Chapter 96
“Father! Father!”
Upon hearing the news of a tragic incident at the apothecary, Jacob dashed into the shop in a panic.
“It’s the work of that notorious murderer that’s been causing a stir recently.”
“I never thought something this horrific would happen even in our village.”
Villagers gathered around the apothecary, whispering among themselves. Some kept their distance, too afraid to see the gruesome scene firsthand, while others tried to get closer.
“Step back! Step back!”
The guards blocked those trying to enter the crime scene.
Those held back directed their unanswered curiosity toward the guards.
“Was it really the work of that murderer? Did you catch him? Could he still be roaming the village?”
The guards’ eyes scanned the crowd, looking for Mark, hoping he could handle the questions they couldn’t answer.
Mark ignored the pleading look from the guard and gently placed a hand on Jacob’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry. By the time I found him, he had already lost too much blood to save.”
Mark explained that he had come to buy medicine but stumbled upon the murder scene. Seeing the collapsed shop owner, he had immediately tried to stop the bleeding. His clothes and body were soaked in blood, corroborating his claim.
Some of Jacob’s blood had transferred to Mark’s hand, but Jacob was in no state to care. Stunned, he gasped and trembled, unable to process the unbearable reality. His mind went blank as he struggled to accept that his father, so heavy in his arms, was dead.
“I’m sorry.”
Mark applied more pressure to Jacob’s shoulder as he apologized again, his voice full of genuine guilt.
“We will make sure the person who did this to your father pays for it,” he vowed.
Mark shifted his gaze to a wooden tray partially covered by the corpse’s hand. One corner bore the word “Guard” scrawled crookedly. He stared at the word with a pained expression.
“His Majesty would surely want the same.”
Finally, a tear slipped down Jacob’s face, despite his disbelief. Pressing his head against his father’s, he pleaded,
“Please catch them. Absolutely. Absolutely!”
Mark removed his hand from Jacob, straightened his bent posture, and instructed the guards to help remove the body before staggering away.
No one doubted him as he left. Only one soldier, who had brushed past Mark on the way to the scene, paused and turned back, struck by the momentary coldness in his otherwise sorrowful expression. The soldier quickly regained his composure and returned to the murder scene.
The apothecary owner of Tossen Village had been murdered by a robber. The news planted seeds of unease among the villagers.
“Could something have happened to Lord Lancaster too?”
“Is it possible they’re betraying the alliance?”
“Maybe they were ambushed as well.”
Even those who hadn’t taken the matter seriously began to voice their concerns. The rumor of Medo’s detention further inflamed the situation.
“The Knight Commander betrayed us! He tried to revolt against His Majesty and was caught!”
“That’s impossible. Lord Medo isn’t the type to do that!”
Since the reason for Medo’s detention was unknown, anxiety only grew.
“This is a sign that something is going terribly wrong. I’m sure of it!”
The timid Duchess of Lorkus cried, and other ladies slowly agreed. Daphne then intervened, chastising them:
“You speak recklessly!”
Watching the commotion, Daphne scolded the ladies:
“How can wives say such things when their husbands are bravely fighting?”
“I’m sorry, Baroness Lorkus.”
The Duchess of Lorkus apologized, flustered, but other noblewomen weren’t pleased. Especially since they had to be reprimanded by a woman who had been a baroness for barely a month.
“We meant no offense, Baroness,” said the ladies in gentle voices, though their eyes remained unsmiling.
Daphne realized her own behavior was bold but felt the need to draw a line against the overly anxious and cowardly ladies.
‘I’ve heard His Majesty admires courageous people.’
Her choice to camp instead of staying in the comfortable manor wasn’t just for her husband’s sake. Daphne, Baroness of Lorkus, had ambitions as high as her husband’s. She aimed to catch the king’s attention during this campaign, ultimately aspiring to the position of Head Lady-in-Waiting.
“Baroness, aren’t you afraid?”
“Not at all. I know His Majesty’s undefeated record will continue.”
Even if the noblewomen gave her sharp looks, she didn’t care. She had to present herself as confident, fearless, and competent in the king’s eyes.
