[Ch. 59] An Elegant Exile (Past)

After fully recovering, I left the hidden room.

Amanda was the first one to find me, "What have you done? I was so worried!"

I ignored her and moved to my room.

She continued, "I can't believe you fought with Korph. What was it this time? I bet he said something stupid again."

"Mmn."

Amanda wasn't upset that I didn't explain, and instead shared gossip I had missed while I was gone. "Oh! I almost forgot! Princess Mona said that Sir Raylon was called home, but she didn't know why. Apparently, it was a top-secret matter. But, rumor has it that someone broke into the Phoenix Kings private quarters and they are trying to find the culprit."

"Mmn."

She gave me a careful look, "Do you really not care about Raylon?"

How can I answer this question? Truthfully, I felt like I was to blame for what happened to his sister. To make matters worse, I forced him to visit the Baron's estate when he had endured trauma from the Baron. I even refused to let him get revenge.

I looked down with an uncomfortable feeling in my chest, "Amanda."

Amanda jumped slightly, "Yes, lady Moao?"

"The Baron will be calling me back soon to exile me. You should take Mona up on her offer."

Amanda gasped with wide eyes, "Exile? Why? Is it because of Korph?"

I spoke full of meaning, "You should worry about yourself, Amanda. Go to Mona."

She shook her head slowly, "I can't."

I flinched in surprise, "Why?"

She gave a weak smile, "Kingdom Sadon is my home. I can't betray the Baron after allowing me these years with you."

"Amanda." I spoke firmly, "He might kill you."

She just shrugged, "It will be okay. You don't need to worry about me."

"Amanda."

"No." She interrupted, meeting my gaze, "Do you allow me to have free will?"

I recalled a previous conversation with Amanda a few months after we had met. I was sick of Amanda not doing anything unless I told her to, so I ordered Amanda to have free will. Naturally, I wouldn't take it away from her now.

I muttered in defeat, "Of course."

….

A few days later, a letter arrived for me to return to the Kingdom Sadon for an appointment with the Baron. When I returned, I was locked in my room without Amanda. Of course, they couldn't actually keep me there. I teleported to my wine cellar and transported my collection to a location only I was aware about. I then moved to my research room to collect all of my notes.

I hesitated when I noticed something very important missing.

The entire collection of my research on necromancy had been rummaged through as if someone was looking for something specific. I looked around hurriedly trying to find what had been stolen before finally giving up.

How did someone steal it? I had a barrier set up that was impenetrable… Unless someone came in when I was unconscious? The barrier must have fallen because I wasn't strong enough to maintain it.

But who? The Baron? If he found my notes on necromancy, then it would explain the exile. But if he outed me, then things would become far too messy for him. He wouldn't want to explain that his daughter had been practicing such an unforgivable sin.

I only wrote it down since it helped me organize my thoughts. It's not like I actually needed it due to my perfect memory. I didn't care enough to find who took it, so I returned to my room just in time for the servants to let me know the Baron wanted to see me in his throne room. I rolled my eyes at the effort he put into this.

Did he really have to go this far just to kick me out? Surely a letter would have sufficed.

I approached the door with Amanda by my side. The servant knocked on the door and announced my presence. A smug voice answered, "Enter."

I entered the attendance room and approached his throne. One Advisor stood at the bottom of the stairs with an irritating smirk. The advisor spoke, "Kneel before the Baron."

Amanda quickly kneeled in deep respect. However, I merely gave a small nod.

The advisor snapped, "How dare you disrespect the Baron!"

"Enough. It doesn't matter." The Baron waved his hand, "Moao. I received reports that you used magic relating to the dark arts. Do you deny this?"

I gave him a cold look, "Do you have evidence?"

He furrowed his brow in anger, "This isn't a trial. We do not need to present evidence. Do you deny using the dark arts?"

It seems the Baron really didn't take my notes. He would have used it as evidence if he had. Instead, he wants to take advantage of my personality to have me admit it myself… I don't mind this. I hate living here anyway.

I looked at him apathetically, "I used it."

The advisor smiled smugly next to him while the Baron had a dark expression. The Baron spoke, "Since you don't deny it, then you'll be given your punishment now. Since you are still my daughter, we will not seek the death penalty on you. Instead you will receive the next worse punishment. You are banished from this Kingdom. If you ever return or set foot in this nation again, you will be thrown in prison where you will never see the sun again. A carriage will take you to the border without stopping. After that, you will no longer be let in."

