Chapter 4 – To The North (Part 4)

Reubellina was preparing to disembark when the carriage came to a halt. She had heard Tartenon’s voice saying they would stay here, so she naturally expected someone to come escort her. However, when the carriage door suddenly opened, an unfamiliar face appeared before her.

“Your Grace!”

It was a woman she had never seen before. She was dressed in a knight’s uniform, so she must be one of the knights of the Tartenon.

‘Wait a moment. Did she just call me Your Grace?’

Reubellina’s lips began to move to correct her, as they weren’t married yet, but the woman quickly bowed and introduced herself.

“I’m Heather. It’s an honor to serve you.”

Reubellina smiles slightly as she extends her hand in a clumsy gesture. She liked Heather’s innocence in her clumsy attempt to greet her. It was satisfying to see that she meant no offense.

Before a surprised Sandy could point out the etiquette, Reubellina placed her hand over Heather’s.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Heather.”

“Lady Heather! What an honor!”

Heather’s eyes sparkled with joy, which Reubellina found a bit overwhelming, but she tried not to show it. After disembarking, Reubellina looked around. The sight of people bustling in front of the small inn made everything feel real.

‘I really am leaving the capital.’

She hadn’t expected to leave so abruptly. The farewell from the Duke of Asillious’s household had been grand but bittersweet. If not for the interference of the imperial family, she might have had a more leisurely departure.

“I will be your escort from now on, Your Grace.”

“I’ll be counting on you.”

“Leave it to me. I’ll protect you.”

Heather responded with a trustworthy face, genuinely committed to her role. Just as Reubellina was about to say something more, Tartenon called out to her.

“Lina, over here.”

Heather smiled and stood behind her. The shabby inn seemed unfit for a noble, but Reubellina didn’t let it show.

“If we don’t stay here, we’ll have to travel another half-day to find a place to rest.”

“I understand.”

Inside the carriage, Reubellina wasn’t just playing around. She unfolded the map and confirmed the route she needed to take. Carrying a map as the lady of the manor was essential.

At the sight of the building, Sandy’s eyes narrowed slightly, but they quickly returned to their normal size.

“Where will I be staying?”

“Bruelin.”

When Tartenon summoned his aide, he stepped forward and led Sandy inside. As Sandy entered first, Tartenon whispered to Reubellina.

“Use the front room, not the one the maid entered.”

Upon hearing his words, Reubellina smiled even brighter. She couldn’t afford to reveal the truth to anyone who might be watching, so she maintained a serious expression.

“The interior should be fine.”

“Have you been here often?”

“I visited whenever there was business in the capital.”

Though the whisper about being exposed was barely audible, Reubellina pretended not to notice, casually averting her gaze.

“Since it’s where you stayed, Ren, I’m looking forward to it.”

“Shall we go?”

No words were needed. Taking Tartenon’s outstretched hand, they walked together. The innkeeper greeted them warmly as they entered the brightly lit inn.

***

“Is everything prepared?”

“Everything’s ready.”

Just as darkness was about to fall, the knights who had been hiding in the woods and watching the inn reported in. Phailus, who had been entrusted with full power, felt that if he failed in this task, he would never have another chance.

He had spent nearly a decade by Prince Monterno’s side. He understood Monterno’s hidden nature better than anyone. If he failed this time, he would have to pay with his life, so he would have to either do the job and die or flee.

“How’s the situation?”

“No signs of suspicion yet.”

The expression vanished from Phailus’ face upon hearing the report from the knights dispatched with him. The knights also tensed as they observed his face. They awaited nightfall impatiently, ready for them to sleep.

“I assume you did everything right?”

“They’ve been drugged with their meals, and in a few moments they’ll be asleep and unaware of the world.”

“We must handle this without mistakes.”

“That goes without saying.”

Their lives were on the line. They watched the inn nervously, eyes wide open in anticipation.

As much time had passed, one by one, the lights went out. Though some areas still had lights, no shadows were visible.

“It seems they’ve all fallen asleep.”

