73. Errand Boy Joy (2)

“Your Highness, he’s definitely not an ordinary boy. You must always be careful of people.”

Larael agreed with Sasha’s opinion that one must be wary of people. She had painfully experienced that people could be the scariest of all.

‘I’ll just keep him by Kali’s side and watch him for now.’

Larael herself didn’t know why she was showing so much kindness toward Joy. Perhaps it was simply sympathy for the boy who had been dragged away, but at some point, she started wanting to keep Joy near her.

Larael returned to Abella Palace, listening to Sasha and Joanna’s grumbling as she waited for Nora to arrive.

Handelson stood in front of the office building, clearing his throat and tidying up his hair and clothes.

“Hey, kid, let’s go in.”

Handelson put his arm around Joy’s shoulder and led him inside. As they entered, a woman with a puzzled expression slowly walked out from the office on the right side of the main hall, where several desks were arranged. Even without anyone saying so, it was clear this was Kali.

“Sir Handelson.”

Kali’s voice brightened with delight as she recognized her visitor. Handelson’s face also lit up at her reaction.

“And who is this with you?”

Her gaze lingered on Handelson for a while before moving to Joy. Handelson released his grip and patted Joy’s shoulder as he introduced him.

“You may have heard about him. His Highness rescued a boy who almost got sold to a slave trader. She gave him some gold coins, and now, rather admirably, he’s come to work to repay that favor.”

“Oh…”

Kali nodded as if she remembered, glancing Joy up and down.

“Her Highness sent him to do odd jobs or errands around the office.”

“All right. Since it’s Her Highness’s order… What’s your name?”

“Joy.”

“Good. Joy, how old are you?”

“Seventeen.”

Joy answered curtly, looking annoyed. Kali, not noticing his attitude, looked at him with wide eyes.

“I would have guessed you were fifteen at most…”

“People always underestimate me like that. So, what work is there for me?”

Joy glanced around the office as he asked. He showed no awkwardness or hesitation about being in a new place. Kali found this interesting, but for some reason, she liked him.

“What are you good at?”

“Anything. If you find out what I’m best at, you’ll be surprised.”

Kali started to laugh, finding his bold answer amusing.

“Ahem, Lady Layton?”

Feeling left out of Kali and Joy’s conversation, Handelson called her carefully.

“Yes? Sir Handelson, you haven’t left yet? I’m aware of Her Highness’s wishes, so you may go now.”

“Well… um… Is there anything I can help you with?”

“Thank you for the offer. Joy, I have something for you to do right now. Will you take this letter to the Four Seasons?”

“Yes.”

Kali went to her desk, picked up a pen, and began writing a letter. She sealed it and handed it to Joy along with a gold coin. Joy took the letter and left the office.

“Isn’t it strange?”

“What do you mean?”

“He didn’t even ask where the Four Seasons is or what kind of place it is; he just left.”

Kali, arms linked with Handelson, watched the door Joy had exited through.

“Maybe he’s just a boy who knows this part of town really well?”

“Is that so?”

Kali turned to look at Handelson, then widened her eyes as if she remembered something.

“Would you like to have a cup of tea before you go?”

Handelson smiled bashfully and nodded.

As soon as Joy left the office, he realized his mistake. It would have been more natural to ask where Four Seasons was. But it was too late now, and going back in to ask would seem even stranger. He smacked himself on the head. He often forgot his master’s advice to always think before acting.

Joy took Kali’s letter and slipped into a deserted alley. Carefully, he broke the seal. After all, it was a letter for Four Seasons, not one that would return to Kali, and he could always claim the seal wasn’t intact.

– I knew you’d open this letter.

I’m requesting information about you from Four Seasons. If you’re confident, go to Four Seasons and return after they look into you. If you’re not confident, just disappear.

“Hah…”

Joy let out a breathless laugh. He felt like he’d been caught off guard. Even Four Seasons wouldn’t be able to find information on Joy, who had lived like an orphan, leaving no trace. In fact, he hadn’t used the name Joy since living with his mother. After his master, who was like a father to him, passed away and he buried him, Joy had been as good as invisible to the world until now.

Following his master’s last wish for him to live righteously, Joy had tried to uphold his own sense of justice. Meeting Larael had also happened in the process of trying to do the right thing.

“Do I really have any reason to go this far just to be near the empress consort?”

Muttering to himself, Joy stared intently at the paper in his hand for a long while.

***

“The execution of the Fenrir incident’s criminal has been carried out.”

Edward frowned slightly at the report and let out a long sigh. His sigh drew the attention of all the aides sitting around the meeting table. A suffocating silence filled the room, broken only by the occasional sound of someone swallowing. The atmosphere around Edward grew so heavy that no one dared to break the silence.

“Is there any progress on the investigation I ordered?”

At Edward’s question, Marquis Argen bit his lip. He was referring to the investigation into the Duke of Anderman’s family. But there was still no evidence linking them, and the investigation was at a standstill. Edward knew well that it was impossible to dig up anything further. The time spent agonizing over it had been long, but nothing had come of it.

“Stop the investigation.”

In the end, he ordered the investigation to be halted. Marquis Argen couldn’t object; he knew it was pointless to continue.

‘Where should I start cutting them off?’

Edward fell into thought again. If they were threatening his throne, Larael’s safety, or his own, he couldn’t just sit by.

On the battlefield, Edward was a ruthless tyrant who drove his enemies to their deaths, but in politics, he was a flexible ruler. Had he appeared too soft? He wanted to rule with virtue. He wanted to be a ruler who accepted opposing opinions. But if he was under attack like this, it was time to change course. His head throbbed.

Suddenly, Edward wanted to see Larael. He felt that meeting her would relieve the frustration in his heart. He abruptly stood up.

“I’m going to Abella Palace.”

He spoke to Trix as he left his office.

His steps quickened as he headed toward Abella Palace. Now that he wanted to see her, he couldn’t wait another moment.

Larael, having received the message, came out to greet him in front of Abella Palace before she had even finished preparing. When Edward appeared, Larael’s beautiful red eyes sparkled as she greeted him with a bright smile.

“Your Majesty, you startled me by coming so suddenly.”

Seeing Larael’s radiant smile, the frustration and heaviness weighing on Edward’s chest seemed to melt away in an instant. Edward and Larael held hands and went up to her room together.

“Is something bothering you?”

As soon as they sat on the sofa, Larael asked. Although Edward was smiling, his mood was clearly subdued.

“The Fenrir incident has come to an end.”

Seeing Edward’s face darken, Larael could guess the situation. She knew it would be difficult to connect the Duke of Anderman’s family to the case. Her own expression darkened as well. But knowing how easily Edward responded to her changes in mood, Larael forced a smile and looked at him. His eyes, filled with turmoil, seemed pitiful.

“As you know, the Duke of Anderman’s family is connected to Herwen.”