Chapter 454. Unexpected Events (1)
Translator: Aura / Editor: Tiny Zebra
I looked at Rivetti in astonishnt.
If I rember correctly, she hated the child born between Rashta and her brother. I never expected that she would want to find him, and that she would ask for my help.
On my last visit to the Eastern Empire, I had heard that the child was sentenced to be sold into slavery because both of his parents were criminals.
“I know it’s difficult to understand, Your Majesty. I don’t love him.”
While I remained silent, Rivetti bowed her head and clasped her hands tightly together.
“However… he’s the only link that remains between and my brother. Although I don’t love him, my brother loved him.”
“Do you want to take care of him?”
“I can’t love him. I don’t feel able to. But I don’t want him to suffer.”
I felt sorry for her. How much did she suffer? What must have brought about this drastic change of heart towards the nephew she had been ashad of?
“I promise I’ll find him.”
I couldn’t say no. Rivetti left after curtseying several tis.
‘She’s a good girl.’
Once Rivetti left, I went back to my room alone. I wanted to read to ease my troubled mind, so I opened a dictionary.
As I studied each word in the dictionary, I ca across the word ‘nationality’, and realized sothing belatedly.
‘Don’t we need the cooperation of the Eastern Empire to find Rivetti’s nephew?’
The court records of the Eastern Empire would list the location where Rivetti’s nephew was sold into slavery. There was no way for a foreigner to consult these records. My petition would be denied imdiately.
Rivetti wouldn’t be allowed to consult those records either. There was no way they would show it to soone whose family was involved, especially if she was the powerless mistress of a small estate.
‘What should I do…?’
After I put the dictionary away and paced back and forth, I rembered that Sovieshu had sent a letter after his departure, which I had received yesterday. It was so absurd for him to send a letter that I threw it in a box for useless things.
Since I never intended to respond, I didn’t even bother to read it.
But now I need the letter. I could pretend to respond and ask him to help find Rivetti’s nephew. I looked for the box, found the letter, and unfolded it to see the familiar penmanship.
— The 4th Division Commander ca to see . He said that if I revealed our evidence about the Western Empire’s involvent in the mana decline, the Alliance would side with the Eastern Empire in the port case.
— Don’t worry, I refused. I did a good thing for you, don’t you think? Doesn’t this earn so points?
— By the way, my diary ntioned a man nad Duke Elgy. What did I do to him to justify his inordinate hatred for ? Do you know the reason for his grudge?
Oh, my!… I never expected that his letter would be important!
I could not believe that the 4th Commander attempted to make a deal with Sovieshu to obtain evidence about the mana decline.
“My Queen?”
While I was still in shock, the door leading to the matrimonial bedroom opened slightly, and Heinley called in a low voice.
I needed to show the letter to Heinley, so I told him to co in quickly.
“Is the young lady Rivetti gone?”
“She’s gone. More importantly, you need to look at this.”
Heinley walked in wrapped in a blanket.
“What is it?”
Heinley’s expression turned grim as soon as he saw the letter. Then he glanced at my face and returned his expression to a more innocent look, but it was clear that the re fact that I had received a letter from Sovieshu had bothered him a little.
“Just focus on what it says at the top.”
When I pointed to the part about the 4th Commander, Heinley beca worried.
“In fact, I found two 4th Division knights lurking near the temple where I went to retrieve the mana stone.”
“Did they know sothing?”
“That’s what I thought, but this letter suggests otherwise. They must have been sent to investigate because mages lost their mana in that area.”
I could see now that with every word the Fourth Commander said was an attempt to manipulate . At the ti, I thought that he only wanted to test . Fourth Commander Angel might have an angelic smile as his na suggests, but he uses it to hide his deceit.
“Well…”
Heinley narrowed his eyes and skimd over Sovieshu’s letter again.
“Either way, this sure isn’t good news for or for Emperor Sovieshu.”
“Why do you think it’s not good for Sovieshu either?”
“It must have been a blow to the commander’s pride to have his offer refused. People who play dirty like him are especially prideful.”
“But all will be well, My Queen.”
Heinley, who had beco serious, set the letter aside and smiled broadly at .
“No matter how much they dig, once I get rid of all the evidence, it will be over. After all, mana decline is a natural phenonon that has been going on for a long ti.”
Still, I squeezed his hand anxiously. He squeezed mine in return.
“By the way, My Queen. Can I tear up this letter?”
Ah! Rivetti!
“No, you need to write a response.”
“… you are joking, right?”
“Rivetti asked for a favor…”
Reviews
All reviews (0)