Chapter 148

Proofreader: somnium

It took a while for Artizea to calm down again.

Hayley’s worries continued to grow as she waited, saying that it would be better to get scolded right away.

Finally, there was a call just before Hayley exploded, she wanted to ask if she was intentionally promoting fear to create a head start.

“You did a great job while I was away, you two.”

Artizea said so in a cracked voice.

They heard that she cried the whole time. But they couldn’t expect that her face and eyes were swollen and lips cracked, making it difficult to speak.

In fact, Hayley wasn’t quite convinced that Artizea had taken her pregnancy so shockingly.

Even if she was shocked, she thought it would be a lie to say that she cried so hard.

‘Well, it’s like, during pregnancy, emotions fluctuate.’

Even that blunt older sister, Mel, cried, laughed, and fussed.

Artizea clenched her throat a few times, but there was hardly any sound, so she spoke in a whisper-like voice.

“It’s hard for me to talk, so I won’t pry into everything. I’m just trying to understand the situation, so just report briefly.”

“All right. A detailed report was also prepared.”

Alice took the report from both hands.

Hayley explained the situation in sequence from the time Artizea collapsed.

From the firing of the flare to the appearance of Cedric, the turning of the tables on treason, and the leaking of information to newspapers to escalate the situation honestly.

It took only three or four days, but it was so much that she couldn’t explain it all by herself.

In the middle, Freil added a story about the military situation.

No one has yet publicly expressed support for Cedric. However, Cedric was originally acquainted with military personnel both high and low.

In particular, among those who did not have any particular interest in politics or factions, there were many who showed their favor to Cedric.

From the beginning, people feel closer to those who have many similarities with themselves.

As Cedric solidified his identity as an imperial family, he had many wanting to stand by his side.

In the midst of this, Amalie and Gayan came out to assist Cedric.

Many officers of the Central Army and Guards actively cooperated with the two.

No one has made an official statement, yet. However, rumors circulated that the two had some kind of relationship with Cedric beforehand.

So, those who really want to know whether this is really for revenge or a pavement for the future, and how far Cedric is aiming if he jumps into the struggle for power, have been in contact with him under the water.

‘There’s no way you didn’t know.’

Since the words couldn’t come out properly, Artizea sighed only in her heart.

There is no way that Cedric was unaware of the repercussions of his actions.

Artizea felt the edge of her chest tighten.

There’s no way Artizea wouldn’t know what Cedric had given up when he was determined to kneel before the Emperor.

He gave up pride for her. He also broke his beliefs. He also decided to forget Evron’s redemption.

What he said to the Emperor was not a lie, but neither was it completely sincere. It is intentionally deceptive. He was determined to set his feet in the dirty mud of political strife.

Because of her and the child in her womb.

That’s not what she was hoping for.

It was Artizea herself who had told Cedric to give up the fight. Her belief is that he can only expand after becoming Emperor.

But when he made up his mind to do so, her heart ached.

If Cedric were to make such a decision, it should either be for the Empire or for Evron. Or it had to be for the suffering people at the bottom.

It shouldn’t be for Artizea herself.

Artizea bit her lower lip. To prevent her tears from flowing, she forcibly turned her thoughts away.

She told Hayley.

“You did well.”

Hayley visibly shook her body.

Artizea tilted her head.

Freil patted Hayley on the shoulder. Then, Hayley let out a long, puffy breath, and then she cried.

Artizea had a sore throat, but she couldn’t help but ask.

“Why? Are you surprised that I said you did well?”

“Because I did the opposite of what you ordered.”

“It was something I could never have imagined myself; that Lord Cedric would come to the capital.”

Artizea didn’t speak much as her throat hurt, so she took a few sips of warm water.

“The situation has completely changed, and the scope of what you can do has narrowed down. In that situation, you understood the true meaning of my orders and the importance of the work so that the aftermath of Lord Cedric’s actions had the maximum effect. This is a feat worthy of praise.”

“However, there is no difference when breaking the order.”

“It was certainly true that the flare was fired, but in the end, wasn’t your judgment right? If you had gone out as mildly as I told you, there is a possibility that we would have been kidnapped.”

“Is it, though?”

Alice gave a glare to tell Artizea to stop talking. But Hayley waited patiently for an answer.

“I didn’t bring you here because I need a puppet who can only do what I’m told.”

“Your Grace.”

“If you had acted as ordered in that situation without even trying to judge for yourself, you would have been a disappointment.”

Hayley used to try not to feel her personal feelings toward Artizea if possible.

Artizea was Grand Duchess Evron, and she was the daughter of the Jordyn family, so that if she did her best in public service, she thought it was enough.

