Chapter 20: Garth

Per the latest message, the nobles who had a chance to celebrate are preparing the first ball for this month. The streets seem bustling with different colours as attendants, nobles, and maids go to and fro, already preparing what to wear for the three-month occasion. Business people happily attending their patrons with money eyes as they guide them to their shops and boutiques. On the other hand, Cashim was watching them from his window. 

"Are there still no movement from the palace?" 

Cashim's assistant, Mazi, gave him a letter. 

"There was a movement; the only heir of Duke Yushon had a private meeting with the Emperor, and after he again appeared in the banquet, they also left earlier than you. It was said they had a worried expression dragging their son on their carriage." 

"Nothing has happened since then? No killing?" 

Mazi shook his head. 

"Nothing." 

Is there really nothing? Leaning on the side of the window, Casim was deep in thought. 

While searching for maps and studying the terrain of the forest and the cave, Cashim had a suspicion that there was a high possibility that the young girl used the cave as a way to go back and forth between the palace and the outside. 

It took him a lot of work to discover a hidden passage, which cost him more money and men. 

Cashim visited the forest an hours later after she disappeared, and although the little girl hid her tracks as carefully as possible, some hints were seen from his sharp eyes. There must be something that she had used to open a pathway. 

Something he has yet to find out. There was nothing strange when he looked inside the cave. He should take another look.

It is possible to destroy it, but. "Then let's retreat for now and focus on the upcoming banquets that will be held in the palace." 

It's better to gather more information and not let them be more wary of him. Cashim will discover it slowly; for now, it's good enough that he knows where that child stays, an assumption to be exact. The place being a possible hidden pathway is also a plus. Everyone would die for such valuable information, especially the Imperial Faction. The lunatics who believe so much in the Adiand royals.

"When will the auction begin?" 

"The last day of the week." 

"Wonderful." 

There's also that item to take care of and the investigation of the people surrounding the Oram Valley.

"Hah. To think I believe in the words of a child." 

Like it will happen. 

"Then are you going to change your mind? You mentioned that our young patron said it's optional." 

Mazi suggested. 

Cashim chuckled, "No. Let's just keep it that. Consider those men have it as their vacation." 

After writing a small note, he carefully tied it to the pigeon's leg before putting it in a cage. 

"At night, you will be free. Endure for now." 

His eyes were hooded, smiling as if comforting the pigeon who looked at him blankly, tilting its head and then flapping its wing. 

"That's right, most people like to move better at night." 

Cashim returned to his seat and slumped like a panther; a small sigh escaped his mouth as he tapped his fingers, thinking thoughtfully.

"Really, shouldn't the Emperor be closed shut. What just happened?" 

"…Mazi, I need to further expand my power." 

"Are you going to openly compete with your brothers?" 

Cashim snorted. 

"They are no brothers of mine. I'll take everything by myself." 

He needs authority and a worthy title to get inside the palace and know what is happening. 

"Prepare that scandal." 

Mazi was stunned. "Wait, if we do that, then you'll be implicated." 

"Don't worry, I know how to act accordingly." 

"Then, should we do it now?" 

"Hmm, maybe after all the banquets have finished." 

"Alright, three months it is." 

"Uh-huh. Then that's all for now. I'll rest a bit." 

"Alright, Sire, then I'll leave." 

"Thanks." 

Now that the first hurdles are resolved, he'll watch and observe from the side. If only buying a maid and letting it enter through recommendation from higher nobles was influential in getting inside the palace, it would lessen his burden. But no, they have been closed off for the past decade without letting anyone in. Tsk. 

*** 

Meanwhile, in the Garth Duchy located in the north, everyone was having a meeting, yet they were all silent; the coldness of the winter that was ever-changing in the region seemed to grow thrice more potent inside the Meeting Hall right where the Duke was seated. 

Bam. 

A cold and fierce fire pervaded the hall.

"…" 

Cold sweat runs down their backs while being meek as a mouse. 

"Veralis, just what on Adiand's tarnation have you done?" 

Just a few chairs away from the rectangular table, Veralis bowed his head. 

"It was due to my negligence and arrogance that I didn't notice what was behind me, which caused something so troublesome in our family. If the Duke desires, I'll personally kill myself." 

Veralis unsheated his sword, ready to kill himself.

"What?!" 

"Elder Brother, you mustn't be reckless!" 

Another young man stood up, Veralis' youngest brother, Azel. 

Bright hazel eyes, a handsome young lad that could rival the sun itself just by his countenance; his pure eyes were filled with worry as he stared at his father, pleading on his brother's behalf. 

