Ch#227
The fabricated story spread absurdly fast, yet few people ridiculed or criticized me. I didn't know exactly what reason was given for making the Madam angry, but with the series of recent events overlapping, people were pouring out sympathy, assuming it was an unavoidable situation.
The Crown Prince did not use the Grand Duke to criticize me either. Instead, only Lady Roshan, who must have been sent by him, visited me with a face full of pity.
"Are you alright? Mel was making a fuss about coming along, but he couldn't because of His Highness. So don't be upset. Things are quite chaotic lately."
"Yes. Is it because of the Border Region?"
"There's that, but also because someone keeps trying to break into the room where the Emperor's body is kept."
"Pardon?"
At the unexpected news, my eyes widened and I let out a sharp gasp. Lady Roshan placed her index finger over her lips, signaled "shh," and whispered. Her voice was sunken and low.
"This is a strictly confidential matter that only a few people know. So keep your voice down."
What on earth did this mean? Hadn't she come to scout me on the Crown Prince's orders? Yet to use such a strong card? It felt like a splash of cold water to the head, sharpening my senses.
Feeling I needed to hear more, I acted cautiously as she did, whispering back. She sighed and continued.
"It seems to be an attempt from the Grand Duke or the Empress's side. Between the barbarians gathering without a sound to pressure the Border Region and other things, it's very suspicious. There's no reason they wouldn't target the body."
"If that's the case, isn't that a bit too blatant? I know they're aware a rebellion is brewing, but it's almost an all-out war now."
"Yes. They are constantly trying to create a justification."
In fact, the biggest obstacle for the Crown Prince right now was the delay of the Emperor's funeral. While he was performing most of the Emperor's duties according to the principle of primogeniture, he was only a half-ruler until a proper coronation could be held.
The Empress's faction was arguing that they couldn't proceed until the Emperor was laid to rest peacefully. Since it was entangled with the poisoning case, the Crown Prince risked giving them a justification if he handled it poorly.
But why was she telling me this? Even if I knew about the rebellion, I didn't think I needed to know about the tampering with the Emperor's corpse.
When I looked at Lady Roshan with doubt, she spoke with a grave expression.
"Prepare to move your troops at any time."
"Pardon?"
"Because many people will be heading to the Border Region."
"What does that...?"
Lady Roshan said no more. She lightly stroked my cheek once and then suddenly shouted cheerfully in a loud voice.
"I'm glad your heart is at ease. Now I can return with a peace of mind. Let's meet again, Sise."
"Lady Roshan, what exactly are you saying...?"
"No matter what happens tomorrow, never be flustered. Understood? Promise me."
"Yes."
She leaned down to kiss both my cheeks and left immediately without even waiting for me to see her out. It was as if she had come specifically to deliver those words.
But I didn't know what exactly I wasn't supposed to be flustered about. Even after thinking it over, I couldn't tell what she wanted to say to me. I could only barely guess from her comment about preparing troops that a conclusion had been reached to sacrifice the forces of House Bischwaldz.
What if that was really it? What on earth was the Madam doing?
Disturbed, I paced the room all night without sleeping. If this was what she meant by not being surprised, it was a serious matter.
However, the rumor that broke the next day was far weightier than anything I had imagined. An event occurred that set the entire Empire ablaze.
The Emperor's coffin had been stolen!
This event, which would be recorded as the most shameful day in the history of the Empire, struck the Capital in an instant, leaving everyone aghast. The nobles gathered in small groups to talk. They didn't even stop to wonder how a matter that should have been kept quiet had spread so quickly.
*They say the soldiers and knights guarding it were all killed.*
*The weapons that slit their throats and tore their bellies are said to be similar to the barbarian weapons described in the Border Count's letter.*
*Does that mean Eriñus has secretly infiltrated the Capital?*
*We would have noticed such a force; how could they break into the Imperial Palace?*
*There are signs they used secret passages.*
*Someone is communicating with those barbarians to throw the nation into chaos.*
*Who is it?*
*Who on earth is it!*
*And by what route did they move the coffin? They must have used a carriage.*
*Find it. This is a national disgrace. Our pride is at stake!*
The culprits were identified in an instant, and their traces were found by the searchers. Even if it felt strange, people had no choice but to keep their mouths shut because the evidence was so clear.
Even though it was blatant, as if saying "I am the culprit." While the entry points were nowhere to be found, the marks of the coffin being dragged out were vividly left behind.
The shame of failing to protect the Emperor's body despite the presence of the fallen knights' families and many others, and the humiliation of having the Capital breached by barbarians, was paralyzing everyone's reason.
Therefore, the question of 'How did Lady Roshan know this and warn me?' was one I had to keep to myself.
A few days later, everything followed: the provocation from Eriñus at the border mocking the Border Count with the Emperor's body, and the Crown Prince, enraged, declaring to all the nobles that he would form a unified force.
Quite coincidentally, because the barbarians had kidnapped the Emperor's body at the perfect time, both the Empress's faction and the Crown Prince's faction had to cough up troops. It was to prove their loyalty to the Imperial Family.
Some suggested it would be better to send a few elites, but the Crown Prince argued strongly using the number of enemies written in the Border Count's letter, so there was no other way.
Regarding this matter, no one was as filled with indignation as the Crown Prince, so even the Empress and the Grand Duke couldn't say a word.