“We’ll wait a little longer.”

Having waited until now, waiting a bit longer would make no difference. Following Phailus’ orders, the knights waited, gripping their swords – not the longswords of knights, but daggers and short swords.

“We’re going in now.”

“Yes, sir!”

The bushes rustled as knights revealed themselves one by one. Their approach toward the inn was menacing. Without hiding their intentions, they approached one by one, crossing the threshold. The first to cross could be heard scurrying about, and those who hadn’t yet climbed the wall jumped in without worry.

“Welcome.”

As the last of them leaped over the wall and approached the building, Phailus and a knight felt something cold against their throats and heard a voice. In front of them, Bruelin and Heather grinned and pointed their swords at them.

As the sword touched his neck, Bruelin swung his dagger and stepped back. Looking around, he realized that the knights he had brought with him had all been subdued.

‘Have we been exposed…!’

The information leaked out from somewhere. Dumbfounded, Phailus rolled his eyes, sensing something behind him.

“Raiding the Grand Duke’s party, I’ve never heard of such madmen existing in this Empire.”

Tartenon revealed himself from the darkness.

***

Reubellina fanned herself and looked out the window. She could see Heather and Bruelin bustling about below. The man Tartenon was confronting seemed to be the one who had planned this raid. Reubellina shook her head as she recognized the man’s face in the torches carried by the knights.

‘Where have I seen that face before?’

It was quite a familiar face. Reubellina thought for a moment, then remembered where she had seen the man’s face.

‘I’ve seen him with the crown prince before.’

Memories from the past flashed through Reubellina’s mind. It was a long time ago.

It was the day she’d stopped by the palace for tea with Inferno, and she’d gotten lost on the way to the palace gardens. Now, she could recognize the palace with her eyes closed, but back then, having visited the palace not long ago, she wasn’t familiar with the many paths.

She, wandering, discovered a table in the middle of the garden and was about to rush towards it. Had Monterno not slapped Inferno’s cheek, she would have appeared before them.

Ultimately, on that day, Reubellina broke her promise to Inferno.

‘That’s the person I saw then.’

She pursed her lips. It was the person who had been standing guard behind Monterno. Though it was a long time ago, the memory had been traumatic enough that she hadn’t forgotten.

‘Is it something ordered by the prince?’

She didn’t expect the opposition from the imperial family to her and Tartenon’s marriage to be this strong. The imperial family’s authority in this empire was high, and no nobleman, no matter how high up in the ranks, could refuse the emperor’s word. The imperial family had never been wrong before.

However, the breaking off of her engagement with Inferno has left a stain on the imperial family. Not because of her mistake as a Duke’s daughter, but because of Inferno’s mistake as an imperial prince. Inferno had left a fatal blow to the pristine image of the imperial family.

It was clear that the hand of the desperate imperial family was involved as the facts, hidden by the machinations of Duke Asillious, came to the surface.

‘If I, the only legitimate successor of the Duke Asillious, die, there will be no successor for the Duchy.’

If she died here, the successor of Duke Asillious would be designated by the emperor. If a legitimate successor of each family died, the emperor had the authority to designate a successor. This is why the imperial family enjoyed absolute power in the empire. A crucial reason why the nobles could not defy the emperor.

‘In that case, the Duke Asillious’s estate will pass to a person of the Emperor’s choosing.’

The person who received the fortune would surely hand it over in the name of loyalty to the imperial family.

“Really remarkable people.”

They were bold enough to send assassins to her and Tartenon, but arrogant enough to think otherwise. Sending a close confidant meant they surely expected Reubellina and Tartenon to die.

She sneered at Monterno’s cruelty, thinking that neither Tartenon nor she would be able to cope with the situation.

“Did they send someone I knew and think nothing would happen?”

“I doubt it.”

A man’s voice came from behind, and when Reubellina looked back with a grimace, she found a sword pointed at her throat.

“Lady Assilius, you should come with me.”

The intruder grabbed her by the shoulders and dragged her out of the room.