Chapter 7 – Part 10

The fact that the Emperor had made his way to the Empress’s palace only reached Arlen’s ears after he had slept there every night for three days.

“The Emperor has been going to the Empress’s palace for three days?”

“That’s right.”

Petiz replied, looking up at Arlen.

“They seem to be getting along better than I thought; what do you think?”

Arlen asked Petiz.

“Well, it’s……”

“That’s okay, you’ve only been in the palace a short time, so you don’t know.”

Arlen’s face quickly turned sheepish.

“Though it’s so sad when I’m the last to know what everyone else knows.”

“……I’m sorry.”

Arle’s small correction didn’t stop Petiz from hanging her head in self-pity.

After letting Petiz realize the error of her ways, Arlen lost herself in thought.

She had never felt so out of control and frustrated in her life. And she’d never seen Shannua so angry for so long.

It seemed unlikely that he would come to her for forgiveness the way he had so far.

Perhaps she should change things up and reach out first.

“Petiz, speak to the head chamberlain and tell him to ask the Emperor to stop by.”

She thought it was only for fools to get into a nervous breakdown over a man. It was almost laughable that she ended up doing such a stupid thing.

But if she’s going to continue to live in the palace, she’s going to have to get it right.

* * *

“I’ve heard that the daughter Duke of Miles is about to marry the Emperor, and that the Duke’s people have been in and out of the palace a lot lately.”

Leton explained to Ruby what he had learned.

“Marriage…….”

“Then why don’t we blow them up at the wedding?”

Emily, who had been listening to Leton, chimed in.

“It would be perfect for everyone in the Empire to know, but it’s still a month away.”

“How about we stir things up before the wedding?”

Ruby said it firmly. Ruby’s hand tightened, and the handwritten request for appraisal crumpled slightly in her natural grip.

“Well, a woman like that shouldn’t hold a high position in the palace.”

Emily nodded in agreement.

“Leton, can you help me with something?”

Ruby asked Leton after finishing her thoughts.

“I’ll help you with anything.”

“I just need you to write me a letter.”

“Where are you sending it?”

“To the imperial palace.”

* * *

“His Majesty says it is difficult because there is a lot of work to do.”

The handmaiden’s answer made Arlen frown.

“Even though you told him that I sent you myself?”

“It is… “

Surely Shannua would know that she had made the first move toward reconciliation, but whether his refusal meant that he was unwilling to reconcile or that it was not yet time, she could not tell.

“Where is His Majesty? Has he gone to the Empress’s palace again?”

Her voice was sharp with emotion.

“He’s sleeping in the main palace tonight.”

If he had gone to the Empress’s palace, she would have at least tried to save face, but she would have understood. Arlen clenched her fists at Shannua’s unwillingness to make excuses.

“I must see the Emperor.”

“He said he was going to bed early and asked me to come back tomorrow.”

It was a clear refusal.

“Fine.”

The handmaiden bowed politely and left the room.

A moment later, there was a noise in the room, but the handmaiden quietly left the room as if she hadn’t heard anything.

* * *

Late at night, a shadow was seen exiting the palace.

The carriage sped away, heading for the temple. Gardner, waiting at the entrance, greeted his guest with a bow.

“Skip the greetings.”

Shannua stepped out of the carriage and waved Gardner off as he began to bow politely.

“I’ll escort you this way, but I beg your pardon, Your Majesty, but please leave all the swords in the carriage. It is a rule imposed by the temple.”

“Very well then, I’ll be on my own from here.”

Since it was a safe temple, after ordering his guards to stay outside, Shannua followed the guide of the guard.

“Here.”

Gardner didn’t enter the inner room that had been set aside. As if to make it easier to talk.

Eli was the only one lying in the room, which relied on a small light.

“You’ve gone through all this trouble to bring me here to the temple, yet now you won’t even get up to see me? You’re just going to stay like that?”

Shannua, alone in the silent room, approached him, talking grumpily.

Then he sat down on the chair in front of Eli.

Coincidentally, Arlen’s letter and Eli’s letter from Leton arrived on the same day.

Arlen had asked to see him, but he was unable to attend to her summons, so he had traveled here.

