* * *

“Find Marquis Winston Zenon.”

Even the renowned Zenon family, famous throughout the Empire, were struck by an imperial thunderbolt.

It had been merely two days since the incident.

Despite a lack of substantial evidence, the Emperor issued an order to arrest Marquis Winston Zenon, accusing him of assassinating Duke Raphael Rodney.

The Zenon estate was thoroughly searched by knights dispatched from the imperial palace.

Not only the servants but even Marquis Winston’s parents were interrogated.

Arrows were shot into the towering trees in the garden to check if Marquis Winston was hiding among the branches.

Yet, despite such extreme measures, Marquis Winston Zenon was far from the estate.

“Have you searched every corner?”

The captain of the knights questioned his men.

“Yes, we’ve looked everywhere, but he is nowhere to be found.”

“In that case, search the storage sheds, gardens, and underground cellars outside the mansion. If we return empty-handed, His Majesty may lose his temper. We must find Marquis Winston Zenon at all costs. He is a murderer who killed Duke Raphael Rodney.”

Although the captain urged his knights, Marquis Winston Zenon remained elusive.

As the Zenon estate descended into chaos, as the Edith family had before, Winston Zenon’s father, Marquis Austin Zenon, confronted the imperial knights.

“Why are you looking for my son? Do you have any evidence? My son has nothing to do with Duke Raphael Rodney’s death.”

“Marquis Austin, as difficult as it may be to believe, this is an order from His Majesty.”

“What?”

An order from His Majesty.
Marquis Austin Zenon was speechless.

From the moment his son Winston had grown to inherit the title of Marquis, they had faithfully followed the Emperor’s commands and never harmed any other noble.

Yet now, the Emperor had tarnished his son’s name with a murder accusation, an act that was incomprehensible to Austin.

His son, who had sworn loyalty to the Empire and had never defied the Emperor, was suddenly labeled a murderer by none other than the Emperor himself. This situation made the ruler appear unhinged.

“Where is he hidden?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Your son, it would be best to speak the truth if you know where he is. If you have concealed him in some secret space within this estate, you too will be considered an accomplice to murder and held accountable.”

As the furious captain accused him, Marquis Austin Zenon reached for the dagger at his belt, but knights rushed to the captain before he could act.

“Captain, Marquis Winston Zenon is nowhere on this estate. We’ve searched the pond, the trees—everywhere—but not even a strand of hair has been found.”

“The servants seem genuinely unaware as well. We even checked the treetops but found nothing. He is not here.”

“Is that so? It seems he has already fled. I suppose it makes sense—after committing such a grave crime, staying within the estate would be unthinkable. We must report to His Majesty and issue an empire-wide wanted notice.”

At the captain’s words, Marquis Austin Zenon, unable to swing his dagger, collapsed in despair.

* * *

Looking around at the mansion left in shambles by the knights, Austin Zenon clenched his fists in fury.

Unable to resist or speak up, the servants remained silent as they watched the collapsed and defeated Marquis Austin.

The captain of the knights turned to him and spoke again.

“Marquis Winston Zenon will soon be captured. He may face execution, so steel yourself. That is all I can say.”

Marquis Austin Zenon glared at the captain through his tears, but before he could respond, the knights quickly left the estate and headed back to the imperial palace.

* * *

“See? I told you this would happen. His Majesty would turn on you like this,” said Selena Scarlet as she addressed Marquis Winston Zenon, sitting in her carriage.

Selena Scarlet had been troubled by the events that had unfolded at Duke Raphael Rodney’s estate a few days prior.

The sudden onslaught of arrows and the death of Duke Raphael Rodney.

Kristin’s desperate run into the duke’s mansion amidst the chaos.

Selena instinctively knew this was no ordinary situation.

One thing Kristin had said lingered in Selena’s mind—the presence of Princess Rebella.

With Duke Raphael Rodney, a key ally of the Emperor, struck down in a surprise attack, Selena suspected Winston Zenon would be next.

It was all part of an effort to seize the Union Empire. If Kristin’s words about the coming military invasion were true, the conspirators would likely assassinate any figures who threatened Princess Rebella’s plans, one by one.

Selena Scarlet had written to Marquis Winston Zenon before the Emperor could issue any orders, asking to meet him. She had since been protecting him.

“Is His Majesty accusing me of something I didn’t do?”

Marquis Winston Zenon turned to Selena Scarlet, his face etched with shock. He had witnessed the knights surrounding the Zenon estate and still struggled to believe it was happening.

“Marquis Winston, please listen carefully. A few days ago, Lady Kristin shared something important with me.”

“Lady Kristin?”

At the mention of Kristin, Winston Zenon hesitated, unable to lift his head.

To him, Kristin was still a painful memory.

He thought he had moved on, but part of his heart still wrestled with the conflict between letting her go and holding onto the love they once shared.

This inner turmoil deepened as Kristin’s current whereabouts remained unknown, leaving him even more weighed down.

“Lady Kristin recently visited the Praga Empire. She mentioned seeing soldiers training in a place called Eriha.”

“Soldiers training? That sounds normal. Did she notice anything concerning?”

“She managed to speak with one of the soldiers and learned they plan to invade the Union Empire.”

“Then the person who killed Duke Raphael Rodney must be…”

“Yes.”

“Are you suggesting it could be Princess Rebella?”

“That’s what I believe. If it’s Princess Rebella, it seems entirely plausible. We’ll have to watch closely to see what happens next, but…”

Marquis Winston Zenon was stunned by Selena Scarlet’s words.

Although it didn’t seem implausible, he hesitated, staring at her silently.

A grave danger loomed over the once-peaceful Union Empire if the situation was as she described.

“The situation is dire. Is there anything we can do?”

In response, Selena Scarlet handed a small note to Marquis Winston Zenon.

As he carefully unfolded it, the familiar handwriting immediately caught his attention.

He instantly recognized who had sent the letter.

“Is this a letter from Lady Kristin?”

Selena Scarlet nodded at Winston Zenon’s question and replied.

“We need to meet Lady Kristin Edith. She’ll likely need our help. For now, neither you nor I can act openly, so the best we can do is support her efforts behind the scenes.”

“I understand.”

When Marquis Winston Zenon nodded in agreement, Selena Scarlet returned the gesture and continued.

“Lady Kristin plans to infiltrate the imperial palace in secret. At the very least, we must ensure she can make her way inside safely tonight.”

“Why is Lady Kristin trying to enter the palace?”

Marquis Winston Zenon asked with concern. Turning her gaze to the carriage window, Selena Scarlet answered.

“Most likely, she wants to see things up close—the current situation. Princess Rebella, of course, and the schemes and plots unfolded within the palace. And who better to overhear everything than the maids working there? Even if it’s not the audience chamber, gathering information inside the palace is far more effective than simply waiting and reacting from outside.”

“How could she attempt something so dangerous…”

Marquis Winston Zenon fell silent for a moment. After some thought, he turned to Selena Scarlet with a firm resolve.

“Allow me to enter as well.”

“But Marquis Winston, you must stay hidden. If you’re discovered, you’ll be captured and executed immediately.”

However, the resolute expression on Winston Zenon’s face left no room for argument. Knowing his unyielding nature from their childhood, Selena Scarlet sighed and relented.

“Very well. I’ll help the two of you gain access to the palace.”

* * *