ITIF Chapter 6

Suspicious Circumstances

 

“So now the entire empire is in chaos! The Duke also has to rush to the imperial palace urgently because of this matter…”

 

Lindsey looked worriedly at her face, which had hardened in shock, and asked.

 

“…Miss, are you alright?”

 

Only then did she compose her completely rigid expression.

 

“It’s just… shocking.”

 

Lindsey, who had been observing her complexion for a moment, nodded in agreement.

 

“Indeed, since you previously received help from Her Imperial Highness the Princess, the shock must be even greater for you.”

 

Giselle Grante’s beautiful brow furrowed slightly. But she quickly managed her expression and asked.

 

“Did I receive help from Her Imperial Highness the Princess?”

 

“Well, why… after you returned from the imperial palace, you used to tell me stories about Her Imperial Highness the Princess for quite some time, don’t you… remember?”

 

Lindsey trailed off, gauging her reaction.

 

‘Did I help Giselle Grante at some point?’

 

She briefly traced through past memories, but no immediate recollection came to mind.

 

She decided to ask about the more pressing matter first.

 

“Anyway, Lindsey, what do they say was the cause of Her Imperial Highness’s death?”

 

“I don’t know that much about it. Oh my, to think she passed away just before the Crown Princess investiture ceremony… what kind of situation is this?”

 

Lindsey lowered her gaze with a gloomy expression.

 

This was perhaps a natural reaction.

 

‘Lindsey would have grown up hearing that story too.’

 

According to the founding myth of the Phasis Empire, the Emperor was called the ‘Heaven’s Descendant’ who descended from the heavens.

 

But the reality was different.

 

She too had believed the myth to be absolutely true until she entered the imperial palace’s secret library and searched through ancient texts.

 

But that was merely a story created to establish hierarchy, claiming that commoners, nobles, and the imperial family were fundamentally different beings from birth.

 

The empire was vast, and to rule the wealthy and influential nobles with large territories beyond the imperial capital, as well as the many commoners, they needed a story to support the superiority of the imperial family.

 

Because that made governance easier.

 

Thanks to this, the founding myth featuring Heaven’s Descendant was a story known even to young children throughout the Phasis Empire.

 

Similarly, Princess Trinity, also being Heaven’s Descendant, was scheduled to become the next emperor.

 

And she had died just before her investiture ceremony. This was likely to provoke anxiety among the people.

 

“It’s ominous. I’m worried that something bad might happen to the empire.”

 

Sure enough, Lindsey cautiously expressed her anxiety.

 

Negative emotions are highly contagious. And anxiety would breed even greater anxiety.

 

“Lindsey, there’s no need to worry in advance.”

 

She spoke calmly with a faint smile. Lindsey’s eyes widened.

 

However, soon making a tearful expression, Lindsey asked.

 

“Aren’t you worried, Miss? Heaven’s Descendant Her Imperial Highness has passed away just before such an important event…”

 

“It’s simply a change from princess to prince, just a change of ruler.”

 

“…Excuse me?”

 

Lindsey furrowed her brow and made a bewildered sound, as if she couldn’t understand at all.

 

At that moment, Duke Amaterasu entered the bedroom, adjusting his cravat.

 

“Giselle… I’d like to stay by your side for at least today, but something urgent has come up that requires me to go to the imperial capital.”

 

Duke Amaterasu’s face was full of worry as he said this.

 

Though the attending physician had concluded that the illness of unknown name had been completely cured, his daughter Giselle Grante had nearly died today.

 

No, originally, she would likely have died just like that.

 

The Duke seemed deeply sorry that he had to leave Giselle Grante behind and travel far away less than a day after such an ordeal.

 

“Don’t worry about me, and please travel safely.”

 

She spoke deliberately brightly.

 

Duke Amaterasu let out a worried sigh and added with a bitter smile.

 

“I’ll return as quickly as possible.”

 

“Yes. Before that, may I ask you one thing?”

 

She stopped Duke Amaterasu, who was about to turn around immediately.

 

“Of course. Tell me.”

 

“I was wondering if you know anything about the cause of Her Imperial Highness’s death.”

 

“Ah, you mean that matter…”

 

Duke Amaterasu sighed briefly, seemed to contemplate for a moment, then gave Lindsey a meaningful look.

 

It meant they had private matters to discuss, so she should leave.

 

“Then please have a comfortable conversation.”

 

Lindsey bowed and left the bedroom.

 

Duke Amaterasu, who had been moving his lips slightly as if choosing his words carefully, opened his mouth.

 

“There was a dagger stuck in her chest.”

 

“…!”

 

Giselle Grante’s blue eyes widened, and her lips began to tremble.

 

Her heartbeat suddenly quickened. The sound was so loud it felt as if her heart was hanging right next to her ears.

