King Jedekayer was not satisfied with the discovery of Count Bloset's body. When his brutally murdered body was brought to the palace, the King looked down at it with cold eyes, his usual gentle demeanor gone, and commanded.
“The crime of plotting to harm a member of the royal family with wicked tricks is by no means light. His head should be cut off and hung on the castle gate for fifteen days, and his limbs should be fed to wild dogs. All lands, properties, and titles granted to the Count’s family should be confiscated, and those who were related to him should be strictly investigated, regardless of their social status.”
Those who often hung out with Count Bloset were suddenly struck by a bolt from the blue. Every day, new people were brought into the once quiet interrogation room and prison. From swindlers who ran gambling houses on the Count's back money to nobles who hung out with him and got drunk.
Those who were brought before the King's soldiers became brooding and confessed their innocence. Those who had merely joined in the dirty entertainment were soon released, but some did not make it out alive.
Flavia was kept in the palace prison for nearly ten days, hoping that she might uncover other crimes involving Count Bloset and Queen Gilsis, but Flavia knew nothing about them beyond those already revealed.
She was dressed in the rough clothes that symbolized a prisoner, locked in a cart, and dragged to the tower. However, since she was a Princess, she was spared from execution but was punished by being unable to leave the tower for the rest of her life.
Flavia's screams, as she struggled with her eyes covered, echoed horribly through the palace courtyard at dawn.
***
As the morning sunlight that had been warmly soaking her feet finally rose up to the pillow, it became difficult to keep her eyes closed any longer. Judith tilted her head to avoid the light that was already brightly illuminating the room, and her eyelids fluttered.
Through the narrowed eyelids, the clear blue pupils, like a lake that had just been rained on, were revealed. Above them, the neat face of the sleeping young man rose, lightly and weightlessly, like a leaf.
Judith slowly blinked her eyes to regain focus and carefully caressed Franz’s cheek, who seemed to still be deeply asleep. It was no surprise that the first person she saw upon waking up was Franz, but today for some reason it felt strange.
Count Bloset and Margit were dead, and Flavia was taken to the tower. Four days had already passed since everything was settled, but during that time Judith could not calm her anxious heart, as if she had lost something important.
"In the end, the connection with the Queen was not discovered, which is a shame."
That was what Judith had said to Franz last night. She had not intended to be so frank, but as they talked about Flavia, they inevitably ended up talking about the Queen.
Although they did not sympathize with Flavia's punishment because it was her fault, they were both concerned that they had not been able to expose the Queen who had been hiding behind Count Bloset and manipulating him.
'How much further do I have to go?'
Judith was deep in thought, caressing Franz's cheek in the same position she had been lying in. Queen Gilsis was often fiery and violent, but also meticulous. She seemed to reveal, almost revealing, but never showing who her hands were moving. Meticulously.
It was true that she sometimes acted like a madman, causing havoc in the palace, and that she would frequently call in her subordinates to harass them. But Judith also thought that it was partly due to her cruel nature, but also partly calculated. She did it to show off to someone, or to protest to the King.
After placing her son, Krald, on the throne, she judged that the Queen's wish would be to wield absolute power behind his back, but that she would not move rashly just for that purpose.
Sometimes, her caution and hesitation were questionable. Judith thought she would be more willing to take risks. At least, she believed that when Franz became Crown Prince, or when Krald's crowning as Grand Suke was postponed, her patience would have run out.
'What card does the Queen have? Is it harder than expected to move Duke Laetian? Or...'
At that moment, Franz changed his position and tossed and turned, and her worries were cut off. He slowly stretched, his nose wrinkled as if he was completely awake. When he opened his eyes, their eyes met. A smile appeared on Franz’s lips.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, I slept well. How about you, Your Highness?”
"I am..."
As the words trailed off, a look of worry suddenly appeared on Judith's face.
She knew that he often had nightmares. Even after he returned, even after he had slept soundly, there were nights when he would curl up on his shoulders and groan in the deep dawn. But Franz would laugh quietly and hug Judith tightly.
“You don’t have to make that face. I sleep very well when you’re here, Judith.”
Only then did Judith feel relieved, and the strength in her body went away. The tip of her ears suddenly turned red as she realized that it was no longer strange for their naked bodies covered by sheets to touch each other. Judith gently pushed Franz away, who kept burying his forehead in her shoulder and hesitating.
