The Abandoned Empress Chapter 255

Chapter 255: Chapter 255

“… Well, it’s nothing. As I have sothing to talk with you about the temple, I would like to let you know about it.”

“Oh yes, Your Majesty.”

‘Well, I don’t think I need to report to him directly.’

I felt a bit strange about his intentions, but what he said made sense. It was natural that he was very much concerned about the festival because it was the first big event after his coronation, and that he needed to contact directly to solve the poison case.

For whatever reason, I felt much more relaxed as our conversation continued, so I presented the docunts to him with a light heart. While he was reviewing them, I sorted out what I needed to brief him about with respect to my deal with Duke Jena Jr. yesterday and my conversation with my father this morning.

After finding out the location of the secret vault, I asked my father for help after giving him a full briefing about my deal with Duke Jena Jr. I asked him whether I could use the blessed criminal for my plan. At first my father hardened his face, asking why I was looking for him, but he soon nodded his head, agreeing to my plan after hearing the details. He also promised that he would try his best to help obtain the seal.

The seal, featuring a shield, a sword, a rose, with the inscription of the phrase ‘Volente Castina.’

If I could obtain it, I would be able to prove the cri of Duke Jenna in conjunction with the docunts about Earl Lanier, which I had acquired recently, and the docunts I received from Earl Apinu the other day. I could finally wrap up the investigation into my poisoning case that took almost a year.

Besides, I could have him punished for poisoning the emperor, which was not yet proven at this point. Of course, it would not be easy because he should be charged with treason, not just injury. But it would not be impossible if I back it up with the testimony of the two High Priests who already agreed to testify, the testimony of Ian Belot and other n at the palace affairs office, and so other hard evidence that I’m still trying to find. Besides…

“… Aristia? ”

“… Yes, Your Majesty? ”

“Why were you thinking so hard? You didn’t respond even after I called you several tis. ”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I was just organizing so things in my mind to brief you on.”

Trying to shake off so doubt that kept coming to my mind, I answered calmly.

Apparently everything seed to be working out well, but I felt sowhat strange. The more I dug into this incident, the more I felt so strange shadow was lurking around .

“Really? Hmm. Is there any progress in your investigation?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Actually…”

I thought I had better keep my deal with Duke Jena Jr secret, so I briefed him about the findings of my investigation up to now except for the deal, ranging from the unearthing of Earl Lanier’s hidden docunts, the involvent of the temple in the acquisition of poison to the discovery of the winemaker’s daughter and even her exposure to possible danger.

When I was done giving him a long briefing, he, who kept silent all along, said with a pensive expression, “I see. Then, the thing is ti.”

“That’s right.”

“I think you had better wrap it up as early as possible, given the High Priest’s remarks. Let’s rescue the woman in question as soon as the festival is over, and let’s start working on it right away. ”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

When I answered politely, he said with a sign after moving his lips for a mont as if to say sothing, “You are really… … . ”

“Pardon, Your Majesty?”

“… Oh, nothing. Never mind.”

Leaning against the back of his chair, he sighed again deeply, looking silently out of the window. Following his gaze, I also looked out the window.

The world seen through the window was all colored gray with rain. When I saw the pouring rain, I recalled the rainy autumn day when I spent with him. At that ti I was scared of him, rather than sharing each other’s warmth. But we were sharing silence back then like now.

How much ti passed?

When I was looking out the window blankly, lost in mories, I heard him calling , breaking the sheer silence.

“Aristia.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You told the other day that you don’t hate rainy days, right? Then how about walking in the rain? Do you like it? ”

“Yes, I do like it.”

When I readily nodded, he took his eyes off the window and looked at .

“Then, will you walk with for a minute?”

“Pardon? Why are you suddenly…?”

“Well, I’ve got a headache with all sorts of things on my mind. If you don’t mind, I would like to get out for so fresh air with you.”

“But Your Majesty, the High Priest has advised you not to…”

“Let’s get out just briefly. I promise. ”

“… Okay.”

He stood up as soon as I replied and reached out to . It seed that he felt frustrated a lot.

When he opened the door, the royal knights on standby hurriedly bowed. Returning their greetings, he walked silently, then suddenly stopped to say, “You stay here.”

“Your Majesty, what do you an… ”

“What’s the problem, Your Majesty?”

“It’s raining a lot. Are you guys going to get caught in the rain?”

Surprised, I looked up at him. Did he really say that? How could such a cold-hearted man like him make kind and considerate remarks to them?

It was not only who was surprised by his warm response. The royal knights who looked at him blankly for a mont ca to their senses one by one and said, “We are fine, Your Majesty!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Are you sure? You guys are really stubborn. Are the knights all like that?”

Then, he turned with a sigh. I also quickly turned. At that mont, I caught a glimpse of them who seed to be touched by his unexpected response. So of them were smiling at with a aningful smile.

Why are they looking at like that? Perhaps because of that?

I blushed when I recalled what happened three days ago. Co to think of it, they must have watched him kissing . In particular, given my conversation with Sir Lank the other day, it was highly likely that the rumors about that night already spread.

Suddenly, my hand he was holding felt hot as if burning, so I pulled it gently, pretending that I was receiving an umbrella from a servant. When he looked down at with a puzzled expression, I just walked away, trying to avoid his eyes.

“Please give it to .”

“But…”

“It is very difficult for you to lift the umbrella high enough to cover .”

“… ”

“If you insist, let’s do this. Give it to . It’s my order.”

“… Yes, Your Majesty. ”

When I handed the umbrella to him, pouting, he held and opened the white umbrella, turning his mouth a bit. After looking up at the gray clouds, I stepped under the white shade of the umbrella in the rain.

I heard the sound of my heels and his shoes stepping on the wet pebbles, with raindrops pattering on the umbrella. The green leaves that hadn’t turned red yet fell off, unable to bear the weight of the water droplets on them. The falling sound was like a lody peculiar to a rainy day, which was echoing in the world blurred gray with the rain.

Carried away with the raindrops, I closed my eyes and deeply breathed in the wet air. The pleasant earthy scent tickled the tip of my nose.

“It seems you really like rain.”

I opened my eyes at his voice. Suddenly, he stopped and looked down at under the shade of the umbrella.

My heart started beating fast.

“Yes, Your Majesty…Ouch! It’s cold.”

When I hurriedly turned my head and walked away, I shivered with the falling cold raindrops that wet my body. He ca fast toward and put an umbrella over my head, clicking his tongue.

“What can I do if you quickly walk away like that? You’re all wet now!”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”

“I can’t let you walk like that. Just co closer to .”

“Oh, ah, yes… Your Majesty.”

“You’re still far from . Co closer. Like this.”

I ca closer to him hesitantly when he suddenly pulled hard to his side.

I opened my eyes wide, surprised, but he wrapped with his arms softly, which made stiffen.

What is he doing now?