Chapter 90

90. The Stratagem

Martin Owens’ letter was delivered nestled within the late afternoon newspaper. Adelaide, picking up the paper as she usually did, discovered the letter and broke the seal.

A faint smile spread across her face as she read it. The letter contained information that the Emperor had demanded the auction ledger and had been sent a fake one. Adelaide carefully folded the letter and burned it.

‘Predictable as always.’

Predicting Elkius’s actions was easy. He was a master at exploiting weaknesses to manipulate people. It was obvious that he would start with the ledger to subdue Samuel Dorfman.

‘It’s fortunate we were prepared for this…’

It was disappointing not to take advantage of the opportunity to publicly expose Elkius’s misdeeds. With such a stage set, merely preventing Samuel Dorfman from being swayed wasn’t enough.

While Elkius’s next move needed careful watching, his request for the ledger indicated he wasn’t abandoning Cardinal Orland. This meant Cardinal Orland would likely remain loyal to the Emperor.

Adelaide pondered the ashes of the letter.

‘To expose Elkius’s crimes through Cardinal Orland’s own words…’

After some thought, she retrieved a small vial from a drawer.

‘The best strategy is to sow discord.’

She wrote a brief note and summoned Margaret.

“Margaret, I want to send chrysanthemums to the church. Could you go to the florist for me?”

“Yes, my lady.”

Margaret replied as if she understood everything without needing further explanation. Adelaide handed her the sealed vial and note and rose from her seat.

“Oh, and before you go, tell Zatia to bring some refreshments to His Grace’s study.”

“Yes, my lady. Is there anything specific you’d like?”

“Anything easy to eat will do.”

“Understood. I’ll be back soon.”

Margaret replied cheerfully and turned to leave. Watching her for a moment, Adelaide then headed to Callion’s study.

A knock at the door was met with a response from inside.

“Come in.”

Callion, sitting on the sofa reading a thick book, looked up and smiled brightly upon recognizing his visitor.

“Adele.”

“Your Grace, I hope I’m not disturbing you…”

“No, I was just about to head to my room. Come in.”

Rising from his seat, Callion gently pulled her by the wrist. Adelaide’s gaze fell on the book on the table.

“How’s it going?”

“Not well.”

Callion shook his head, a rare look of frustration on his face, which made her laugh. He spoke in a disgruntled tone.

“Don’t laugh at me. I’m doing my best.”

“I’m not laughing at you.”

“I can tell from your expression.”

“I really wasn’t. I’m sorry if it upset you.”

As a flustered Adelaide waved her hands, his previously annoyed expression softened. Callion chuckled softly.

“There’s no point in joking if you take it so seriously, is there?”

“It’s not my fault you’re not good at jokes.”

To joke with such a serious face. As she pouted, Callion playfully poked her cheek.

“I really am struggling. I don’t think I have a knack for law.”

“Why? You’ve already come to a conclusion.”

“Yes, but…”

Callion trailed off, opening the book of legal precedents.

“There’s no precedent for a cardinal harming the Pope, so I’m unsure what punishment is appropriate.”

“He committed regicide; shouldn’t it be the death penalty?”

“Death, yes, but I need to decide on the method of execution and what to do afterward… There are many decisions to make.”

He spoke with a weary look. It was clear he hadn’t slept much, having spent several days preparing for the trial. Adelaide gently encouraged him.

“You’re doing well. Don’t worry too much.”

“Your reassurance is comforting.”

Callion’s reply was lighter. Before he could add more, Zatia entered the room.

“My lady, I’ve brought some refreshments.”

“Put them here.”

As Zatia placed the tray down and left, Adelaide picked up a sandwich.

“Anyway, please eat. I heard you barely had lunch.”

“Who told you that?”

“Who else but Jensen? Now, eat.”

Callion muttered as he looked at the sandwich.

“My hands are dirty.”

“I’ll get a wet towel—”

“You can feed me.”

“What?”

Adelaide nearly dropped the sandwich. Callion shamelessly grinned.

“What are you waiting for? You told me to eat.”

Adelaide, shaking her head at his brazenness, reluctantly brought the sandwich to his mouth. Callion took a bite, mischief dancing in his eyes.

“Aren’t you eating?”

