Episode 88 - Between Worries
Early in the morning, Duke Claude and Duke Ashford visited His Imperial Majesty's office. Shortly after, the Emperor entered, exchanged brief greetings, and took his seat.
"Claude."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Emperor spoke, crossing his arms.
"I thought the Princess would be here. I need to discuss the hot spring share urgently. Seeing that you are here so early in the morning, is it urgent?"
In response to the Emperor's question, Duke Ashford spoke first.
"I have come to see you with an urgent matter. Viscount Werner and the Count Strauss family, who had agreed to stand with us, suffered significant damage two days ago."
The Emperor, who had been chuckling at the mention of the Princess, stopped laughing at Duke Ashford's remark. He then looked at Duke Ashford once, and then at Claude's face. Sensing the serious expressions and that this was not the time for jokes, he cleared his throat to set the mood.
"How much is the damage?"
"There was significant damage to the family mansion and surrounding areas, and Viscount Werner suffered a severe arm injury. Also, Count Strauss had many soldiers wounded. Two of them died."
"Are they looking for the Empress's soldiers and the sword you mentioned earlier?"
"That is my assumption."
"You are stirring up trouble in the most insignificant places. Then, I suppose you came today to seek revenge?"
This time, Claude added.
"Rather than revenge, I came to tell you that we should set right what needs to be set right."
"They must be men sent by Duke Kreuz."
"That is what I believe."
The Emperor looked out the window for a moment. The morning sunlight streamed in through it. The Emperor's profile was bathed in that light. The Emperor fell into thought for a moment.
"Have I waited too long?"
He muttered quietly to himself. Neither Claude nor Duke Ashford reacted. They were simply waiting silently for the Emperor's decision. The Emperor asked the two men a question.
"The Golden Lion Merchant Guild. Where would you like to start?"
Duke Ashford spoke.
"It will take time if we proceed with a tax audit. It is also highly likely that they are maintaining duplicate ledgers."
Claude answered.
"Embezzlement is a faster option. There are indications that the Golden Lion Merchant Guild has tampered with the Valois estate. They have been siphoning off estate income for years through a man named Felix Holm, and there are indications that funds from the Viscount Werner and Count Strauss families were siphoned off in the same manner."
The Emperor's gaze narrowed.
"What about the evidence?"
"For the Valois estate, we have ledgers and witnesses. For the Werner and Strauss sides, we need to reinforce the circumstantial evidence, but the Valois case alone is sufficient. We also have a few letters showing collusion with the Golden Lion Merchant Guild."
The Emperor remained silent for a moment. He tapped the armrest a few times with his finger.
"The Golden Lion Merchant Guild is supposed to be the Empress's shield... The influence of the Empress's faction will diminish."
"That is correct."
The Emperor nodded slowly.
"Good. Proceed with the embezzlement case. I will issue the order for the audit."
He added.
"I am not the one to draw my sword first. I must draw it first this time."
Just then, the door opened. A servant entered, bowing his head.
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince requests to enter."
"Let him in."
Crown Prince Pierre entered from behind the servant, with his usual gentle face. He bowed lightly while looking at Claude and the Duke of Ashford. Then he stood before the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, may I enter here in this manner?"
The Emperor looked at his son.
"Speak."
The Crown Prince spoke.
"Please leave the matter of the Golden Lion Merchant Guild to me."
The office fell silent. Claude looked at the Crown Prince. The Duke of Ashford also looked at the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince was looking only at the Emperor. His gaze did not waver. The Emperor quietly watched Pierre, but he could not read his expression or intentions.
As they left the palace corridor, Claude and the Duke of Ashford remained silent. It was a long corridor. Only the sound of footsteps could be heard. The servants stood at a distance. The Duke of Ashford spoke first.
"Why is the Crown Prince stepping forward?"
"I don't know."
Claude said.
"It is still unclear whether he is on the Empress's side or not."
"It is unclear whether he is trying to destroy evidence for the Empress, or if he intends to clean up the merchant guild without directly touching the Empress. I cannot get a sense of which it is."
Duke Ashford said.
"Isn't that why His Majesty didn't give permission immediately?"
After hearing the Crown Prince's words, the Emperor said this after a moment.
"I will think about it."
That was all. It was neither permission nor refusal. Light was streaming in from the end of the corridor. It was toward the main gate of the Imperial Palace. As the two walked toward it, Claude said.