“Your Highness, you should get up. People are coming.”
“It’s already that late. I feel like lazing around until late today.”
“Are you tired?”
“No, I just like this time of year. You don’t have to worry so much.”
Franz, smiling with narrowed eyes, lightly kissed Judith on the lips. The morning drowsiness had not yet subsided, but it was time to get out of bed. The maids who would serve her would be there soon.
Franz got up first, putting on the robe he had carelessly taken off on the nightstand. Then he took Judith's robe and handed it to her, kissing her round forehead.
“Shall we have breakfast together?”
“If you have time, I would be happy to help.”
“I always want to eat together, no matter how busy I am.”
At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Franz opened the door after adjusting his loose collar. Mary Anne, Cheran, and the other maids were standing by to serve Judith in the morning.
“Your Highness, did you sleep well?”
“Yes, good morning. The Crown Princess has a cough, so go in and help her.”
Cheeran bowed. Soon, the chief chamberlain of the Nation Palace took Franz to another room. Only then did Judith throw off the sheet, stand up, and stretch her arms above her head.
Even the basic morning preparations took quite some time. Washing her face, choosing a dress to wear in the morning, fixing her hair, and choosing accessories were a series of processes that were repeated every day, but they never ended quickly. Judith was used to it now but at first, she was exhausted by the time she finished getting ready because she had to worry about all sorts of useless things.
“Your Highness, where would you like to have breakfast?”
When she had breakfast alone, she often did so in the small sitting room attached to her bedroom, or on a nice day, at the outdoor table in the backyard. It would have been nice to have some leisurely time with Franz, but Judith decided not to be greedy, as he was busy today.
“I have decided to have dinner with His Highness the Crown Prince today. So let’s go to the restaurant.”
Judith hurried toward the dining room, caressing the smooth ceramic decoration that jutted out from one wall.
Franz had arrived first and was waiting. As Judith sat down next to him, food began to be brought in one by one. Many things were good for breakfast, including fluffy bread baked with milk, eggs, and honey.
“I think there will be a hunting competition soon. Did you know?”
Judith, who was mumbling with a small piece of bread in her mouth, looked back at Franz. A hunting competition?
She shook her head as if she had never heard of it, but he made an expression as if he had expected something like that.
“The economy has been so bad lately... I guess it’s understandable that you haven’t heard from me.”
“If it’s a hunting competition... will Your Highness also participate in the competition?”
“Yes. Some people may think it is inappropriate at this time, but it may be best to quickly forget the unpleasant incident. Since this is an event that Father has been thinking about for a long time, I will probably go ahead with it. You should attend as well.”
“I’ve never hunted before, Your Highness.”
Franz smiled quietly and cut his share of bread.
“You don’t have to hunt yourself. I only ever watched it when I was young, so there’s no need to be nervous.”
“It sounds fun. But... I’m also worried that it might be dangerous.”
“My uncle has expressed similar concerns. However... I think the Delaka delegation will soon return to the Empire. I think it is necessary to change the impression of the kingdom. There will be many eyes watching, and Combler will be in charge of the escort, so you don’t have to worry too much.”
The palace hunting grounds were very remote when you went deep into them, but unless you got lost, you would rarely go into such places. Generally, events would be held only in designated areas, places with little terrain and a long view, and soldiers would be stationed in other areas.
Judith, who had been looking intently, nodded slowly. It was not that there were no concerns at all, but she knew that the hunting competition was not just for entertainment but a diplomatic event, so she could not strongly object.
“Oh, and...”
Judith raised her head again. Franz lowered his voice and whispered as if he were telling a secret.
“This is just my guess, but I think it won’t be long before Bartholomew formally proposes marriage to Lady Ebelta.”
“Yes? Is that true?”
Judith looked at the door where Cheraan was standing without realizing it, and a smile spread across her lips that she couldn't hide.
How could she have kept this completely hidden from me! No, maybe Cheraan didn't even know about it yet?
“Did you hear it directly from Bartholomew?”
“Yeah. He didn’t say exactly that, but I guess that’s what he was thinking.”
“This is something to celebrate. I should prepare a gift first.”
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