Chapter 112

I needed to be more tense.

Even though it was a calculated move, it was still a dangerous task.

As I reaffirmed the gravity of the situation, my destination was the Imperial Court’s Bodyguard Knights Headquarters, technically my workplace.

Anais still needs to be killed. Her mother should be locked away.

Making sure not to upset Sir Alan too much.

“It’s not like it’s a difficult task anyway.”

Siena muttered while looking at the lace tablecloth in front of her.

This lace was made by Anais, her half-sister. Although no name was attached to the lace, items woven at the ‘Virel Closed Monastery’ were quite famous in the Empire, but the names of the creators weren’t commonly known.

But it was undoubtedly lace crafted by Anais’s skill, delivered personally by a nun recruited by Siena.

What’s more, no money exchanged hands. Siena had sent a few anonymous letters, stirring up the old nun’s compassion to make her an informant. The nun simply sent this piece of work as proof that Anais was doing well.

Siena wasn’t particularly concerned about Anais because of any family bond.

There were many people in the Empire working for Siena.

Most of them were innocent individuals unaware that they were acting as Siena’s eyes and ears. It wasn’t a carefully constructed information network—just something she accomplished with minimal effort, almost trivial play.

Acquiring the lace made by her half-sister was a result of this talent.

“She’s truly wasting her talent.”

Someone with such skill could be acknowledged anywhere.

Siena genuinely wished that Anais could live the simple life of crafting lace, perhaps being discharged from her royal duties, exiled to a foreign country beyond the empire’s borders, and married off to an appropriate man where she could weave patterns as a hobby.

But due to Empress Lianhua, it seemed almost impossible to let Anais live.

No matter how one viewed it, killing her was the best option. The Empress should be manipulated again into a state of nostalgia and confined appropriately.

Siena had already mapped out a plan on how to kill Anais, as she had already identified a few individuals whose lives were ruined due to the health syrup.

If she wished, she could easily stage an accident to kill Anais. If pushed, it wasn’t impossible to kill her before her release, inside the monastery itself.

The only thing required for execution was Sir Alan’s approval.

However, Alan was currently visiting Princess Victoria, not hiding or sneaking but doing so openly. This occurred despite knowing full well that such visits during this sensitive time would disturb his own peace. Siena wasn’t sure yet what Alan’s intentions were.

Was he attempting to dissuade his overly persistent older sister, Victoria?

If that was the case, it would be perfect. But Siena doubted whether Victoria would settle with just a few words from Alan. Siena also had some understanding of the covert activities Victoria was involved in, and she knew a few words wouldn’t suffice to calm her.

“If you really want to safely deal with my sister, you should consult me.”

Why did you meet with her, Alan?

What exactly for?

As she pondered, an uneasy feeling bubbled up from deep within her chest.

Suspicious thoughts began to swirl. Was Alan devising tricks to possibly reject all three princesses? Was he planning to reassure Victoria and negotiate a deal with their father? The worst-case scenario was…

“Surely, he’s not going to choose big sister Victoria, is he?”

Siena shook her head, scolding herself for falling into such wild thoughts and pinched her cheeks to snap out of it.

There was no way Alan would do that.

He must be aware of the consequences if he chose Victoria—how he wouldn’t sit idle and let things go without a fight. Considering Alan detested catastrophic outcomes, it was improbable he’d facilitate one.

So, what was his real intention? Siena was burning with curiosity.

“Ah?”

When she looked down, startled by the sudden sensation of pain, a droplet of blood formed on her fingertip.

“Princess Siena!”

The maids who screamed in terror and rushed over were only doing their job by addressing her as ‘Your Highness,’ nothing new or surprising.

What puzzled Siena was that she didn’t even know how she got hurt. She could only guess it might be somehow related to the undamaged lace.

“Hurry, Your Highness, let us treat it!”

“Proceed.”

As she granted her permission, one of the maids rushed forward to tend to the injury.

The antiseptic used for treatment was something developed by Alan.

But the one treating Siena’s wound wasn’t Alan, which made Siena feel deeply disheartened.

Alan’s news came later.

“Sir Alan is reportedly at Princess Victoria’s palace.”

Instead of returning to his rightful post, Alan was engaged in a meeting with the Captain of the Princess Guard. Even though it wasn’t abnormal for members of the Knights Guard to meet their superior officer, this definitely was not the right moment for it.

Certainly, this wouldn’t work.

“Alan.”

Without delay, Siena made her way directly to Alan’s location.

