Chapter 555

<Episode 555> A Game of Every Man for Himself

Barbara conversed with the hooded woman for about half an hour. Unable to enter anywhere, she hid herself just outside the royal palace in a crowded street bustling with all kinds of wagons and people. The hooded woman did most of the reporting, and Barbara listened. 

The main subject of the reports was various social gossip she had heard while working at the Colonna ducal estate. Naturally, the conversation between Gabriele and the Marquis Colonna's daughter regarding the position of Isabella's lady-in-waiting was also part of the report. At the end of the conversation, the hooded woman asked.

"When shall we meet again next time?"

"In a month. Right here. If I return to San Carlo before then, let's meet at our usual spot."

Receiving reports more frequently would likely increase the precision and speed of the information, but the mistress was waiting inside the palace. Barbara, having slipped out unnoticed, could not afford to linger any longer. 

Having finished her business, Barbara re-entered the castle walls through the same side gate. The way she slipped a silver coin to a familiar guard flowed as naturally as water. Although she needed to return to Isabella quickly, she stopped by the outer palace instead of heading straight to the mistress. 

Once again, Barbara met with various people and chatted about this and that. However, the atmosphere was completely different from when she met the hooded woman earlier.

Unlike just moments ago, when she had cut off unimportant conversations, received the information, and parted ways, Barbara smiled brightly, exchanged greetings, and asked about the whereabouts of other people she knew. She also shared stories about herself. 

However, the stories she told were mostly nothing but useless trivialities. Saying she was craving sweets lately, or that she was happy because the days were longer since coming down to Taranto. 

Only then did Barbara return to Isabella's chambers after circling the outer palace Isabella was already on edge.

"Where have you been and why are you only coming back now! I wanted to tie my hair back, and I've been waiting forever!"

"Oh dear, I'm sorry, Master."

Before anyone realized it, Barbara had stopped calling Isabella "Countess" and was calling her "Master". Isabella accepted this change with complete ease, without the slightest doubt. 

However, titles and attitudes do not always align with the truth beneath the surface. Calling Isabella "Master," Barbara grinned broadly and ran straight toward her to stroke her hair. Just as Barbara's hand touched Isabella's hair, Isabella slapped it away.

Slap!

"It hurts!"

Barbara answered without letting her smiling face crumble at all.

"I'm so sorry. My hands are slow."

She brushed Isabella's hair with a boar bristle brush and started talking in a friendly manner.

"Please don't be angry, Master. I was late because I went to the outer palace for a moment."

"The outer palace?"

"Yes. It's because of an errand for you, Master. You told me to find out about that servant who brought the note back then."

"Ah."

Isabella immediately dropped her harsh attitude. She turned around and looked at Barbara.

"Right. Who is it? Who sent him?"

"Oh, I don't know anything about that."

Isabella lost her strength at the nonchalant answer. Barbara laughed as if she knew nothing.

"That friend can't read Just like me. I came back to check that."

Isabella felt a sense of relief and a slight annoyance at the same time.

"He wouldn't have been able to read the contents of that note, and he isn't the type to have connections in the royal palace. There wouldn't be any high-ranking officials close enough to tell him the details."

She was relieved that ehe didn't have to kill him, but she also felt uneasy about letting him live. If she killed him, there would be absolutely no future trouble. It was like she was delusional, thinking she could just easily take care of him on her own, when Agosto, who was actually supposed to kill him, had no such thoughts.

'I want to kill him. I want to kill him.'

Then, suddenly, Barbara asked.

"That note from last time, the man who appeared crying in the corridor sent it, right?"

At that moment, Isabella glared at Barbara without even trying to hide her suspicious gaze.

"You. Didn't you say you couldn't read?"

Barbara smiled and waved her hands.

"It's obvious even to an illiterate person! A secret note arives, and the person themselves comes right after!"

Well, it was a bit predictable. After all, that was the only annoying thing that had happened to Isabella recently. Barbara smiled broadly and assured Isabella, who had calmed down slightly.

"Master, please leave that man's matter to me."

"What...?"

"It's difficult for you to have a direct conversation with that person, Master."

It was true. Isabella was no longer to be seen with Count Di Pascal. She was well aware that she was already teetering on the edge of the line with just Agosto.

"I'll talk to him nicely and make him back off on his own."

Isabella looked at Barbara again. She scratches exactly where it itches so well. Her eyes were filled with suspicion. Barbara smiled warmly.

"You know I'm good with words. I'll sweet-talk him just right so I don't cause you any harm, Master."

In truth, Isabella had no other choice. Unlike the servants of the outer palace, Di Pascal was too big a figure to get rid of. Especially if, as Agosto explained, he could not kill people with black magic. 

