Two days later.
Several interesting docunts have just arrived from the Phoenix organization at the Empress' palace.
Opening the envelopes and checking the contents, I imdiately went to et with Marquis Paren.
"Hail Her Majesty, the Moon of the Empire."
"We haven't t for a long ti. How have you been?"
"I don't know how the day goes these days, Empress."
The Marquis laughed mischievously as he looked around. Lots of papers were now piled up on one side of his desk.
In addition to being pri minister, many important things happened in those days. His work must have doubled from all our misadventures.
And I couldnt hide a smile, because right now I was going to slip him even more work.
"Im grateful for your help, and I apologize."
"Ive been in the ga for more than ten years now, so I think I'm working a lot. It's my job, so you don't have to apologize, Her Majesty."
With a sweet smile, the Marquis invited to sit down.
When I sat down on the sofa, he gestured to the tea tray.
I shook my head and imdiately brought us closer to the point.
"I had to disturb you with an unexpected visit, but Im concerned about the case of Sios. Have the interrogators returned with results?"
"I've already rummaged through all the books and docunts from the Marquis's mansion."
"Is there anything that could be called evidence of an assassination attempt?"
"Nothing. So, now we are thinking over how to change the direction of attack. My apologies."
It was unfortunate, but I wasnt very upset.
I didn't expect to find direct evidence in the Marquis' house.
If Sios killed Freud Drua, of course, they decided to bla all the sins on the murdered one.
I slowly opened my lips, looking at the Marquis.
"What do you apologize for? This only represents to us how scrupulous Sios is in their business. It will take more ti."
"Yes. I know."
Marquis Sios will now insist even more resolutely about his innocence.
The morning newspapers were full of reports that investigators were scurrying around the Sios mansion.
Nevertheless, if nothing good cos out, the nobles will be forced to surrender to the argunts of Sios.
And Marquis Paren knows it well too.
When the face of Marquis Paren, already showing extre fatigue, darkened more than ever, I glanced at Helen, who was now with us in the office.
Helen laid the envelopes on the table.
The brows of Marquis Paren went up to his forehead, as if thehey saw a real miracle.
"What is it? Your Majesty, you"
"This is for Sios."
"Yes?"
" Not a big cri. But there are records of banal tax evasion and illegal trade."
"How did you No, wait. You got this before the investigation began?"
"From the mont of my fathers trial until now, things have not gone very well. So I thought, this ti I need to prepare in advance."
I told Lumont to prepare before the aristocratic conference.
It wasnt too difficult to get such small materials, because he had been digging around Sios for a long ti.
"These papers are enough to buy us ti, right?"
Even if the punishnt for Sios is weak, cri is a cri, and the Marquis wont be able to throw out a new trick, tied hand and foot.
And while Marquis Sios is under investigation, I will put my own plan into life.
"Yes, that seems to be enough."
The Marquis of Parang nodded and I now got up.
Carlisle will be waiting for after the etiquette lesson is over.
"I dont want to waste ti from such a busy person, so I have to go."
"It's okay. Have a safe return journey, Empress."
* * *
At that ti when Ellie was eting with Marquis Paren.
After the etiquette lesson, Carlisle said goodbye to his teacher.
"Then, Your Highness, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Please return safely, maam."
It was more important now to acquaint him with the life of the palace and noble manners than with anything else, and classes were held every day.
At first, Baroness Bastein was worried about the prospect of failure, because Carlisle had previously grown up as a commoner.
It was hard for such a child to soon learn the manners of high society.
However, the pace of Carlisle's training beca such as if he didnt co from this world at all.
Baroness Bastein smiled proudly as she watched her work pay off day by day.
After the departure of the Baroness, Carlisle turned to Pailin, his personal maid.
"Pailin, umm Where is my mom?"
"She moved to the palace, saying she had a business. She also said to bring you the puzzle when the lesson is over. One sent by Duke Croft."
Pailin, with her light blue hair, smiled tenderly at Carlisle.
"Today, Pailin, I want to do sothing other than puzzles."
"Sothing other?"
"Let's go to the flower garden with a fountain."
Behind the Empress' palace there was a flower garden with a fountain.
As soon as Carlisle first saw this place, it sank into his soul deeply.