 

Seeing her poor reaction, Duke Amaterasu quickly continued.

 

“Oh my, you seem quite shocked.”

 

She shook her head, trying to appear nonchalant. Then she stared at Duke Amaterasu, urging him to continue.

 

Since it was a major incident she would learn about one way or another, Duke Amaterasu hesitated briefly before speaking.

 

“Because she was discovered too late, there was nothing that could be done. She had lost too much blood.”

 

She struggled to maintain her composure as she spoke.

 

“Who on earth… committed such a barbarous act?”

 

“You must have met her directly before, Giselle. I’m talking about the daughter of Baron Oppenheimer.”

 

A hollow laugh escaped between Giselle Grante’s lips.

 

“Ha…”

 

To think a dagger was thrust by someone kept closest to her.

 

Duke Amaterasu’s expression became puzzled at her bitter laughter, as if she found it absurd.

 

“Yes, I remember. She was Her Imperial Highness’s lady-in-waiting, wasn’t she? Baron Oppenheimer’s daughter.”

 

“That’s right…”

 

“What did they say the reason was?”

 

Duke Amaterasu drew in a breath and said.

 

“Her Imperial Highness had… Baron Oppenheimer’s daughter’s fiancé…”

 

However, as if he couldn’t bring himself to continue the rest in front of his daughter, Duke Amaterasu trailed off.

 

“Was it because of that incident where she allegedly harassed him?”

 

The rumor that Princess Trinity had seduced Baron Oppenheimer’s daughter’s fiancé, toyed with him briefly, then discarded him mercilessly was one of the scandals surrounding Trinity.

 

It wasn’t something to be discussed openly, but thanks to word spreading quietly, everyone who should know knew about it.

 

Even Duke Amaterasu, who showed little interest in gossip, knew about it.

 

Some people gossiped that Princess Trinity had done this to humiliate and torment Baron Oppenheimer’s daughter by damaging her honor.

 

But without a doubt, Trinity was innocent.

 

And while searching for the cause and source of such scandals, she was suddenly murdered.

 

She had a rough idea of who had spread that malicious rumor widely.

 

But without proper evidence, there was no chance of success.

 

No, even if there were evidence regarding that matter, there would be no way to deal with it immediately.

 

“So you knew about it too, Giselle. Yes, she must have been deeply hurt by that incident. But it was fortunate. Because she drew suspicion by not showing up to work at the palace without notice, they were able to catch her quickly.”

 

“…”

 

She couldn’t shake the thought that it was truly coincidental.

 

How could Baron Oppenheimer’s daughter, who would have returned to the baron’s residence near the palace after finishing her afternoon schedule on the day of the incident, return to the palace again?

 

‘No, that would be entirely possible.’

 

Infiltrating Princess Trinity’s bedroom while she slept would have been easy.

 

She could have claimed she had something urgent to deliver to Her Imperial Highness, or that she had left something behind and came to retrieve it.

 

There were plenty of excuses available.

 

In fact, the most suspicious point of all was that the culprit who murdered Trinity herself was Baron Oppenheimer’s daughter.

 

After the strange rumors spread, Trinity had specifically summoned Baron Oppenheimer’s daughter and asserted her innocence.

 

She had seemed to believe her words at the time…

 

“Duke, if you want to reach Fortress before sunset, you should probably hurry.”

 

At the urging voice, Duke Amaterasu nodded.

 

“I understand. I must go now. I’ll be back.”

 

From the Duke Amaterasu’s territory to the imperial capital took several days even riding horses at full speed.

 

Considering supply provisions and appropriate rest stops, he seemed to have Count Fortress’s territory in mind as the first waypoint.

 

Duke Amaterasu glanced at Giselle Grante once, then turned around.

 

She was about to ask to be taken along but soon gave up.

 

It would be more convenient for her to act separately rather than move together with Duke Amaterasu.

 

Duke Amaterasu, who had left the bedroom, added words of repeated caution to Lindsey standing in the corridor.

 

“Make sure to stay close by Giselle’s side so she’s never alone, if possible.”

 

“Yes, don’t worry, Duke.”

 

Lindsey nodded with a serious expression.

 

Normally, Giselle Grante liked to spend time alone.

 

Unlike what was known publicly, she generally dismissed the maids and enjoyed sitting quietly on garden benches reading books or walking and contemplating.

 

Due to this disposition, she didn’t keep chatty or overly cheerful maids nearby.

 

Fortunately, Lindsey was quite perceptive and refrained from unnecessary talk.

 

For this reason, Lindsey was the only maid Giselle Grante kept close.

 

Lindsey, who had clenched both fists tightly, took a deep breath and then exhaled.

 

And she knocked on the door of Duke Amaterasu’s daughter’s bedroom.

 

“Miss, may I come in?”

 

Burning with determination to protect the young lady at all costs.