"In any case, the Crown Prince will be stepping directly into this game. No matter which way."
Duke Ashford nodded and said.
"It is uncomfortable."
"Me too."
The carriage of the Duke of Valois was parked in front of the main gate of the Imperial Palace. Claude opened the carriage door. Serena was inside. She looked up from looking at documents.
"How did it go?"
Claude said as he boarded the carriage.
"We have decided to proceed with the embezzlement charge. His Imperial Majesty has ordered an investigation."
Serena's eyes changed.
"That is good. Since it is the Felix Holm case, we have our ledgers and witnesses, so we can move quickly."
"But. "
Claude paused briefly. Serena looked at Claude.
"So the Crown Prince is stepping forward. To entrust the Golden Lion Merchant Guild case to him."
Serena froze. The carriage began to move slowly. The main gate of the Imperial Palace receded. Serena looked out the window. The palace walls brushed past. The Crown Prince saying he would step forward? Taking on the Golden Lion Merchant Guild case? Why him? Why on earth would the Crown Prince do this? Is he trying to protect his mother? Or is he abandoning her to save himself? Or is it both?
Serena muttered to herself. What on earth is his intention, this brat? Claude noticed Serena, who was lost in thought, rolling her eyes around.
"You seem to be deep in thought."
"And Father?"
"I don't know either."
Serena looked out the window again. The Imperial Palace was receding into the distance.
It was that evening when the Crown Prince arrived at the Duke of Kreuz's mansion. A butler escorted him inside. It was different right from the entrance. The marble floor was polished to a gleam, and the candlesticks lining both sides of the hallway were lit even during the day. Every single decoration was something rarely seen anywhere else in the Empire.
Just walking down the hallway, one could tell that this was the headquarters of the country's largest merchant guild. It was felt.
The moment the drawing room door opened and the Crown Prince stepped inside, something caught his eye. It was a golden statue of a lion's head hanging in the center of the room. It was large enough for two adults to stand side by side. The intricately sculpted mane gleamed in the light. With its mouth open and staring straight ahead, the lion's eyes seemed to be looking down at the person entering. It was the coat of arms of the Kreuz family. The very fact that it was displayed so large and so imposingly in the center of the drawing room spoke volumes about the kind of family this was.
The Crown Prince stood before the statue and admired the lion for a moment. The butler escorted the Crown Prince inside and went to summon Duke Kreuz with a stern expression. Duke Kreuz emerged into the drawing room. He paused briefly upon seeing the Crown Prince, then bowed respectfully.
"Your Highness, what brings you here?"
The Crown Prince said as he took his seat.
"Uncle, it has been a long time since I last saw you."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"However, we meet today for unfortunate reasons."
Duke Kreuz looked at the Crown Prince. His face was gentle. As always. But his eyes were not gentle. There was an atmosphere different from usual. Duke Kreuz slowly sat down opposite him and said.
"I wonder what you mean."
The Crown Prince raised his tea and said,
"I speak of the Golden Lion Merchant Guild, Uncle."
He took a sip of tea and set the cup down.
"I think there are things we need to sort out before the Imperial Inspectors arrive."
Duke Kreuz's eyes widened.
"Your Highness, what do you mean by Inspectors?"
"My Father is currently deliberating on when to send the inspectors."
The Crown Prince looked at Duke Kreuz. His gaze was not smiling.
"I have come here on your side, Uncle. For now, anyway. However, I am contemplating whether to save the Golden Lion Merchant Guild in accordance with Uncle's decision, or to proceed as His Majesty commands and cut off Mother's backing."
Duke Kreuz looked at the Crown Prince. The young man standing before him was not the Crown Prince Pierre he had known-always dim-witted and unambitious. He was not the Pierre whom the Empress had disregarded, saying she did not yet trust him. From his tone of voice, gaze, and expression, Duke Kreuz clearly felt that the Crown Prince had changed. And he felt a little frightened by this Crown Prince, who was now tightening his grip on him before he could even speak to the Empress.
[Lucy's Secret Shock Journal Chapter 88]
The Duke visited the Imperial Palace today. The Princess and I waited outside in the carriage until the audience was over.
The Princess's expression hardened after hearing something from the Duke upon his return to the carriage. I saw that expression from the side.
Usually, when the Princess makes that kind of face, something complicated has happened. It isn't going to be something like a war, is it? Shall we throw some shurikens now?
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