~CHAPTER 26~
“He is indeed from Arasas.”
“He avoided conscription during his teens and drifted into Catalos where he met his current wife.”
“He has three children.”
The report about the servant who stabbed Dianu was not long.
Rision gave a small nod for him to continue.
Nairon turned a page of the report.
“Through his wife’s connections, he entered as an assistant gardener at Fir Palace three years ago.”
“He has no criminal history.”
“He has good reputation both among neighbors and at church.”
“Only a few close relatives knew he was originally from Arasas.”
But that information leaked in some way, and he became the target of blackmail from the true culprit.
Rision rubbed his temple.
“He will most certainly say he doesn’t know who ordered it.”
“Yes.”
“His parents and siblings are still in Arasas, and he was told they would all be killed if he didn’t obey.”
“You confirmed the facts, correct?”
Nairon folded the report twice and placed it in front of Rision.
“We confirmed the threatening letter.”
“It included detailed identification and residence information of his family in Arasas.”
It would need to be verified again through Rabelan, but the letter was likely genuine.
“It seems unlikely he has any reason to lie at this point.”
“He says he will do anything as long as his wife and children are spared.”
Rision nodded at that.
He agreed.
When Rision appeared in the temporary holding room inside the imperial prayer chamber where the man was hidden away from outside eyes, the man immediately collapsed flat on the floor and begged for his life.
He was so beyond reason that Rision had to give up interrogating him himself.
The mastermind must have known he used someone of that level from the start.
Even if they dug further, nothing more would come out.
Which left only the aftermath.
“What do you think, Aunt?”
“What should I do with him?”
Ellaris, who had been sitting a short distance away, shook her head.
“If you plan to cover this incident, the fewer who know the truth, the better.”
“You are telling me to silence him permanently.”
“The moment he raised a blade to the Princess, the reason no longer matters.”
“Death is unavoidable.”
“I’m not so sure.”
Rision covered his crossed knee with both hands.
“Publicly, it is a case of the Princess’s governess being stabbed.”
“I cannot sentence him to death for attempted murder of the Princess when I do not have the grounds to announce that charge.”
“If there is no formal ruling, I become an Emperor who executes a commoner without due process.”
“No one will know.”
“But I will know.”
He did not see himself as righteous.
He could sacrifice the life of a loyal subject if necessary, and he could choose what was best for the empire’s people even if the cost was a single individual.
That was how he was educated and what he had accepted as truth.
But that was also why some principles could never be broken.
The decision did not take long.
“Nairon.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Officially, announce that he died while imprisoned.”
“Then send him to Arasas.”
“We may need his testimony someday.”
“Keep him alive at any cost.”
“What about his wife and children?”
“Since the matter is being covered, further attempts to silence them should not occur.”
“But monitor them for a time.”
“Yes.”
Rision glanced toward Ellaris.
She wore an expression that held faint disapproval.
“You must have known I would choose this.”
“Lady Dianu could have been seriously hurt.”
“Even if he is only a pawn, it feels unacceptable for him to walk away without punishment.”
“He must live far from the wife and three children he tried to protect with his life.”
“That should be enough of a price for wounding a young lady.”
One matter was resolved, but a larger problem still remained.
“The attendant has not yet been found?”
The captain of the Imperial Guard lowered his head.
“My apologies.”
“Unlike the servant, he seems to have secured an escape route beforehand.”
Elpenlira remembered the exact appearance of the attendant who guided her and Dianu to the garden.
Identifying him was not difficult.
Like every other imperial attendant, his background and status were verified and proper.
The guards raided both the attendant quarters and his family home.
But his whereabouts remained unknown.
Ellaris summarized what everyone feared.
“It is reasonable to assume he has already been eliminated.”
It was natural.
Among the servant, the hunter assassin, and the attendant, the one closest to the mastermind was the attendant.
And the mastermind, Belua Duke, was someone who handled loose ends perfectly.
When Edric was murdered, Rision had been convinced Belua Duke ordered it, but he had not secured evidence strong enough to execute a high-ranking noble.
