The Fake Madam Disappeared
Vol. 1 - Ch. 82

Chapter 82 

Johann wasn’t sure whether he should be glad about Edmund’s answer. After all, while the plan had been his suggestion, he understood better than anyone just how dangerous it was.

“Then I’ll make the preparations.”

But knowing that nothing could stop Edmund once he’d made up his mind, Johann chose to follow him.

“Johann.”

Just as Johann was about to leave the room, Edmund called out to him.

“Yes, sir?”

“Who was it?”

“Pardon?”

“Who told you about this method?”

“I merely overheard it…”

“Don’t make me ask again.”

Johan’s heart plummeted. The very thought that he might be able to deceive Edmund had been a mistake from the start.

“…There’s someone I believe Your Excellency should meet.”

“Meet?”

Edmund’s brow twitched. He couldn’t understand why Johann had failed to report this earlier, especially given the circumstances that had unfolded in his absence.

Knock knock.

Just then, the door opened to reveal Benjamin, his face grim.

“His Majesty has sent a summons.”

A summons from the Emperor was a rare and serious matter. Failing to respond immediately could result in the most severe of punishments, even execution.

“…You’ll meet the person I mentioned soon enough.”

Edmund didn’t question Johanns cryptic words. Instead, he took the summons, which had arrived bearing a chilling warning: refusal would be considered treason. Without hesitation, he stood.

“Bring Alec and the Baron and Baroness Nouvelle.” Then, after a brief pause, he added, “…And Damian.”

— — — 

Benjamin soon returned with the requested individuals and escorted them to Edmund’s office.

“Everyone, listen carefully.”

All those gathered turned their attention to him.

“We’re going back to the North.”

Though all present were well aware of how dangerous a move this was, they knew Edmund would be more aware than anyone. So, no one raised an objection.

“Benjamin, how many mana stones do we have left?”

“About a hundred remain.”

“At the current rate, Madam requires about two and a half mana stones per day. It’s enough for now, but it’s not exactly a comfortable margin.”

Baroness Nuvelle chimed in. Having personally cared for Daphne over the past three days and nights, she knew her condition better than anyone.

“Johann, gather as many mana stones as you can. Baron and Alec, prepare for departure to the North. Madam, stay by Daphne’s side. And…”

Edmund turned to the last of them, Damian. The two silently studied each other, both noticeably pale.

Come to think of it, despite how long it had been since they’d last met, the urgency of the situation hadn’t even allowed them a proper greeting.

“Damian.”

Just as Edmund called his name, the sound of a horse neighing echoed from outside, the palace attendant urging him to hurry. There was no more time to delay. Edmund rose to his feet.

“Everyone, listen well. If I don’t return before sunset, leave for the North without me. Understood?”

“But, Your Excellency…”

“Whatever happens, Daphne comes first.”

Edmund cut Johann off and stormed out the door.

“How long do you intend to keep us waiting? The Emperor’s given time is almost up—oh! Y-Your Excellency.”

The palace attendant, who had been shouting impatiently, faltered at the sight of Edmund.

“Please, board the carriage.”

The carriage pointed out was shabby at best. The Emperor’s intent was painfully clear. Without a word, Edmund walked past it and mounted his own horse.

“Duke!”

The palace attendant, stunned for a moment, quickly scrambled into the carriage to follow after Edmund, who was already vanishing into the sand-laden wind.

* * *

Edmund arrived at the palace with unflinching steps. Someone hastily followed behind.

“Your Excellency.”

It was the chief chamberlain.

“Please, turn back now.”

“The Emperor sent me this note along with the summons.”

Without even turning, Edmund held out the note. The chief chamberlain scanned its contents, froze in place for a second, then quickly caught up.

“His Majesty’s condition has worsened rapidly. Because of that, the Chancellor has been stepping in as his proxy quite often. The Crown Prince takes no interest in these affairs… Three nobles have already been summoned for treason just this month.”

“Chamberlain.”

Noticing footsteps approaching, Edmund stopped walking.

“It’s your turn to make a decision now.”

Standing at a crossroads, the chamberlain bit down hard on his lip.

“Go back.”

Edmund spoke as he turned the corner. Understanding what he meant, the chamberlain quickly slipped away from view. Soon after, Edmund came face to face with a group.