—

Headquarters of the Knights Guard. The Captain’s Office.

Facing me now is the Captain of the Princess Guard, alongside Viscount Grant, the Deputy Captain—a pinnacle figure representing all the knights in the Empire.

This man had protected the current emperor closely as he murdered his brothers and cousins. A hero of the coup, and someone of superior skill, surpassing even mine.

But now, his face openly radiated tension.

It was because of the subject I immediately broached upon seeing him.

“I’d like to retire.”

“There’s no need to repeat yourself.”

“Then please process it.”

“…”

However, the Captain did not give his approval.

I was officially a Knight of the 3rd Division of the Knights Guard and Assistant to Military Ceremonies. Although few in the Britannia Empire recognize me as a knight, I still was one. I received my salary regularly and continued to practice out of habit whenever I found the time.

My direct superior was, for now, still the Captain in front of me.

Or not, effectively speaking.

“Sir Alan. As you know, our Knights Guard.”

“Yes. The Knights Guard can only be appointed by royal nomination. They are assigned to guard specific royals, and as in the case of Princess Anais, unless there is some change of status, we serve only one royal master throughout our tenure.”

“Right. If you wish to retire from the Knights Guard, you must seek the approval of Princess Siena.”

“I am aware that obtaining the approval of one’s sovereign is customary.”

“Are you intentionally burdening me by skipping this step?”

I was requesting retirement without consulting the royal I served.

In a state where an imperial decree alone could execute even nobles without a trial, it was not a recommended practice. The Captain, as a human, couldn’t help but feel the political weight of the situation. And understandably, he might resent me for it too.

“I’m sorry.”

“…”

“Nevertheless, you must approve my resignation. For the Empire’s stability.”

“Damn it.”

The Captain, who tried to rise but fell back into his seat, exhibited a perfectly normal reaction. A high-ranking officer like the Captain of the Knights Guard must be aware of the current situation within the state. He must know what consequences would arise if I were to resign without Princess Siena’s permission.

Yet, he refrained from drawing his sword against me, so our conversation continued.

“A civil war may ensue if things proceed this way. Please don’t reprimand me for speaking irreverently, but I am assuming a dire scenario which, unfortunately, is exactly the situation we are facing.”

“The Captain of the Knights Guard calmly retorted despite the tense moment.

“…Sir Alan, are you suggesting there’s a possibility Princess Victoria and Princess Siena might point their guns at each other? Let me clarify—without offending you—did you take your own medicine and lose your mind?”

“I’ve not consumed it.”

“Then how can a civil war arise? Princess Victoria, I understand, but Princess Siena—”

“Princess Siena does not possess military forces, but she has the political acumen to deceive commanders. If she employs her cunning, there might emerge a general who’d move troops, mistakenly believing it to be an imperial order from Emperor His Majesty.”

“That is—what?”

“Once they move under Princess Siena’s deception, to avoid being labeled as rebels, those generals are likely to follow her commands. This could lead to both princesses accusing each other of treason and fighting until death.”

“Would His Majesty just stand idly by for such a thing to happen? He is not so negligent!”

“I’m afraid His Majesty would choose to remain a spectator. To suppress the conflict, he would have to declare the princesses as the leaders of the rebel forces—would he really do that? Whether it’s the palace guards or the main force of the Knights Guard, these organizations operate only by imperial decree, which will not come.”

“…”

“In the end, His Majesty will likely endorse the victor amongst the princesses, while focusing on saving the life of the defeated princess.”

Even though I perceived it as an extreme scenario, the Captain did not refute my argument. He simply grew more serious, clenching his fists tightly, presumably because he understood that the emperor could indeed behave this way and that both princesses were capable of such actions.

“This land should not witness another succession war. Never.”

He muttered such grave words.

The civil war I feared might not be directly related to a succession struggle, but if my efforts failed and something major broke out, there was a significant chance it could escalate into one.

At this moment, a creaking sound came from behind me.

“To prevent such misfortunes, you must grant my request. I want to retire.”

Ignoring the presence behind me, I repeated my request for retirement.

The Captain provided no answer.

Instead, he stared blankly at someone behind me, wide-eyed, as though ready to leap up at any moment. It must mean that the person who just entered the office of the Captain of the Knights Guard was someone very high-ranking.

When I turned around, there indeed stood a high-ranking individual.

“Alan. How dare you act without consulting me?”

A silver-haired young woman, slightly furrowing her brow, of course, it was Siena.

From here on, things would get critical.

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