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“YOU surprise me, Lord Nicol.” Dudley shook his head as people around them raised their fists. “You always said that you cared about nothing other than Rozen, business, and porcelain, but that was a lie.”
“That’s not fair. I didn’t lie. In fact, I am surprised to learn about my true self,” Jude said happily, his eyes crinkling as he thought of his princess fighting the battle within the castle. “I used to envy Erdal, but Heilland is where the fun is now! I can proudly say that I love my country and will continue to do so. Because the future she is dreaming of is just so captivating!”
Jude’s voice then dropped, gentleness creeping into his tone.
“That’s why I want to help her. I want to repay the one who has changed me, and I’m willing to invest anything to do so.”
“You’re quite in love with her, aren’t you? I know that feeling, too,” Dudley admitted quietly. Because, contrary to his own expectations, he’d grown to feel the same for Empress Elizabeth.
Suddenly, a shout came from behind them. A horse-drawn carriage had pulled up but couldn’t get through to the castle due to the crowd. Pointing at the carriage, Jude yelled.
“Look. Seems like we’re finally getting started.”
“So it seems.”
Dudley watched the commotion with hands held behind his back, just like when he met Jude at Sampston. Then, his eyebrow twitched.
“If my carriage gets destroyed because of this, I will charge Mercurius for it.”
“Didn’t I say I’m willing to invest anything?” Jude countered with a smile. “Carriage or horse, it doesn’t matter. So let’s take this to the top!”
The carriage was still stuck, unable to move forward. The emblem of Ist decorated the door, and soon it opened to reveal Barnabas, the vice president, as he started arguing with the assembled citizens.
“That’s why I’m telling you! I don’t have time to argue with you guys. Now, give way, and let me pass!”
However, the crowd remained firm, yelling for Barnabas to leave and get out of there. Of course, most were following Dudley’s orders on what to do. Anyone who knew the men would never believe that they’d get into an argument with Ist’s vice president.
Thankfully, none of the guards knew much about merchant affairs, and they watched the escalating argument with growing concern.
They had been told that Riddhe Sutherland’s servant would arrive via the gate, escorted in one of Ist’s carriages, to testify at the trial.
Thus, as soon as they recognized the carriage, they assumed Albert was inside.
Fortunately, the rest of the crowd was unaware that Albert was under the protection of Ist. If they discovered the man in the carriage was the servant of the Heillander on trial, a real riot would probably break out.
A knight stationed inside the main gate tutted, then turned to give instructions to his subordinates. They were to clear the way for the carriage before things got out of hand. To achieve that, they would need backup at the main gate.
Upon receiving the order, several units patrolling the castle headed to the gate. Only the ones guarding the throne room where the trial was taking place remained at their stations.
The troops patrolling Mylene Hall and Empress Elizabeth were also mobilized. Seeing that Mylene Hall was far from the gate and thus safe from danger, only a bare minimum number stayed behind to guard the villa.
Two figures watched as the security at Mylene Hall dwindled.
“Wow… It’s all happening as you predicted, Lord Clovis,” Albert breathed in admiration as the soldiers headed towards the main gate.
However, Clovis remained cool and indifferent despite Albert’s admiring gaze.
“I have a close friend among the knights of the Imperial Guard, so I kind of understand how men are deployed. You did well, too, Mister Albert. We wouldn’t have gotten in here without you.”
“The others helped by drawing attention to the main gate, but I didn’t think I’d have to scale the castle wall again.” Albert scratched at his cheek in embarrassment, and Clovis smiled at him.
While Jude and Dudley’s people were gathering at the main gate, Clovis and Albert climbed over the eastern wall and snuck onto the grounds of Kingsley Castle.
Albert had passed through here on the night when the empress was poisoned and knew that it was a good spot. The wall was high, but the area was far from buildings and covered with trees. Now, with all attention on the main gate, it was child’s play to scale the wall and get close to Mylene Hall without being noticed.
But the main task lay ahead. Their goal was to speak to Empress Elizabeth; to do that, they had to enter Mylene Hall.
After checking that the area was clear of guards, the pair moved.
Their plan was to stay hidden while moving forward as much as possible to avoid making a fuss and attracting attention. If they encountered any guards, one would act as a distraction while the other snuck behind to strike the enemy unconscious. They only had to do this twice, once at the entrance of the building and once before the door leading into the room where they thought the empress lay.
“I wonder how the trial is going?” Albert frowned with worry as he pushed the unconscious, tied-up guard into a shadowy corner. “It’s been a while since it started. If Master has already been found guilty, I…”
“I have a plan in case that happens, but for now, please focus on our current mission,” Clovis encouraged.
For a moment, Alicia’s figure appeared in his mind’s eye.
Naturally, Clovis had anticipated every possible outcome and had thought of various strategies. At this very moment, she was fighting against Yggdrasil and Fritz. As her longtime adviser and irreplaceable partner, he needed to believe in her.
Checking Albert was ready, Clovis placed a hand on the door and boldly pushed it open.
The first thing that caught his eye was the large window leading to a balcony and the magnificent garden that spread beyond it. Then, Albert quickly noticed a tall woman standing with her back to them, looking down at the garden below her.
Taking a step into the room, Clovis got down on one knee. Albert hurriedly followed as the adviser called out to the woman.
“Please forgive our audacity. I am Clovis Cromwell, adviser to Her Highness, Princess Alicia of Heilland. Please grant us an audience.”
“How strange. Aren’t you already here? What do I have to forgive?”
The woman’s low voice echoed through the room. Raising his bowed head slightly, Albert snuck a peek at the empress, clad in a shiny golden dress, as she looked down at them.
Albert was confused. The empress was beautiful and dignified but lacked the intimidating aura that had made her infamous. Her expression was grim, but her voice was quiet as she addressed Clovis.
“Tell me. What do you want? What do you wish from me? …I’m sure you’ve realized why I’m staying put in Mylene. Or do you think that my fate is intertwined with Alicia’s?”
It was just as Clovis had expected.
The crown prince was probably the one who requested for his mother to stay in Mylene Hall during the trial, and Elizabeth had agreed. That explained why so few soldiers were stationed here. If the empress hadn’t been willing to stay, the security around the villa would have been much tighter.
And there was only one reason that had caused the fierce Empress Elizabeth to hesitate.
“I believe it is possible to reach a mutual compromise. That is why I have come,” Clovis declared as he looked up and placed a hand upon his chest, his beautiful violet eyes fixed on the empress. “Please trust me. I’ll carve out the ideal path, both for my mistress, Her Highness Alicia, and for His Highness Fritz, too.”