Rision’s grip tightened against the desk.
‘But this time is different.’
They had a new lead involving Ambassador Nicksandor.
‘Belua Duke planned this with Ambassador Nicksandor.’
‘Are you certain?’
‘Your Majesty danced with Ambassador Nicksandor’s wife more than three times that day.’
‘That is enough to confirm it.’
Dianu had said that.
But it was not only her testimony (or the fact that the Ambassador’s wife refused to let go of his hand that night).
The servant who attacked Dianu had family in Arasas, and only someone with power rooted in Arasas could have tracked and threatened them effectively.
Belua Duke may be flawless in covering his own tracks, but Ambassador Nicksandor was not.
He was a freshwater fish trying to survive in the ocean of Catalos.
One day he would make a mistake.
Rision only needed to watch for that.
Crimes that included killing the Emperor’s representative, conspiring with a foreign ambassador, and attempting harm to the Princess.
Belua Duke would fall without fail.
‘If I throw in Nicksandor as dowry compensation, Rabelan will love it.’
Rabelan hated Ambassador Nicksandor, calling him a sneaky old serpent who acted loyal only to her father.
Rision issued instructions to his aides one by one.
Nairon and the captain of the guards left the office with heavy workloads.
Ellaris was the last to remain.
“May I speak to you alone, Your Majesty?”
Her serious expression made Rision pause his work of burning documents.
He perched on the edge of his desk.
“Go ahead.”
“It is about Lady Dianu.”
“…What happened to her?”
“Before leaving Oak Palace, I spoke briefly with Countess Ornin.”
“She said gifts from young gentlemen arrive for Lady Dianu every single day.”
Rision narrowed his eyes, unable to see how that involved him.
Since the Empress’s seat remained vacant, the household matters of Oak Palace were handled entirely by Countess Ornin.
Rision trusted her and saw no reason to involve himself in private affairs of the women’s quarters.
Ellaris sighed as if everything finally made sense.
“She doesn’t seem to realize it is because of you.”
“Why would admirers gather around a beautiful and intelligent lady because of me?”
“If Miss Ortensa is troubled, Countess Ornin can simply handle it.”
“No one even knew such a beautiful and intelligent young lady existed until Your Majesty showed interest.”
“That is why her name is now known everywhere.”
Rision was truly taken aback.
“When did I ever do such a thing?”
Ellaris raised an eyebrow like she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
Rision stared back, just as stubborn.
A silent battle of wills stretched on between aunt and nephew.
Rision surrendered first.
“Fine.”
“So what must I do?”
“What has already happened cannot be undone.”
“But now, you must be very careful.”
“Once everything is settled and she quietly leaves the palace, attention will fade.”
“For her future, that would be best.”
Rision froze for a moment.
Leave the palace.
Dianu Ortensa would leave the palace.
‘I plan to keep her close and find her a good marriage match.’
Why?
Those words from Ellaris during their stay at Erbinjel Grand Duchy suddenly surfaced in his mind.
He had ignored it back then.
She was beautiful, intelligent, and kind.
Even if her family was not prestigious, with the backing of the Grand Duchess of Erbinjel, she would surely marry well.
In a wedding dress before the altar, Dianu would be more radiant than anyone.
He suddenly realized he was crushing the half-burned report in his fist.
Ellaris’s gaze held a subtle accusation.
Rision spoke through clenched teeth.
“…I am trying.”
“I know.”
“Another man wouldn’t even try.”
“But you must try harder.”
“…”
“It’s for Lady Dianu.”
“She may have scars on her body, but everything else must be returned to her untouched and whole.”
Before leaving, Ellaris stepped forward and patted Rision’s shoulder.
It was her best form of comfort, since she could not embrace him.
Rision, now alone, lay down on the long sofa and closed his eyes.
The chief attendant entered quietly, closed the curtains, and removed his shoes.
Curled up, Rision spoke to the elderly servant.
“Chief attendant.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Don’t go anywhere.”
“Yes.”
He felt lonely.
