need to move things along faster than expected. It’ll be too late if I try to persuade people individually.”
Bennet was moving boldly. She probably wants to finish everything before Karan returns.
“First, I’ll buy time by saying His Highness’s gate subjugation is being delayed.”
Elise methodically laid out her plan.
****
The next day, as planned the night before, Elise met with Tyllo and reported that the gate subjugation was being delayed.
“How did you know?”
“His Highness sent me an owl last night.”
“I see. How long will it take?”
“He said at least ten days, possibly two weeks.”
“It seems Karan’s luck has run out,” Bennet, who was clinging to Tyllo’s side, sneered. When Tyllo gave her a disapproving look, she changed the subject.
“Your Majesty, Cowett’s teacher says his swordsmanship is improving rapidly. A genius, they say. Not just the swordsmanship instructor. Every scholar teaching Cowett is full of praise.”
“It’s good to hear he’s studying hard, be it academics or swordsmanship.”
The atmosphere softened rapidly at the mention of the much younger prince.
“It would be a great encouragement to the child if Your Majesty visited while Cowett is studying.”
“I’ll do that.”
Bennet would likely spread rumors that Tyllo had chosen Cowett as the crown prince based on his visit to support Cowett.
She would have fabricated a story that Karan, in opposition, had tried to poison Tyllo.
She would probably have Cowett appointed as crown prince before the nobility council could reveal the clear facts.
Elise saw through her transparent scheme. Though shallow, given the nature of the matter, one could easily be led by Bennet’s wishes if not careful.
She couldn’t tell Tyllo this. Tyllo seemed wary of Bennet but also cherished her.
Speaking without evidence could backfire, accused of slander.
So Elise shouldn’t be the one to reveal this plan.
Who should she move?
No, who would move first?
Elise put down her teacup to meet someone who could act on her behalf.
“Have a pleasant afternoon, both of you.”
****
“Who called us here? Oh? Baron Vilter, were you invited too?”
“Sir Chalant, you’re here as well? I saw Lady Adrian inside too.”
“Ah… Could it be that Her Majesty Bennet invited us here?”
“I’m not sure.”
Chalant tilted his head. Vilter, Chalant, Adrian, and another figure inside, Christopher, were all closely connected to Bennet.
“If it were Her Majesty, would she have arranged this meeting outside the palace?”
“You’re right. But then who gathered us all here?”
“It’s eerie. Did you bring your warriors? Just in case of any incident.”
“Of course I did. I told them to wait at the alley entrance. I said I’d signal if anything happened. Don’t worry too much. My warriors are quite skilled. If anything happens, I’ll make sure to protect you at least.”
“That’s reassuring.”
Chalant exhaled deeply and opened the door. As they had discussed outside, Lady Adrian was there.
Having formed friendships through Bennet, they greeted each other, asking about recent events.
The conversation naturally flowed towards speculating who had brought them all together.
“It can’t be Her Majesty Bennet.”
Everyone agreed on this. Other names were mentioned, but at least one or two people shook their heads at each suggestion.
“I really don’t know. By the way, hasn’t quite some time passed? Whoever it is, it’s rude to be late for their own appointment.”
Vilter expressed his annoyance.
He hadn’t told the others, but he had been upset since receiving the invitation.
‘Such a petty threat!’
Probably everyone had received similar invitations.
That’s why they had come to this suspicious empty house in such a secluded place, even bringing warriors.
“This won’t do. I can’t wait any longer. I’m leaving.”
Chalant stood up from his chair.
“You lack patience.”
Just then, a voice came from the corridor connected to the upper floor. Everyone turned towards the sound. There stood Elise.
“His Highness Karan’s…”
“Fiancée.”
Chalant and Lady Adrian finished introducing Elise.
“Yes, that’s right. I’m Elise, His Highness Karan’s fiancée. I’m the one who called you here, and I’m also the savior who will give you a chance to live.”
“What? A chance to live? Look here, Lady Elise. You might think you’re something, but we are nobles of Tetris, and you’re just His Highness’s fiancée.”
“That’s right, for now. But will I still be just His Highness’s fiancée a week from now? A year from now? His Highness’s situation might change, or mine might. Shall I explain it simply? How long will His Highness remain just a prince? How long will I remain merely a fiancée?”
Karan would become the crown prince and then ascend to the throne, and Elise would naturally take her place beside him.
This was a declaration of war against Bennet.
Anyone should have stormed out, calling it nonsense, but they were overwhelmed by the aura emanating from Elise and could only fidget.
“You’re too tense after just exchanging greetings. Sit down. I’ve prepared gifts for you all.”
Elise guided them to a round table. Small boxes were placed at their seats.
“Open them.”
“You’ve prepared gifts and all. Hmm, well, thank you.”
Chalant opened his box first. Inside was a note. Disappointment flashed across Chalant’s face, who had expected something like jewels.
And after reading the note…
“P-please spare my life.”
Chalant got down from his chair and knelt.
He wasn’t alone. Lady Adrian, Vilter, and Christopher all prostrated themselves on the cold floor. The backs of all four trembled in unison.
Elise’s gift to them was information about their corruption, collusion with Bennet, and other details that would make Tyllo behead them immediately if he knew.
Chalant had embezzled money by creating double books in foreign trade, Lady Adrian had helped Bennet meet her lover secretly.
Vilter had taken bribes in the process of supplying weapons to warriors, and Christopher was Bennet’s hidden lover.
And the greatest crime of all four:
“You were preparing to assassinate His Majesty Tyllo.”
“No! What we prepared wasn’t assassination, just a moment of confusion!”
“Oh? That’s different from the information I obtained.”
“Please believe us. We only intended to push things far enough to make His Majesty feel threatened. The drug we were going to give His Majesty is pure, with no after-effects if the antidote is taken immediately!”
“Ah… a pure poison?”
“Yes! That’s right. A pure…poison…”
Only after blurting it all out did Vilter’s face turn pale with shock.
