126. Unexpected News

“Because of that very matter, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has removed the Imperial Knight Commander from his post and ordered him to remain at home. Sir Berser and Sir Handelson ignored the command and pursued Your Highness on their own, but they came back empty-handed.”

Larael nodded.

“We have no intelligence at all on them… This will be difficult, but could you tell us how you managed to return?”

“It was the Hashiya Kingdom.”

“What?? The Hashiya Kingdom…?”

The aides riffling through the papers quickened their pace. They had already begun investigating the Hashiya Kingdom. Larael felt a hollow laugh escape her.

“They drove the carriage recklessly out to the outskirts of the capital. When we reached an empty stretch of forest, they stopped the carriage and killed the coachman. They intended to proceed on horseback. That was when Joy—do you know him? The winner of the swordsmanship tournament—appeared and rescued me. The two assassins lost their lives to Joy’s blade.”

A few of the aides who had been listening closely let out a breath of relief. Without their help, they would have been at a complete loss as to where to begin the investigation. If only they had captured even one of the attackers alive, it would have been ideal; for now, they were simply grateful that Larael had returned safely. If Edward regained consciousness, the first person he would surely ask for would be Larael.

Marquis Argen parted his lips but only nodded without speaking further.

“For now, go to Abella Palace and we will send physicians and the high chamberlain.”

“I’ll change my dress and come right back. I want to stay by His Majesty’s side.”

“Call Joy to the palace and have him come to the scene with you.”

“Yes. I will summon him. I will fully cooperate with the investigation. Marquis Argen, will you take me to Abella Palace?”

Wiping her tears, Larael rose from her seat. Her eyes welled again immediately.

“Yes. Understood.”

Marquis Argen followed her. As Larael left the main palace and attendants began to trail after them, Marquis Argen stopped them.

Once they had put some distance between themselves and the main palace, Larael glanced back at Marquis Argen.

“There is someone within the Empire who aided them.”

The stride of the marquis, who had been walking steadily beside her, halted. Larael turned to face him. She must have expected him to have something to say in response to her request. Had it been otherwise, the Larael he knew well would not have personally asked him like this. Thinking that made Marquis Argen laugh hollowly to himself.

‘I knew her better than I thought…’

Not long ago he had doubted whether he could trust her, and now the thought that he knew her well felt absurd.

“Do you have anyone in mind, Your Highness?” he asked, asking her to think the same thoughts he had—how could such a thing have been possible?

“Marquis Argen, do you not have someone you suspect?”

Sharing the same thought, the marquis bit his lip hard.

“Even if you go to the scene with Joy, there would likely be only one body to find—if the wild beasts haven’t already eaten them. I spared one of the assassins who kidnapped me and sent him to the Winters household through Joy.”

“Your Highness!! If it becomes known that you hid an assassin…”

“With His Majesty lying like that now, who can we possibly trust? I am not sending him alive to be protected.”

He understood Larael’s intention, but the day it was discovered that she was concealing an assassin would be the day she herself would be attacked in retaliation. Marquis Argen’s thoughts spun, and he sighed heavily.

“I will personally interrogate him.”

“Do as you wish.”

A sudden figure came to the Marquis of Argen’s mind: Ferma, the Master of the Tower. She was the most suitable candidate. Since Edward’s relationship with the Magic Tower was quite amicable, there was a high possibility of their cooperation. After parting ways with Larael, he resolved to contact the Tower immediately.

“But why must it be the Count of Winters?”

The Marquis of Argen suddenly sensed something strange and asked her. Had Larael and Dean truly been that close, with such deep trust between them?

“My connection with the Count of Winters is one of shared interests. It’s difficult to explain, but that’s how it is.”

After saying this, Larael pressed her lips firmly shut. A tear rolled down her pale cheek. Seeing her like that, the Marquis of Argen could not bring himself to ask further and kept silent.

