“Marched out?”

Soniel asked with puzzled eyes.

“I’ve heard the situation at the border isn’t good. That’s why His Majesty went to Sutton, right?”

She wore a thoughtful expression for a moment.

Then, seeming to recall something, she opened her mouth.

“I don’t think so, but I could be wrong.”

“Yes?”

“Could Father have mobilized his private army to provide support?”

“That would be nice, but I don’t think that’s the case.”

I said with an awkward smile.

“Soniel, you know that His Majesty was severely injured while returning from the expedition, right?”

“Yes.”

“Have you heard why?”

“Father told me. They couldn’t completely eliminate the bandits in Sutton, and the remaining group attacked His Majesty.”

Soniel continued with anxiety-filled eyes.

“He said that with His Majesty severely injured, this was a very good opportunity.”

Just as I thought.

It would have been a good opportunity in many ways.

Internally, he could push Soniel forward, and externally, he could strengthen his position in place of the injured Ainberg.

Even if I hadn’t designated Soniel, he would have tried somehow to arrange a meeting with His Majesty.

“I understand well, Soniel.”

Noticing my expression subtly change, Soniel covered her mouth with her hand.

“I’m sorry, my lady. I was trying to relay exactly what I heard, but I think I made a mistake.”

“No, it’s fine. You weren’t the one calling His Majesty’s injury an opportunity. That was the Duke’s thought.”

“Even so.”

“Your thoughts differ from the Duke’s. That’s why you’re here.”

Soniel nodded with a gloomy expression.

“Soniel, I actually knew that too. But.”

“……?”

“I don’t think it was the work of bandits.”

“My lady, what do you mean?”

Of course, I didn’t have clear evidence. I was merely speculating based on what Soniel had seen.

But Foil’s movements were certainly suspicious with many questionable aspects.

“Soniel, His Majesty returned from the expedition on the 8th, late afternoon.”

“……”

“In a normal situation, His Majesty would have sent a messenger to the imperial palace before his arrival.”

As I continued speaking, Soniel’s face gradually hardened.

“Due to the attack, he couldn’t even send a messenger in advance.”

“……?”

“So when His Majesty arrived, everyone could only be surprised and flustered.”

By the time I said that much, Soniel’s expression had completely frozen.

“But according to what you said.”

“Father knew in advance.”

She murmured with blank eyes.

“Then my lady, could it be…”

When I nodded slowly, Soniel bit her lower lip.

“Was it really Father’s doing?”

I couldn’t give a definitive answer to this question.

“Of course, it’s just suspicion. Nothing is certain. But circumstantially.”

The fifty or so soldiers who suddenly disappeared, Foil knowing the Emperor’s movements in advance…

He never hid his ambition for power even when I was Sienna.

I had simply thought he was an ambitious person, but he was far more dangerous than I expected.

‘He tried to kill Ainberg.’

Like me, Soniel seemed troubled, clenching her fist and raising it to her chest.

“Why on earth.”

“……”

“Why… would he do such a thing?”

Soniel kept shaking her head in disbelief.

“Father lacks nothing… he has everything.”

“Human greed knows no bounds.”

I wanted to comfort the shocked Soniel, but the situation was urgent.

What should I do now?

What can I do in this situation?

The thought that Foil had targeted Ainberg’s life suddenly made me anxious.

Should I inform the Emperor right away?

But I soon realized that was a foolish idea.

‘If they search Foil’s mansion now, the existence of his private army would be revealed to the world, but it couldn’t directly prove he attacked the Emperor.’

Moreover, we’re talking about none other than Foil Viper.

If he’s cornered, the people of the Viper family won’t sit still either.

It’s true that Foil has been raising an excessive private army, but that alone isn’t enough.

I need more definitive evidence.

I need to find evidence that leaves no escape and makes him unable to move.

Once it’s certain he’s involved in treason, no one will stand up for Foil.

‘Then should I tell Father first?’

My father’s face suddenly flashed through my mind.

Father might provide some answers.

So I should tell him.

