The Abandoned Empress

Chapter 273: Chapter 273

“Well, he was Marquis Mirwa. He said this was the last message he sent as the mastermind of this whole plot, adding that I should not leak it under any circumstances…”

“Marquis Mirwa?” The emperor said sternly, folding his hands, “Earl Lanier, how long are you going to insult me? Even if he was the mastermind of this plot, like you said, he could not deliver that message to you because he left the capital two days ago.”

“Well, that was…”

“Let me warn you, Earl Lanier. You had better shut up before I get furious with you. How can you keep lying, not content with insulting me? Are you not scared at all about dying soon? ”

As if he was very upset, the emperor scolded him with a stern voice. Earl Lanier slowly shut up, while trying to excuse himself.

A tense atmosphere surrounded the nobles. In particular, the noble faction, who were really discouraged while watching the continuing trial, were on pins and needles, not knowing what to do. Even those with the rank of earl and above, who seemed relaxed until a moment ago, were now restless.

“Your Majesty!”

When some time passed in a devastating silence, Duke Verita, who was in the back for a while, stepped forward and said, “It seems that we have identified those who took the initiative of poisoning Lady Monique and those who plotted treason by trying to kill the emperor. By the way, Your Majesty, I can’t continue to hold the trial as the head of the treason, Marquis Mirwa is absent at the moment… What are you going to do? Can you adjourn at this point?”

“Hmm, good. It’s already too late, so let’s stop it today. ”

“Whew…”

There was moaning here and there among the nobles. Not only the nervous noble faction but also the pro-emperor faction who were weary of the trial seemed to be of the same mind.

“Then, when do you want to hold the next trial, Your Majesty?”

“Hmm. As it turned out that the mastermind of the two incidents has been identified, you need to focus the investigation on him. So, let’s do it this way. Duke, I will give you one week. I think you can finish the investigation within one week, given your competence. ”

“I will do my best.”

Nodding at the duke, he turned to the left and said, “Earl Hamel, Earl Wrestling, you know that in principle you should be investigated as he has singled you out in this case. Given your contributions to the empire, I won’t detain you, but I will confine you to your houses. I won’t allow you to leave your houses. If you think you are really innocent, be fully cooperative in the investigation and prove your innocence.”

“… Yes, Your Majesty. ”

“This also applies to Marquis Mirwa and Earl Holten who are absent at the moment. Duke Lars, dispatch the knights to them, so they can return to the capital immediately. If they resist, I will assume they are involved, so you can arrest them.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“In addition, I prohibit all nobles present at this meeting from leaving the capital until the trial is completely over. If you disobey my order or don’t attend the meeting one week from now, you will be also regarded as someone who has been involved in this treason. Keep it in mind. Let me adjourn the meeting today.”

When he rose from his seat and left, there broke out a deep sigh from the other side.

Some of them squatted down and some felt relieved while others gulped down water. Obviously, the noble faction looked empty, though they got freed from the tense atmosphere.

On the other hand, the pro-emperor faction members looked very lively, except that some of them were somewhat exhausted. Some had a perplexed expression, but most were very pleased.

I also stood up, looking around those who were messed up, when one of the servants with the Central Palace approached carefully and bowed, “Lady Monique, the emperor wants to see you.”

“Really? Got it.”

Though my father looked somewhat puzzled, he nodded without a word.

Duke Verita, who was collecting the documents next to him, said as if he felt it was good that I would see the emperor.

“Let’s go together. I think I have to see the emperor for a minute.”

“Okay. Let’s go, Tia. ”

“Yes, Daddy.”

Leaving the whispering nobles behind, I headed to the meeting room of the Central Palace with the two.

“I’m honored to see you, the Sun of the empire.”

“Oh, come on, Marquis. Duke Verita, you are here too. Thanks for coming. I was about to call you anyway.”

Although the emperor was usually without any expression on his face, he was unusually indifferent today, which made me nervous.

“I heard you wanted to see me.”

“That’s right. Actually, I called you to give you this. I should have solved it early on, but it took too long. ”

He nodded lightly and gave me a sheet of paper. My father received it and checked its contents. He slightly closed his lips, then said, “Are you serious? ”

“Yes.”

“Okay, Your Majesty. I, Keiran la Monique, follow your order. And I really appreciate you very much on behalf of the Monique family.”

I got puzzled. ‘Why is he doing it? What’s in the paper?’

My father took the brooch from the collar and stamped the paper. At that moment, something strange came into my eyes. On the edge of the paper he exclaimed with him was not only the crest of my family but also the royal crest engraved with a roaring golden lion.

Whanga and Monique. Two families crests printed side by side.

The imperial family and the Monique family.

I stiffened at that moment.

‘That is…”

A paper engraved with a roaring golden lion and one engraved with a spear and shield.

As if it showed it’s an official document, it was written in block letters.

It was none other than the paper officially recognizing the breakoff of my engagement with the emperor.

“…”

I tried to take my eyes off it, but my eyes were fixed on the letter ‘breakoff.’

Was it because my blood got cold? I tried to wrap my body with both arms not to feel cold, but I still had chills.

“Okay. Duke Verita, take this document with you and keep it as an official record.”

“Do you want me to handle it right away?”

“I would like to get things done as quickly as possible, but as things stand now, you can’t. Let’s do it this way. Just keep it, then process it as soon as the current trial is over. Is it okay?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will. ”

“Okay, then. Briefly explain to me about what you will discuss at the next meeting.”

“Well, it’s not much different from what I briefed you last time. But in the case of Duke Jena ..”

I stared at the young man who was listening to him, with his eyes fixed on the paperwork. I felt heartbroken when he didn’t cast even a single glance at me.

Although the two continued to talk, I could not focus. I was caught up in some sort of complicated feelings.

I didn’t remember what he said or how I got out of the place. When I came to my senses, I saw the gray-haired High Priest standing in front of me.

“Marquis Monique, can I have a word with your daughter for a moment? I have something to tell her.”

“… Yes, please.”

“Thank you, then.” The High Priest reached out to me with a faint smile.

I briefly looked at my father, then walked away with the High Priest.

After walking in the garden for a long time, the High Priest stood under the straight shade of a tree and said, “My deal with you will be over when the big conference is over. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Your Eminence. I would like to thank you very much for your hard work. ”

“No, I also benefited from you a lot. By the way, your expression doesn’t look good. I heard you have good news.”

“Pardon? Good news? ”

“In fact, I visited the emperor in the morning. Well, I didn’t believe it, but I think I know. You have clearly gotten better by a lot.”

“Pardon?”

He mentioned lots of things that I could not properly understand, then smiled at me faintly.

Then he looked at me silently for a long time and said in a mysterious voice, “Man cannot understand God’s will. I think it’s Vita’s will for me to have had a deal with the emperor and have an association with you. Congratulations, Lady Monique. You’ve found the possibility that you almost lost.”

“Ah… Thank you, Your Eminence.”