"Father, please stay your anger. Brother didn't mean it to be that way. You know him!"

The Duke Garth harrumped. "Do you think it's that easy? Even if you're dead, they'll come after our family. It is an undeniable fact that it was done in the Imperial Palace. You even saw something you shouldn't have! Ugh, I really hate politics." 

The head of the Duchy growled, exuding a dangerous aura that spread throughout the room. And even if they confirm themselves innocent, it would still fall in the royal's favour. "I'll forgive you this time since you've given us such valuable information." 

This information will get them killed once it has spread. 

"Thank you for your magnanimous generosity, Father." 

"Hah." 

What generosity? To think it has come to this point. The other thing is, "So the Emperor has other blood relations, huh?" 

An exciting and compelling news. What's more, it's younger than the Emperor and seems to be more deceitful. The children of the Adiand Royalty are not truly unnatural among the children of patricians. No wonder the Noble Faction are wary of them. 

"Th-Then Duke, what shall we do?" 

One of the Duke's collateral family members asked. 

"Then what else? Veralis will go." 

"But if the Young Master Veralis, who is the heir of the Duchy, enters the Imperial Palace and becomes their slave--" 

One of the members who spoke immediately closed his mouth, seeing the Duke's frigid glare. 

"You-You're Grace…" 

"Slave?" 

The Duke's eyes darkened. "Clean that mouth of yours; the Sons of Garth are only slaves to swords and nothing else." 

"Y-Yes, I understand. Forgive my impudence; I will wash my mouth right away!" 

The man stood up in panic, bowed in haste and walked as if his life was on the line until the door was closed. 

"If anyone thinks that the princess of Adiand has taken a leech on our necks, off with your head." 

Yes, they think the princess of Adiand has a leech on their neck, "…" 

Of course, no one answered. 

They don't even dare to breathe out loud, fearing it might cause unnecessary attention to the Duke, who seems ready to kill anyone who irritates him. Ah, they felt too cold. It's better to guard outside, count the ants, watch the trees, have a stuffy nose and smile at the gloomy sky than to stay here. 

"Father, I can go." 

Azel broke the tension in the air. 

"Why would you?" 

The Duke finally calmed down and sat back on his chair. 

"Brother is the firstborn and the heir in line. This is crucial for our family. I am only talented in swords and lack how to scheme; they have a limit to how much they can use me." 

"No." 

Veralis and the Duke opposed at the same time.

"You're too emotional and stu--kind."

Azel, "..."

Father, did you just say I'm stupid?

Veralis reworded his father's statement, "Azel, don't underestimate yourself. You have more potential to be the rightful to be the next Duke. You have more talents than me, especially in swordsmanship. Besides, I'm sure she'll view it as deception and threaten us more if I don't personally go." 

"But brother Ralis…" 

Azel was genuinely anxious. His big brother is going to that dangerous place and would be rarely seen, which is intolerable! 

Who does not know of Aidand's tyranny? 

"Please make me clean my own mess, Father, and I promise I'll do whatever it takes to return home and not disappoint the family." 

Veralis had already decided, imploring his father. Although he is pained to ignore his younger brother's concern, this is what he should do. He must be responsible enough to keep his word. 

More so, it concerns their sister's health. Azel is too righteous, blunt, and bright to be easily swayed. If he made a slip of the tongue, the Adiand princess would kill him. The youngest is too undiluted to work with that kind of person. The cure for his sister would be kept secret unless he is sure it works. 

"If that happens, won't our neutral standing be destroyed?" 

The Duke's adviser asked more like he had come to the conclusion. 

"It was manipulated that way." 

Duke Garth stated. 

There are no rumours of the assassins and the incident at the ball. They must have other plans if Garth Duchy does not respond. 

"But why did the Emperor hide the fact that he has a sister?" 

"Maybe because she's too beautiful and scheming? Was she too beautiful that you were stunned, Veralis?" 

The others looked wide-eyed at the person who said it. Shut up already!

"..I apologize. I was merely curious." 

"Or do you think it is really his sister?" 

The Duke asked back, rendering the whole room in silence. 

"That's why I hate thinking too much." 

Duke Garth sighed deeply.

His eyes narrowed, like the eagle from above staring down at them, full of warnings. "Don't let whatever we discussed be known, or else it's not your life but our pride as the Garth is in line." 

"Especially your wives. Don't tell them even if you feel itchy, you fools."

"Yes, Duke!"

"If you drink and sputtered nonsense, I'll kill you."

"Understood!"

"That's all for now." 

"Veralis, you stay." 

"Yes, father."