"It's nothing, trust me."
Kaiserin speaks with a hint of desperation. It's clear he doesn't want me to probe further. Despite my curiosity about the mysterious note, a gut feeling restrains me.
As Kaiserin carefully seals the note into a letter, he turns to face me. His expression is a mix of disappointment and concern, a look I struggle to decipher. It's akin to a parent's disappointment in their child, but his voice reveals more.
"Why were you there? And I mean, why did I find you near the cliff?"
It's a complex tale, one that I fear to delve into. Should I mention Bertha? No, the Empress has her sights set on her, and I can't afford to entangle myself in her affairs.
Even so, how did I end up in that house? I fainted in my garden; a guard should have seen me, and then a doctor would have treated me immediately.
Leon, was someone who worked for the Von Halhenstine household as a butler, but I checked around when I was talking to Weltenschmerz. Nobody was there but us. And I was sure of that fact.
All the butlers were inside, I'm sure, and if there was anyone outside it would have been the guards. So, was Leon following me? I can't be certain but it seems logical.
I hesitated, grappling with the right words to articulate my situation. It was a struggle, as I was still piecing together the events in my mind.
"I- I remember feeling faint. I passed out and ended up somewhere in the woods. I was around, yeah! Looking around! Then, I, like you know, stumbled upon a uh house? No, wait, I mean yes! But I didn't go inside, 'cause uh, it may sound insane, but hear me out, thought I saw someone over the cliff, yeah, that's right!"
I looked up to see Kaiserin's expression, and it looked like he was about to burst out into laughter.
"Uh huh, and is that true?"
"What- I mean, yeah! I wouldn't lie to you!"
"I suppose there might be some truth in your words, considering I did find you hanging off a cliff. But please, next time, be more careful." His voice carries a mix of concern and amusement.