Upon arriving at Abella Palace, Sasha and Joanna rushed out in tears and threw their arms around her. The attendants of Abella Palace also came out, dabbing at their tears. The Marquis of Argen watched Larael enter Abella Palace before returning to the main palace.

Surrounded by her maids, Larael went up to her bedchamber. From her attendants, she had already heard that the Empress Consort had safely returned to the main palace. Anais personally came in to serve Larael. The rims of her eyes were as red as those of the other maids.

Berser and Handelson could not lift their heads before her. Larael wanted to tell them it was not their fault, that it was all right, but she had no strength left. She could only weep endlessly, leaving herself in the hands of her maids.

Everyone knew why she was crying. No one dared utter careless words such as “We’re glad you’ve returned safely.”

After bathing, Larael dressed in a proper gown instead of a negligee.

“Your Highness, Mr. Hobbs said he would be coming with the High Priest. Please at least let them examine you before they leave.”

Anais spoke soothingly, trying to comfort Larael. But Larael shook her head firmly and walked toward the bedchamber door. After only a few steps, she faltered and collapsed. Her vision blurred, and the shrieks of her maids grew faint in her ears.

When Larael opened her eyes again, she was lying on the bed. At the sight of her awakening, Sasha, who had been keeping watch by her side, cried out.

“Her Highness is awake!!!”

At her words, Anais and the other maids rushed to gather around the bed.

“How long was I unconscious?”

“Only a short while. We laid Your Highness down on the bed at once and were waiting for Mr. Hobbs to arrive.”

Larael pushed back the blanket to rise from the bed, when suddenly a knock came at the chamber door.

“It must be Mr. Hobbs and the High Priest,” Anais said as she went to open the door herself. As she had said, Hobbs entered with the High Priest. Larael sat up against the headboard as they approached.

“We greet Your Highness, the Empress Consort.”

“It has been a while, Mr. Hobbs. Thank you for coming, High Priest. As you can see, I am perfectly fine. Please finish the examination quickly; I must return to His Majesty’s side.”

Larael urged them on. Hobbs and the High Priest exchanged glances and nodded, before Hobbs approached her.

“Then, Your Highness, I shall begin the examination.”

Larael nodded.

“How is His Majesty’s condition?”

“Have you not yet heard?” Hobbs asked with a puzzled look.

“I have, but somehow, hearing it from you will put me at ease.”

“Ah… His Majesty is seriously injured, but thankfully avoided a fatal wound. Everyone is doing their utmost in treatment, so once he regains consciousness, he should recover swiftly.”

“I see…”

After examining Larael for some time, Hobbs looked up at the High Priest.

“Fortunately, her body is fine. The wounds are not deep enough to require divine healing.”

The High Priest nodded. Thanks to treating Edward, he himself was extremely fatigued, but Hobbs’s words lightened his expression a little.

“Then we shall take our leave.”

Hobbs and the High Priest bowed to Larael and left the chamber.

“Oh! Mr. Hobbs left his bag behind!”

Sasha exclaimed, picking up the medical bag beside the bed, ready to run after him.

“Leave it.”

Larael rose from the bed as she spoke. She had seen Hobbs quietly set down the bag beside her bed. It would not be long before he returned for it.

“Everyone, leave me. I want to be alone for a while.”

Preparing for his return, Larael dismissed her maids from the chamber. She sat on the bed, waiting for the sound of a knock. Just as she expected, there was a knock, and Sasha entered to ask if she should let Hobbs in.

“Yes, let him in.”

At Larael’s words, Hobbs stepped into the chamber.

“You are certainly cautious, Your Highness.”

“I seem to have developed an illness that keeps me from trusting people.”

Hobbs scratched his head with an awkward smile, looking somewhat embarrassed. Taking up his medical bag, he approached Larael.

“Is this related to Edward?”

“No. The truth is… Your Highness, you are with child. I thought it only right to inform you first.”

“…What did you just say?”

“Your Highness is carrying the imperial heir.”