The Abandoned Empress

It would be better to show him than explain.

When I handed over a bunch of papers to Duke Verita, who looked at me curiously, he glanced over them silently.

While turning over them quickly, he seemed surprised.

“Huh, this is something unexpected. Why didn’t I know about this?”

“Usually, you look into what you did wrong, not right. Anyway, isn’t it a bit strange?”

“Sure thing. How can the Marquis Mirwa family be so clean without corruption, given that he is the deputy leader of the noble faction after Duk Jena? I smell a rat.”

“I think so, too.”

“Of course, we might think he is a clean man, but I doubt it. Thanks for letting me know. Let me go and investigate it thoroughly.”

“You’re welcome. It’s only a small outcome that I’ve obtained in the process of investigation. ”

He looked through the papers again sharply and asked, raising his glasses, “Okay, then. Is there anything else I can help?”

“I need some information about the merchant groups controlled by Duke Jenna.”

“Why? Are you going to make them go bankrupt? ”

“Well, I don’t want to go as far as that, but I am thinking about getting rid of the manure growing roses.”

Upon hearing my answer, he said with a smile, “As for that, we have already enough data about them. So, let me take care of them here instead of bothering you. Enough?”

“Yes, that’s enough. By the way, you have to guarantee our merchant group’s certain share of the market in the capital.”

“Oh, okay. You are really smart in dealing with this, Lady Monique. So, you mean I can take the rest of the market share, right?”

“Of course.”

“Good. I think everyone will like it. ”

Duke Verita nodded with a satisfied expression. Looking at him, I also smiled. I thought that something was working out little by little, though slowly, as I expected, so I felt slightly better, though I felt gloomy after meeting Grace.

‘Okay, now the dock has opened!’

I mumbled to myself, stepping out of the office. I was very excited about the day when I could counterattack the noble faction.

A few days later, when I entered the dining room after morning practice, I saw my father reading something, raising his eyebrows.

What is it that makes him so uncomfortable?

When I approached him, tilting my head, he put down the paper he was holding and said, “Oh, come on in.”

“Yes, Daddy. What is that? ”

“Oh, Marquis Mirwa passed away. The funeral will be held quietly in his territory, but his successor says he is going to stay here for the title succession ceremony. This is the invitation to his title succession. ”

“Pardon? What the heck…?”

“As the creation of the 4th Knights Division is around the corner, he seems to be afraid that the position of its captain will be lost to someone else. It looks like he really wants it.”

“…I see.”

I really can’t understand his actions in a situation where his father passed away. He was too cold-hearted.

Although I was a little puzzled, I shook off my thoughts about him and checked the letters addressed to me. At the top of the pile of letters, there was an envelope marked urgent reading.

When I opened it in a hurry, there was only one line in it.

I uttered exclamations unconsciously.

‘Then, was it really true?’

As I couldn’t hide my excitement and joy, I was all smiles.

This was a great discovery that could make up for the sluggish progress until now.

I placed a hand over my trembling heart and scanned the short sentence again.

NEC5-R referred to the red-roofed house on the fifth block of the commoners’ district in the northeast. It would be perfect if he could only find the contact time between the two.

‘I wonder when they meet secretly.’

While I was pondering over some stuff, I nodded when something suddenly flashed through my mind. Although I was not sure, I thought it was worth giving it a try.

“Daddy?”

“Why?”

“Can I attend the Mirwa familly’s title succession ceremony?”

“Um? Why? You can send an agent there. ”

“Well, I need to find out something.”

“Hmm, okay. Go ahead. But can you make a promise to me?”

“Promise? What is that? ”

When I asked, tilting my head, he said with a faint smile, “It is regrettable that I can’t spend time with you as you are too busy. I understand right now you must be very busy preparing for the knight’s test, but I hope you can spend some time with me after you’re done with your business.”

“Ah…Of course. I promise, Daddy.”

When I answered with a warm smile, he said with a light smile, “And go there with Sir League, just in case.”

“Pardon? But Sir League is…”

“I wish I could accompany you, but I don’t have to enhance the status of the Mirwa family against my will.”

“Oh, I see. Let me go with Sir League, Daddy.”

I nodded gently at him after thinking about it for a moment. He was definitely right. I needed to be very careful because I was now going to the enemy’s territory. Moreover, if what I anticipated was right, I might have to mobilize forces in the process of negotiation.

I smiled broadly, picking up the fork. Now, I was looking forward to the succession ceremony in a few days.

A few days later, I went to the Mirwa family’s house with Sir League. The house, which I visited for the first time in my life, was located not far from our house.

As I got out of the wagon, a well-decorated mansion caught my eye.

It was a little surprising. I was told that the seven marquises, except for our family, didn’t pay attention to what was going on in the capital because they were based in the far-off border areas, but that was not the case with the Mirwa family. The mansion was similar in its size and decorations to those of the noble families that were quite powerful in central politics.

Looking at that, I felt it’s not because the Mirwa family settled in the capital for a long time, but because its successor was a very talented guy.

When I entered the mansion, the man with honey-colored hair greeted me at the entrance, looking sad.

“Welcome, Lady Monique. I was very surprised when I received your letter that you would attend. Thank you for your precious time. ”

“You’re welcome. I would like to express condolences for your late father.”

“…Thanks for your comforting words.”

I was very puzzled. If he feels so sad, why is he staying here in the capital instead of attending his father’s funeral? Granted this was a crucial period. Who could take the position of the captain of the new knights division from his family, the second most powerful of the noble faction members? Is there unseen friction within them?

People around already began to cast suspicious looks at me, but I looked around, ignoring their hostile gaze from everywhere. Among the nobles chatting in small groups of two and three I saw Countess Dias dressed up brightly.

Good. My plan is half won.

As I turned my gaze naturally and looked elsewhere, I saw some young guys from the pro-emperor faction forming a group here and there among the noble faction members. It seemed that they could not ignore the invitation because the Mirwa family was ranked 6th in the empire.

When I was thinking about who I should talk to first, I suddenly heard someone calling me sharply from behind my back, “Who is this? You must be Lady Monique, right?”

As I slowly turned, I saw Jiun staring at me, raising her eyebrows.

“Hello, Lady Jena.”

Only

“Hi, do you think I am okay?”

I noticed a very threatening smile on her face as if she was going to hit me in a fit of anger.

Although her angry look was annoying, I just smiled quietly because I knew why she was so upset about me.

“I’m sorry, Sir League, but would you mind excusing us? I have something to talk with Lady Jena about.”

“… Sure, my lady.”

Sir League, who replied reluctantly, moved back a few steps. After confirming that he was at a distance where he could not overhear their conversation, Jiun said, frowning very hard, “What the heck did you do to me these days?”

“I don’t know what you mean, Lady Jena.”

“Don’t act dumb with me! It’s you who disturbed it even after knowing I was buying muslin, and it was also you who reported to the government about the merchant groups controlled by my family.”