Minister Linke has departed. Officially, it was to investigate flood damage in the southwestern borders near Rahat, but the real reason was to check on the Grand Duchess, who was in hiding.
The true purpose of his expedition was top secret, known only to Karl and a few of his associates.
The secrecy seemed to hold until Monica and Pulcheria started talking, but when Laila intervened, the words slipped to Franz.
Driven by the humiliation inflicted by Karl, Franz was eager to find Celeste and immediately tried to enlist the help of some wizards from the Ministry of Magic.
However, with only a few hours left before Linke’s departure, it was too late to involve public officials.
“There’s no time left, Your Majesty.”
“You should have aligned with the Ministry of Magic earlier.”
“There were several attempts, but it proved difficult.”
Administrative departments and their officials tend to resemble their leaders. Among the conservative nobles, Linke’s inclination was particularly strong, and he had a deep loyalty to the late emperor.
With such a leader at the helm, the bureaucrats of the Ministry of Magic found contact challenging.
“Minister Linke has already set out, Your Majesty.”
“Isn’t it too late then?”
“In a hurry, only essential personnel are accompanying the Minister on the first expedition, but there are still people preparing for a second departure.”
“Who are those going on the second expedition? Do you know?”
“I’ve identified a few names. However, it seems there isn’t time to meet and discuss separately, Your Majesty.”
“Then what? Are we supposed to just stand by? This may be our only opportunity to strike at Celeste while Karl isn’t around!”
Franz had learned that Grand Duchess Albrecht had taken her child to recuperate at a castle somewhere in the Duchy of Otaka. This valuable information had come from Laila, whose judgment was clouded by love.
She had let down all her defenses against Franz’s deceitful whispers of a lifelong partnership. After all, what could she hide from a man who claimed to want to share his life with her?
Some might condemn him for exploiting someone’s sincerity, but Franz was unfazed by such accusations. What did others’ opinions matter? Whatever methods he employed, once he claimed the throne, their disdain would quickly turn to admiration.
And at least so far, he hadn’t betrayed her. Laila was still dreaming of flowers, bathed in the sweet rain.
Justifying to himself, Franz banished any lingering guilt.
“Even if we can’t recruit them, knowing their path will be enough, right?”
“If it’s a path that’s already passed, are you suggesting we just follow them? Do you really think that’s possible? This is not just any agency, but the bureaucrats of the Ministry of Magic.”
“Tracking is impossible. Instead, using this, we can leave a rough trace of where they go and how.”
What Stilikov presented was a sticky substance about the size of two finger joints.
This black object, neither hard nor liquid, appeared unappealing at first glance.
“What is this?”
“It’s made by transforming a magic stone. If you attach it to the body of someone who wishes to follow the trace with a brief spell, it will leave all traces for the next 24 hours.”
Stilikov was known for illegally mining magic stones and processing them in unauthorized ways to sell at high prices. He had secretly transformed and invented various forms of magic stones while evading the royal eyes, selling these inventions at high prices to nobles. What he offered was one of these inventions.
“When was this made? I’ve never seen this shape before.”
“It’s a product that still needs some improvements before it can be sold, so I haven’t reported it yet.”
“Are you really offering me something like this to use?”
“The need for improvements is for selling; there’s no problem with using it. And that 24 hours is enough time for you to utilize it.”
“24 hours, huh.”
“Yes. If authorized, I’ll immediately arrange a meeting with a Ministry of Magic official preparing for the second dispatch.”
“Won’t that raise suspicion?”
“I will contact them, stating that I wish to discuss other permit issues.”
“Then move as quickly as possible, Stilikov. I can’t let a preliminary vote with uncertain results go off without a hitch. It needs to be dealt with beforehand.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Franz had also heard the news that the preliminary vote was moved up by a week.
He didn’t know what schemes Monica, acting in place of the Emperor, was up to, but it didn’t seem to be in his favor.
He couldn’t just sit back either. The only option left was to overturn the situation by using all available means.
After thinking it over, he realized his best course of action was to directly influence a promising candidate for the next throne.
However, confronting them militarily was not an option yet; he was still too disadvantaged. It was impossible to defeat Duke Albrecht, who had the legitimacy of the royal family behind him, in a frontal assault.
Thus, the only choice left was to find and attack any weaknesses, whether familial or otherwise.
“Until you bring her before my eyes, she must not be harmed.”
Franz warned his brutish subordinates to avoid unnecessary bloodshed during the operation. What he desired was to take his revenge on Celeste and Karl with his own hands. If that revenge could bring him closer to his throne, all the better.
So, until Celeste was securely in his grasp, he couldn’t afford to be careless.
“Yes. I will keep that in mind, Your Highness. And…”
“And what?”
“I would like to ask about the child.”
He was referring to the child of Celeste and that Karl. Child. The word made Franz silent.
“…Is your mother still searching for the child?”
The name that surfaced after deep thought was Marina.
“Are you referring to Lady Marina?”
Franz nodded. He had known from a young age that his mother used blood sacrifice for the dark magic and sorcery forbidden by imperial law.
He had heard that what began as a gruesome act involving beasts later targeted pure young girls, a fact that made it impossible for him to understand her, even if she was his biological mother. He had declared he would never see her again.
Even with her claims of doing everything for him, Franz couldn’t bring himself to understand Marina. He had wanted to distance himself from her, yet ultimately, her unwavering dedication had benefited him.
Though the methods and processes felt unsettling, the results were favorable.
Given this, the best choice for Franz was avoidance. Whatever his mother did was her choice, and he felt no need to refuse it.
Perhaps it was cowardly, but Franz chose cohabitation with his mother with this mindset.
If he narrowed his eyes, it benefitted both her and him. There was no need to insist on righteous or virtuous methods with both eyes wide open.
“I will contact Isaac.”
“What if your mother is still searching for the child…?”
Franz paused for a moment, recalling Marina’s grotesquely twisted form.
“If she has reached that state and is still intent on finding the child, doing something…”
But that was only the outcome of her choices, something she alone must take responsibility for. This thought eased his mind slightly.
“Throw Karl’s child to my mother.”
“Excuse me?”
“Bring Celeste to me, and take the child to my mother.”
“Ah… Yes, I understand, Your Highness.”
“It seemed that Stilikov was startled for a moment, but quickly mastered and suppressed his emotions.”
***
“I thought it was just indigestion.
These past few days, I hadn’t been able to eat much, feeling increasingly unwell, when shocking news suddenly arrived.
“Congratulations, Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”
“What… did you say?”
I felt like I must have misheard. It had to be a mistake.
“When the medical staff arrives from the capital, we will be able to provide a more accurate diagnosis, but I’m about 90% certain.”
My mind went blank.
“Since this is still very early, you need to be especially careful. Moreover, Your Highness the Grand Duchess is currently at the health retreat due to not feeling well, so you must exercise even more caution…”
So, if I summarize what this doctor is saying, it means to me…
“You’re saying I’m pregnant?”
“Yes. Your Highness, once again, congratulations.”
“I already have a child. Our Valerie.”
Valerie, unaware of the seriousness of the situation, waved her translucent arms excitedly and babbled away.
“Abubu, bubu.”
The doctor, following my gaze to Valerie, gave a warm smile.
“Your Highness has a sibling coming.”
“What?”
I mean, I knew there was a child since Valerie appeared, so that part is fine. But what this doctor is saying now is that a new child has developed inside me!
“That’s impossible!”
