It seemed as if Tate could hear the sound of Sandra’s head spinning as she formulated some plan. But Tate didn’t ask anything. He didn’t want to get involved in unnecessary matters.

Glancing at Sandra, Tate changed the subject and asked. In fact, this was also the purpose of today’s visit.

“Have you heard anything about elder brother’s donation to Club Ares?”

“Club Ares? You mean that place where middle-aged ladies do volunteer work and hold bazaars? Was that the organization Jonathan said he was donating to?”

Sandra tilted her head and answered Tate’s question with another question. She didn’t seem to know much either, which disappointed Tate slightly.

“So you didn’t know either, Your Majesty.”

“I didn’t know the exact name of the organization. But I knew he was donating quite a lot of money. I always found it curious.”

“… I see.”

“But why do you ask?”

“It seems the orphanage elder brother donated a huge sum to is conducting some strange research.”

“Strange research?”

Sandra leaned forward, showing interest. Her eyes shone even brighter than before. Enjoying her attentive gaze, Tate casually revealed the information he had obtained at a high price from Ashmore.

“It seems to be research that uses demonic beasts as subjects. I don’t know the details beyond that yet.”

“Goodness! What would the Emperor of the Empire use demonic beast research for?”

Sandra shuddered, shaking her shoulders as if getting goosebumps. Tate’s lips curved into a deep smile, quite pleased with her reaction.

“That’s anyone’s guess. How could I possibly know elder brother’s noble intentions?”

“Noble intentions… Huh huh huh.”

Sandra curled one corner of her mouth upwards and laughed wickedly. Lifting the teacup with graceful hand movements, she took a sip of black tea and spoke with her brows deeply furrowed.

“What’s noble intention to one person might be a vicious intention to another. Moreover, demonic beasts! No matter how noble the intention, if it’s related to demonic beasts…”

Sandra clicked her tongue and shook her head. The thought of going to see Jonathan made her heart flutter and her mood lighten.

“I’m very curious about what kind of research it is.”

As soon as Tate left, Sandra headed straight for the imperial palace. She had many questions she wanted to ask Jonathan.

‘If I ask about the demonic beast research… his surprised expression should be quite a sight.’

Sandra’s footsteps were light as she walked, even humming a tune. It was when she had almost reached the Emperor’s office. The office door opened and a large man walked out, looking very familiar.

‘No… that man?’

Sandra, who had instinctively hidden behind a pillar, stared intently at the man’s face. Despite the distance, she could immediately recognize who he was. It was the leader of the mercenary group that had aided Caspian’s escape.

‘But why is that man coming out of Jonathan’s office?’

Sandra’s face contorted unpleasantly.

Her light mood had vanished without a trace, replaced by terribly frightening thoughts that occupied her mind. Her heart pounded loudly. A dreadful seed of doubt began to sprout.

‘Could it be… that Jonathan is involved in the death of our Caspian? Have Jonathan and that man joined hands to betray me behind my back?’

Sandra concentrated on her thoughts, unaware that she was biting the soft flesh inside her mouth hard.

A tangy taste of blood lingered, but she couldn’t relax. If she relaxed and let her guard down, she felt she might rush over right away, shouting at the top of her lungs and grabbing Jonathan by the collar.

To get the answers she wanted, to keenly observe the other’s expressions and actions without missing a moment, she couldn’t lose her reason. No matter how much her heart was boiling, her head had to maintain cold composure.

Taking a deep breath, Sandra straightened her back, raised her head, and moved forward.

Seated across from Jonathan, Sandra couldn’t bring herself to exchange pleasantries or put on a businesslike smile. On the other hand, Jonathan wore a beaming expression, as if something was greatly pleasing him.

“You’ve come at just the right time, Your Majesty. I was about to come see you myself.”

Sandra’s eyes narrowed further at him. His exaggerated smile and voice further fueled her suspicions. Despite the chilly atmosphere Sandra was exuding, Jonathan’s cheerful voice continued.

“I’ve been pursuing Caspian’s murderer to settle your grudge, Your Majesty.”

“What did you say?!”

Sandra’s eyes widened in shock. Faced with a topic she had never imagined, Sandra was left dumbfounded.

