Chapter 72

As soon as the conference was over, Duke Otien returned to his residence immediately.

“Come in.”

Salihan, who had seen the sight of his unusual appearance, followed him nervously.

“What happened in the Imperial Palace?”

“The Emperor has left the Imperial Palace.”

At those words, he immediately hardened his expression while Duke Otien persisted, “…Do you think it makes sense that we don’t know this important fact?”

As he raised his voice while beating the desk, Salihan immediately bowed his head.

“I’m sorry.”

“I told you to monitor every move, what were you doing?”

“He moved away from the surveillance…”

“You should have caught even that!”

As if displeased, Duke Otien struck the desk once more.

“I heard that he went undercover to secure a transportation route due to a transport accident in Ielro.”

“Isn’t that accident… deliberately caused by Princess Medicis?”

“Yeah. That’s why I couldn’t even argue.”

All of a sudden, he remembered the man who was staring at him while talking about the accident.

“…The Chancellor acted like he knew we were behind it.”

“You killed all those involved in that matter, didn’t you?”

“Yes, but obviously, he knew something.”

…What? It was the card they were holding from the other side.

Thinking that, Duke Otien’s eyes narrowed.

“Now, find out when and with whom the Emperor went out.”

Ordering that, the Duke leaned on the backrest and narrowed his brow, “Why the transport accident? It’s something the Emperor doesn’t have to step in.”

“Isn’t he the one who was anxious because he couldn’t leave the Imperial Palace?”

“But, it seems that the Chancellor is trying to hide something.”

It was because it was unusual for Duke Buccleuch and the Chancellor to exchange glances with each other.

“If we go to check the transportation route, it will take quite a while. There will be a lot of places to look around.”

“The purpose is to buy time.”

Duke Otien tapped the desk.

“Although I don’t know where and what he was doing, it will take quite a while…”

There was annoyance on his face.

“If the Emperor does not return until Thierra’s trade negotiators arrive, the plan for Princess Medicis will go awry.”

“Damn it.”

He thought she was a good card to use, so he reached out. However, before seeing any results, the Emperor escaped like a loach.

“What is the current progress?”

“According to the contact, it seems that the magic of delusion could not be completed.”

“Useless woman.”

A rustling sound fell to the floor.

“For now, we must make both the Prince and the Princess stay in the Imperial Palace.”

Because he had already revealed his true identity, Duke Otien had to squeeze them out as much as he could use them.

“I will prepare accordingly.”

“Tell that girl there’s no second chance.”

When the Emperor returned, she would have to prove her worth even by rushing in naked like the Ielro Princess.

“Your Excellency, wouldn’t this be more of an opportunity?”

Salihan’s eyes lit up like a wildcat in front of prey. While he was angry because of the situation beyond my control, it was an opportunity if used wisely.

“…Since the Emperor sneaked out, he only moved with a handful of people.”

Duke Otien’s eyes widened at his words.

“Send assassins wherever possible.”

Since he left the Imperial Palace on his own to do what he wanted, it seemed that the Emperor rolled his head in his own way. Nevertheless, when he ran away, it was always in the palm of Duke Otien’s hand.

Nothing would change this time around.

* * *

“How dare, for me to throw myself? Like the vulgar Ielro girl…?”

Jennifer trembled in anger as she crumpled the letter she was holding.

Was this old man crazy…?

She did ask for help first, though how dare he treat her like that?

“The Duke of the Empire is too arrogant. He would be unable to move in front of the lower caste’s magic.”

She then took a deep breath as she turned to Sylla, who criticized Duke Otien sternly with a dry expression.

‘If you thoroughly use it here, it’s enough.’

The Duke would only know that the shaman was brought from Tierra. The hounds could be postponed until after the hunt was over, and the important thing now was the Emperor.

“Is it true that the Emperor left the Imperial Palace?”

Jennifer’s eyes suddenly sharpened, and Sylla lowered her head with a stiff face.

“You can’t even check the Emperor’s movements properly?”

When Jennifer slapped her on the cheek, Sylla’s head turned sharply with the sound of the slapping.

“…I’m sorry.”

Sylla quickly lowered her head to hide her blushing cheeks.

“When the hell did he leave?”

“It has been a while, food and papers had been in and out of the bedroom, so I couldn’t check it.”

