Chapter 5: The Truth Revealed (2)

As expected, the minister bowed deeply, quickly rushing to elaborate before the reprimand could worsen.

“If Shupetania swallows Alfrang this time, the road to Rassium will be left wide open.”

Cautiously, other ministers began voicing their views, confirming what Terian had already gathered through his private intelligence network.

“And the road to our Laxtreen would also be wide open. Especially since the Alfrang border is dangerously close to the railway connecting to Rassium.”

Alfrang was a small kingdom that thrived on intermediary trade, positioned between the borders of all three empires.

“We already lost the lowland plains beneath the Great Mountains during the last imperial war. This time, they may be targeting the sacred grain belt. If they go through Alfrang, they can bypass Espoir Fortress and reach it.”

Espoir Fortress guarded the only passable canyon through the southern range of the Great Mountains.

But not everyone agreed.

“Even if they seize Alfrang and bypass the mountains, the distance to the grain belt is too great—it’s not practical. It’s more logical to assume their real target is Rassium.”

“I agree. Which is perhaps why Rassium is preemptively… offering something…”

The speaker’s gaze flicked briefly—pointedly—to Terian, then away again. He was hinting at the Empress’s palace.

That lingering look was full of insinuation, betraying a growing rumor in the social circles: that someone resided within the long-vacant palace once more.

“……”

Terian maintained a heavy silence, feigning deep contemplation.

Tension hovered over the continent, war drums pounding faintly in the background. And in his own palace, an unresolved burden still weighed him down.

He hadn’t yet discovered a perfect way to bind Larie to him. Yet exposing her now would only increase the danger to her.

“Prepare to receive the delegation.”

He gave the order without raising his voice—but knowing full well that every word, every glance of his held power and meaning.

The ministers exchanged sharp glances at the emperor’s command to “receive” the delegation.

Did this mean the emperor was finally preparing to reveal someone within the Empress’s Palace?

Or did it hint at a deeper, secret pact between empires?

Whatever the interpretation, their eyes gleamed with greed.

It was precisely that kind of ambition that made Terian want to keep Larie hidden.

“Proceed to the next matter,” he ordered coolly.

Hosting an imperial delegation typically required time and ceremony.

It would serve as the perfect distraction to quietly settle the Trompérie issue while the nobles’ attention was elsewhere.

Besides, Terian already knew—

This delegation wasn’t here for a political marriage.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Regarding the railway station being constructed in the Bordi region…”

Beneath the surface, operations were underway to sever Trompérie’s final financial resources.

It was a race against time—to strip the current Baron of his remaining power and replace the head of the house.

Until, finally, she understood—

There was no place left for her to return to.

***

Several days passed since Larie had started reading the paper.

To her disappointment, it hadn’t offered much useful information after all.

Given its growing popularity with commoners, that was perhaps inevitable.

Frustrated, Larie turned her thoughts toward the forest.

“Are you certain you’ll be alright going alone, Your Majesty?”

When she announced she would walk near the sacred lake’s forest, Lady-in-Waiting Charelle’ concern was palpable.

“Yes. I’m only going for a short stroll.”

She had no intention of slipping away today.

But if she could go out a few more times like this—

Convincing everyone it was just a harmless habit—

Then she could truly begin planning her escape.

“Please be careful. I’ll wait here until you return.”

“Thank you.”

Charelle stood firmly by the Empress’s private gate nearest the forest.

It was clear she intended to remain there until Larie’s return.

With a quiet nod, Larie stepped beyond the palace grounds and entered the shaded stillness of the woods.

As she stepped into the forest, Larie had expected someone to follow her—

But no one did.

Apparently, the forest surrounding the lake was considered sacred ground, reserved exclusively for members of the imperial family.

It wasn’t large.

The trees weren’t dense—

Too sparse for wild animals to even live here.

From most places inside, the lake was still visible through the gaps in the canopy.

Still, it seemed just secluded enough that someone could hide—

Barely.

Could she really flee with the child in tow and survive out here?

Her thoughts tangled with doubt as she kept walking.

Then, as she lifted her head to reorient herself—

“…Huh?”

The lake…

Wasn’t it supposed to be to her left?

Why did she now have to turn around to see it?

It had somehow ended up far behind her.

Had she lost her bearings in the woods?

Perhaps the circular shape of the lake had thrown off her sense of direction.

But after a long moment of staring, she finally realized—

This part of the lake…

It looked unfamiliar.

It was the opposite side of what she saw from the Empress’s Palace.

Alarmed, Larie stepped out of the forest’s edge and turned around.

There it was—

Far in the distance, behind her.

The Empress’s Palace.

Somehow, she’d walked nearly the entire circumference of the massive lake.

“….”

And yet it had only been a few short minutes since she parted ways with Charelle.

She’d entered the woods directly beside the palace, after all.

She’d always been confident in her sense of direction—

But this…

This made no sense.

It felt as if she’d moved impossibly fast.

“Ah.”

Suddenly, memories began to surface.

Two years ago, she had traveled on foot from the palace to that village through the forest.

It had taken her three days—

Exhausted and resting often along the way.

So why now…

Why had she crossed this entire distance in mere minutes?

