Chapter 7 – Part 3

“It’s the temple!”

As soon as Gardner pulled the carriage up in front of the temple, Jerron, the knight hanging on to the carriage, opened the door and found Marquise Grit leaning on the Marchioness’ shoulder with an arrow piercing his body and his eyes closed.

“……Marchioness.”

“Eli… Eli won’t speak. He won’t even open his eyes or respond. Help…”

Ruby squeezed her eyes shut as her voice refused to believe what was happening.

Tears streamed down her cheeks in a steady stream, and soon Ruby was sobbing, calling out for Eli.

* * *

“My brother told you to give this to me?”

“Yes.”

At Eli’s command, Tyrus, who returned to Shuban, handed over the documents.

“Then where is my bother?”

Emily asked, not taking her eyes off the papers.

“He went to the temple in the capital.”

Emily finished reading and handed the papers to Leton. He scanned it carefully.

“What exactly happened?”

Leton asked, unable to tell from the paperwork alone.

“He was attacked by assassins in Zenfield. They kept coming afterward. These documents contain information we gathered from their hideout.”

“Someone is trying to kill my brother and sister?”

“Yes.”

The room fell silent for a moment.

“If you’ll excuse me for a moment, ……, I think you can wait in the parlor.”

Leton finished his paperwork and turned to Tyrus.

“Of course, My Lord.”

Leton summoned a butler and instructed him to escort Tyrus to the parlor. As soon as the butler led him through the door, Leton spoke.

“My lady, the fact that it wasn’t just one party that attacked the Marquis means that there could have been more. So, I think we need to know where else the order came from.

“Yes, we should.”

Emily was thinking the same thing.

“Perhaps the Marquis gave it to me in hopes of that. I’ll find out.”

“No, I’m coming with you.”

Emily turned to Leton, who was looking at her worriedly.

“Come on, I know how to use a knife; I learned from my brother.”

“……Do you?”

Leton replied meekly, but doubt lurked in his gaze.

“…I can handle at least one. I can defend myself.”

Emily muttered, sounding a little unsure.

“I’m not doubting you; I’m just worried. There might be more of these in the future, so I’ll teach you swordsmanship once this is settled.”

In the future, Emily would have to be able to defend herself. Leton realized he had left something important.

“Alright.”

“Then I’ll get ready quickly so we can leave. I’ll inform Tyrus.”

“Okay.”

Leton left, and Emily let out a deep sigh.

Last time, it was said that her sister was in danger, and now both of them are in danger.

She really didn’t know what was going on.

Considering that her brother sent this work here instead of handling it himself, it seemed to be an unusual situation.

Unable to stand still, Emily looked at the papers again.

She pulled out a letter between the assassin and his client.

“Handwritten sentiments…….”

Muttering to herself, Emily diligently searched through the papers until she found several letters.

The Marquis of Grit’s office had been in use for generations, so there were many letters to and from nobles, and they were well kept.

Emily picked out the ones that looked as close to the handwriting as she could find and began to write a request for a handwriting examination.

***

“I don’t feel like working today.”

Shannua, who usually worked without a word, put down the documents and pressed his temples with both hands. He couldn’t concentrate well, perhaps because he had many worries.

“Your Majesty, why don’t you get some fresh air? It’s a beautiful day, and it would be perfect for a walk around the grounds.”

Brandon, the chamberlain, suggested quietly.

The Emperor had recently been torn between the Duke of Miles and the Marquis of Tules over his marriage to Lady Arlen Miles. He could use a break.

“Perhaps.”

Shannua rose from his seat and stepped outside.

“As you suggested, it might be better.”

The sun was beating down on the patronage. It was refreshing to get away from the papers.

“By the way, have we heard from the Marquis of Grit yet?”

Shannua, who was pondering over many tasks that needed to be resolved, suddenly remembered and asked.

“No, there haven’t been any letters that arrived separately.”

“Oh, he’s a very heartless person.”

Shannua clicked his tongue in disapproval and threw his hands behind his back.

“Is there an emperor like me? ”

He was silent for a moment, as if lost in thought, then spoke again.

“Brandon. When the wedding invitations come, send them to the Marquis of Grit first.”

“To Lord Grit first?”

“Yes. Emphasize that it’s a special invitation. That way, if Lord Grit doesn’t plan to show up, he might be caught off guard.”

He’ll give you a reply or something, he muttered.

“As you wish.”

As Brandon replied, Shannua stopped in his tracks.

He stared off into space wordlessly, and Brandon glanced in his direction, then quickly bowed in respect.

“It’s been a while… Empress.”

It was Shannua who spoke first.

She didn’t answer, but there was a hint of resentment in her eyes.

They may have been married, but they weren’t enemies, and since the Empress found out about Shannua’s relationship with Arlen, it had been like this all along.

“Please excuse me first.”

Empress Katrina turned to leave, not wanting to talk further.

“Are we going to be like this forever?”

Shannua asked, stepping into Katrina’s path, his movement immobilizing the Empress and her handmaidens.

“If I lose my memory, won’t we be able to go back to how things were before?”

So, if it wasn’t for that extent, she wouldn’t be able to go back to how things were before.

“If you have something to say, please do. It’s okay to mock and laugh at me for trying so hard to fulfill the Empress’s duties day and night under the name of a friend.”

“Empress.”

“How ridiculous have you been? No, how foolish have I looked?”

Katrina clenched her fists. Then she lowered her gaze to hide her reddened eyes.

“I understand. We don’t have such an affectionate relationship, Your Majesty.”

“…….”

“So, it makes me angry how foolish I must look in Your Majesty’s eyes when I get angry.”

“……Empress.”

Katrina’s mouth opened as if to say something more, but she turned away as if she didn’t want to say more.

But in truth, it was more of an action she took because she couldn’t get the words out of her throat.

The Emperor was a sweet man.

Except for political issues, he cared for people in his own way. So without realizing it, her heart had flowed to him too.

When she rudely turned away, the emperor didn’t hold her back, which upset her, as if to say that he didn’t care what her attitude was.

But Shannua was thinking completely differently.

Rather, he didn’t follow her to avoid touching the wounds the Empress had received. It was because he was afraid that if he followed her, she would be angrier.

“Brandon. Tell them to make sure the Empress is eating well.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

“And make sure she gets something good for her swelling once a day.”

It had been reported that the Empress had been locked in her room for days on end lately.

Even though she didn’t like him, if suddenly the flaws of her husband were revealed in front of people and spread through people’s mouths, she must have felt humiliated too.

“I’ll do as you ask.”

Brandon replied calmly, sighing inwardly.

From his perspective as a chamberlain, the Emperor was a naturally affectionate man. Especially to those he considered his own.

He was more of a give-and-take kind of guy, unless it was something important or political that would determine the fate of the Empire of Luben.

As a result, he and the Empress got along well.

Brandon had seen the slightest flicker of emotion in the Empress’s eyes for the Emperor. Of course, there were many differences in meaning, but that was true of the Emperor as well.

Perhaps the Emperor’s struggle with the wedding and his inability to make an easy decision were due to a small change in his heart, Brandon speculated.

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