Chapter 9: Fourth

Monica returned to her study quietly through the window. Then, she went back to her bedroom.

"Did something happen? Why did you ask me to protect them?", Jason asked.

Monica frowned.

"Something very troublesome. A rebellion? Or something even worse. Whatever it is, they have a high-end mage working with them"

"Princess, did you start a rebellion just because you didn't like the arranged marriage? That should be it, right?"

Monica kept silent. It might seem like Jason was trying to joke but he was just trying to give himself false hope because what she said meant war was going to happen in this peaceful era. There had been no war since the current emperor had risen to the throne.

"This peaceful time won't be for long. This was just them playing around. We might be dealing with a sadistic lunatic this time"

For Monica, it wasn't that she was scared of facing them. Rather, it would be a great opportunity to gain power. What she feared was the cost that would come along a bloody war.

"What exactly happened out there? Princess, should I go and get information?"

Monica glanced at Jason and shook her head. Just then there was a knock at the door.

"Princess, urgent news has arrived!"

Monica stood up and went out. Nobody should see Jason in there, it could result in unwanted rumors. Even if Alissa was also there, Sofia's people would grab such a golden opportunity.

"There have been several bombings and casualties in different areas in the royal palaces!"

The knight was all riled up. It was his first time witnessing something this horrible. Monica sneered inwardly, these new recruits in particular had been living a luxurious life without having much to do.

"Calm down and give me a full report in my office"

She walked towards her office and the knight followed her. Office was just a fancy name for a study room that was being used to keep ledgers and manage expenses for the palace. Monica herself only came to this room once a month, that is, when the budget had been compiled. It was mostly managed by the head maid; it was a person she had hired herself.

Monica entered the office. Head maid Emma was in there. She greeted the princess as soon as she saw her. She wasn't expecting her visit in the middle of the month. Monica sat down on her chair and motioned the knight to go on.

"There have been terrorist attacks in the main palace, prince's palace, Queen's palace and knight's grounds. There have been casualties, exact numbers are still being counted. The emperor has called for an emergency meeting. The princess has been called as well"

It was the first-time emperor had called her for a meeting. It was time she got involved in political affairs of the empire.

"Emma, arrange for a carriage to the main palace. What is your name?"

Emma left the room to make arrangements.

"Cedric Carter, your highness."

"Sir Cedric, who do you serve?"

"…I am the vice head of fourth division of knights assigned to you, your highness"

There was awkward silence in the room. Monica had never paid attention to other servants or knights as many were spies or just here for the job; she didn't trust any of them.

"So, I am number 4…"

The lowest number of division of royal knights was assigned to her. This clearly showed her political power compared to other royal family members. First division guarded the Emperor, second guarded the prince while third was under the Queen.

Cedric felt embarrassed at the princess' words.

"Let's have a nice chat later on Sir Cedric. For now, assemble all the knights and help the disaster sites. I believe more hands will be needed in the knight grounds; most knights available will be busy in the other palaces to prioritize royalty. I will have Sir Jason with me to protect me. Also, take something with you before you leave"

The fourth division of knights was dispatched to the disaster sites.

"There have been few casualties on our side and a servant is missing. There are five dead bodies but there should be another person too. We weren't able to identify because the corpses' faces are unrecognizable. As soon as we identify the person, we will trace them. There is only one survivor, it is a maid and she is unconscious right now", the head knight of the second division reported to the prince.

"Very well. Search for the person responsible as soon as possible. It is a rebellion…Also, the previous report said that the areas affected are three palaces? What about the princess' palace?"

Harold and the knight were walking in the hallway. He came to attend the emergency meeting at the main palace.

"There has been no report of explosion there."

Just then, Monica appeared in front of them from the other hallway. By now, both of them were standing in front of the meeting room. Monica had overheard their conversation, however she treated him like air and Harold did the same.

Their presence was announced and both of them entered at the same time. Monica had no plans to be number four anymore.

However, even the seating arrangement was so that she was number four. She was internally cussing at this point. The number "4" was really getting on her nerves.

High ranking nobles were already there. Afterwards, Queen Sofia entered and lastly, the emperor entered. The emperor also had the head of imperial magicians with him. Finally, everyone was seated and the meeting began. It started with the emperor's words:

"I'm sure it must've been tough on you all to respond to summons late after you had reached your homes to rest after a whole day of work. It is late at night but I ask you all for your understanding. Now we shall commence the meeting regarding today's incidents"

First, everyone was provided with information regarding the incidents. As soon as they got to know that princess' palace was the only one without any damage, officials started to whisper to each other. Earl Travis suddenly got up and raised his voice:

"Why was the princess' palace the only one free from any damage? Forgive me your majesty but this issue needs to be addressed!"

The Emperor who usually had a rather apathetic look glared at the Earl. Monica was a little surprised to see that sort of reaction.

Monica glanced at the Earl.

"Earl Travis of the South, your majesty", he gave his late introductions.

He was involved with the person who had sent the assassins after her.

The Emperor did not respond, instead Head Mage Simon did.

"The targets were random and there is a reason for that. Those bombs could explode anywhere however the timings were same. This is because those bombs were magic bombs"

All the officials started whispering to each other. Magic bombs were very expensive, only powerful and rich could possess them.

"These are called silent bombs. These require human hosts. Therefore, the five missing people might not be the terrorists but victims. Upon explosion, none of their traces remained."

"Five? But the report said there were only four bombings?", an official asked.

"The fifth was in the capital city, not in the royal grounds. The report had arrived a few minutes ago", this time the chancellor, Duke Hughes responded.

"Still, the person purposely installed it in the hosts that were working in the most important buildings in the royal grounds. It is a rebellion. I would hate to say, but does the perpetrator know the princess. I am not saying the princess has a hand in it but there is a possibility the perpetrator is someone who knows the princess", this time it was Harold.

He, with his argument, fueled the gossips in the background.

Monica sighed and stood up.

"I probably do not know the perpetrator nor should he know me. I haven't been close to or have made acquaintances with other nobles. I usually stay-"

"But your majesty, we cannot say for sure that the perpetrator does not know the princess. The prince said that her highness is likely not involved"

Marquis Tyson, an avid supporter of the prince spoke up. The Emperor clearly disliked his interrupting the princess. He opened his mouth and was about to say something but the princess spoke up.

"Hey! Can't you hear me speaking? Now, shut up and let me continue"

There was complete silence. She although was a little rude and slapped a duke's son but that was it. This was the first time she had lashed out at an older person.

"I will continue what I was saying. The person involved in this rebellion is most likely a high-end mage, however I believe-"

Marquis who had been enraged by the humiliation spoke up again.

"And how do you know that when you have been stuck in your palace your whole life, your highness?"

This time, she really wanted to cuss at him openly but she held back due to his seniority in age. She was going to ignore him and continue on but she decided to return the favor.

"Marquis Tyson. Who do you think I am? I might be at the age of your daughter but I am a princess while you are a Marquis. Do not treat me the same way as your daughter"

She glared at him. He was a very conservative person who looked down on women. He had given his wife and daughter a hard time. His wife had divorced him but he still had control over his daughter and treated her like a puppet. Many noble families had complicated relationships but even among them, he was known to be brazen. The only decent thing about him was his title and power.

He gritted his teeth. He was seething with anger but he couldn't say anything.

What Monica had just said was a message to everyone that she wasn't as oblivious of things as people believed her to be.