Despite the fact that the time promised with the Emperor was quickly approaching, the person in question now suddenly disappeared?

This couldn’t be. It couldn’t be like this.

“Aaaah!”

Jennifer couldn’t contain her anger and swept away the items on the table.

A loud noise echoed through the room.

“Are you insulting me without knowing it was an honor to choose me?”

Venom filled her black chest as she breathed heavily. She endured her hurt pride at his callous reaction even after seeing her beauty.

“But now, he’s gone completely?”

It was the first time in her life that she had been insulted like this.

How could this Jennifer not be able to control one man? She was so angry that she wanted to kill him right away. However, when she remembered his strong and beautiful figure, she became madly covetous of him.

Every man in the world had to kneel to her.

‘…That’s not fair.’

If she couldn’t become a king just because she was born as a woman, shouldn’t she be able to have a world like that?

“The magic of delusion must have been activated anyway, so he can’t get out of my hand.”

It was a gift for the doll.

No matter how uninterested he may be, he probably touched it at least once.

Then, he won’t fall for other women. It was because a person under the magic of delusion couldn’t give his heart to anything other than the one he had to be charmed at. So, it meant that there was still a chance to win.

“The Ielro girl probably didn’t go with him, did she?”

“She still remains in the Imperial Palace.”

Jennifer’s fierce eyes softened a little.

“Why is that girl okay?!”

Although she should have been drying up because of the sleep poison by now, she just went for a walk without any problems.

“Did the Emperor find out?”

The day Stella collapsed, the Emperor and the chancellor brought a doctor, and the Princess recovered. How did they know it was magic? Perhaps, the Emperor had a shaman…?

“Sylla, secretly find out if the Princess is using the scented candles.”

“Understood.”

At this point, she thought it would be good to deal with that Ielro’s girl.

“Tell that old man to tell me about the Emperor’s destination.”

As Duke Otien mentioned, Jennifer knew very well that she had no more chances so she would have to do everything she could.

* * *

“That’s the Great Temple.”

Beyond Declan’s finger, a magnificent building constructed in all white was visible. The tension that had been forgotten for a moment filled me up, and I grabbed his two hands tightly.

“Everything will be alright.”

I nodded slightly at his softly curved eyes.

‘…Yeah, I’ve come this far. I can’t hold back any longer.’

I would be sure to check what was at the end of this.

By the time we reached the main gate, the sky was already darkening. After passing through the main gate and reaching the front of the Great Temple building, the carriage stopped. When I got out of the carriage, there were three men who seemed to have come to meet me.

“Welcome, Your Majesty. You have had a hard time coming this far.”

The middle-aged man in the gold who was standing in front bowed his head with a gentle smile. Seeing that the priest’s attire was the most splendid among the three, it seemed that he was the Pope.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen you in person. I’m Czeran.”

The pope had a softer and more compassionate impression than expected.

“You asked me to keep the visit secret, so only me and the cardinals came to greet.”

“It’s what I asked for.”

“It must have been a difficult journey, so what if we talk tomorrow?”

“That’ll be good.”

“Then, I will guide you to the room.”

The inside of the Great Temple, like the exterior, was all white, so I was terrified. The high ceiling was painted and lit with a torch, while the windows were made of stained glass, creating a sacred atmosphere.

There was no one passing by, so there was a loud sound of footsteps.

“Your Majesty, you can stay here.”

The Pope stopped at a room inside the temple.

“You can rest assured that this is a place only cardinals can go.”

Declan nodded his head indifferently at his words.

“I’ll send priests if you need them.”

“It’s fine. A servant came with me.”

Saying so, he pointed to Hans, and the Pope smiled softly.

“Well, I’ll see you tomorrow. Please, rest comfortably.”

After the Pope and the cardinals said goodbye and left, Liam and Wenzel checked Declan’s room.

“Me and Sir Oswan will take turns guarding the door.”

Nodding at Liam’s words, Declan entered the room.

“I’m glad we got here safely.”

Still, I couldn’t relax throughout the journey, worrying if there would be an assassination attempt. Thankfully, it seemed that Duke Otien had not yet figured out our destination.

“Looks like Mason is doing a good job.”

Declan sat down, leaning on the sofa.

“We will start in earnest from tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

Trying to calm my trembling heart, I thought of things to do from tomorrow one by one.