Episode 60
“Jimmy was the first to notice.”
In the quiet hours of the night, Jade spoke in a pale, tense voice in the Grand Duke’s study.
Chris was also watching Jade with a grave expression.
“Jimmy—a low-ranking knight from the 1st squad, right?”
True to his role as a good commander, Chris seemed to know all of his knights well.
Jade nodded.
“His family runs a fairly large lumber mill in the North.”
In the North, where farming was difficult due to the harsh climate, dense coniferous forests lined the tree line.
The forests were so thick and dark, even in daylight, that they often seemed ominous to outsiders.
‘But it’s an essential forest for the North.’
The North’s main source of income traditionally came from mines, including those for rare metals.
‘…But after the previous Grand Duke’s incident, Duke Reinhardt’s faction seized control of the mining rights.’
Now, the Northern industry focused primarily on timber and furs from the vast coniferous forests.
Even furs were an inconsistent source of income. In the North, hunting seasons were strictly regulated due to the barren land.
If over-hunting led to a decline in animal populations, it would create even greater problems.
‘So, in the end, timber is the main industry.’
Given its importance, few places were as specialized in timber as the North. Jade explained further.
“According to Jimmy, the stationery that used to accompany the hawks no longer seems to be from the North.”
“Is there a way to tell?”
“The paper’s texture is different.”
Chris added, “Northern paper, made from coniferous trees, is coarse and durable. It needs to be strong to withstand the long journey.”
I nodded to show I understood.
Jade, with a serious look, stroked his chin and spoke in a low tone.
“Recently, however, the paper that arrived via the hawk has been weaker and softer. It was first noticed when a note arrived torn.”
“This never happened before?”
“No. We usually seal it multiple times with oil. But if the paper itself is weak, it’s more prone to tearing.”
After a moment’s thought, I replied calmly.
“That would happen if the paper came from the South, where broadleaf trees are more common.”
As soon as I said this, all three of us thought of the same place.
There was a region near the capital in the South that produced a lot of timber. It was a lush area with many broadleaf trees, home to numerous printing presses that produced newspapers and books.
“…The Tenve Estate is imperial property, isn’t it?”
Tenve was essentially a publishing district for imperial news, gossip sheets, and academic journals.
The imperial family taxed and managed publishing houses, clustering them in Tenve under the guise of imperial oversight.
I whispered as evenly as I could.
“If the paper has changed…”
Chris replied calmly, following my train of thought.
“It’s possible that the contents were altered as well.”
Chris and I unintentionally exchanged glances.
Somehow, it reminded me of the time we’d both been imprisoned and subjected to imperial interrogation.
Jade asked in a slightly trembling voice, “Do you think the imperial family intercepted it… and changed the message?”
“It’s possible.”
“If that’s true, this is extremely serious. The hawk we’ve been receiving is the frontline communication hawk from the North. It’s classified as top-secret!”
I sighed at his words.
“Well, the imperial family would be one of the few capable of such an interception. Breaching Northern security is no easy feat.”
“Of course! Who do they think we are…?”
“Exactly. Only a select few factions could penetrate that level of security and intercept the hawk to alter its contents. The Reinhardt family might have the means to pull it off.”
I mentioned the name “Reinhardt” indifferently.
Jade visibly flinched, as if about to protest, but I continued nonchalantly.
“But lately, both the Duke and his son have been restraining themselves in various ways.”
“Why are you so sure of that?”
“They tried to poison His Grace, the Grand Duke, and failed, and Seth is under suspicion for causing my fall at the hunting festival.”
As I openly mentioned the poisoning, Jade looked more flustered than before.
“Do you talk about matters involving your own family as if it’s someone else’s business?”
“Because, in reality, they’re no different from strangers to me.”
“That’s not the important issue right now, Jade.”
Chris spoke calmly, steering the conversation back on track.
“If the imperial family is intercepting the hawks, their motive is what matters.”
“That’s what I’m saying! Aren’t they underestimating us again?”
“Jade.”
“The defense of the North is crucial!”
Unable to contain his anxiety, Jade scratched the back of his head in frustration.
“The reason His Grace can’t properly leave for the North and is tied down in the capital in the first place…”
“…is because Her Majesty, the Empress Dowager, arranged for us to be matched.”
I spoke nonchalantly, and Jade flinched again, freezing in place.
