Chapter 154 – They Are Lying (1)

I nodded, but then paused. Feeder…? I remembered how Queen was revolted at the sight of bugs. I worriedly wondered if the same thing would happen again with Queen’s subordinate.

“Your Majesty? You don’t look well.”

Marquis Farang looked at me anxiously.

“Are you all right?”

I quickly shook the thoughts of Queen from my head. Yes. That was not important now. If McKenna was the blue bird, then…

“Is the blue bird injured?”

Marquis Farang shook his head.

“I did not look closely. But one wouldn’t use an injured bird as a messenger, right?”

I suppose the bird hadn’t been acting strangely enough to warrant a close look. A stumbling or limping bird would naturally stand out.

Was McKenna the same bird that came in and out of my chambers? I couldn’t be sure.

“You must like birds.”

“No, but…Marquis Farang.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Can you check if the bird is injured? If it has an arrow wound?”

“That won’t be difficult.”

Marquis Farang chuckled.

“You do like birds.”

“I have another strange request…”

Marquis Farang raised his eyebrows as if to say “What else do you want to ask for?” I knew my next words would sound crazy, but I continued.

“If the blue bird hasn’t eaten anything at all, would you mind removing him from the feeder?”

“What?”

Marquis Farang looked at me in complete puzzlement.

“Do you know that bird?”

“…I think I might.”

“It’s not hard. Birds like feeders.”

“Please.”

“Hmm. It’s strange, but I will.”

Marquis Farang nodded. Relieved, I went to my desk, took out some stationery, and dipped my pen in the inkwell. I should reply to Heinley’s letter.

“…”

I turned my pen in my hand, but nothing came to mind. What should I say to him? I glanced backwards, and Marquis Farang lifted his hands with a smile.

“Don’t worry, I won’t peek.”

Embarrassed, I looked back down at the paper again. I would write something short as usual. The letter couldn’t be too lengthy anyway, as a bird had to carry it. There was so much I wanted to say, and I did my best to summarize it.

-The Emperor wants to leave me and remarry his concubine. I overheard him promise that he would divorce me. The faster the proceedings, the better.

-I’m amazed you met my brother. I want to see you, too.

– I like gold.

This seemed right. I folded the letter and held it out for Marquis Farang. He was leisurely sitting on a couch and drinking a cup of coffee, but he stood up and quickly accepted the letter.

“I heard Koshar may be in the Western Kingdom for some time.”

“I see…”

“King Heinley likes to live freely and unapologetically, so Koshar may get along with him more than Emperor Sovieshu.

“I hope so.”

“Don’t worry too much.”

Marquis Farang offered me his comforting words and set down his coffee cup.

“I must go now.”

“Already?”

“If you want an early reply.”

Marquis Farang smiled, waving the letter in his hand as he left. When he was gone, I sat by the window, feeling a little better. It was good to be in contact with Heinley again. The blue bird seemed safe also…

The thoughts that plagued me in the carriage came back. What will I do when I get to the Western Kingdom? My first period as empress had been difficult. Would the second time be better?

I was confident in my work and my long career; it was the personal relationships that had been tumultuous. I was also the empress of another country, and I would be at the center of curious talk. It was difficult to determine whether that would lead to political exclusion, or openness to a better direction.

“…”

Was I getting too ahead of myself? My face turned red as I stared into the distant sky, but fortunately I was interrupted as I heard Countess Eliza calling me from the parlor room.

“Your Majesty!”

I quickly opened the door and went outside. However, judging by the expression on Countess Eliza’s face, the news didn’t seem to be good.

“What’s going on?”

I felt my heart skip a beat. Countess Eliza pressed her clenched hand against her chest, and spoke with an amazed tone.

“They say it’s false that ‘that woman’s’ fake parents were bought by Baron Lant!”

“What do you mean false?”

“It was Lord Koshar who ordered them to act as fake parents!”

“Impossible.”

I nearly choked on my breath. If my brother had bribed them, then Baron Lant could not have done it. Laura, who was knitting in the parlor room, gave an outraged yell of “Nonsense!”

“Get me my cloak, Lady Laura.”

She quickly went to my bedroom to retrieve it. I placed the cloak around my shoulders and left my chambers.

‘I need to meet the couple in person.’