Chapter 85 Requesting Information
“So the rumour that Madame Brienne might not be the real culprit wasn’t just a rumour?”
“There was such a rumour?”
“…Well, in these circles.”
Hmm, Killion’s brow furrowed. He seemed to be thinking a lot. Killion spoke again.
“All the evidence points to her being the killer, but I have a sneaking suspicion that it’s not.”
“Hah…”
Onyx sighed in disbelief, then burst out laughing. At Onyx’s reaction, Killion spoke in a relaxed voice.
“You do realize, don’t you, that I have very good instincts.”
Onyx’s eyebrows knitted together as he watched Killion grin. He knew he was referring to his own instincts, which had led him to believe Veronia was alive for the past five years. It was true, and Onyx couldn’t argue with it.
Killion handed Onyx the image stone he had brought with him. It contained a tiny trace of blue magic on the floor.
“It was found in an adjoining room to the Emperor’s bedchamber, and as soon as I found it, I left it on the stone and used a preservation spell to preserve it in situ, but someone broke the spell, and the faint trace of it disappeared.”
“You suspect it was an inside job.”
“Exactly. That’s why we’ve asked the Ashmore Intelligence Guild to investigate. The fact that new evidence has been found has never been publicised.”
“And who knew about this evidence?”
“Two investigators from the Matriarchy, myself and my aide, and His Imperial Majesty.”
Hmph, Onyx crossed his arms and let out a shallow sigh. His expression was serious, but his eyes twinkled with interest.
“Very well, I’ll take you up on the offer, but our fees are a bit high.”
“I happen to have a lot of money.”
“You know what, you’re lucky.”
“If you’re referring to someone who has everything and nothing as an asshole, then I’m inclined to agree with you.”
Everything that came out of Killion’s mouth, every single word, irritated Onyx.
Most irritating of all was the fact that, even at this moment, the smile on Killion’s lips was actually quite charming. Onyx gritted her teeth and opened her mouth.
“If you’ve finished what you’re going to say, I’ll leave you to it, My Lord.”
“When do you want to go to the crime scene, now or later?”
“Now? Fine.”
It was an unexpected suggestion, but one she liked. Onyx nodded readily. As soon as he did, Killion pulled a teleportation scroll out of his pocket.
“Well, then, let’s go.”
***
The mansion where the Emperor slept for the last time was in ruins. Half of the building was crumbling and unrecognisable, and the other half was charred to ashes.
Killion and Onyx made their way to the third floor, where the Emperor’s bedchamber was located. The state of the bedroom was no better than the rest of the building from outside.
After glancing around the bed, they went to a small room connected to the bedroom. It had been used as a maid’s room, and though scorched by the fire, it retained much of its original form.
“This is where the magic circle was, though it’s gone now.”
Onyx scanned the room carefully, comparing it to the image in the image stone he’d received from Killion.
“So… the faction that wanted to frame Madame Brienne failed to suspect her and left a trail of magic circles?”
“Either that, or an entirely different faction.”
“What other faction?”
“That’s what I want you to find out.”
What a bastard, thought Onyx, smirking Killion.
***
Empress Sandra was reading a letter from the Duke of Drea’s godmother.
“A party? A party at the Duke of Drea’s mansion, how long has it been?”
The letter said that there would be a party soon, and she was invited to attend. In the end, she turned down Sandra’s visit.
But Sandra was more intrigued by the idea of a party at the Duke of Drea than she was offended by the rejection – there hadn’t been a party at the Duke of Drea in the last ten years that she could remember.
“There really is something to this, isn’t… the real Duke of Drea marrying a commoner girl with a child?”
No, it can’t be, he’s still the Duke of Drea, after all! Sandra shook her head furiously, dismissing the ridiculous theory. Then she turned to the maid standing beside her and ordered.
“Contact Tate at once and tell him to stop by the palace.”
Surely Tate would have a better idea of what was going on.
***
The annexe of the Ducal Residence of Drea, which had been empty for some time, was bustling with activity. Princess Espin and her maids had returned from a trip to Crawford, a coastal city in the western Empire.