Therefore, ruthlessly driving Di Pascal away whenever he appeared was all she could do. 

However, with every appearance, Isabella's exposure to danger only increased. What Barbara was saying was that she would fend him off before he could reach Isabella herself. It was essentially a proposal asking for a little room to maneuver in the process. 

Isabella spoke with a look of displeasure.

"Tell that bastard that I absolutely detest him, and tell him never to show up again if he doesn't want to die."

Barbara answered with a smile.

"I make sure to pass it on."

"Yes."

Isabella tumed back toward the dressing table. It was a gesture to Barbara to finish combing her hair. In doing so, she glanced at the mirror inadvertently and flinched in surprise. Isabella shifted her gaze diagonally and spoke to Barbara to distract herself.

"Was there nothing special said?"

"Yes?"

"I heard you went to the Outer Palace. Didn't you hear anything?"

Barbara had actually traveled further than the outer palace. And today, she had heard quite a lot from the maid of the Marquis Colonna's household about things her mistress would be curious about. However, she shook her head nonchalantly.

"No There wasn't anything particular to say."

Barbara had not entered this palace to pledge loyalty to anyone. In fact, she had no loyalty whatsoever to those who had hired her. 

Among what she heard today, there was none of the kind of information they had asked her to convey to them. It was not included in the contract. Therefore, she would do nothing. Nor did she have the loyalty to hand over that information to Isabella, who would need it most. 

Isabella was a somewhat difficult person to build loyalty with, but Barbara, by nature, had no interest in such things. She had simply come to the capital to change her fate. Anything that would change her life was acceptable. 

What she chose was the very heart of the heart within it a dangerous yet opportunistic land Palazio Carlo.

***

On their first day in San Carlo, the envoys from Trevero were escorted to their quarters after paying their respects to Prince Alfonso of the Etruscan Kingdom. The quarters, specially prepared for foreign dignitaries in a corner of Palazio Carlo, were comfortable and luxurious. However, the envoys from Trevero could not rest with peace of mind. They were restless and anxious, wondering when the Prince would meet them again.

"Sir, His Royal Highness the Prince is calling for you."

On the morning of the third day, the envoy from Trevero, having received news from the Prince, sprang to his feet. His deputy followed suit. Both of them had already risen early in the morning, dressed in their official robes, and were offering prayers to the heavens, as they did not know when the prince might summon them.

"I will be there right away."

The corridors of the Palazzo Carlo were wide and high, and those soaring ceilings were entirely covered with beautiful frescoes by court painters employed by previous Kings. The few empty spaces were covered in gold leaf.

 Although Trevero was a gathering place for civilizations from all over the world, this was the only palace that could rival it. 

The old priest felt a sense of awe in this beautiful corridor. As he hurried through the high corridors of the Palazzo Carlo, he trembled with a sudden surge of anxiety.

'If... the Etruscan Prince refuses to go to war, what happens to Trevero?"

A sigh naturally escaped his lips.

"Oh Heavenly God..."

The deputy commander, standing beside him, was startled to hear the superior's deep lament. The chief commander hurriedly made the sign of the cross and recited a prayer in his heart.

"Do not forsake Your little lambs. I eamestly pray."

As he prayed, he felt like he was regaining some composure.

"Everything is according to the will of the Heavenly God..."

All things in the world will flow according to what the Almighty One has prepared. If the Heavenly God were to give Trevero a trial, it would be a meaningful trial. Half-dazed, they entered the audience chamber of the Prince's palace

"Dear, Priest."

Prince Alfonso was waiting for him, seated on a high throne placed on a pedestal in the audience chamber. However, as soon as the old priest entered, he rose from his seat and went down to greet him.

"It is truly regrettable news that the Golden City of Trevero is in danger."

"Ooh..."

"It would be only right to lead the army and rush there immediately to escort His Holiness the Pope."

The old priest tried to grasp Alfonso's hand in joy. Just then, the Prince's next words struck his ears.

"However..."

At that sound, his heart sank. The deeply disciplined priest had entered, bracing himself for the worst, but when Trevero's death sentence was actually imminent, he found no way to quell the overwhelming despair.

"The Knights of the Black Helmet belong to the Etruscan Kingdom and cannot march out without the command of His Majesty King Leo III."

Instead of the chief official who had momentarily lost his mind, the deputy official standing beside him wailed in his place.

"Your Highness... If that happens, Trevero..."

"My heart is filled with sorrow, but if you wish to save Trevero with my army."

Alfonso interrupted the adjutant.

"You must go down to Taranto, meet His Majesty Leo III, and obtain his permission."