Chapter 50: Sophia Philinover (5)

Your Highness, Ive created a place where you could meet with the Second Prince. Wont you think about talking with him?

The First Prince frowned at her. He would have drawn his sword if it hadnt been Claudia who had spoken those words.

What are you saying? You want me to talk with that bastard Byron?

Yes, Your Highness.

What would I even gain from talking to him right now? Its pointless.

Claudia gave him a smile.

Do you remember Count Troian, Your Highness?

I remember. He was definitely

He was the first one from the Second Princes faction to be assassinated. But isnt it odd, Your Highness?

What is?

We never sent anyone to assassinate Count Troian, Your Highness.

Thats true. But it wasnt someone under my command taking the initiative?

Count Troian had been the first person to be assassinated in the Second Princes faction and with his death, the First and Second Princes began to take extreme measures and began to assassinate the members of the other faction.

Claudia shook her head.

At first, I thought the same thing, Your Highness. I thought someone who was overly loyal had done such a thing. But after investigating a bit, there was something odd about it.

What do you mean, something odd?

One morning, he was found in his bedroom with a dagger in his heart. Anyone who saw him would immediately think he was assassinated.

Thats right. But what about it?

Theres a common request when you use assassins as a political maneuver, Your Highness - to make the death seem as natural as possible

Ahh so thats a thing.

For assassins, the greatest achievement is when they are able to hide the assassination itself. Theyll use poisons or create an accident by tampering with either the horse or the carriage to make the death seem natural. To use weapons and blatantly leave traces of assassinations were considered bad policies. But there had been nothing covert about Count Troians murder, as if showing everyone that he had been assassinated.

At first, Claudia didnt think there was anything strange, but after that incident, she realized that the damages incurred on both sides were getting bigger. Once she focused on it, she realized that the damages were too big, however, the assassinations continued without stopping. Feeling suspicious, Claudia looked at the situation closer and realized that some of the people who had been assassinated had died even though those deaths hadnt been ordered. Most of the time, the people who were assassinated without commission were those who incurred the citizens resentment or secretly embezzled the countrys finances.

Feeling something was wrong, Claudia ordered the spy in the Second Princes faction to look into it on that side. She soon found out that it was the same on their side and came to the conclusion that a third faction was hiding. Upon hearing Claudias words, the First Prince was furious.

Who joined the fight? Is it the two brats?

The First Prince was talking about the Third and Fourth Princes but Claudia shook her head in denial.

I was suspicious of them as well, Your Highness, but its not them. Theyre nowhere near the throne.

Thats true. But then who the hell

Im not sure who, but in order to find out, I hope that youll meet and make a deal with the Second Prince, Your Highness.

The First Prince sighed, I have to make a deal with that bastard Byron I dont like this.

He knew that Claudias advice was helpful but he was still reluctant to join hands with his enemy, the Second Prince. Claudia gently grasped her husbands hand and said in a low voice.

The process isnt important though, is it, Your Highness? Its more important to be the winner in the end.

Hmm

Claudia whispered in a low voice to the First Prince who was struggling between his pride and his interests.

Trust me, darling. The day when the kings crown shines on your head will definitely come.

Che, fine. I just cant win against you.

The First Prince eventually decided to accept Claudias repeated pleas.

* * *

In an office that was neither luxurious nor austere someone was busy with paperwork.

But then

My Liege, I have something to tell you.

Someone came in with a serious expression.

What is it?

Its said that the First Prince and the Second Prince met in secret, My Liege.

Hearing that, the woman looked up from her documents with a serious expression.

The two of them met? For what reason?

I dont know, My Liege. But its said that ClaudiaVamoswas there, My Liege.

That vixen?

Gently closing her eyes, she fell in deep thought. Then, shortly after

Was I too greedy? Maybe they noticed.

She knew better than anyone else in the world how sharp Claudia was. She got up from her seat and spoke to the man in front of her.

Immediately stop communicating with the assassins and cover all tracks.

Thats

What is it?

MarquisByron[1]mobilized private soldiers and attacked the assassin branch we dealt with before we could do anything, My Liege.

Frowning, she replied.

Did she maneuver things around to make the two princes meet? Quick as always with things like this.

The First Prince, full of arrogance and authority, was only able to become a candidate for the throne because Claudia was behind him.

Not only did she have excellent political skills, but she would also accurately attack her opponents if she thought it was the perfect timing If Claudia had intentionally done this, then it was dangerous.

She probably moved so quickly under the assumption that our side was keeping an eye on their movements. And if thats the case then

If thats the case, then what would the other side do next?

Just as she was thinking it through...

Bang bang bang!

There was the sound of someone pounding on the door outside. And at the same time

This is theRoyal Familys Silver Lion Knights! Charlotte Merchant Companys Head, immediately come out!

There was a loud noise outside and the people making the fuss knew exactly who was inside. Thats right. The woman inside the office was the merchant magnate of Lester Kingdom, the owner of Charlotte Merchant Company, Charlotte herself. She had been responsible for the recent assassinations between the First Prince and the Second Princes factions. Perhaps her enemies knew all that and conducted the raid against her.