Because everything but negative feelings felt like betrayal to Aubrey.

Aubrey, who died, actually knew nothing. The offender was Aubrey. Hayley had no resentment, and she never thought of revenge.

She didn’t miss Aubrey much. It was only bittersweet to think that her parents and sister had been hurt.

But still, there is something like loyalty as a sister.

She used to think that way, but now, something is about to spring up in her mind.

And even before she could really feel it, Freil tackled it.

“Is that a compliment? I heard that even a ten-year-old can think for himself?”

“If I left him alone, wouldn’t he want to think about nothing?”

“I mean, if that’s the case, then don’t pour a lot of work onto me just because you believe in me.”

“I never said that you were less than a ten-year-old. There are many people who are less than a ten-year old.”

“Then give me some praise.”

If Artizea’s voice was not hoarse, it was a response that sounded quite pleasant.

As Hayley tried to give Freil a look for what he was doing, she realized Alice was keeping her mouth shut.

And she noticed that Freil was deliberately speaking more lightly to lighten Artizea’s mood.

Whether she knew this or not, Artizea’s face rubbing her forehead was definitely better than before.

Hayley realized that she shouldn’t have kept her mouth shut.

“Are you expecting compliments when you have been complaining without a break?”

“But I did a good job, didn’t I? Am I the only one complaining?”

“What I did was worry, not complain.”

“I was also worried. My job is not as it should be, someone who is two ranks higher than me should do it.”

As they argued, Artizea let out a sigh and took a few more sips of water.

And she beckoned to Alice.

Alice handed the papers she had prepared beforehand to Freil and Hayley respectively.

“I asked to make two copies of the material, but now that I see it, I think it would have been better if there was only one.”

“No. The emergency system is now over.”

“We don’t work together.”

Hayley and Freil answered side by side. Alice giggled.

Artizea said.

“The document is a list of all the people who come and go, including the employees of this mansion, their families, and the merchants who do business, to find out whose the bribe it was and to whom, how much, and with what information.”

“Yes.”

The two responded tensely.

“…… .”

Artizea hesitated as she could not readily continue the next words.

But she ordered what she would have done if it had been someone else, not herself, who had conceived the master’s child.

“With this in mind, make sure you thoroughly cover all people and things that were brought into the mansion.”

“Yes.”

The two bowed their heads together. They knew how dangerous this time was and what to be careful about without having to explain it.

Hayley asked.

“But I don’t know what His Majesty is thinking. Didn’t he know that the military would react like this?”

“No way. I think he did it on purpose.”

Freil said.

“We must not forget what happened 18 years ago. His Majesty knows that it is far better to have a young successor to threaten and squeeze than it is to have a capable, mature and experienced Grand Duke Evron.”

“You mean he’s letting it stand tall and waiting for it to topple over?”

“It makes sense.”

Artizea answered.

“But things were a little different from back then. There is no need for His Majesty to re-establish the foundation of imperial power through imprisonment and purges.”

“It is, but ……. It’s not without gain, but he’s given His Grace something too big for what it’s required.”

“Everyone is illogical to some degree. Maybe something…… It must have been an emotional gain.”

“Emotional gain?”

Hayley tilted her head.

“Yes. There’s no way a greedy person like His Majesty could not act without gain, nor could he have miscalculated profit and loss for such a big deal.”

If the obvious gain is small, the rest is filled with emotional things.

For Artizea, it was not clear what it was.

But she was well aware that although the Emperor was cold-blooded, he wasn’t completely cold-hearted.

He’s the same person that had long loved Miraila, and he has not completely removed the Empress but kept her closed within the confine of the Empress’ palace.

“Let’s start with what we can do.”

“Yes.”

Hayley and Freil answered nervously.

“The greatest advantage His Majesty can get from this is to establish a conspiracy against Grand Duke Roygar.”

“Yes.”

“Even if His Majesty doesn’t use the cause right now, he’s going to try to hold the evidence. Grand Duke Roygar must know that Bishop Akim is never one to face it all alone.”

“Yes.”

“There will be an attempt to destroy evidence.”

Freil asked.

“The temple is under surveillance right now, shall we bring him to the Grand Duke’s residence and protect him?”

“No. I like to fish.”

A cause that is useful to the Emperor is also useful to her.

Originally, another scheme had been prepared to oust Grand Duke Roygar. But then a better one came up, and she didn’t have to stick with her original plan.

“…….”

Artizea hesitated.

She would have taken care of these important things herself.

“Hayley, I’ll leave that to you.”

But Artizea said so.

If she wasn’t going to abandon the child, she couldn’t accumulate any more fatigue than what she already had.