“I already had a big breakfast and lunch.”

“You’re not trying to get me to stop eating, are you?”

“If you didn’t trust me, you should have had lunch with me.”

As she scolded him and offered the sandwich again, Callion smiled and opened his mouth.

Despite his words, he devoured three slices of sandwich in no time, seemingly quite hungry. Adelaide, pushing the empty tray aside, started to speak.

“We received a letter from Martin Owens earlier. Elkius has requested the ledger.”

“Your prediction was correct.”

“Yes. He probably planned to seize control by exploiting Samuel Dorfman’s weakness.”

“It’s a good thing we dealt with it in advance.”

“Still, I think we should keep someone close to Samuel Dorfman.”

She responded with a cautious look.

“Didn’t you say he wouldn’t betray us?”

“One weakness might be manageable, but we can’t be sure.”

Even with memories from a past life, what she knew about Samuel Dorfman was limited. If there was any corruption she was unaware of, Elkius would certainly exploit it.

Callion straightened up as he spoke.

“Just the other day, when I visited the temple, I told Cardinal Dorfman to let me know if there were any matters he needed to resolve before becoming Pope.”

“What did he say?”

“He said there was nothing to worry about.”

Callion added.

“He assured me there were no issues aside from what happened in Tiflis.”

“Are the priests of the Therminas temple safe?”

“Hmm. If it’s within Tiflis, there’s nothing to worry about.”

Tiflis was entirely under Callion’s control. Because of the Noxia cultivation, soldiers had been dispatched to the Therminas temple, making it easy to monitor the priests.

Hearing this, Adelaide finally relaxed.

“Even so, you must remain cautious. We can’t predict how Elkius might respond after the trial.”

“I am aware of that, and it’s been mentioned that my uncle might exercise his right of appeal.”

“The right of appeal?”

“It’s a unique imperial privilege used when there are doubts about the trial’s outcome. If exercised, the entire jury is replaced and the case is reviewed from the beginning.”

Though such an event was rare given the clear circumstances and the political burden involved, the mere existence of this right posed a problem.

“Do you think Elkius would go that far?”

“I can’t say how far my uncle would go for Cardinal Orland.”

Callion shook his head.

If Elkius considered using the right to appeal because Cardinal Orland knew too much, then making him speak in a public courtroom would be the best strategy.

… Would it work?

Adelaide fell into thought, recalling the vial she had sent with Margaret.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Cardinal Orland, feeling desperate, fumbled along the stone wall of the confessional. Except for a brief interrogation a few days ago, he has been confined here since the incident occurred.

‘What is His Majesty doing!’

This all happened because of him. Even if he couldn’t directly ask for help, he should have sent someone by now, knowing about the incident.

As he fumed with frustration, a creaking noise caught his attention. It was the sound of a priest opening the small hatch at the bottom of the iron door to deliver his meal.

“Your Eminence.”

Cardinal Orland’s ears perked up at the unexpected voice, and he crawled to the door.

“Who, who is it?”

“It’s the novice priest bringing you your meal, Your Eminence.”

“What is it?”

“A distinguished person has sent something for you.”

The priest slid a small pouch along with the simple meal through the hatch. Cardinal Orland quickly snatched the pouch. It was as light as it was small.

“Is this all?”

“Yes, they said you would understand their intentions from that.”

‘Yes, His Majesty wouldn’t abandon me.’ With a brightened expression, Cardinal Orland asked.

“Is the trial date set?”

“It’s three days from now. They also asked me to convey their hope that you will prepare well.”

“Understood. Thank you.”

The priest quietly left, as silently as he had come. Waiting until he couldn’t hear any footsteps, Cardinal Orland eagerly opened the pouch.

“…….”

Inside was a single vial. Cardinal Orland’s face hardened instantly. He knew all too well what this vial meant.

“How could His Majesty… give this to me….”

His voice splintered as he spoke. The death of the Marquis of Flanders flashed through his mind.

‘You want me to follow in the footsteps of the Marquis of Flanders.’

His hand trembled with rage and betrayal as he held the vial. He threw it forcefully, shattering it into pieces.

Cardinal Orland clenched his teeth.

“……I will not die alone, Your Majesty.”