“Duke Winter.”

Sergei stopped when he spotted Edmund.

“What brings you… Ah. So the summons went out today.”

Edmund ignored Sergei’s feigned surprise and glanced at those behind him, five or six unfamiliar nobles followed in tow. It was easy to see what Sergei was doing, filling the court with his own people under the guise of standing in for the ailing Emperor.

Perhaps because their last encounter had been in the Black Forest, Edmund unconsciously clenched his fists, forcing himself to release the tension. Had they not been in public, he might have acted on that impulse.

He flexed his stiff hand, opening and closing it slowly.

“If you’re on your way to see His Majesty, allow us to…”

Before Sergei could finish, Edmund blinked, and in an instant, the room around him changed. He didn’t appear startled. Instead, he calmly turned his head.

“It’s been a while, Duke.”

Carlito, offering an awkward smile, let his hand drop from Edmund’s shoulder. Edmund had sensed someone targeting him earlier, but because there was no trace of hostility, he had allowed things to play out.

Now, he found himself alone in a room with Carlito, away from Sergei’s eyes.

“Your Highness? What are you doing here?”

Carlito was supposed to be staying in the southern outpost, a so-called retreat that was, in truth, a house arrest engineered by Sergei.

“I came to see you.”

At that statement, risking such danger just to meet him, Edmund’s brow furrowed. Then Johan’s words surfaced in his mind.

[“…You’ll meet the person I mentioned soon enough.”]

“You’re the one?”

Carlito exhaled in relief.

“So you’ve been informed already. Good.”

“I had a feeling.”

Carlito was the one surprised now, taken aback by Edmund’s lack of reaction.

“Duke, did you already know something?”

“How many people in the palace could have access to such information?”

“…Ha.”

Carlito let out a dry chuckle. Just then, someone pounded loudly on the door.

“Duke! Are you in there? What’s going on?”

They were close enough that voices carried clearly.

“Chancellor, what now?”

“Call the guards immediately!”

At the mention of guards, Carlito spoke quickly.

“Whatever reason they give, the Emperor will imprison you. The prison they’ll put you in is a maze. It won’t be easy to escape. I’ll assign one of my men to you.”

“I have another favor to ask.”

As Edmund finished speaking, Carlito’s expression shifted subtly.

“Duke! If you do not open this door now, your refusal will be seen as treason. We will be forced to use force. One, two, three!”

Bang. The door burst open.

A group of armored knights flooded in, only to blink in confusion. Edmund was still there. More precisely, he stood before a wall that now had a massive hole blown open.

“There was an assassin.”

Blood dripped from Edmund’s sword.

“I wounded him. He shouldn’t have gotten far.”

He passed the stunned knights and turned his head.

“What are you waiting for? Are you going to let him get away?”

“R-right, yes, sir!”

The knights scrambled outside, and Edmund walked past Sergei. 

Something felt off to Sergei, but he couldn’t quite place it, so he let Edmund go.　

— — — 

Before long, Edmund stood before the Emperor’s bedchamber. Because he’d been summoned, he wasn’t permitted to carry a weapon while meeting the Emperor. A trembling attendant took his bloodied sword and sheath with shaking hands.

“Please go on in.”

Edmund followed the chief chamberlain.

“Your Majesty, Duke Winter has arrived.”

“Summoned…? Ah, yes… I remember now…”

A feeble voice responded from within. Just as Edmund stepped in and began to bow… 

“Spare me the formalities, Duke.”

“Your Majesty.”

“You’re always like this. You dare disregard, mock, and scorn me, the Emperor of this empire!”

The Emperor abruptly stood from his seat.

“You misunderstand, Your Majesty.”

“You think I wouldn’t know? Even among my retainers, some answer to you!”

Suddenly overcome by a coughing fit, the Emperor clutched his mouth. When he spoke again, his voice was cracked and hoarse.

“Why have you been collecting so many consecrated mana stones in recent days?”

“…”

“You’re not planning treason, are you?”

T/N: Even Carlito is being chased by Sergei, just how many people will Sergei kill?

And I was thinking, is Carlito really innocent? 🤔

Hello everyone~

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【Challenge 1】

【Challenge 2】