So that’s why… when Terian brought her back to the palace, something had felt off.

Even though the carriage had moved without rest, the journey had taken two full days.

She’d been too tense at the time to think much of it—

But now…

Even back in the forest cottage, she remembered—

Jeanne always arrived exhausted.

Larie had assumed it was because the trip to Emma’s house or the village was simply tiring for a boy his age.

But no—

It was her.

She was the anomaly.

If she could move this quickly through the woods—

“….”

She bit her lip and resumed walking, glancing periodically at the lake to measure distance.

Unbelievably, her theory held.

Without realizing it, her footsteps within the forest were distinctly faster than usual.

A flicker of relief lit her face.

“I don’t know why this happens… but if the forest connects far enough, I might actually be able to flee with Rui.”

No one from the Empress’s Palace seemed to be looking for her yet.

Carefully gauging the time, Larie continued through the woods.

She silently hoped the forest would lead into the mountains.

If so, escaping would become that much easier.

But—

Her steps stopped short.

“Why are there knights here…?”

The light in her expression darkened again.

Hiding quickly behind a broad tree trunk, she scanned the area ahead.

The forest surrounding the lake did stretch into the mountains, just as she’d hoped.

But between the forest and the foothills—

A narrow military road.

Lined with armed guards and knights.

“So that’s why there were no soldiers inside the sacred lake or forest…”

They didn’t need to be.

The entire perimeter of the lake—every potential exit—

Was sealed off from outside the sacred boundary.

That way, royalty could wander freely within the forest,

Without ever truly being exposed to danger.

Larie’s chest tightened.

“There must be a gap somewhere…

Somewhere they don’t expect…”

She looked longingly at the denser forest beyond the road.

Moving silently, careful not to snap a single twig, Larie crept closer to where the knights were stationed.

Soon, voices drifted to her on the wind, carried between the rustling leaves.

“Did you hear why they’ve beefed up security out here lately?”

Though standing straight, the knights’ faces were etched with boredom.

Luckily, their conversation seemed worth eavesdropping on—

Larie held her breath.

“Well, guarding sacred ground is nothing new.

…Or maybe it’s because, you know, someone’s staying in the Empress’s Palace?”

“Shh, keep your voice down.”

“Come on. Who’s gonna hear us all the way out here…”

They’re talking about me…

Larie swallowed dryly.

For some reason, the fact that she was residing in the Empress’s Palace didn’t seem to be public knowledge.

If even her family didn’t know—that was a small mercy.

“Hey, I heard something interesting from a guy working the dungeon shift.”

“Yeah? What?”

“They say the person in the Empress’s Palace might be the former Grand Duchess.”

“What? That Trompérie woman? …No way…”

But the reaction that followed turned Larie’s body rigid.

Their dismissive, disgusted tone made her stomach churn.

“I don’t get it. Why would His Majesty keep looking for that woman—”

“Wait, no. What if… he planned all of this?”

“What?”

The other knight’s voice cut in sharply—low and full of implication.

“You heard the news, right? The Rassium Empire’s sending another delegation?

Coming again without saying why? Think about it. It’s obvious.”

“…Obvious?”

“Yeah! They got turned down once. Rassium needs to save face.

So His Majesty brings in a replaceable Empress—

just in time for the next marriage negotiation.”

“Ah…”

Larie’s heart pounded—ominous and loud.

As if in warning, a sudden gust tore through the forest, violently rattling the branches above.

“His Majesty is truly brilliant.”

“Right? That’s what I’m saying.”

The knight exaggerated his nod, unable to hide his admiration.

But Larie—

She stood alone, frozen in place like part of the forest itself.

***

Could that really be true?

After overhearing the knights, Larie hurried back to the Empress’s Palace.

She couldn’t afford to linger and draw suspicion.

Fortunately, Charelle didn’t seem to imagine for a moment that she had walked all the way to the far side of the lake.

“His Highness the Young Prince should be asleep soon. Shall I leave his bed here as usual?”

“Yes. Thank you, Madam.”

She returned to find the Marchioness Incarze holding Rui, speaking softly.

According to the wet nursemaid, most royal princes were moved to separate quarters by this age.

Yet no one stopped Larie from raising Rui herself.

She later learned it was because of Terian’s orders—

to let Larie do as she wished.

Perhaps that’s why, until now, she’d come to trust him without even realizing it.

Which made the rumor she’d overheard weigh even heavier on her chest.

“Your Majesty.”

Charelle entered carefully, holding something in her arms.

She’d grown noticeably more worried since Larie’s outing earlier.

Larie could feel the pity in Charelle’ expression—subtle but certain.

Even knowing she was of Trompérie blood.

Larie wanted to smile, if only to reassure her—

but she couldn’t.

She had gone into the woods to clear her mind,

but returned with a burden twice as heavy.

“The other ladies collected more of the latest papers.

I haven’t looked at them yet, but… I thought you might like to read them.”

Charelle offered a bundle of newspapers, which Larie quietly took in her hands.

She felt the weight in her chest grow heavier again.

She was supposed to leave this place as if she’d never been here—

yet there were too many warm eyes now watching her with care.

“Thank you. …Really, thank you.”

“If you need anything else, please call for me.”