“They eliminated her instead of leaving her be. That suggests the person who sent her to the House of Yulnova was central to Magna’s embezzlement scheme,” Alexei said.
“That is indeed likely. She played her part as the canary in the mines.”
After Sergei’s passing, Alexandra had taken full control of the House of Yulnova. During that time, the House of Yulmagna had received vast sums of embezzled funds. Alexei and his advisors were tracing the flow of the money to secure proof of Alexandra’s wrongdoing.
Because Nonna had been close to Alexandra, they had long suspected her involvement in Alexandra and the Yulmagnas’ schemes. After Alexei had fired her, shortly before summer vacation, Novak had sent a subordinate to approach her. Concealing his affiliation with the House of Yulnova, the man had pretended to lament the poor old woman’s circumstances.
He had guided her with sweet, deceitful words: She had labored tirelessly for two noble houses for years, so it was only natural she should receive compensation. Since they had refused, he would help her claim what she was owed. All they needed was to find the embezzled money’s hiding place.
Nonna had jumped at the idea. With his help, she’d begun snooping, visiting Yulmagna servants she’d known while working for Alexandra. She’d disappeared mid-quest, only to be found dead, floating in the river that ran through the capital. Her body might have been carried to the sea and disappeared, but instead it had caught on a bridge pier. It was a final testament to her tenacity, or perhaps her deep-seated grudge.
To the end, Nonna had clung to her misguided pride and obsession with money, and neither Alexei nor Novak grieved her death.
Alexei had been born to rule. Standing atop corpses didn’t faze him. Some ruled, some died; that was the natural order of the world.
He glanced at the door through which Ekaterina had left and whispered, “You don’t need me to say this, but make sure Ekaterina never hears of this. Nonna insulted her to her face, but her heart will ache if she learns of her death. I want her to see only goodness, to feel only warmth. She should receive what she gives the world.”
“I shall make sure her ladyship remains unaware,” Novak replied at once.
Novak had grown increasingly soft on the lady of the House of Yulnova. Little did he know that she despaired over his indulgence of Alexei’s increasingly outrageous statements and decisions about her.
“The tricky part will be deciding what to do next,” Novak continued. “The Yulmagnas were complacent, but now they’re erasing their traces with the swiftness and ruthlessness of a venomous snake. I could send men to investigate, but they might end up like Nonna—or worse, alert Magna that we’re onto them.”
“There’s more than one way to skin a cat. They have their backs to the wall. Let us pressure their finances openly. They’ll eventually crack, don’t you think?” Alexei said, turning to his trade advisor.
A grin formed on Halil’s beautiful face. “On that field, they’re neither swift nor ruthless. If you’ll allow me to wage war with trade, I shall raid them thoroughly, Your Grace.”
“Very well, but don’t go overboard, lest Magna go crying to His Imperial Majesty. Cut deep, but don’t cross the line.”
Halil shrugged, his smile unwavering. “As you command.”
“In the meantime, I shall tear through their faction. Unrest is spreading with the sudden change in allegiance of the House of Selesnoa. Now is the perfect time to strike,” Novak said with a nonchalant air.
Novak had served Sergei when he had the entire empire under his thumb as prime minister. He had experience manipulating noble factions. The nobles’ agitation stemmed not only from Selesnoa’s defection but also from growing belief that the next empress would hail from Yulnova.
Novak wouldn’t touch upon that, though. It was too early.
Aaron raised a hand. “I’d like to call the professor back to the capital, just in case. Is that all right?”
“My granduncle?” Alexei looked puzzled, then nodded. “You’re thinking of the prism circles. If people hear of his research, many will turn against us, and the status quo may shift.”
When she’d learned of them, Ekaterina had compared the prism circles to the steam engine. What her and Alexei’s Granduncle Isaac had invented was a magic circle sustained by the innate properties of rainbow stones. The prism circles were still experimental, but if they succeeded, the world would be transformed. His invention had the potential to spark an industrial revolution.
As things stood, nobles monopolized mana and its benefits. Isaac’s prism circles would make that accessible to everyone, commoners included. Opposition was inevitable, and his research remained top secret.
“I think he’d be safe in the old mine, but people come and go. There’s no telling when an intruder might sneak in. Besides, he might leave without a word to conduct research elsewhere. He’s just that sort of person. If he were to fall into their hands... Well, it’s likely he wouldn’t be able to hide his research from them. They would know everything before long. Calling him to the capital so we can protect him and distracting him with her ladyship’s glass workshop—or whatever else catches his interest—would be far safer in my opinion. He might even be of help to her with his talents.”
Despite his calm, scholarly looks, Aaron spoke ardently. Alexei’s mine advisor had once been Isaac’s assistant, and he was still endlessly devoted to him.
Alexei hummed pensively before nodding. “All right. My granduncle is a member of the House of Yulnova and an eminent scholar whose work has been celebrated by Their Imperial Majesties on many occasions. Magna wouldn’t dare harm him in the middle of the capital. Summon him here.”
“At once,” Aaron replied, bowing happily.
“If he returns now, he’ll spend the winter in the capital. I’m glad another Yulnova will be with us for the festivities and the new year,” Novak said.
Halil smiled. “Her ladyship’s birthday is also coming up in December. She’ll be overjoyed to have the professor celebrate it with her.”
“You’re right. I want to make it a special day for her.” Alexei smiled as he thought of the preparations he was making. He only allowed himself to enjoy these sweet thoughts for a moment before schooling his expression into the coolheaded face of a duke. “What is next on the agenda?”
“I am Goku, the protector of the Saint, Lady Anemoni! You wish to lay hands on my saint? How laughable! I’ll crush you and teach you your place!”