I looked at Chris, my gaze softened with a faint sadness.
‘If I’d known the imperial family would stoop to such measures…’
I wouldn’t have let the Empress Dowager arrange a match between him and me.
Watching my expression, Jade turned back to Chris and suggested, “Even if we can’t go to the North immediately, shouldn’t we at least check the hawk’s route?”
“…I agree.”
The hawk’s route would lead to a staging post town located far north of the capital.
‘It’s quite a distance to travel from here.’
But even I could tell this was a pressing matter that needed immediate investigation.
Chris looked at me quietly, as if seeking my permission, and I felt a pang in my chest.
“…Go ahead.”
“Are you sure?”
“Our plans can wait. After all, it’s ultimately for the sake of Your Grace’s territory, isn’t it? And as for my safety, the Blue Wolf Mercenaries will be guarding me.”
“What exactly were you planning to do?”
Jade glanced back and forth between us, curiosity evident in his eyes.
I decided to let Chris explain that part.
From what I had observed, Jade was straightforward and emotionally expressive. I could already picture his reaction when he found out about our engagement.
Even if I tried to keep a neutral expression, his reaction would likely feel like a wound.
‘Jade’s response will probably reflect the reaction in the North as a whole.’
I kept that thought buried and emphasized to Chris.
“It’ll be better if you confirm things in person. No one will handle it as thoroughly as you would.”
Chris didn’t object to my words. He likely knew they were true.
He sighed quietly, then looked at Jade.
“Jade, pack as lightly as possible.”
“Are you leaving immediately?”
“No. I’ll stay here for a day or two to handle urgent matters before departing.”
“Don’t worry too much while you’re gone. I’ll manage any pressing issues on my end.”
Even as I spoke, I was surprised by the hope I felt that this brief separation wouldn’t stretch on too long. I had grown used to Chris being by my side.
‘…It’ll take a few weeks at least.’
Considering the time required just to travel to and from the staging post town.
Chris looked deep in thought for a moment, then met my gaze squarely.
“It won’t take long.”
It was as if he’d read my mind. I found myself pressing my heated ear, attempting to calm myself, and replied.
“As long as the North remains secure, I’m sure you’ll be swift. I sincerely hope that’s the case.”
I stood up and pulled my hood up to avoid being recognized.
So far, there had only been rumors of me slipping into the Grand Duke’s residence at night. But if someone saw me, it would confirm those rumors as truth.
‘It’s meaningless anyway if we’re going to be engaged.’
Still, I couldn’t help but feel relieved that the engagement had been delayed due to this matter.
To be exact, I felt both relief and disappointment, and a pang of guilt tugged at my heart.
Chris offered to see me off, but I declined. I wanted to move as quietly as possible.
“The next time I go somewhere, Lady…”
“…….”
“I hope it’ll be something where you can come along, too.”
I was momentarily speechless, looking at him. My heart pounded wildly. His face was so composed that it made it difficult to ask what he meant by that.
“I…”
At that moment, Jade’s voice interrupted from behind, prompting Chris.
“Your Grace, how should I pack your things?”
“Just pack your belongings for now. I’ll take care of my own.”
“Hurry along; you must be busy.”
While I sighed, Chris gently kissed the back of my hand.
The gesture startled me once again. I knew it was a gentlemanly display of courtesy, yet it left my heart racing.
* * *
The next day, I began looking for a solution to the hawk issue.
‘Most likely, it’s the Crown Prince’s doing.’
If anyone within the imperial family was scheming against Chris, it would currently be the Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince.
But the Empress Dowager wouldn’t go so far as to tamper with the hawks from the North.
‘She’s not foolish enough to do that.’
If tampering with the hawks compromised the Northern defenses, it wouldn’t just be a problem for the North—it would become a crisis for the entire empire.
No matter how much she favored the Crown Prince, the Empress Dowager wouldn’t forget that fact.
Nor would the Emperor allow it.
‘Why would you do something so reckless, Crown Prince?’
The consequences of the original male lead’s failure to reform were coming back heavily.
I sighed as I sat by the window, watching the Grand Duke’s residence as they prepared to send him off.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, Marie entered with something in her hands.
I instantly recognized the blue envelope she was carrying—it was the kind used for letters from the imperial family.
“Did something come from the imperial family?”
“Yes, my lady.”
Marie handed me the letter, and I read it, letting out a deep sigh.
