Chapter 5.3

Despite the string of disappearances, new days continued in the unsettled capital. Damon Ford, summoned urgently by the Emperor, headed to the Imperial Palace at dawn.

There were about two hours left before the formal council meeting.

As he entered the prepared conference room, familiar faces greeted him. They were all members of the Emperor’s faction. Damon exchanged greetings and sat to the immediate left of the head seat.

Soon, the inner door opened and the Emperor of the Rontiano Empire, Alexei, appeared.

“Is everyone here?”

“We greet His Majesty the Emperor.”

The nobles rose and bowed in unison. Emperor Alexei sat at the head seat and looked around at each of them.

“Earl Harrington, and Marquis Ford.”

The Emperor’s inscrutable gaze landed on Earl Harrington and Damon in turn.

“For such things to happen in the heart of the capital, I truly owe you both an apology. I promise to quickly reinforce the city guard and strengthen security.”

After the disappearance of Brienne Ford and Kaiden Bannon, now even Derrick Harrington’s whereabouts were unknown. Those gathered had guessed the reason for the Emperor’s summons, and his words confirmed it.

Emperor Alexei gestured for the still-standing nobles to sit and continued.

“The missing second son of the Harrington family is being investigated by the Imperial Guard. Please, everyone, wish for Earl Harrington’s son’s safe return.”

“……Thank you for your concern.”

Earl Harrington, whose expression was far from pleasant, bowed his head weakly. At that, a small murmur rose among the other nobles.

It was because the daughter of Marquis Ford, the Emperor’s aide, had claimed she was kidnapped by Earl Harrington’s second son immediately after her return. Alexei, as if not forgetting that fact, wisely stated his position.

“The kidnapping incident involving Brienne Ford, the Ford family’s daughter, will be formally tried once Derrick Harrington’s safety is confirmed. Marquis, please be aware.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Because of this, Damon bowed his head with a slightly troubled face. This incident had made things awkward between him and Earl Harrington. Since the facts weren’t clear, it was difficult to blame the Earl’s son or worry about him.

Moreover, Earl Harrington was a longtime aide to the Emperor.

His status might be lower than the Marquis, but the power of the Harrington family was actually superior. Damon’s success in adapting to the Emperor’s faction was largely thanks to Earl Harrington’s help.

After confirming everyone was seated, the Emperor began to speak.

“The reason I called you all before the council is that there’s something I wish to discuss.”

The nobles looking at the Emperor grew solemn. If His Majesty wished to discuss something privately, it was surely related to factional struggles.

As if to confirm their speculation, the Emperor continued immediately.

“Last night, there was testimony that Young Master Bannon was seen in the city of Schwitz Harbor.”

“What……? If it’s the harbor, does that mean the Young Master is leaving Rontiano?”

As soon as the Emperor finished speaking, a young noble asked in a flustered voice. Emperor Alexei replied.

“That’s right. Since it’s unclear whether the Young Master is missing or has run away, if he boards a ship alone, we’ll be able to determine it. Considering he made it to Schwitz without being caught, he must have used a forged identity.”

“My goodness, Young Master Bannon violating imperial law…….”

Who was Kaiden Bannon?

He was always a model of perfection for others. The young nobles exchanged nervous glances, while the older Viscount Myers asked with shining eyes.

“Does the Duke of Bannon know about this?”

“He probably doesn’t. That old Duke doesn’t even look at the harbor cities. Does he truly not think his son would do something so bold, or is he simply uninterested…….”

Emperor Alexei frowned. Finally, Damon, who had been quietly observing the atmosphere, lowered his voice and asked.

“So, Your Majesty…… you don’t intend to inform the Duke of Bannon?”

At that, Alexei nodded softly. The sound of someone swallowing echoed in the conference room.

The current Emperor, whose mother was from Roeta, had a weak position. Alexei wished to develop the friendship treaty with the Holy Kingdom of Roeta, which the previous Emperor had promoted, but the conservative noble faction always strongly opposed it.

