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nChapter 20. Saintess Olga’s Heart (1)

nTranslator: Gold

/ Editor: Kassy

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nAfter returning to the camp, changing clothes and having dinner, Cedric called Ansgar.

nAnsgar prepared the tea and entered Cedric’s barrack.

n“Did you enjoy your outing today?”

nAnsgar had no idea where Cedric had been.

nHowever, in the morning he had seen him emaciated from lack of sleep and stress, only to discover that now, on his return, he even had a small smile.

nCedric asked Ansgar as he drank his tea,

n“What do you know about Viscount Fischer’s Family?”

n“Why do you want to know about the Fischer Family?”

nIt was unusual for Ansgar to answer a question from Cedric with another question.

nCedric looked at him strangely. Then Ansgar answered calmly.

n“The Fischer Family collapsed 18 years ago. The Viscount and Viscountess committed suicide by poisoning themselves, and their relatives, including their children, disappeared. It is virtually destroyed.”

n“What?”

nCedric became surprised and laid down his cup of tea.

nTaken aback, he changed his posture, no longer resting comfortably in the chair.

nAnsgar then said,

n“At the time of their destruction, Viscountess Fischer was Her Majesty’s lady-in-waiting. She was also a childhood friend of the Empress. Because of her low status, she could not become the head lady-in-waiting, but she was Her Majesty’s most trusted person.

n“So, why did she commit suicide?”

n“She assumed responsibility for the death of the two princes. Because she was in charge of taking care of them.”

nCedric gulped.

nHe had not thought deeply about it until he had returned.

nAlthough he felt there must have been some reason for Artizea to make this request, he had thought that after meeting Viscount Fischer and buying the jewel, that would be the end of it.

n“Didn’t one of the princes die of smallpox?”

n“Yes, that is true. But someone needed to take responsibility. The princess was the first to die, and a year later, both princes died. Then, as you know, rumors began to spread that it was a curse…”

n“Yes, I know that.”

nAlthough this was an incident that had occurred during his childhood, Cedric also remembered it because at that time his family was reinstated to its original position.

n“Did Her Majesty force her to commit suicide?”

n“I don’t think so. But there must have been pressure.”

nAnsgar said.

n“Everyone knows that the Empress must have been very resentful of the Emperor for what happened.”

n“Do you mean that the Empress was so resentful of losing her children, that the Emperor kept her under control for fear that she would pose a threat? Come to think of it, not long after that, Her Majesty’s Family fell.”

n“There is no evidence that this was the Emperor’s doing. It was only a rumor that was circulating at the time.”

nAnsgar continued.

n“But there was a harsh criticism that someone had to take responsibility. But no one could hold the Emperor responsible, nor attack the Empress directly. So, perhaps to protect Her Majesty, Viscountess Fischer gave her life.”

n“But it is strange that the whole family has dispersed and disappeared, even though no crime had been proven.”

n“Yes, there are other suspicions.”

nIt could have been a murder.

nOr it could be a larger plot than Cedric could ever imagine.

nCedric, who had met with Marcus Hanson today, could not help but sigh deeply.

nHe wondered if this was the reason why the Emperor had pardoned Miraila.

nWith the death of all the Empress’ children, the Emperor had lost his rightful successors to the throne.

nHe only had his illegitimate children left. The mothers of his two daughters had too low a status. And then there was Lawrence, whom the Emperor loved more than anyone else.

nThe loss of his children could have made him feel lonely and depressed, causing him to lean on Miraila again.

n“Is there any possibility of finding a descendant of the Fischer Family?”

nCedric asked, reclining on his chair again and interlacing his fingers. Ansgar hesitated.

n“I can’t say for sure, but we can try.”

n“I think we could ask around.”

n‘Maybe this is what Artizea wanted me to do,’ thought Cedric.

nAnsgar then stated,

n“My duty is to serve you, but why the sudden interest in the Fischer Family?”

n“I heard that the heirloom of the Viscounty Fischer is a jewel called Saintess Olga’s Heart.”

n“Yes. That’s right.”

n“I need it. But with the Fischer Family in that situation, I don’t know when I’ll get it.”

nCedric sighed.

nHe had told Artizea that he would give her Saintess Olga’s Heart at their next meeting, but now he didn’t know when he could see her again.

nHe realized that he was already looking forward to the next meeting. At that point, he sighed again.

n“You should go and check it out, after all, it’s a jewel.”

n“How?”

n“If it’s a jewel you’re looking for, wouldn’t it be quicker to ask a jeweler? Eighteen years have passed. It’s very likely that it’s currently on the market. Also, rumor has it that most of the Fischer Family’s assets were sold back then to finance the escape.”

n“I see.”

nAs soon as Cedric got up from his chair, Ansgar laughed.

n“It is midnight, Lord Cedric. You don’t plan to go to the jewelry store in the capital at this hour, do you?”

n“Of course not.”