“You’re back ahead of schedule, Your Highness, Princess Espin.”
“Yes. Countess Miller was in a hurry to get to the capital, so we accompanied her.”
Countess Miller was the sister of the Duke of Drea’s godmother, the lord of Crawford, where Princess Espin and her party had traveled.
When the godmother wrote to summon the Countess to the capital, Princess Espin and her party returned early to finish their journey.
“Oops. I’m afraid your itinerary has been curtailed because of me.”
The godmother gave her an apologetic look, but Espin shook her head.
“No. I had enjoyed myself enough that I decided to return with Countess Miller, and besides, I met Prince Caspian there, so I didn’t want to stay longer.”
“The Prince Caspian, who was supposedly on probation, went there? My goodness!”
The godmother’s eyes widened and she shuddered in disbelief. Princess Espin and her maids wore the same expression, though they didn’t show it.
“He did. They were flirtatious, to say the least.”
“That…”
The Duchess of Drea finally frowned at the ensuing gossip. It was a disgrace, she thought, for a prince of an empire to be treated like this by a princess of another nation.
That’s when she heard a booming voice behind her.
“Ms Espin, nay, the Princess!”
“Oh, Jediel! I’m so glad to see you here! You don’t call me Ms anymore, do you?”
“Mum says I’m not supposed to anymore.”
Jediel glanced at Veronia, then back at Princess Espin, and smirked. Princess Espin patted Jediel’s head and said.
“I see, my dear Jediel is a good and intelligent child who listens to his mum!”
Jediel smiled pleasantly at Princess Espin’s compliment. Princess Espin squeezed Veronia’s hand, this time gently, as she stood beside her.
“It’s so good to see you again.”
“Yes, it is a pleasure. Your Highness.”
Veronia returned Princess Espin’s smile with one of her own.
“And congratulations, both of you.”
“…Thank you.”
“I’m quite the perceptive one, so when I saw the Duke’s eyes on Nia throughout the darts game, I knew this day would come sooner or later.”
“Ah… I see.”
It was quite unexpected to be having this kind of conversation with Princess Espin. Veronia’s face showed a palpable heat. At times like this, she was glad her veil covered half her face.
“I’m a little surprised that you’ve progressed so much faster than I expected, but I’m so happy for you.”
Veronia grinned at Princess Espin, who smiled brightly and congratulated her.
***
“Ahhhhhh, did you find it?”
“Yes, come.”
The day after Sandra’s call to stop by the Imperial Palace, Tate came to her.
“I hear there’s a party coming up at the Duke of Drea’s house. Have you heard anything about it?”
A thirsty man sells a well, Sandra said, cutting right to the chase. Tate’s eyes widened for a moment at her question.
“Has mother already received an invitation? You’re quick. I don’t think the formal invitation has been sent out yet.”
“I sent her a note of regards and she wrote back to invite me to a party. She turned down my offer to drop in for a cup of tea.”
“I see.”
“There hasn’t been a party at Duke Drea’s for nearly a decade, and now suddenly there is one, which is rather odd, don’t you think?”
Sandra arched a thin eyebrow and waited for Tate’s response, knowing from his reaction that he knew something.
“It seems that the Duke of Drea is finally getting married, and this party is rumored to be an engagement party.”
“Oh my, is that true?”
It was something she’d somewhat expected, but hearing it out of Tate’s mouth seemed surprising. Sandra’s eyes widened, almost popping out of her head.
“Yeah. That’s right, but with someone else.”
“Who?”
Tate paused, and Sandra swallowed hard, waiting for his next words. Her eyes glittered with excitement. Sandra asked Tate the first thing that popped into her head.
“You mean… she’s the commoner woman who’s staying at the duke’s mansion right now, with a child?”
“Yes, that’s what they say.”
“Pfttt, hahaha…!”
Sandra began to laugh at the top of her lungs, scared to death of Tate’s response.
“The Duke of Drea must have finally lost his mind, no wonder his Godmother is so sick, ho ho ho!”
Sandra laughed so hard she could barely breathe. Tate, however, looked at her without a smile.