Of course, even if that wasn’t the reason, he had no intention of going to her.

“I’m telling you, you’re probably the only one who survived after treating me like this, so I’m done with you.”

He shook Eli’s shoulder, and he frowned, suddenly realizing something was wrong. There was no way Eli would let himself be shaken so weakly by Shannua.

“Eli?”

Shannua quickly pressed his ear against Eli’s chest to see if his heart was beating. Thankfully, his heart was beating and he was breathing, but Eli still lay there as motionless as before. No, he didn’t even seem to be able to hear Shannua’s voice.

“What’s going on…”

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

“Your Majesty, may I come in?”

The door opened and the person who appeared was not familiar, but it was someone Shannua knew.

“You must be… the Marchioness of Grit.”

Ruby, surprised that Shannua recognized her at first sight, widened her eyes.

“Eli told me about your features. He said you have eyes like rubies.”

“Oh…….”

“I’ve never seen you like this before.”

“The Imperial Sun……”

“Enough greetings; did you send Baron Bogar to summon me?”

Shannua asked, stopping Ruby from bowing.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Forgive my rudeness.”

“Why did you summon me, and why is Eli like that? Did you make him like that?”

“No.”

Ruby shook her head.

“My husband was shot with an arrow by an assassin sent by someone else. He was lucky to make it to the temple in time. He’s alive, but…”

The last words were powerless.

“… literally just existing.”

Eli seemed unresponsive, except for his breathing.

Shannua’s brow furrowed in unfamiliarity at the sight of him lying there.

“How long has he been like this?”

“A few weeks.”

“A few weeks? And you didn’t think it was worth mentioning? Well, you’ve been staying in Zenfield recently anyway.”

Shannua wondered if it was because of his stay in the temple, but then he realized that Eli hadn’t been out in public in over a year, so no one would have thought it odd if he hadn’t been up to date. And there was no one else to share the news with.

“So, have you found out who the culprit is?”

“It’s …….”

“Who did this?”

Ruby looked at the Emperor wordlessly and held out the letter.

Shannua took the letter from Ruby and read it quickly. When he finished, his brow furrowed.

“A murder request. Who in the world would do this……!”

“Do you not know who wrote this letter, Your Majesty?”

He looked at Ruby as if he didn’t understand.

“The person who wrote this letter is someone Your Majesty knows.”

Shannua read the letter more carefully now, his eyes fixed on one spot as he scanned it.

The distinctive way of folding the letters was familiar to him.

“This……”

“You must have written back and forth often enough to recognize it, right?”

“No way.”

His eyes fluttered wildly as he said it.

“It can’t be. Arlen has known Eli for a long time.”

“I’m curious too. Why would Lady Miles, who is my husband’s friend, make such a dreadful request?”

Ruby handed over another piece of paper, this time not a letter.

“I obtained a handwriting sample of the letter requesting the murder.”

Shannua hesitated to take the paper, fearing to know whose name was written on it.

“I’ve examined all the letters exchanged between my husband and the nobles he associated with, and I sent all the suspicious letters to be analyzed. This is the result of that analysis.”

It was almost as if Lady Grit was insisting that he check them and that he had no choice but to accept them.

Shannua reluctantly accepted the paper. The result was not different from his expectations.

“I have other evidence. I can show it to you if you want.”

“…That’s enough.”

Shannua handed the paper back to Ruby.

“What do you want me to do?”

“We wish for you not to proceed with your wedding with Lady Miles.”

Lady Grit answered as if she had been waiting.

“I think His Majesty will agree that someone like Lady Miles should not hold a high position in the Palace, and…….”

As Ruby glanced at Eli lying down, Shannua’s gaze followed hers.

“I don’t want to see a person who has committed a crime lavished with favor.”

“…I understand. Give me some time. I’ll send a letter soon.”

Ruby replied, “I understand.”

“The guard outside will show you out, just as he did when you came in.”

“Yes. …… Eli will get up soon; he’s strong.”

Shannua gave her a thoughtful look and left the room.

Emily and Leton stood in the doorway. Leton was carrying a box, presumably the “other evidence” the Marchioness had spoken of.

Nodding to them in silent acknowledgment of their greeting, Shannua left the temple.

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories