“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor’s shadow knight quickly stepped forward.

The Duke placed a hand over his chest in courtesy and then left the Emperor’s office.

Click.

As soon as he stepped out of the doubledoor office, the Emperor’s shadow knight closed the door and disappeared.

“… Arrogant.”

Duke Piellion gritted his teeth, which he’d been holding back.

No matter how he looked at it, the Emperor’s attitude was too nonchalant. He neither showed anger at the temple’s insult nor scoffed at the absurdity of the charges.

The Duke stomped his way through the long corridor toward the place where his carriage was parked.

“He can’t really believe this… No, I’ve confirmed it with my own eyes.”

The engagement ceremony had been finalized. The Emperor had confirmed the mark, and that was that.

Kartahena had been so ashamed, like she was exposing her naked body, yet she had starved herself for days to slim down.

“It’s still possible. Kartahena might not have managed the magic seal properly.”

Could the Emperor have had no occasion to check the mark during the past four years?

He couldn’t be certain. He trusted his daughter’s clever mind for satisfying her own desires, but the Emperor could be even more cunning.

“If that’s the case, then I…”

At that moment, when the Duke was calmly contemplating how to save his family and himself,

“Ahem. Duke Piellion.”

A polite tone suddenly echoed in his ears, startling him.

Flap!

Oddly enough, a wingflapping sound was heard.

No, it wasn’t strange. A large parrot was flying near his head.

“You… you spoke to me? A bird?”

“I did. I have a name, too. Instead of calling me a bird, call me Duke Shraiden. Her Majesty the Empress wishes to see you. Follow me.”

“What…?”

“Your butt isn’t too heavy to move yet, I hope. It’s a confidential matter, so hurry. You never know who’s watching.”

“How can a bird…”

“Then open your eyes wide and follow me.”

Flap!

The parrot increased its speed and flew ahead.

“…”

Still with a stunned expression, the Duke reluctantly followed Duke Shraiden.

(This is a time separator.)

“What is going on?”

That was the first thing she said upon seeing his face.

Neither seemed concerned enough to greet the other with a hug or inquire about wellbeing.

“It’s a long story. Catch your breath first.”

Regrettably, there were no chairs for people to sit on in the northern tower. Rasilia pointed to the windowsill where she had been leaning.
“What is this place for? And what was that talking bird earlier?”

“Count Schraiden. He’s the owner of this tower. For now, he’s vacated his spot at my request. That’s all you need to know.”

“A bird is the owner of the tower? Inside the palace?”

Explaining Schraiden’s existence would take too long. Rasilia cut off the Count’s words.

“Is the reason you summoned me today due to the temple’s accusation?”

“…Your tone has changed, Your Majesty the Empress.”

Count Pielion looked at me suspiciously as he spoke.

Just a few days ago, I would have been bothered. But not now.

“You could say that. You must have heard that I’ve lost my memory. I don’t recall previous events.”

“What? Is that true?”

Perhaps surprised, the Count forgot to use honorifics.

“Yes. I can’t be away for long, so let’s speak quickly. Does the Pielion family have a way to counter the temple’s accusations?”

“No, how could we? We just received the accusation this morning!”

Thunk!

The Count gripped Rasilia’s shoulders with both hands.

“Do you have a plan?”

“…From your words, it seems you already knew about the mark.”

“If not, who would have sent you to Trinidad?”

“So it was like that.”

Rasilia quickly sorted through her thoughts.

“If you’re involved, the trial will reveal much more. Are you prepared to handle it?”

“What are you talking about! A trial? We must avoid a trial at all costs!”

Judging by the Count’s alarmed reaction, the situation was serious.

Getting the Count involved in this affair would benefit no one. The moment he became involved, it would turn from the tragedy of the Empress into the rebellion of the Pielion family.

“Then please feign ignorance until the end.”

“Carti…?”

“I’ll keep the matter of the mark a secret by myself.”

The Count’s expression changed.

“You would do that… No, that’s too hasty. We don’t yet know how the Emperor will react.”

“The Emperor has already been suspicious of me. He had his sorcerer, the Shadow Knight, examine me for any trace of sorcery. The accusation is just the nail in the coffin; it won’t surprise him.”

“Is that possible.”

The Count wavered. He swept both palms across his face.

“What will become of our family then…”

“Count.”

Rasilia touched the Count’s shoulder. He lowered his hand and looked at Rasilia.

“You need to see the situation clearly. The Emperor has no reason to squash the trial. It’s a matter that transcends imperial authority, and moreover, he has no reason to do so. If the mark I possessed has disappeared, it means another companion exists somewhere. The trial will simply give the Emperor an easy excuse to depose me and find another companion.”

Whether Lescall really thought this way, she wasn’t sure. But if she were the Emperor, she wouldn’t let this good opportunity slip away.

It was the quickest way to minimize the damage to the royal family and solve her own issue at the same time.

Perhaps it was a good thing for both parties.

The Emperor could find a true companion, and she could return to Dellartha.

“But if the trial proceeds, we don’t know how far the exposure will go. The Pielion family might be in danger. So the best course of action,”

Rasilia paused and stared at the Count,

“is for me to confess my guilt before the witnesses testify.”

The Count’s eyes opened wide in disbelief.

“What… What did you say? If you do that…”

“I’ll accept the punishment. Alone.”