No matter how much times changed, the nobles insisted that Rontiano must act in accordance with its imperial name, and for those who rejected foreign influence, an Emperor with Roeta blood was nothing but a thorn in their side.

Even when negotiating the academy exchange program, the Duke of Bannon stubbornly demanded a stake in the harbor city where the ships to Roeta docked. The Emperor listened to the nobles, but the friendship treaty never advanced, and only their profits increased.

In short, the Imperial Family had already suffered much.

Emperor Alexei smiled coldly.

“For once, I’ve got their weakness in my hands, so this time, I should gain something as well, shouldn’t I?”

It was evident to everyone present that Alexei intended to push out the noble faction. And it was something they had all been hoping for.

The world had changed.

In the Holy Kingdom of Roeta, magic advanced day by day, and the Rontiano Empire, whose mighty military was now useless, could no longer afford to fall behind.

Showing sympathy to the enemy would only help sink the ship. Even if he had to use his son, the Duke of Bannon had to be cast out.

“In that case, we will follow your will, Your Majesty.”

One by one, the nobles exchanged glances and nodded. It was time to drain the stagnant water.

* * *

The world was quiet and the sky was clear, as if nothing had happened. Brienne sat in the middle of a warm greenhouse, gazing up at the transparent glass ceiling.

Seeing the cloudless, clear sky, the night of pouring rain when she met Herace, and all that had happened to her, felt like a distant memory.

‘So even Derrick Harrington has disappeared……. What is happening?’

The investigation she thought would go smoothly had evaporated with Derrick’s disappearance. Up to now, it seemed only Brienne herself still couldn’t forget that day and was swallowing her anger.

Could things keep getting tangled like this? At this point, she wondered if someone had cursed her.

But such ridiculous delusions stopped there.

“Miss, are you still sitting here like this?”

Marie, holding a basket of bread, appeared through the greenhouse door.

“How long are you going to stay like this? You keep skipping meals.”

Marie’s face was full of concern. She had been keeping her distance at the Miss’s request for three hours now, but Brienne showed no sign of getting up.

It wasn’t unusual for Brienne to sit in one spot, but usually, she would be reading a book. Today, even that was missing from her hands, and that was the problem.

Whether she realized Marie’s worry or not, Brienne gave a faint smile.

“Hmm, my head is too full. Sorry, but I’ll pass on the bread. I haven’t had much appetite lately.”

“Miss…….”

Marie, sighing, put the bread basket away and quietly sat down next to Brienne. She leaned in and spoke softly.

“Then I’ll stay here too. You say you want to be alone, but you actually hate being alone, don’t you?”

“…….”

Brienne’s eyes widened in surprise at Marie’s behavior, which was unlike her. Her face seemed to ask how she knew. Marie looked into Brienne’s worried green eyes and let out a small sigh.

“How many years have I served you, Miss? I know everything about your heart.”

Marie had been there on the days Brienne followed Kaiden around, on the day news of Kaiden’s engagement arrived, and on the day Brienne disappeared and returned. She had always been by her side.

So there was no way she didn’t know how hard things had been for the already sensitive Brienne. Marie gently took her hand.

“Even if you don’t want me to, I’ll stay with you. It’s lonelier to be alone when things are hard.”

Maybe it was a bit bold, but Marie looked at Brienne, hoping she wasn’t displeased. Fortunately, she didn’t seem to mind. She must have been lonely enough to need even a maid’s comfort.

“…….”

Brienne, looking at Marie with surprised eyes, softly smiled and lowered her gaze. A gentle voice came from her lips.

“……Thank you always, Marie. You’re my only friend.”

Marie grinned at the shy reply. Sitting a little closer, she took a letter envelope out of her maid’s pocket.

“Well, even if I don’t count, it seems you have a new friend, Miss.”

“What’s this?”

“That secret letter that came a few days ago. Actually, I sat down next to you to give you this.”

“A secret letter?”

Brienne opened the envelope Marie handed her. The handwriting inside was familiar.