“So that’s why you were meeting with that man?”

“That man? Ah… I see. You’ve already seen the mercenary leader. It was supposed to be a surprise… Well, now it’s only half a surprise.”

Jonathan stroked his chin and laughed sheepishly. But Sandra, still maintaining her guard, asked accusingly.

“What do you mean, a surprise?”

Sandra didn’t know how to take this situation. Should she be angry at Jonathan for conspiring with mercenaries behind her back,

or should she shed tears of gratitude at his claim that all this was to catch Caspian’s killer?

There was much she didn’t know, but one thing was certain. The eyes of Jonathan, smiling brightly at her, were no different from those of a viper.

Jonathan, still smiling broadly, came closer and sat right next to Sandra.

Then, lowering his voice considerably, he began to whisper in her ear. As his breath touched her ear, goosebumps ran all over Sandra’s body.

“I know that Your Majesty ordered the mercenaries to break Caspian out. It was a tragic incident where all the imperial knights on duty died in the process.”

“Ugh…”

Jonathan knew! He had known everything from beginning to end! A groan-like sigh escaped Sandra’s lips. For a moment, her head spun and she felt dizzy.

“But to have Caspian, who was rescued with such difficulty, taken away by another… How heartbroken Your Majesty must have been! I dare not even imagine.”

Jonathan put on a dejected expression, then his eyes quickly became moist. Though it looked like he was sincerely comforting Sandra, she still didn’t know how much of his words to believe.

“I heard that Your Majesty commissioned the mercenary group to find the killer. I added more money to that and requested them to find the culprit quickly.”

“So… did they… find the killer?”

It was a question half sincere, half doubtful.

Sandra knew well that she couldn’t take Jonathan’s words at face value, no matter what answer came from his mouth. But it was a question she had to ask, and she needed to hear some kind of answer.

“Yes.”

“Is that really true?”

Sandra’s eyes grew as big as saucers at the simple and clear answer. A relaxed smile rose on Jonathan’s face, full of confidence.

“They say they’ve found a definite lead. Just wait a day or two more, and you’ll hear good news, Your Majesty.”

“I see. Then… I’ll wait for that surprise with a grateful heart.”

Sandra only half believed Jonathan’s words. He said a day or two, so waiting just a little longer would reveal the answer one way or another.

But right now, she felt she couldn’t bear to face Jonathan any longer or listen to his voice. Though she hadn’t eaten anything, her stomach churned oddly and nausea welled up.

It was when Sandra was about to rise from her seat. Jonathan grabbed her hand and pulled her back down onto the sofa. Though not rough, the sudden action startled Sandra, who glared at Jonathan with an unpleasant look.

“I hear you’ve been meeting quite frequently with Tate these days.”

“I’ve always met with Tate from time to time. He often visits to tell me various stories, worried I might get lonely staying only in the palace. He’s a caring child, isn’t he?”

“Ah, stories!”

Jonathan’s eyes flickered as he asked in a whisper. The way one corner of his mouth quirked up strangely irked Sandra greatly.

“Did he perhaps talk about donations?”

“T-That…”

How did he know that? Sandra’s face hardened at Jonathan’s question. To bring up her own shortcomings first? What could he be plotting! Sandra swallowed dryly as she observed Jonathan’s expression.

“Problems have been discovered at the orphanage Tate has been donating to for a long time. So it seems Tate is in a very difficult situation right now.”

“Ah… I see.”

Sandra nodded as she watched Jonathan tell a story completely opposite to Tate’s. Jonathan’s intentions were all too transparent.

‘Is he asking me to take his side over Tate’s? Is he trying to pin the blame on Tate?’

As Sandra was turning things over in her mind with her mouth shut, Jonathan spoke again. The way he leaned in closer to her gave her a bad feeling.

“I wasn’t going to say this, but… There’s one more surprise.”

“… What is it?”

“I’m also inquiring about information on Your Majesty’s other son.”

“What?!!!”

Sandra cried out involuntarily, too shocked. Finding her flustered reaction amusing, Jonathan laughed heartily.

“I knew you’d be pleased!”