That the Viper household is raising too many private soldiers, and that it seems Foil was behind the attack on the Emperor.

“……”

But soon I abandoned that thought.

‘He’ll ask how I found out. Should I mention Soniel?’

The reason I was reluctant to tell the Chadmon people was also because of Soniel.

‘Soniel is acting like a spy but not a spy in the middle of this. I’m not sure if I should mention this.’

Besides, if things go wrong, it could backfire.

It might even escalate into a fight between families.

If a heavyweight like Father moves, it might attract too much attention.

Isn’t there a good solution?

How can I find evidence?

“My lady, I’ll step forward.”

Just then, Soniel, sitting with a troubled face, opened her mouth.

I stared at her with round eyes.

“No. Absolutely not.”

“I’ll try to find evidence. Right now, there’s no other way but for me to move.”

Her voice sounded resolute, as if she had made up her mind. I was actually a bit tempted by her bold proposal.

She had already succeeded once, so wouldn’t it be possible next time too?

Besides, as Soniel said, there was no other way right now except for her to move.

‘But I just barely got her out of there. How can I push her back into danger?’

Foil is currently expecting Soniel to be close to the sick Emperor, hoping she and Ainberg will grow closer.

But to make her return to the mansion?

‘If that happens, Foil won’t sit still either. Soniel’s hardships will only worsen.’

Absolutely not.

I’d rather sneak in myself.

‘Ah, if only I had someone trustworthy at a time like this.’

I briefly thought of Johana and Lili but soon shook my head.

“Soniel, if you return to the mansion now, we don’t know how the Duke might suddenly change.”

I spoke thinking she would understand without needing examples, but Soniel bravely replied.

“I’m not afraid.”

“Soniel.”

“He’ll call the midwife and make me do strange poses. He acts like he’ll kill me or throw me out at any moment, but he can’t do that.”

Soniel continued with somewhat cold eyes.

“If I disappear soon after he brought me in as an adopted daughter, what would people think? The social circles are already full of gossip.”

I was momentarily speechless at Soniel’s words. They didn’t sound like something a child would say.

“Father knows better than anyone that if he discards me, it could be more troublesome for him.”

“Soniel.”

“And I’m not sure if I should say this, but.”

Soniel hesitated a bit before carefully opening her mouth.

“Unfortunately, Her Majesty the Empress is lying unconscious. If I also die or disappear, wouldn’t there surely be talk?”

“……”

“So don’t worry about that. I won’t easily back down or die.”

Her unexpected words made me forget what I was going to say.

But more than that, there was something that stunned me like a blow to the back of my head.

The Empress in a coma.

And Soniel in a similar situation.

Why haven’t I ever suspected Foil until now?

Even when I was alive (well, I’m not dead now either), Foil wasn’t a good father.

Seeing what he does to Soniel, he’s clearly capable of harming me, his own daughter.

‘Could he have deliberately put me to sleep?’

What did he aim to gain by putting the Empress into unconsciousness?

If I could figure that out, I might find a clue.

What Foil is after is the imperial throne. Was he planning to deal with the Empress first and then take the Emperor’s position?

‘Originally, wasn’t he trying to kill me? But if by mistake, or if something went wrong, I fell into unconsciousness.’

Hmm, this sounds too much like fiction.

Just then, Soniel spoke again.

“My lady, let me try. I can do it well.”

“No. Let’s… let’s find another way first.”

When I answered slowly, Soniel’s eyes filled with disappointment.

“No matter how I think about it, it’s too dangerous. And perhaps.”

“……”

“The Duke might already know someone searched his office.”

At my words, Soniel flinched and shrank back.

‘That was more effective than I expected.’

Well, this was just—

A comment to prevent this cute little puppy from jumping into enemy territory with a sense of mission.

“Rather… tell me if you saw anything else in the office.”

When I changed the subject, Soniel thought for a moment before speaking.

“But my lady.”

“Yes?”

“If Father’s actions are revealed to the world.”

“……”

“What will happen to me?”