“So the entire empire is in an uproar because of this! I heard the Duke also has to hurry to the imperial palace due to this matter…”

Lindsey asked worriedly, looking at her face frozen in shock.

“…Miss, are you alright?”

Only then did she manage to compose her stiff expression.

“It’s just… shocking.”

Lindsey, who had been examining her complexion for a moment, nodded in agreement.

“Actually, since you have received help from Her Imperial Highness the Princess before, it must be even more shocking for you.”

Jieselgrante’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. However, she soon regained control of her expression and asked.

“Have I ever received help from Her Imperial Highness the Princess?”

“Well, why… After you visited the imperial palace, you used to tell me stories about Her Imperial Highness the Princess for a while. Do you not… remember?”

Lindsey trailed off, watching her reaction.

‘Have I ever helped Jieselgrante?’

She reviewed her past memories for a moment, but no recollection came to mind immediately.

For now, she decided to ask about the most pressing matter first.

“Anyway. Lindsey, what did they say was the cause of Her Imperial Highness the Princess’s death?”

“I’m not too sure about that. Oh my, to think she passed away right before the crowning ceremony of the Crown Princess… What in the world happened.”

Lindsey lowered her gaze with a gloomy expression.

This was perhaps a natural reaction.

‘Lindsey must have grown up hearing that story too.’

According to the founding myth of the Pasis Empire, the Emperor was called the “Descendant of Heaven” who descended from the sky.

However, the reality was different.

Until she entered the secret archive in the imperial palace and searched for ancient books, she firmly believed the myth was true.

But it was merely a story created to divide the commoners, nobles, and imperial family into different classes, implying that their existences were inherently different from birth.

The empire was vast, and in order to rule over the wealthy and influential nobles with large territories besides the imperial capital, as well as the numerous commoners, a story was needed to support the superiority of the imperial family.

It made governance easier.

Thanks to that, the founding myth featuring the Descendant of Heaven was a story that even young children knew if they were citizens of the Pasis Empire.

Likewise, Trinity, the Imperial Princess and Descendant of Heaven, was set to become the next Emperor.

And she died right before the crowning ceremony. This had a high possibility of provoking people’s unease.

“It’s ominous. I’m worried that misfortune may befall the empire.”

As expected, Lindsey expressed her anxiety cautiously.

Negative emotions are highly contagious. And anxiety will breed even greater anxiety.

“Lindsey. There’s no need to worry prematurely.”

She spoke calmly with a faint smile. Lindsey’s eyes widened.

But soon, making a tearful face, Lindsey asked.

“Are you not worried, Miss? Her Imperial Highness the Princess, the Descendant of Heaven, passed away before an important event…”

“It’s just a change of ruler from Princess to Prince, that’s all.”

“…Pardon?”

Lindsey uttered a dumbfounded sound, narrowing her brows as if she couldn’t comprehend it at all.

At that moment, Duke Amaterasu entered the bedroom, adjusting his cravat.

“Jiesel… I wish to stay by your side for at least today, but an urgent matter has come up that requires me to visit the imperial capital.”

Duke Amaterasu’s face was filled with concern as he said those words.

Although the physician had determined that the illness, whose name was unknown, had miraculously disappeared, his daughter Jieselgrante had gone through a near-death experience today.

No, if things had gone as they originally should have, there was a high possibility she would have died like that.

The Duke seemed to feel bad about having to leave Jieselgrante and travel far away, not even a day after she had gone through such an ordeal.

“Please don’t worry about me and have a safe trip.”

She deliberately spoke cheerfully.

Duke Amaterasu let out a worried sigh and added with a wry smile.

“I will try to return as quickly as possible.”

“Yes. But before that, may I ask you one thing?”

She stopped Duke Amaterasu, who was about to turn away immediately.

“Go ahead. What is it?”

“I was wondering if you knew anything about the cause of Her Imperial Highness the Princess’s death.”

“Ah, about that matter…”

Duke Amaterasu briefly lamented and then, after appearing to contemplate for a moment, soon gestured to Lindsey with his eyes.

It meant that they had an urgent matter to discuss in private, so she should leave.

“Then, please have a comfortable conversation.”

Lindsey bowed slightly and left the bedroom.

Duke Amaterasu, who seemed to be carefully choosing his words, opened his mouth.

“I heard she was stabbed in the chest with a dagger.”

“…!”

Jieselgrante’s blue eyes widened, and her lips trembled.

Her heartbeat quickened in an instant.

The sound was so loud that it felt like her heart was hanging right by her ears.

