But behind the scenes, they have been asking for an apology and compensation.
"What would a newly-grown grandson know? Please just let me pass this time."
"I have only heard news of Agatha. Doesn't Your Majesty know that I am under pressure from my father in Mainukor because of the problem?"
"Please end it with a proper compensation. I heard that the exiled criminal is dead. If the only evidence is His Highness the Crown Prince's testimony, wouldn't the neighboring countries misunderstand it even if we go to war like this?"
Indeed, the imperial family was the imperial family. Officially, they were preventing things from getting worse, and behind the scenes, they were trying to appease the Emperor.
'That's why we needed Baron Henry Insidio.'
Anthony clicked his tongue openly and answered indifferently.
“Perhaps it will end with an unofficial apology from the Second Prince and the Grand Prince, and compensation. I think it will end there.”
Even if they wanted to make greater compensation or go to war, there was no proper evidence.
The Emperor could have settled the matter by accepting a large compensation, as long as his power was not shaken.
Looking at the situation, it really did seem like the grandson's arbitrary decision.
Enoch opened his mouth slowly.
“Your Highness. Does Mainukor know about my wife’s kidnapping?”
“They know unofficially.”
“Then my wife will receive the greatest compensation.”
“I guess so. Is there anything you want?”
Anthony, who had raised his head strangely, stopped moving.
The Second Prince's argument was being accepted for now, but soon the situation would change with just one portrait.
As the leader of a military force that had to fight a territorial war against five clans, Enoch could easily ask for this much.
“Your Highness, please receive a handwritten letter of apology from the Emperor of the Mainukor Empire.”
"What?"
At that level, the Emperor of the Mainukor Empire will not do anything amiss in the future.
“At that rate, I think they can avoid execution under the clause that the Second Prince and the Grand Prince will never approach my wife again, Your Highness.”
Anthony made a strange expression as he watched Enoch leisurely pick up his teacup again.
“Excuse me, Marquis? Are you sure you heard what I just said? I said there was a lack of conclusive evidence?”
“I have heard, Your Highness. By the way, I wish you had not known about the letter until it arrived.”
If it doesn't work out, it's better not to know.
If she accepts, it will be an unexpected gift for her.
It was when the Crown Prince's entourage, including Anthony and the imperial knights, were dumbfounded and silent.
Agatha's voice rang out along with a smart, elegant knock.
“Your Highness, may I come in?”
“Come in.”
As she entered the first drawing room, Anthony was leaning back on the sofa with a somewhat carefree air.
No, it seemed like he was a little relieved.
“Your Highness. Has something happened with my husband?”
“No. Not really. So I wonder what you brought. A report?”
“It’s a portrait.”
"Portrait?"
Agatha asked, untying the string that had bound the portrait.
“Your Highness. So, what do you plan to do from now on?”
“Once you’ve summoned the five families, they’ll be questioned. Of course, it won’t be easy. The evidence that has surfaced is only circumstantial.”
That would be it. It was not just any other crime, but treason.
Of course, in this situation, the five families could not open their mouths.
Agatha smiled and placed the untied portrait on the table.
“What if someone had already spoken out about what was behind it?”
"Huh?"
“I happened to have a drawing of the appearance of the messenger who came to deliver Baron Insidio’s letter from Baron Elibeth.”
The moment the portrait is revealed and the appearance of the person inside it is revealed.
“I look forward to proper compensation, Your Highness.”
The eyes of all the Crown Prince's vassals, including Anthony, opened wide.
The one depicted inside was the only direct knight of the grandson, Saint Lathis, who had a fake mustache.
***
Agatha returned to her room and ate the newly prepared meal with Enoch.
Until he received the portrait and left the mansion.
Crown Prince Anthony Roxiba was laughing like he had lost his mind.
"Hahahaha! Look forward to good news, Marquis Aratus. Oh, and of course, the Marchioness!"
“It seemed as if His Highness was in a much better mood.”
The scope of compensation has changed from moderate to enormous.
Enoch nodded slightly in agreement.
“When I asked you while you were away, it seemed like the kidnapping incident would be buried unofficially. However, I was assured by His Highness that compensation would be certain.”
“That’s good news.”
'There's no benefit to be gained by having the kidnapping case made official.'
Agatha put down her fork and elegantly picked up her napkin.
“I need to summon the departed.”
The Emperor will call soon.
It was a very enjoyable dilemma to decide what to receive from the Mainukor Empire after such a long time.
