[CHAPTER 83]
Nixandor’s bedroom had two fireplaces.
That was not unusual in the mansions of high nobility.
In colder regions, fireplaces were built for insulation, and in other regions, they were installed for the sake of symmetry and balance.
Since the capital of the Catalos Empire had a relatively mild climate, the fireplaces in this bedroom were purely decorative.
That was why Dianu Ortensa did not pay much attention at first to the fact that only one of them was lit.
Dianu sensed something strange when she stood in the center of the room and took both fireplaces in at once.
This does not look decorative at all.
She took a few steps to each side, but from no angle could she feel any sense of symmetry or balance.
Rather, it irritated her eyes as if it were placed where it did not belong.
Catalos architecture was among the finest in the world.
There was no way an architect designing a grand mansion would make such a basic mistake.
And someone with as refined an eye as the owner of this room would never leave such an eyesore untouched.
There was only one logical conclusion.
A fireplace that was never in the original plans was added later.
Dianu hurried to the fireplace and stood in front of it.
The first thing she did was tap on the wall around it.
No matter where she knocked, the sound was evenly solid.
It is not a chimney, and there is no hollow space.
She knelt down on the floor without hesitation.
Inside, half-burned logs were piled up.
But if Dianu’s reasoning was correct, all of this was nothing more than a convincing disguise.
This fireplace had likely never been lit even once.
She leaned forward as if she were about to climb into the fireplace, then flinched and pulled back.
Her hand came away stained with soot when she touched the inside.
Hands could be washed.
But if her clothes became dirty, she would have no excuse when she returned to the dining hall.
After glancing back and forth between the tightly closed bedroom door and the clock, Dianu slowly stood up.
Then she began to remove her outer clothing.
The outfit she had chosen to look like a modest governess was not difficult to take off or put on by herself.
After rubbing her hands thoroughly against the hem of her black skirt, Dianu unfastened every button up to her throat.
In an instant, she was left wearing only her chemise and corset.
The embarrassment of standing in another man’s bedroom in her undergarments could not overpower the excitement of being so close to what she was searching for.
She reached her hand into the fireplace.
The search did not take long.
Her fingers brushing along the inner wall caught on something.
Found it.
Joy and relief surged through her like a tide.
Dianu carefully pulled on a handle disguised as a decorative hook.
A hidden space inside the fireplace opened soundlessly.
She let out a silent gasp.
Inside the secret compartment was a heavy metal box.
It was far too small and thin to hold gold bars or works of art.
It was clearly meant for documents.
Dianu put on the gloves she had prepared in advance and took out the box.
This was to prevent any soot from staining it.
A heavy lock was fastened to the box.
Just as Rision had warned her.
Even if you find where the ledger is hidden, there will certainly be a lock.
That makes sense, but is there no way to steal the key?
There is a much simpler and safer method, so leave it to me.
That day, Dianu truly felt the power of the Emperor.
Perhaps out of a sense of caution, Nixandor had commissioned the locks of the Arasas Ambassador’s residence from several different craftsmen.
Even so, it took Rision less than a single day to track down every craftsman who had ever taken a request from Nixandor.
The moment Sir Edric Loisen appeared holding an imperial decree, the craftsmen handed over records of every safe they had worked on so far.
They even willingly produced duplicate keys.
Dianu lifted the hem of her chemise.
She was retrieving the bundle of keys she had hidden, wrapped tightly around her thigh.
There were twelve keys in total, all tied together with string.
She tried each one in order, fitting them into the keyhole.
The first key did not even go in.
Clicking her tongue, Dianu tried the next one, then the next.
What if none of them fit?
Each time a key failed to align with the lock, her anxiety doubled.
By the time only three candidates remained, her hands were shaking so badly that she could barely aim for the keyhole.
And when she reached the eleventh key.
Click.
The key turned smoothly.
Letting out a trembling breath, Dianu braced herself against the floor.
She was so tense that her stomach felt unsettled.
It is fine, it is done.
Forcing her pounding heart to calm, Dianu opened the box.
Inside was a single book with no title.
* * *
Why did it take you so long?
Do not talk to me, you are making me lose track.
As Dianu finished putting her clothes back on and left the bedroom, a man who looked on the verge of tears rushed up to her in protest.
Not only Petor was anxious.
There were barely thirty minutes left until the banquet ended.
No matter how well Ravelan Arasas and Princess Elpenlira worked together, Nixandor would have noticed Dianu’s absence by now.
More than anything, she was worried she might forget what she had memorized.
Dianu touched the rosary in her pocket with her fingertips and reviewed the information in her mind.
It is fine, I can remember it well enough.
She steadied her nerves and followed behind Petor.
Petor’s complexion visibly worsened.
Dianu spoke coldly.
You should be grateful for the chance to prove your loyalty to the Crown Prince of Arasas.
Petor opened his mouth as if to retort, but Dianu sharply pointed down the corridor first.
There was no time for pointless arguments.
Reluctantly, Petor guided her to the room beside the ladies’ lounge.
After closing the door behind her, Dianu returned to the ladies’ lounge the same way as before.
She washed her soiled hands clean at the basin and poured the water out the window.
She checked that her appearance was not disheveled and that none of the items she had secretly brought were visible.
Then she took a deep breath and opened the door with the calmest expression she could manage.
A maid who had been pacing the corridor brightened at the sight of her.
Are you ready, miss?
Yes, thank you.
Dianu handed a silver coin to the expectant maid.
The maid, unable to hide her smile at the unexpected gain, escorted her back to the dining hall.
Just then, servants were carrying out empty dishes.
Seeing that they were dessert plates, Dianu quietly entered the hall.
She worried that attention might be drawn to her, but fortunately that did not happen.
The tables where the meal had ended were still filled with lively conversation.
Her heart pounded violently.
As Dianu quietly regulated her breathing, Sir Edric Loisen glanced at her and whispered in a low voice.
Are you all right?
…Do not talk to me, it is confusing.
She needed to leave this place quickly and write down everything she had memorized.
Perhaps sensing her impatience, Ravelan Arasas winked at her from across the table.
Dianu replied by blinking twice.
A smile spread across his face.
Setting down his napkin, he addressed the ambassador and his wife.
You must have been startled by such sudden contact, but thank you for welcoming the Princess and me.
Nixandor bowed politely.
It was only natural.
Then we should take our leave soon, as the Princess must be tired.
Nixandor looked surprised.
Already, my lord, but…
Such banquets rarely ended with just a meal.
Music, wine, and games usually followed, and it was not uncommon for gatherings to last until dawn.
However, Ravelan waved his hand dismissively.
Is the Emperor of Catalos not quite overprotective of his sister, and he would not appreciate us keeping her out so late?
Though Nixandor looked unconvinced, he dared not detain Ravelan.
He rose from his seat reluctantly.
I will see you to the front gate.
There could have been no more welcome words than that.
