The Prince Regent said nothing.
In fact, he was also concerned about that.
"Okay, what do you mean by being attacked by assassins? Is it possible that there is someone else who knows the location of the document?"
"Other people were targeting the mansion."
Samon continued, looking at his father's thoughts.
"From what I heard, they were the elite of the elite. We caught the still alive person and interrogated him, and he turned out to be an imperial citizen."
"Empire? Who on earth is Katzen?"
"That... I was unable to find out that much because I was investigating before the interrogation was completed. I'm sorry."
If he is an elite knight, it means he is a big name in the empire, so why the empire?
The Prince Regent could not understand at all.
Samon, who looked at his father's questioning face, spoke quickly.
"Someone in Valdina is probably trying to exploit our weaknesses with the letter of acceptance. While we are joining hands with Emperor Katzen, aren't we also straddling Prince Jason? What law says someone else won't do the same?"
Moreover, not long ago, the Prince Regent and the Minister were biting each other about the banquet.
"The minister may have had a different mindset and tried to betray us."
Samon's face became solemn.
"Father, please decide. Now we have to deal with the minister. We have to move before them to survive. We need to stop Etienne from speaking before they can get to him and get more information."
The Prince Regent pressed his throbbing temple.
Having to get rid of Etienne, who was his biggest helper, with his own hands, was as painful as cutting off his own flesh.
However, in the current situation where the back and forth was blocked, there was absolutely no other option.
He raised his head. A faded shield symbol hanging on the wall caught his eye. It was the coat of arms of Duke Claudio.
"Joaquin. As your brother's shield, you will firmly protect this country. Your brother is so dependable, even if your father dies, he will not be spared."
The Regent remembered the advice his father gave him when he was young and was being chased out of the palace after his older brother ascended the throne.
He bit his lip as if chewing.
'No, father. I will not remain as a shield.'
Duke Claudio's expression became determined.
"I get it. So be it."
That night, a man dressed in black went out the back door of the Duke's house.
***
Valdina's special prison.
The sound of footsteps echoing on the wet floor. The minister, who had been dozing off, suddenly felt a slight pain and woke up.
“Hehehe!”
A blue blade was aimed at his neck.
"Lark Etienne. How dare you betray your master?"
"W-what do you mean?"
Etienne looked around while sweating profusely.
'What about the jailer? Where are the escorts? Why can't I see anyone?'
"Claudio! Are you trying to kill me again?! You evil bastards, they don't know how to give up and are trying to silence me!"
The man snorted at the strange shout.
"Have you become senile due to old age? You hid so well that I barely knew you were here."
"Well, that can't be possible, no one has been able to get close?"
The minister thought deeply and then opened his mouth.
'Alas, I fell for the Princess's trick.'
But it was too late.
By the time Etienne realized everything, the shiny blade had long since cut his throat.
***
“Extra. Extra!”
Newsboys ran through the streets. A red headline was written over Etienne's scruffy face that filled the front page.
[Lark Etienne, dies in prison!]
"Really? Is it real?"
"He's a minister, and not only did he take bribes as much as he could, but he played with children and sold them to foreign countries, right? These kids don't do just one thing!"
"Hey, that bad guy, he died well. Tsk."
The minister died.
Because he was a criminal awaiting execution for violating military law, instead of being given a funeral, his body was thrown carelessly under the walls of the castle.
Whenever people saw the letters, Etienne, they cursed and spat at him.
It was an unacceptably miserable and insignificant end for someone who lived his whole life with pride as a high-ranking noble.
The family property was confiscated and the title was restored.
The Count Etienne family collapsed badly after losing its head, but there was no one left to mourn that fact.
However, there were still those who questioned his sudden death.
"He has a chronic illness? Nonsense! How long has it been since he was in prison that he suddenly became ill? And someone as healthy as Etienne!"
Coincidentally, the tragic news that occurred in the Count Etienne family just before Etienne's death also added to the growing suspicion.
A one-sided death bordering on massacre.
People stuck their tongues at the overly cruel cleanup.
"But the Minister was not the Duke's greatest right-hand man, both in name and reality. How long has he been together and all of a sudden..."
"Ha, didn't you know that this is the nature of the person we serve?"
Members of the Regent faction felt pressure as if their hearts were being squeezed.
"The idea is to set an example for the minister. I'm telling you what will happen if you get off my boat on your own."
***
Princess Palace.
Medea, who had been kneeling reverently under the icon depicting the goddess, stood up.
On the long altar beneath the icon, dozens of small angel statues the size of the palm of one's hand and small candles were placed one after another.
"Sorry. Don't wait for your resentment. I hope you sleep peacefully, even if it's late."
It was a small memorial service to honor the souls of the children who were sacrificed by Etienne.
After praying, Medea carefully picked up each angel statue and placed them in the coffin.
These are the children of Valdina. So, she couldn't be free either.
'I'll promise. I will never let something like this happen again.'
As a result, both arms of Claudio, who was controlling the palace of Valdina, were cut off.
He even had to cut off one arm with his own hands, so he must have been upset.
"You were uncharacteristically hasty as an uncle. This is what happens when you leave competent subordinates and entrust them to your foolish son."
Contrary to the calm voice, it was a harsh evaluation.
The sight of Medea turning around after burying the children's coffins in the sunniest place in the Princess's palace was as strong as an old tree that was not shaken by wind and rain.
Medea, who erased her sorrow and returned to her original form, called Saya and commanded her.
"The slush fund that Etienne gave us last time. Bring it."
The slush fund she secretly stole from the dead Etienne was several times more than the entire wealth that Medea once gave away to establish a military village.
If Etienne knew that the Princess who tricked him into death had stolen all his remaining assets, Etienne would have vomited blood in the afterlife.
"That poisonous toad will tremble in the underworld if he finds out that we stole this large sum of money."
Saya giggled.
Neril said as she tried to stop Saya from joining.
"Now that the Chief Maid and Minister have fallen, even the Prince Regent will no longer be able to command the same status as before."
"It's still too early for that. The imperial delegation is coming soon."
Medea answered calmly.
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