Chapter 163

Chapter 163

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Chapter 163

"The atmosphere is so unsettling, it ruins my appetite."

"Is that all Your Grace, Duke Peletta, has to say after hearing the contents of the letter?"

The voice that questioned him came from a man standing closest to Crown Prince Katchian. He was the third son of a noble count family, a knight affiliated with a rather well-known order. Although he had a reputation for his fiery, justice-driven nature, those who knew him were well aware that this was simply a fa?ade to mask his violent temperament, which often entangled him in brawls.

Most of those remaining in the room were eager, young men, with little inheritance and great ambition. They saw their future in the prince who was to be the Empire's next ruler, and they were desperate to gain his favor. Hoping to seize this opportunity to make a name for themselves, they loudly expressed their opinions with barely concealed intentions. In response, Kishiar pretended to be ignorant and tilted his head.

"What should I have said then?"

"Just a few days ago, Your Highness proclaimed a thorough investigation into the Apeto family, ensuring they would face the judgment of the law. And yet, it has been revealed that you secretly invited the young Lord Lenore here. How can you say that you have nothing to say? Shouldn't you clarify the true nature of your relationship with him?"

The young knight brazenly raised his voice.

"So, you seem quite certain that I invited him."

"Are you saying you did not?"

The young knight thought that Kishiar was lost for words, hence his pretense of composure. The rumor that Duke Peletta, who lived solely by leaning on the Emperor's generosity, was merely a pretty face who could hardly read a book, was well-known.

This was his first time seeing the Duke up close, but looking at his appearance, sans the cloak that had somehow been lost from his formal attire, he thought the rumor was indeed accurate.

Seeing the eyes of those observing the situation, regretting that they didn't act first, bolstered his confidence.

"Aren't we still unsure if the letter is genuinely from the second prince of Apeto?"

"There are circumstantial pieces that one could reasonably deduce from, are there not? If Your Grace fails to give a convincing explanation and continues to avoid answering, some might think that the death of Lord Lenore was more than just a coincidence."

"Circumstantial conjectures, is it? Alright, let me try my hand at that."

A strange smile appeared on Kishiar's face as he echoed the young knight's words.

"Let's concede for a moment that, as you suggest, the second prince of Apeto did come to meet me. However, the letter only promised a meeting. His death was an accident, so by your logic, shouldn't I be quite surprised that the person I was supposed to meet suddenly died? I think my conjecture makes more sense, what do you think?"

"What are you saying? This situation is entirely different..."

"Oh? So you still believe that I deceived the second prince of Apeto into coming here and that his death is closely related to me? If you want to believe what you want to believe, then there's nothing more I need to say."

"I... I didn't exactly say that."

Although he was indeed leaning towards that notion, the young knight didn't want to be cornered by directly stating it, so he took a step back.

"What I am saying is... given that Lord Lenore's death is related to the failed assassination attempt on the Crown Prince, we shouldn't overlook the shadows of doubt in this case. It's with this in mind that I felt the need to advise...!"

Kishiar, leaving behind those who reveled in foreboding his misfortune, exited the hall. Shortly after, the Empress followed him out of the hall.

"Duke! Please wait."

"Yes. I knew you would come, so I've been waiting."

Seeing Kishiar standing nonchalantly just outside the hall, the Empress appeared briefly taken aback. However, she quickly regained her composure and lowered her voice.

"What are you thinking, exactly? You didn't really summon Apeto' second son, did you?"

"You still don't know me well. Of course, I did not."

At Kishiar's straightforward reply, the Empress's eyes flickered.

"Then why on earth are you acting like this...?"

"One must take a hit to figure out the opponent's purpose."

Of course, in reality, he had not taken a hit, and had managed to gauge all of Katchian's maneuvers as he had wanted. However, Kishiar swallowed these words, flashing a smile instead.

"Please tell His Majesty the Emperor that I'm sorry I cannot join him for dinner. I'll be going to the Eternal Palace where I spent my princehood."

"Are you really going just like that? Since you came all this way, wouldn't it be better to meet and talk with His Majesty directly?"

"That won't be possible today. There is someone waiting for me."

Normally, for his brother's sake, he would have chosen to have dinner with the three of them, but today was different. As he pictured Yuder Aile's pale face, still suffering from the pain of a manifestation, he shook his head. At this, the Empress's brow furrowed.

"Is it someone related to your lost cloak?"

His sister-in-law occasionally had an astonishingly sharp intuition. Kishiar hesitated for a moment before admitting it.

"How did you guess?"

"I couldn't say it earlier, but somehow, ever since you returned without your cloak... you've seemed a bit different."

"Different, you say...?"

"How should I put it? You seemed like someone eager to get up and leave. If it's not because of the Crown Prince, there can be only one reason left."

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