The owner isnt here.

Move out of the way! Well know that once we search inside.

We cannot just allow you to suddenly search us without any legal process.

If you dont get out of the way, Ill arrest you for obstructing the execution of government affairs!

The noise from the outside could be heard even inside the office. But, even in such an emergency, Charlotte was calm. However, she wondered how the enemy connected the dots and retaliated so quickly.

Even if they were provoked, this is too fast. If they skipped over the middle and came straight at me then

She looked at the subordinate in front of her.

You were followed.

For- forgive me, My Liege.

It was my mistake. I insisted that they reported directly to me because it was important. But instead, I gave them the missing link.

Even in this urgent situation, she was calm.

She had already suffered crises more serious than this and had prepared for such a moment. She crossed the room to stand in front of a large mirror.

I completely lost to that vixen. It would be best to hide in the Capital for a while.

When she pulled one of the decorations on the side of the mirror, it moved to the side and revealed a secret passage. It was something she had prepared for such a situation. But before entering the passage, she glanced at the man who had reported to her.

My Liege, let me guide you.

As he tried to follow her, Charlotte raised her hand and stopped him.

Nelson, this is the end of our relationship.

My Liege? What do you mean

Tell that vixen this isnt over yet.

The man replied with a startled expression.

My Liege, what do you Do you doubt me? I truly am loyal to you, My Liege

Your family was probably taken as hostages.

Charlottes words caused him to become speechless.

If you had completely betrayed me, you would have brought knights with you. But you couldnt do that and just let someone follow. How weak

My Liege

He looked sorrowful but Charlotte just nodded.

It cant be helped. When your family is taken as hostage, most people would give in. Its that vixen's favorite method.

My Liege I I

I dont blame you. But this is the end of our relationship. From here on out, we go our separate ways, so if you follow me

Charlotte responded to him coldly.

Then Ill kill you.

She truly meant it. Having served her for many years, he knew that very well. Whatever she said, she generally followed through.

Youve worked hard. Take care.

With those words, Charlotte disappeared through the secret passage. Soon, the only one left in the room was the man with a hopeless expression.

* * *

Charlotte Merchant Company was the Republics informants. The leader of Charlotte Merchant Company had assassinated the leading figures of the kingdom. They had been deliberately manipulating the prices. Charlotte Merchant Company

Theres no end to this. Are they planning to blame everything on me? Soon enough, theyll start saying natural disasters are also my fault.

She gave a deep sigh. Charlotte had been officially labelled as the Great Villainess of Lester Kingdom. The rest of the world believed she was hiding in the darkness and trying to secretly escape. But the lady in question was leisurely drinking tea in her sunny garden while listening to the rumors about herself. Currently, there was a large bounty on her head and all the soldiers in the kingdom were eager to find her. But she wasnt worried at all.

After all, there were probably only a few places in Lester Kingdom that could be safer than where she was currently at. This was because she was in Duke Sean Palans manor with Sean Palan himself standing guard in front of her right now. No matter how much the guardsmen and the Royal Knights searched through the entire Capital, they wouldntdare enter his manor. Who would dare to search the house of Sean Palan, the one and only Master and Duke of the kingdom? Duke Palan wasnt someone who would agree to a search even if the king himself brought his knights directly to the door.

Duke Palan spoke to Charlotte.

My Liege, isnt it regretful?

What is?

Isnt Charlotte Merchant Company something that you had spent much time and effort to get it to where it is right now, My Liege?

I left about 80 percent of the company under a different name.

But isnt it still regretful? After all, havent you lived as Charlotte for almost seven years now?

Thats also just a false identity.

Looking at Charlotte talking so calmly, Duke Palan smiled bitterly.

Shes strong. Shes an ideal monarch without a single wavering of her heart. But is this alright? Shes still just a 17 year old girl.

Duke Palan remembered Charlottes childhood where she had nothing to be jealous of or any worries. Even now, Duke Palan could clearly remember the young girl with an innocent smile brimming with happiness. But that innocent girl became a monarch with a spine of steel who wouldnt shed even a single tear. It was the result of hardships, adversity, and above all revenge and tenacity. Duke Palan thought it was pitiful and regrettable.

Charlotte, who knew Duke Palans heart, spoke with a calm expression.

People will change as they grow up.

Guilty that his inner thoughts had been seen through, Duke Palan bowed.

Forgive me, Lei

Dont say that name.

Forgive me, My Liege.

Its fine as long as you understand it.

Putting down her teacup, Charlotte continued to speak.

If that vixen decides to make her move, itll be difficult to move about in the Capital for the time being. Ill go down to the countryside and lay low for a while.

Id like to be of assistance but I probablyshouldnt right, My Liege?

Youre too noticeable.

Whooo

Seeing Duke Palan sighing, Charlotte spoke.

Dont worry. Ive prepared a few rooms dedicated to defense.

Yes, My Liege. But where in the countryside do you plan to be?

At his question, Charlotte turned to look in a direction.

I plan to go down South and handle a couple of things Ive been pushing aside.

1. I think the author meant Marquis Vamos since Byron is the 2nd prince, but I decided to leave it as per the raws.