“I have a bad feeling about this. My intuition rarely fails me!”
Yet the continuous negativity wore her down. Daphne scoffed quietly at the Duchess of Lorkus:
“You claim your intuition is so reliable, yet you didn’t foresee problems for the Knight Commander?”
The duchess fumbled, unable to respond. Until yesterday, she had praised Lord Medo highly.
“I’ve always thought Lord Medo was overrated,” Daphne said, listing five knights who outshone him without hesitation.
“So, you don’t acknowledge Lord Medo’s accomplishments?”
The Countess of Nyula asked calmly, her mature voice carrying authority.
“I didn’t say I don’t acknowledge him. He simply receives more than he deserves from His Majesty,” Daphne explained. She took a step back but maintained her stance.
“You can see he’s unfit to manage people just by observing how he handles the Head Lady-in-Waiting position thanks to his husband,” she added, seeking agreement.
“You’re more concerned about the Head Lady-in-Waiting than Lord Medo,” noted the Countess of Nyula, catching Daphne off guard.
“Well, that’s not wrong,” Daphne mumbled, embarrassed.
One lady remarked, “She’s just not used to managing people. She’s different from us.”
“Yes, we must understand that,” another added.
Although it seemed they were defending Sharon, they were subtly drawing a line, dismissing her for being of commoner origin. Daphne, unaware of this, grew frustrated.
She herself was a commoner and far from noble lineage but never excused herself for inexperience.
“If one can’t do it alone, they can share the work with others.”
But Sharon wouldn’t do that. Daphne offered to assist Babbary herself.
‘I appreciate the thought, but it’s fine.’
Sharon declined without a second thought. She was capable, careful not to offend the king, and had experience serving sensitive noblewomen as a maid. Daphne’s persuasion was futile.
“She kept refusing with odd excuses about her safety,” Daphne thought, frustrated. She couldn’t connect with Babbary, and if things continued, she would return empty-handed despite her efforts.
To Daphne, Sharon felt like an obstacle trying to monopolize the king’s attention.
“Actually, she’s right. You could have at least asked the Countess for advice,” the noblewomen agreed.
“Seems almost intentional, as if she wanted to exclude you,” another added.
“Perhaps she just didn’t have the chance,” Baroness Lorkus suggested, drawing the ladies’ attention.
The Countess of Nyula, listening silently, smiled faintly. She clearly saw the cunning noblewomen trying to use Daphne to control Sharon.
“Seems the Head Lady-in-Waiting is considerate of the busy Baroness,” she remarked.
Daphne frowned. She didn’t agree with either “considerate” or “busy Baroness.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, confused. Nyula continued sewing calmly:
“She’s probably busy taking care of the manor. But wandering around makes her a worry.”
Daphne flushed at being told to mind her own business.
“And…”
Before Nyula could finish, a loud crash came from behind the tent.
“What are you doing?!”
“Your Majesty, you pushed it over,” someone whispered.
Daphne’s face went pale as she lifted the tent flap. Babbary and Kur were squabbling.
“Your Majesty,” the Countess of Nyula stood, and the other ladies followed suit.
“I was listening, but you got caught because of yourself,” Babbary said, elbowing Kur. Though silent, Kur’s expression clearly protested being blamed.
“You were cursing behind our backs.”
“Sorry. I didn’t think His Majesty would hear…”
“You need to tell Sharon,” Babbary chuckled, prompting a reaction from the noblewomen. Daphne turned the palest of all.
“Wait, let me correct something,” Babbary stopped, thinking.
“Sharon isn’t benefiting from Medo.”
She sought Kur’s agreement. He glanced at the noblewomen over his shoulder. They looked puzzled, met his eyes, and quickly lowered theirs.
Babbary spotted Sharon at the canyon entrance. Only her back was visible, but he guessed her face was very dark—she looked ready to jump at any moment.
“Why are you sulking like that? Don’t you know it’s dangerous to wander alone?”
He deliberately approached with heavy steps, prompting Sharon to turn and face him.
