Spying on the eldest wife

The carriage of House Aquareld eventually halted at the gates of the imperial palace. The two men, gasped for breath as the driver cracked his whip one last time, signaling them to stop.

Inside the lavish carriage, Duchess Leona Aquareld, known as the "Duchess of Slaughter," stepped out with an air of authority. Her crimson gown shimmered under the moonlight, a stark contrast to her icy demeanor. Servants scurried to escort her, but she waved them off, striding confidently toward the Prime Minister's chambers.

The eldest imperial princess as well as Kael's first wife, Amanda Flamehart, awaited her arrival. Dressed in the ceremonial robes befitting her station, Amanda exuded an aura of calm strength. Her steely eyes met Leona's as the duchess entered the chamber.

"It's been a while, Princess," Leona began, a sly smile playing on her lips as she addressed with her imperial title instead of her ministry title.

"Duchess Leona," Amanda replied in a bit of displeasure. "I expected your arrival earliest morning two days later. What brings you to the palace at such an urgent hour and that too without sending any letter beforehand about the change of your plans?"

Leona settled into a chair, ignoring the princess's cold tone. "Your husband and sisters caused quite the stir in Emberfell. My first cousin, Roselyn, the heiress of the Sinclair House was injured during the commotion. And then, not long after, she was killed. Tragic, really."

Amanda stiffened, losing her calmness for a bit. "I'm hearing this matter for the first time. I'll have a talk with my sisters and learn the matter entirely."

Leona chuckled. "Oh, I'm not angry about that. So, don't worry. In fact, I've wanted to get rid of that little snake for years. She was more of a nuisance than an asset. I'm almost grateful to your sisters and their charming husband for ridding me of her." She said with a dismissive wave. "But that's not why I'm here. I came to discuss… a more personal matter—regarding you in fact."

Amanda raised an eyebrow. "Personal?"

Leona's smirk widened. "I came to deliver an invitation. There's a private auction being held by my dear stepmother, the Duchess of Ikaris. Normally, I wouldn't bother inviting you to one of our family events—you've made your disdain for our practices quite clear."

Amanda's jaw tightened. "Then why bother? And why so secrecy?"

"Because this auction is different." Leona's voice dropped, her tone almost conspiratorial. "One of the items on sale is an artifact capable of summoning the spirit of the dead. You can speak to them, just once, provided they haven't been dead for more than ten years."

Amanda's expression faltered, a flicker of emotion breaking through her icy facade. "Summoning the spirit?"

"I thought you might be interested," Leona continued, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. "After all, wouldn't you like to speak to him again? Your dear, departed former husband, the one that's holding you back from loving your current husband?"

Amanda's eyes flashed with anger. "You're out of line, Leona," she said, her voice low and sharp.

"Haha," Leona only laughed, leaning back in her chair. "Come now, Amanda. We've been friends since childhood. There's no need to put on this stoic act for me. I know you've never been the same since he died."

Amanda fell silent, her hands clenched tightly in her lap.

Leona pressed on, her tone softening ever so slightly. "This might be your last chance. You could finally learn the truth. Why he—a great general, victorious in the Orlon campaign—was assassinated so suddenly once the war was over? The official story blames rebels, but we both know that doesn't make sense. He was too cautious, too skilled to fall so easily."

"That's…" Amanda's gaze dropped, her mind racing with memories. She had always harbored doubts about her husband's death. He had been a hero, the man who had crushed the patriarchal Kingdom of Orlon and cemented the Queendom's dominance. His assassination, so soon after his victory, had always felt... wrong. But the assassins had either been killed or committed suicide and with them, any hope of uncovering the truth.

Her fingers traced the simple gold band on her left hand, the last tangible reminder of her late husband.

"Could the artifact truly summon his spirit? Could it provide the answers I want?"

Her heart ached at the thought, but her mind screamed caution. The Duchess of Slaughter, despite being a childhood friend of hers, was currently not a woman to be trusted. Yet, the temptation was undeniable.

Putting her thoughts aside, Amanda focused on the uninvited guest. "What do you want, Leona?"

The Duchess of Aquareld smiled, her crimson lips turning into a predatory grin. "I have a simple request," she said smoothly. "Pass a mission to your... Queen's hound—Assassin K, specifically."

Amanda stiffened. "I don't know why you think those nonsensical rumors among the nobility social circles are true, but the imperial family has no connection to K."

Leona let out a low chuckle. "Oh, Amanda, either you're a terrible liar or a naive woman. The timing of his actions, the targets he chooses... it's too convenient to be a coincidence."

Her expression then turned serious. "Just pass Her Majesty this mission, tell her that it is a request from Aquareld House. I want a man named Mark Welsh dead."

Amanda's eyes narrowed. "Mark Welsh? Who is he?"

Leona's gaze darkened, a flicker of something—anger, or perhaps regret—crossing her face. "He's... let's say he is a precious slave of mine," she said cryptically. "Currently, he is hiding in the imperial city. As for his features, he looks tall, and thin, with blonde hair, and blue eyes. Most importantly, along with the slave brand, he also would have a curse mark on his forehead and should be loitering around the Church for the cure. That's all you need to know."

Suspicion filled Amanda's mind. The Duchess's tone betrayed deeper emotions, but she kept her face emotionless. "I can pass the message to my mother but there is no way I can ensure that the task will be done. Her Majesty won't be doing it for free, not even if I request her. The Duchy of Aquareld should offer something else for this task." Amanda said, pushing the invitation scroll on the table slightly forward.

Leona's smile returned, cold and calculated. "The Aquareld family will relinquish its claim to the throne for the next successor. We'll back Princess Shiera—the throne candidate, entirely."

"What?" Amanda froze, her eyes widening in shock. "That's not something you would give up lightly. Why is this man so important to you?"

Leona rose gracefully from her seat, brushing imaginary dust from her gown. "Some questions are better left unanswered, Amanda. Just pass the message to your mother."

Without another word, the Duchess swept from the room, leaving Amanda behind, her mind racing. "Who is this man?"

Meanwhile, Kael sitting silently atop a nearby rooftop shrouded in shadows. His sharp ears caught every word of the conversation between Amanda and Leona, his enhanced senses allowing him to eavesdrop while hiding his presence from the guards in the palace.

As the Duchess's carriage rolled away, Kael's eyes narrowed. Mark Welsh... Who is he, and why is the Duchess willing to make such a significant concession to see him dead?