Chapter 40

As one of the largest castles in all the kingdom, Maust’s had several moats. Naturally, they were defensive structures just like those in all other castles, but in peacetime they played another role—a place of relaxation for the castle’s denizens. Several people had cast their fishing lines in the sections where the activity was permitted. Since the moats were sourced from the nearby river, fish were swept down with the current. These were by no means swamp fish that stank of mud. With the proper cooking and preparation, they were quite tasty. I could say so from experience, as the castle cooks had served me fish taken from the moat on a few occasions. In several spots were wooden stairs that descended into the moat, as even moats needed maintenance from time to time, including having the mud cleaned out. Because they were wooden, the stairs could be removed when the castle was attacked. As I was taking a stroll, I stopped in my tracks upon glimpsing a strange figure. I couldn’t help but think it looked like that familiar pink-haired creature I knew so well. Is that really Fleur? I quietly took a good peek. No question about it. My concubine Fleur was down on the lower steps, right where they met with the water, stooped slightly with knees bent. What is she doing? Drowning herself? No, then she’d jump down from the top of the moat. When I looked closer, though, something glinted briefly. Fleur was grasping a knife. Surely she can’t be contemplating suicide…? I shuddered. As Fleur was already holding the knife, frightening her would be counterproductive. Quietly going down the stairs and grabbing her would be better. Ever so silently, I crept closer… …and just then, she plunged the knife into the water. “Yes! Gotcha!” Fleur’s uncharacteristically jovial cry startled me. “Got what?” I murmured. She wheeled around in surprise—and surprised me as well. Stuck on her knife was a river fish. We sat on the moat’s edge, just above the staircase. Falling off would cause a scene, but neither of us was that clumsy. “I suppose I gave you a fright, didn’t I?” Fleur smiled awkwardly as she looked down. “Actually, with all the mountains where I come from, I often used to play in mountain streams as a child. Perhaps I wanted to relive my childhood just now.” “I see. So you were a tomboy, huh? When I first met you, you were already an elegant lady of a fallen people, so I never got that impression.” “Yes, I suspect I was working hard to win your sympathy.” Fleur forced a laugh, so it must’ve been at least partially a joke. Of course, with her intelligence and perseverance through so many trials, it would be no surprise if Fleur came up with something like that on the spot. “Please be careful in the Northlands war.” She gently placed her hand over mine. The departure date for the Northlands was only a few days away now. As I made a show of authority to Seitred, the Margrave of Machaal, it would also serve the purpose of luring out anyone considering rebellion. The risk was great, but I needed to get my hands dirty sooner rather than later if I wanted to corner the former king’s faction in earnest hereafter.