"Ah, well Your Highness, how about heading there when Her Majesty arrives?"
Pailin hid her embarrassnt and smiled awkwardly.
Although the flower garden with a fountain was located near the palace, it wasnt considered the territory of the Empress' palace.
The knights of the escort hadnt yet been appointed, and she didnt want to make a sortie without the permission of the Empress.
"I want to go with Pailin right now! It's boring to stay here."
And Pailin's heart fluttered at the sight of the puppy's eyes.
She had been told to take proper care of His Highness, but they had never been told that they were forbidden to leave the palace
And besides, who in the Imperial Palace would dare to harm the prince?
"Then we will play a little and go straight to the palace, okay?"
"Yes!" shouted Carlisle with sparkling eyes.
Pailin took Carlisle's hand and walked to the flower garden with a fountain.
Carlisle arrived at the flower garden, hand in hand with Pailin, and smiled brightly when he saw the boy standing among the beautiful yellow wildflowers.
"Brother!"
Surprised by the scream, Edmund pulled back, and Pailin couldnt hide her new embarrassnt.
"Your Highness, you cant run away like this"
But before Pailin had a chance to finish, Carlisle had already let go of her hand and ran to Edmund.
Carlisle greeted him brightly, adding to the awkwardness of the scene.
"Brother, I missed you so much!"
Edmund smiled and looked embarrassed at the screaming Carlisle.
I didn't expect to see him all of a sudden What do you an you missed ?'
These words were unknown to the first prince, who received a strict education from the mont he began to speak.
It was even more embarrassing to see how sincere Carlisle's shining eyes were.
When Edmund backed down from such an unexpected eting, Pailin, hurrying to Carlisle, prepared the first prince a courtesy.
"Greetings to His Highness the First Prince, Star of the Empire."
Edmund, awakened by Pailin's voice, hid the emotion from his face.
"Rise up."
And, looking at Carlisle, he smoothly began small talk:
"How are you doing, Carlisle?"
"I'm good! And how are you?"
It's only been two days since their first eting, or so, but Carlisle seems to be very attached to him
The very next day after eting with Carlisle, the front pages of the newspapers filled with articles that the investigative team, dispatched by the Emperor, had swooped down on the Sios estate.
His grandfather was accused of attempting to kill the imperial family.
The suspicion arose that the late Duke Drua and Marquis Sios were working together.
Upon learning of this, Edmund was dumbfounded.
Understandably, he couldnt believe that his grandfather was accused of such a grave cri. After all, before the prince, the grandfather was always gentle.
It was also shocking that his servants deliberately hid newspapers on the orders of his mother.
The reason Edmund didnt know what was happening until now was that the maids only slipped into him those newspapers that ca out without articles about Marquis Sios.
However, after a new investigation, there were no such newspapers left that didnt include a word about Sios.
And if he was innocent, why did they hide everything from the prince?
Edmund ordered to bring all the newspapers so far, a and he was confused about his grandfather and mother?
Because of all the confusion, he was confused and canceled today's lessons.
"Brother?"
Carlisle called again to Edmund, whose face was hardening.
"Are you sick?"
Carlisle's clear black eyes showed concern.
Did they really try to kill you?'
Edmund's heart felt even worse at the sight of an innocent child.
"No. I'm fine."
"I was worried! Brother, if you're not busy, play with !" Carlisle said, grabbing Edmund's hand.
Edmund flinched at this sudden warmth.
Pailin, who had seen everything, sighed and walked away in embarrassnt.
And she felt the curious glances of the courtiers.
They contemplated how the relationship between the two princes would develop.
These were the glances of familiar, but unpleasant people.
Edmund felt strange when a small hand squeezed his hand, and he had nowhere to hide from prying eyes.
If the grandfather is under suspicion of an attempt on his life, and the first prince now shows hostility to Carlisle, then much more dirty rumors will spread.
Edmund said to Carlisle with a feigned smile:
"Carlisle, why don't we go to my palace and play?"
"I like it!"
* * *
anwhile, the carriage of the Sios House entered the Imperial Palace, spurring the courtiers to a new round of gossip.
However, the Marquis' carriage quickly crossed the gates of the palace, not noticing the whispers around it.
She then stopped in front of the first prince's palace.
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