Thanks to this, House Bischwaldz was spared from being the sole sacrifice, but it was unavoidable that several knights, including Knight Halverd, were drafted, so I had to pack unexpected baggage.
Had my adoptive father been alive, he would have led the troops himself, but with only me, a woman, remaining, we naturally fell under the Crown Prince's command.
So, I began to move quickly to prepare for the departure to the border, polishing their armor and swords, and providing ample travel funds and dried rations.
In the Capital and across the country, blacksmiths worked day and night, their hammers never stopping as they sharpened weapons, the fires showing no sign of going out.
Women gathered to embroider family crests on cloaks. They fed the horses plenty of fodder and didn't forget to put ample emergency medicine into the hands of the squires.
The whole country was in an uproar. But rather than fear of war, people were burning with anger toward the barbarians and the spirit of going to punish them, making it noisy like a festival. No one thought they would lose to Eriñus.
The knights of House Bischwaldz were the same. Each boasted grandly and seriously debated how they would cut off the barbarians' heads.
With Knight Halverd and Knight Aires together, there was a prevailing atmosphere that victory was already assured. Especially the confidence of the knights who had cut down bandits a few times while escorting merchant groups was inflated to the sky.
They teased the squires, joking, "Just stay right behind Knight Halverd and you'll survive." They even blustered about whether it was even necessary to take such a large force.
Knight Halverd advised them to be careful with a worried expression, but it seemed they didn't listen at all. Their arrogance, as if they had already won, was quite unsightly even to me. But with everyone in such an excited state, there was no way to calm them down.
I quietly observed Knight Halverd. Even if the Crown Prince or Knight Aires acted that way because they knew many things, it was impressive that he too did not let his guard down. Was it an instinct, or something born of experience?
At any rate, even if I wanted to tell him something new, most of the information I had was already leaking out as rumors, so there was nothing specific to advise.
This was especially true because I had never heard of a barbarian uprising occurring before the rebellion in my previous life. The destiny that was turning back was entangled in a much more complex and chaotic way. Thus, I could only express sincere worry and do nothing more.
"Think only of returning safely. They say war is originally conducted cowardly."
On the night before the departure, I called Knight Halverd and pleaded in a desperate tone.
"My Lady."
"You are my knight, so you must listen to my request. I do not want you to be hurt. What use is that thing called honor? I—no, House Bischwaldz—will endure the criticism for it. So please, return with your body intact."
Yes, if you are gone, I cannot lead this family. What would I do if my sharpest sword became blunt because of war? Putting aside my human worry and pity for the man, the days ahead felt like they would be unbearable due to the bleakness.
So, I urged him to abandon his knightly honor. I acted that way while willingly accepting the possibility of being held in contempt. It was a quite cowardly, petty, and almost unreasonable command, but Knight Halverd listened to my words quietly.
"Do you truly mean that?"
"Yes. I want you to be safer than anyone else."
"Then I shall do so."
"...Are you alright with that?"
Unexpectedly, he accepted readily. I was the one surprised and asked his intention again, but his only response was an affirmation.
*Is he not even offended?*
Suddenly, one side of my heart felt a piercing ache. I couldn't meet his eyes, and cold sweat ran down my back as my cheeks burned with shame.
The conscience that had been so composed with others was functioning normally only toward Knight Halverd. It was a different feeling from how I treated Knight Aires.
It was around then that Knight Halverd spoke.
"They say one receives God's grace when leaving for war. But it is too late to visit the temple now, so I wish to ask for your help, My Lady."
I was flustered by the knight's action as he suddenly knelt on one knee and showed me respect. But despite my reaction, he continued his words firmly. As if this moment would never return.
"My Lady, please bestow grace upon your knight."
"How could I...?"
"Please pray that I may return safely."
God's grace usually involved sprinkling holy water or a high priestess kissing the forehead with all her heart's prayer. But most were satisfied with being sprinkled with holy water and buying talismans with scriptures. However, since I had neither holy water nor a talisman, it was no different from asking for a kiss on the forehead.
"Knight Halverd..."
"Is it not allowed? Will you not permit even this much greed? It is merely a grace. A small mercy bestowed upon your loyal knight."
His calm voice sounded strangely desperate, as if craving affection. It was odd. There was no reason for him to be like this to me. We—no, he and I—were not in that kind of relationship.
Yet, because it kept looking as if Knight Halverd were clinging to me, I couldn't say anything. Like I was under a strange spell, I hesitantly approached, placed my hands on both his cheeks, and slowly lowered my head.
*Yes, for a man who would abandon his pride for me, I should naturally bestow this much grace.*
So, I kissed his forehead. While desperately wishing for Knight Halverd to return safely. Of course, it was a prayer entirely for my own sake, not for the knight of blue, but the one receiving it and the one giving it were both accepting it as if it were nothing.
"I desperately pray that you return safely."
"Yes, even if I have to stake my sword, I surely will."
Loneliness was washing over my lips that touched his forehead. It was even more so seeing Knight Halverd's face as he smiled softly the moment he received my kiss.
Perhaps that was why. Without realizing it, I truly hoped he wouldn't be hurt. It was the first time I had desperately wished for his safe return without thinking of my own gain. Quite basely so.