Seeing her unfavorable reaction, Duke Amaterasu swiftly continued.

“Oh dear, you seem to be quite shocked.”

She shook her head, pretending to be composed. Then she gazed at Duke Amaterasu, urging him to continue.

Since it was a major incident that she would soon learn about one way or another, Duke Amaterasu hesitated but soon parted his lips.

“It seems there was nothing that could be done as she was discovered too late. She had lost too much blood.”

Trying hard to maintain her composure, she opened her mouth.

“Who… Who could have committed such a barbaric act?”

“You must have met her in person too. The daughter of the Oppenheimer Baron family.”

Suddenly, a hollow laugh slipped out from between Jieselgrante’s lips.

“Ha…”

To be stabbed by the person kept closest to you.

As if expressing how absurd it was, her forced laughter made Duke Amaterasu’s expression puzzled.

“Yes. I remember. She was Her Imperial Highness the Princess’s lady-in-waiting. Baroness Oppenheimer.”

“That’s right…”

“What did they say was the reason?”

Duke Amaterasu inhaled sharply and then spoke.

“Her Imperial Highness the Princess apparently teased Baroness Oppenheimer’s fiancé…”

However, as if he couldn’t bring himself to finish the sentence in front of his daughter, Duke Amaterasu trailed off.

“Was it because of the rumor that she toyed with him a bit and then ruthlessly discarded him?”

The rumor that Trinity had seduced Baroness Oppenheimer’s fiancé, played with him a little, and then mercilessly abandoned him was one of the scandals surrounding Trinity.

Although it wasn’t something to be publicly gossiped about, it still spread through word of mouth, so those who needed to know were all aware of it.

Some people even claimed that it was Trinity’s intention to harass Baroness Oppenheimer by tarnishing her honor.

But to be clear, Trinity was innocent.

And while searching for the source and origin of such scandalous rumors, she was suddenly murdered.

She had a rough idea of who was responsible for widely spreading those malicious rumors.

But without proper evidence, there was no chance of winning.

No, even if there was evidence regarding that matter, there was nothing she could do about it for now.

“Jiesel, you knew about it too. Yes, it seems she was deeply hurt by what happened back then. Fortunately, she was quickly apprehended as she was suspected for not showing up to work at the palace without notice.”

“…”

She couldn’t help but think how truly coincidental it was.

How Baroness Oppenheimer, who had returned to the Baron’s residence close to the imperial palace after finishing her afternoon schedule on the day of the incident, could have returned to the palace again.

‘No. That’s entirely possible.’

It would have been easy to sneak into the bedroom of the sleeping Trinity.

Saying she had an item to urgently deliver to Her Imperial Highness the Princess, or that she had left something behind and came to retrieve it.

There were plenty of excuses to make.

In fact, what was most dubious was that the person who murdered Trinity herself was Baroness Oppenheimer.

After the strange rumors spread, Trinity had separately summoned Baroness Oppenheimer and claimed her innocence.

She seemed to believe Trinity’s words back then…

“Duke. I think it would be best for you to hurry if you want to reach Fortress before sunset.”

At the urging voice, Duke Amaterasu nodded.

“I understand. I should get going now. I’ll be back.”

Even riding a horse at full speed, it took several days to reach the imperial capital from the Amaterasu Duchy.

He seemed to consider Fortress County as the first stopover, taking into account the supply of goods and proper resting places.

Duke Amaterasu glanced at Jieselgrante once more and then turned away.

She was about to ask him to take her along, but soon gave up on the idea.

It was more convenient for her to act separately rather than moving together with Duke Amaterasu.

As Duke Amaterasu left the bedroom, he added another request to Lindsey standing in the corridor.

“Lindsey, make sure to stay close to Jiesel as much as possible so that she’s not alone if possible.”

“Yes, don’t worry. Duke.”

Lindsey nodded seriously.

Usually, Jieselgrante enjoyed spending time alone.

Unlike what was known outside, she generally dismissed the maids and enjoyed quietly reading books while sitting on a garden bench or contemplating while taking a walk.

Because of that nature, she didn’t keep chatty or lively maids by her side.

Fortunately, Lindsey was quite quick-witted and refrained from speaking unnecessarily.

For that reason, the only maid Jieselgrante kept close was Lindsey alone.

Clenching both fists tightly, Lindsey took a deep breath and then exhaled.

And she knocked on the bedroom door of Duke Amaterasu’s daughter.

“Miss. May I come in?”

Burning with a sense of responsibility to definitely protect the young lady.