nCedric, who had risen slightly from his chair when he felt inexplicably excited, sat down again.

nAnsgar smiled and took Cedric’s empty teacup.

n“By the way, Ansgar.”

nCedric asked.

n“How can I present garments as a gift to a lady?”

nHowever, Ansgar could not help but laugh slightly.

nCedric said firmly.

n“It’s not what you’re imagining.”

n“Yes, I understand.”

n“It’s really nothing.”

n“Yes, yes.”

nDespite Ansgar’s answer, Cedric stamped his foot in discomfort.

n***

nAfter that day, the Marquisate Rosan was enveloped in a dark atmosphere.

nMiraila, who had wrecked her room, beaten her maids and made a fuss all night felt so weak that she did not have the strength to go out the next day and remained lying in her bed.

nHer temperature had risen, and her throat had become inflamed from screaming too loudly.

nLike an obedient daughter, Artizea sat beside her, giving her hot lemon tea with a spoon.

nThen, Miraila spoke in a hoarse voice,

n“Now that you’re grown up, would you rather pretend that last night you didn’t notice your mother angry?”

n“It’s not like that. My brother called me and we talked for a while.”

nArtizea responded obediently.

n“I would never turn a blind eye to mother’s condition.”

n“It’s true. When I grow old, the only person I will be able to trust will be my daughter. I live for you.”

nMiraila hugged Artizea with a smile, as she sometimes did when she was in a good mood.

n“If you are not feeling very well, why don’t you go with His Majesty to the detached palace?”

nDetached palace?

n“It has been very hot lately. Maybe it’s the best time to go to the Detached Palace. Moreover, the sea is right beside it.”

nMiraila’s eyes glittered.

n“We should go on vacation. Do you think Lawrence would have time?”

n“If my brother is busy, you two should go alone. That way, you would have a more intimate trip.

nEven if Lawrence didn’t go, it was a trip with the Emperor, so it wouldn’t be really intimate.

nHowever, these words seemed to improve Miraila’s mood, and she giggled even with her sore throat.

nThe Emperor gladly accepted Miraila’s request.

nThe trip was organized, and the plans was executed with unprecedented speed.

nArtizea thought that the Emperor was doing this to stall for time. And she was right.

nAt this point, the Emperor was probably contemplating on whether or not to allow the ceremony of the triumphant return of the Western Army.

nHe had been postponing the issue of the Western Army for a long time. He had refused, giving one excuse after another, but if he were to give his consent now for the sake of Lawrence, it would be somewhat embarrassing. Now that Cedric had entered the capital, he could no longer postpone his decision.

nIn this situation, Miraila’s request represented the perfect excuse to stall for time.

nThe Emperor would spend the next few weeks observing Cedric’s attitude before coming to a decision.

nAlthough this would allow him to continue delaying his decision, he could be accused of neglecting his responsibilities.

nOn the other hand, if the demands made were not met, criticism would fall on the government.

nIn any case, public opinion would be directed in that direction.

nThis was also a good thing for Artizea and Cedric. Artizea now had a few weeks to do what she wanted.

nAnd in the afternoon of the first day.

nThree loaded carriages arrived at the manor house. Countless garments, mannequins and boxes were being unloaded.

nButler Bill’s eyes were opened wide. This was not unusual. It always happened when Miraila bought clothes.

nHowever, now Miraila was not here.

nEmily, the owner of a renowned boutique, smiled happily at Bill as she got out of the carriage.

nShe was the dressmaker who made the most stylish, exclusive and expensive dresses in the capital.

nAnd Miraila was a regular customer.

n“Hello, Mr. Butler.”

n“What brings you to this place? Madam went on vacation with His Majesty to the Detached Palace. I thought you knew, Emily.”

n“I am not here today for madam, but for her daughter.”

n“You mean Miss Artizea?”

n“Yes. His Grace the Grand Duke Evron sent me. Oh, by the way, the times I’ve seen her I’ve noticed her outfit, and I’ve always regretted not being able to do anything to make her look better, only with that she would be as beautiful as her mother. However, today I am here to enhance her beauty, he told me that I could do ‘whatever I wanted’.”

nEmily laughed out loud.

nShe knew Artizea’s situation very well.

nEven if it was only a change of weather, Miraila was buying dozens of clothes.

nThere were some things the Emperor gave her, but there were also many things she bought herself. From silver and gold embroidery, to Eon embroidery which was the most expensive. She bought the most precious materials in the whole empire, and she had to have all the new designs to be satisfied.

nPerhaps not even the Empress could match her in terms of clothing.

nBut during Miraila’s shopping sprees, Emily never once saw her buy even a single ribbon for Artizea.

nHolding a good eye, Emily had noticed that the price of a dress from Artizea was equivalent to only one of Miraila’s scarves.

nHer dresses probably didn’t fit her short, because at her age one didn’t grow that much anymore.

nBill’s eyes were still wide open.

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