Hah. It's only because he knows he can't kill me that he decided to just exile me. After all, he needs to maintain his pride and reputation.

He nodded at the Advisor who spoke, "We are aware that you possess a powerful amount of magic. Therefore, we want to offer you a deal. If you don't challenge us on this decision, then we won't share with anyone the reason you were kicked out. We are aware that doing this would make you a pariah in all of the nation's so we hope you will take this into consideration."

It was exactly as I thought. They changed black to white.

I nodded, "Very well, I will respect your terms."

The Baron looked to Amanda who kneeled behind her, "Now for you Amanda. Were you aware she used these dark arts?"

Amanda's voice quivered, "No, your Excellency."

"Oh? Am I really to believe that? You have been at her side for years. Surely she's confided in you."

Amanda bit her lip as she trembled in fear. Seeing her so afraid, I interrupted, "Why should I confide in her? I have no interest in her."

The Baron looked at me with a sadistic smile, "Oh really? All these years and you still don't care about her at all? Am I really to believe you are so heartless?"

I remained apathetic, "Believe what you wish. She followed me as a servant. To me, that's all she ever was. Anyone will attest to this. I have never shown her affection or interest."

Amanda had always suspected I felt this way, but now hearing it spoken out loud she looked truly hurt. Amanda put her hand over her heart and squeezed.

I forced my eyes to remain uncaring.

The Baron pressed, "If that's true, then why not get another servant? Why keep her?"

"Getting a new one would require too much effort."

The Baron stroked his beard and looked to Amanda, "Well, there you have it Amanda. The love you felt for her all these years were for nothing. Never once did she care about you. I suppose that is punishment enough. Since you did not do your job in protecting Moao, then I will be demoting you to work under the head maids. You will report to them for work now."

Amanda bowed to him deeply, "Thank you for your mercy, your Excellency."

The Baron motioned towards the advisor standing by him. The advisor nodded to the servants, "Have the carriage pull around for his Excellency."

I went to leave but paused. I turned back to him with a serious expression, "Dear Father, let me leave you some advice. If I were you, I would be very careful."

He raised his eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

"Don't you think it was very convenient to have me kicked out? Your close advisors seemed to have been putting a lot of pressure on you to do so for a while. Didn't you find their reasoning to have little substance?"

The advisor snapped, "How dare you-"

The Baron held up a hand silencing the advisor, "Continue."

"I just think it is such a coincidence that your only child, who could have married and ascended to the throne, is being kicked out. This leaves you with no one to take over putting you in a very precarious situation. How easy would it be for someone to take over with you gone?"

His expression turned dark. He didn't seem surprised, however, he was enraged since he knew I was right. He spoke coldly, "What would you suggest?"

"You've been trying for an heir for several decades. It's never going to happen."

He scowled, "I had you as a child. I don't see why it would never happen."

I continued unabashed by his attitude, "Unfortunately for you, it was a miracle I was even born. It truly was a shame that I wasn't a man. Trust me, I wish I had been born one as well. Either way, I would have still turned out like this; uninterested in your throne. But, no. You will never father another child. You are barren."

He stood up full of rage, "How dare you say such an immoral thing!"

"Immoral? It is merely the truth. You always blamed the women, but it was never their fault. You are merely physically unable to produce an heir."

"Get out." The Baron said seething with anger.

"Very well. I will just leave you with this last advice since I am not completely ungrateful. Find an orphan boy that resembles you. Look for one who isn't afraid of you and is full of fire. Then pass him off as your own. He will undoubtedly exceed your expectations."

I left the room, leaving behind the seething Baron and the alarmed Advisor. The servant led me to a run-down carriage, "I am terribly sorry Lady Moao, but the Baron said to not let you take anything with you except the clothes on your back."

"Mmn. Just keep watch over Amanda for me, will you?"

The servant looked at me in surprise, "Lady Moao, are you actually concerned for her? I didn't think you cared."

I guess everyone really does think I don't care about anything. Oh well. Perhaps that's for the best.

This is the only way I can protect Amanda.

I entered the car without explaining myself. I didn't feel upset to be forced to leave. If I wanted to come back, I could easily do so in a disguise. After all, no one is able to see through my illusions. It was one of the things I excelled in.

I closed my eyes as I felt the wind blow delicately across my face.

This is fine.