Youre welcome. I just did what I was meant to do.

The baron, who politely bowed his head, sat down on the opposite side. Looking at the face of this loyal family vassal for a moment, I picked up the top of the document on the stack.

Let me see Earl Lanier is the only one who contacted the servant who handed me a drink at the banquet hall and the maid who served me at the 1st Knights Division.

I smelt a rat. There had to be a document that contained the details of his deal with Duke Jena.

Of course, in principle, such a document is supposed to be burnt right away the moment it is read. Was it possible for him to leave no record at all while dealing with Duke Jena who was very good at shifting responsibility to others? If I were in Laniers shoes, I would certainly hide some documents for a deal with him later.

Well, Baron?

Yes, my lady. Please go ahead.

Do you think Earl Lanier has any place to hide confidential documents or a hideout?

We, Im actually looking into that. So far I havent found anything like that yet. As soon as I find it, Ill let you know immediately. Let me stop here today. You look very pale.

As he noticed me wiping cold sweat, he had a very worried expression.

Let me check out one more person because I really should know about her.

Phew, got it.

I laughed bashfully at the baron who sighed and picked up the document about Jiun.

All kinds of information about her were there. For example, she frequently contacted people at the temple, she went to the palace to approach the crown prince, and she was especially kind to the palace affairs officials. Whats most surprising was the fact that she frequently met with ranking nobles, not content with controlling the young ladies from the noble faction.

How is that possible? No matter how high the possibility of her becoming the crown princes bride was, how could she win over their hearts in only three months as people who valued their pedigree more than anybody else?

While looking over the details about her, I noticed a simple paragraph.

I unwittingly smiled, reading it.

She is now buying muslin in bulk?

I recalled reminding Entea about it when I met her recently.

You will find it very difficult to raise funds for it.

One needs money to do whatever one needs to do. So, I felt it might be good to ruin the merchants controlled by Duke Jena one by one.

Whew!

I covered the thick papers and put my head with one hand. I felt a bit dizzy after reading the fine print after a long time.

Are you okay, my lady?

Ah, yes.

Why dont you stop here today? If your father saw you now, you would be given a good scolding.

Baron, who firmly hardened his face, took the documents from me. As I promised anyway, I said, nodding gently, I know. Then let me ask you a favor.

Please go ahead.

Please find a way to either appease Earl Lanier or dig into him. And will you convey my message to Entea that she sell the Duke Jena family all the muslins I had ordered her to purchase recently? Let me have her set the selling price, but please ask her to sell it as expensive as possible.

Got it. Please have a rest now. Your father is very much worried about the matter of the emperor now, so I dont know how he will react if he finds out you are sick again.

Pardon? What do you mean by the matter of the emperor?

When I asked, tilting my head, the baron stopped abruptly while setting the documents on order. When I saw his hardened face, I had a bad feeling.

After hesitating for a while, the baron said in a soft voice, Well, the fact is

Dont be surprised. Just listen.

Yes. Whats going on?

The emperor is in a critical condition.

What?

I was shocked. I was groaning deeply in a state of shock.

After writing the letter, I put down the quill, breathing out long. I handed the sealed letter to the butler waiting nearby, then headed to the training field, helped by the maids.

It was already three days after the High Priest departed.

In the meantime, I practiced walking little by little to increase the strength of my weakened limbs.

After walking and falling short of breath for some time, I arrived at the training field. A maid, who looked at me with a pathetic expression when I squatted down, wiped the sweat from my face with a towel.

Is your body tired, my lady?

Yes, it is.

I was frustrated because my body didnt move as easily as I wished. I was disappointed at myself, thinking how weak my body was, given that Im trying to become a full-fledged knight.

When I raised my head with a sigh, I saw a couple of men pointing swords at each other.

One had silvery hair while the other was a young man with red hair. I was amazed to see them wielding swords like twins.

Wow, Carsein, he has really made impressive progress!

When I saw his red hair that seemed to shine more brightly under the sunlight, I remembered what happened two days ago. After Baron Carot left in a hurry, I could hear the exact situation from Carsein, who stopped by briefly after finishing training, and it made my heart jolt.

It was because of me that the emperor became so sick after recovering his health enough to appear with Duchess Lars on the first day of the National Founding Day festival. The emperors condition was good until the royal doctor diagnosed that I was poisoned. He became very angry after discovering that the poison I took was the same as that one that almost killed my mother. And he collapsed after ordering them to track down the mastermind by all means.

Will he survive? He had been ill for some time.

While I was thinking about him blankly, a shadow suddenly fell over my head.

How did you get here, my lady?

Its been a long time, Sir League. How have you been?

No, I havent. How can I keep well when you are sick like that?

Im sorry for making you worry about me.

How could they do such a thing to you who are so weak Damn them! Theyre going to hell.

When I smiled feebly, Sir League spoke, with his face contorted.

Other knights came to me to make some comforting remarks.

Im really glad to see youre okay.

How come you are so skinny?

Damn those bastards! How could they dare

Weve got to catch that damn bastard Lanier and punish him severely!

Hey, watch your language before Lady Monique, will you?

I smiled, watching them bickering with each other. Saying I shouldnt be in the sun for a long time, one of them took off his uniform and made a shade for my face. Another brought me cold water, and others cracked jokes, saying I would be cured more quickly if I laughed more.

How much time passed? While I was having a pleasant conversation with the knights, I suddenly heard a familiar voice behind them surrounding me.

Only

What are you all doing here, guys?

Huh, sir

Good morning, Daddy.

Um? Only then did my father find me and opened his eyes wide. He approached me when they made way for him, and said, Why did you come down here?

Because I have been in bed for a long time, I have to move. I wanted to see you and the knights after such a long time.

I see. But you have to be in stable condition, so come with me.

Sure, Daddy.

I responded meekly, reaching out to him. I nodded to Carsein, who was waving at me from a distance. I began to walk, helped by my father who raised my body cautiously. Thanks to my frequent walks these days, I felt my legs were getting stronger now.