Chapter 175

The next morning.

The Imperial Palace was unusually chaotic.

Of course, it wasn’t exactly quiet on a normal day, but today was particularly intense.

Numerous nobles were gathered in small groups, whispering among themselves, while attendants bustled about without a moment’s rest.

Soldiers were searching every corner of the palace, and knights with stern faces were conducting thorough inspections.

The atmosphere felt like something big had happened, and I was a bit dazed.

Before even having breakfast, I met Leopold in his office. He was expressionlessly gazing out the window at the chaos.

Persval, clad in new armor, stood by the prince’s side as if guarding him. He looked exhausted, as if he hadn’t slept all night.

“Did something happen last night?”

Leopold nodded.

Huh? I thought nothing had happened since I slept soundly without sensing anything unusual.

“Nothing happened on our side… but there was trouble at the Main Palace. Seven people died.”

“What? How…?”

Seven? That’s definitely enough to stir up the Imperial Palace like this.

Leopold’s expression was strange. His eyes held contempt, and a smirk played on his lips as he continued.

“Assassins disguised as slaves infiltrated Empress Isabella’s chambers. Two warriors with dark skin and imposing physiques. They killed four Royal Guards and even slaughtered a young maid… but were ultimately killed by Ernst, who happened to be chatting with his mother at the time.”

When Leopold mentioned the Royal Guards being killed, the corner of Persval’s mouth twitched. Whether he was trying to suppress a laugh or a grimace was unclear, so I pretended not to notice.

“Currently, Isabella has refused all audiences and refuses to step outside her chambers. They say she’s in despair due to the shocking events, from her husband’s death to last night’s tragedy. Ernst is staying with her under the pretext of comforting her.”

“That’s a lie.”

Isabella wouldn’t be shocked by a few deaths. So, Ernst’s excuse of comforting her must also be a lie.

But then… what really happened? My head was spinning.

Leopold also let out a hollow laugh, clearly not buying it.

“Indeed. I’d sooner believe an ogre eating grass than the Empress being in despair.”

…Well, there are grass-eating dragons. Maybe there’s a vegetarian ogre somewhere?

“Right. So, do you have any idea what’s really going on?”

I still don’t know, but maybe Leopold has some clue.

“Hmm… Before I answer, I have something to ask you first….”

Leopold turned his gaze toward Persval.

“…Persval looks too tired for a long conversation. It’s a bit early, but perhaps we could entrust the princess’s escort duties to you now?”

He wants a private talk. Indeed, Persval doesn’t need to know about Isabella’s true nature.

“Persval? True, he looks like he’s about to collapse any second. Let’s do that.”

As I spoke, I glanced at Persval. He seemed a bit flustered by the sudden attention, hesitating slightly.

He bowed his head to Leopold and spoke.

“Your Highness, I’m truly sorry. But as a Royal Guard, this level of fatigue….”

…This guy really has no sense. Maybe the story about 40 rye breads wasn’t about bullying new recruits but about him deserving it…?

Do you really think we’re saying this because we’re worried about your fatigue? We’re trying to send you away because this isn’t a conversation for your ears.

“No. You haven’t rested since yesterday morning. Go and rest. I want you always at your best to protect me.”

“Right. You should rest when you can. Pushing yourself too hard will only leave you useless when it really matters.”

“…Understood. Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness.”

Persval bowed deeply and left the office.

Leopold and I waited in silence for a while, listening to his footsteps fade away.

—

A moment later. Leopold turned his gaze back to me, seemingly satisfied that Persval was far enough.

After clearing his throat, Leopold spoke in a low voice.

“Those two strange figures who attacked the Empress’s chambers… Could they be the ‘acquaintances’ you mentioned?”

“Acquaintances…? Ah, that time—”

Are you talking about the infiltrator? No, that can’t be. Time-wise, it’s still—”

If it’s the Holy Kingdom’s investigation team, they wouldn’t have even arrived in the Capital yet…

“Time-wise? So, you’re saying it’s not someone from the Capital?”

Huh?

Leopold’s sudden interruption left me speechless.

“The princess doesn’t have any particular connections with other lords, so it can’t be them. That means it must be someone from the border regions… If it were Landenburg, they wouldn’t have a reason to hide it from me, and Faelun wouldn’t get involved in such matters… So, it must be the Holy Kingdom. Right?”

Wait, hold on. You figured that out just from one word?

This was my mistake. I knew Leopold was sharp, but I carelessly let a clue slip.

What do I do? I think Lacey said this was classified. How should I explain…?

“Well…”

“Got it. Just from the princess’s reaction, I can tell it’s true. So, the Holy Kingdom has also figured out the princess’s identity. It’s only natural, given how active she was in Einfeld with the Oath Sword…”

“……”

It’s all out now.

I had nothing to say, so I stayed silent.

“I understand why you didn’t tell me. The Holy Kingdom couldn’t reveal that they have such a covert intelligence unit to the Imperial family. Even if the Empire is half-convinced of it.”

“…You knew?”

“Of course. Even Dane has an intelligence unit. A country like the Holy Kingdom would definitely have one too.”

True.

But the fact that I have a connection with that organization is a completely different matter.

“I apologize for keeping it a secret. They emphasized that it was classified…”

“It’s fine as long as you’re not selling Imperial information. If I were to fail, the princess’s position would also become unstable, so I can understand seeking other options.”

So, he figured out that even if he fails to inherit the throne, I could flee to the Holy Kingdom.

This leaves a bitter taste.

Both Leopold and I are only moving together because we share the same enemy, not because we fully trust each other.

We both know our true intentions don’t align, but we’ve been tacitly ignoring it.

In such a relationship, being found out that I’ve prepared an escape route in case things go south… isn’t exactly ideal.

A relationship where we both fall together if we lose, versus one where at least one of us can survive.

From the prince’s perspective, which one would be more trustworthy? Obviously, the former.

And now… our relationship has shifted to the latter.

A crack has formed in our already unstable trust.

Even if Leopold dies and Landenburg falls, I could just flee to the Holy Kingdom and be done with it.

Though I really hope it doesn’t come to that.

“Thank you for understanding. Shall we move on to the main topic? Breakfast is coming up soon.”

I steered the conversation away.

It might seem a bit shameless, but continuing this discussion wouldn’t benefit me.

“…Alright. Let’s do that. If the intruders aren’t the princess’s ‘acquaintances’… then it must be a staged act by either Isabella or Ernst. No one in my faction would dare do something so reckless without reporting to me.”

‘My faction.’ That feels a bit distant.

He used to say ‘our faction’ before.

So, even though he says he understands, we’re no longer a community of shared fate.

“Isabella or Ernst? So, there are two types of staged acts? Those two are on the same side, aren’t they?”

Let’s focus on the main topic for now.

The lukewarm relationship with Leopold is just something I’ll have to deal with.

As long as he ascends to the throne, everything will be fine.

Even if Leopold doesn’t trust me, it’s not like he can just discard me, right?

He needs my power now, and even after ascending the throne, it would be difficult for him to touch me without a major reason, given Landenburg’s protection.

“Strictly speaking, they’re a bit different. At first glance, they seem to be on the same path, but Ernst keeps his distance from the people Isabella has gathered, and the military figures Ernst has brought in don’t get along well with the existing nobles. So, depending on who is the mastermind, even if it’s a staged act, the truth could be completely different.”

Leopold took a sip of tea and continued.