What should the Nobilis and Aratus families, who had to go through a war over territory following the kidnapping, receive?
“Shouldn’t I at least receive some land?”
“Whatever you wish will happen.”
That should be enough.
Agatha smiled brightly. Her determination to make Ferdinand pay the price for not disciplining him properly was burning inside her.
***
The Imperial Palace of the Mainukor Empire.
As expected of the hegemon of the eastern and northern parts of the Western Continent, the Emperor's Great Hall was as magnificent and solemn as the Imperial Palace of the Roxbad Empire.
Thick, massive pillars supported the ceiling.
Underneath the famous painting engraved with the nation's founding myth, about ten chandeliers with hundreds of candles were shining in golden light.
Even the high staircase and the throne at the end were incredibly beautiful.
Emperor Attila III, who was now sitting in that seat, was clutching the letter in his hand after hearing the shocking news.
“Tell me again. What did my damn second son do again?”
The Minister of the Imperial Household bowed his head in a cold sweat as he simultaneously presented the letter from Prince Ferdinand and the official letter from the Roxbard Empire.
“To be exact, it is not His Highness the Second Prince Ferdinand, but His Highness the Grandson of Adan-”
“Ha! Now it’s not just Ferdinand, it’s his son too!”
The Emperor Attila III shouted in rage.
He didn't send Ferdinand to the Roxbard Empire again without thinking.
Last summer.
"It's clear that you have the money."
The Emperor immediately placed Ferdinand under house arrest upon his return with the delegation.
As punishment for causing the accident, he was imprisoned for three months and the budget for the Second Prince's palace was cut in half to make up for the loss.
He had no intention of ever entrusting Ferdinand with such an important task again, but there was still some work to be done.
If it ends like this, the relationship with the Roxbard Empire will become delicate.
The Emperor of the Roxbard Empire even sent a letter of protest to the second Prince who invaded his goddaughter's bedroom.
This would have been an admission that there was still friction with the Nobilis and, by extension, the Roxbard Empire, so it was even more necessary to include Ferdinand in the delegation.
Eventually, the Emperor released Ferdinand from his pension after three months.
"Keep in mind. If you cause an accident this time, you will be kicked out of the palace."
"Father. Don't worry. This time, I will never commit the foolish act of drinking and barging into Agatha's bedroom."
Whether it was true or not, Ferdinand included his son, who had no interest in it, in the delegation.
Yeah, Ferdinand taking his son with him, so what's going to happen with the ex-wife?
But then something happened. A rebellion broke out, Agatha Nobilis was kidnapped, and one of the people involved was a descendant of the imperial family!
“Ugh...”
“Your Majesty! Are you alright?”
The terrified captain of the guard, the chief chamberlain, and the minister of the palace came running, but the Emperor waved them away.
He just suddenly felt dizzy.
First of all, he has to do some training.
The only fortunate thing was that the Roxbard side acknowledged that the grandson was the only one involved.
“...There must have been a territory that Your Majesty had chosen for the Adan grandson. Isn’t that right, Your Majesty?”
“Is it perhaps Glisworth, Your Majesty?”
“Yes. That. I should give that territory to Agatha Nobilis.”
To the heiress of a vast fortune, the only thing that would be meaningful would be the estate.
Its original purpose was to be for the grandson of an indifferent father, but not anymore.
The Emperor ordered that he prepare to write a letter with trembling hands.
Among the demands of the Emperor of the Roxbard Empire was that a handwritten letter of apology be given to Agatha Nobilis.
“When I return, my second son and his descendants will be excommunicated from the imperial family.”
In addition, the Emperor Attila III gritted his teeth as he prepared many other compensations.
It was just past noon.
A four-horse carriage and knights on horseback crossed the Imperial Palace of the Roxbard Empire and stopped in front of the Emperor's Palace.
The carriage door opens.
The one who came down, escorted by Aratus's second vice-captain, Hubert Carwen, was Agatha Nobilis.
Her outfit today was very flashy and elegant.
The hem of the deep red dress fell from the waist like a round bell.
The subtle embroidery harmonized well with the gently curled blonde hair.
A cloak lined with thin leather swayed calmly beneath it.
It seemed to have an elegant fragrance like late autumn that had not yet gone away.
The Emperor's attendant came out to greet her at the palace gate and welcomed her.
“Welcome, Marquise Aratus. His Majesty awaits you.”
Today was the day that the Nobilis and Aratus families, following the Roxbard Empire, received compensation for their involvement in the civil war.
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