Return Of The Female Knight - Chapter 278 - 7A Hidden Enemy (2)
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Chapter 278 - 7A Hidden Enemy (2)

Chapter 278 A Hidden Enemy (2)

Everyone came out of the meeting exhausted. Even after fighting a large battle at the Imperial Palace, they had to face Carlisles overwhelming personality, which was not easy to endure. After Sullivans death, Ophelias rule of the Ruford Empire had caused many problems. While Carlisle was terrifying, he ruled fairly.

It was late evening when the n.o.bles dispersed from the meeting. Elena stepped out before Carlisle did, and was breathing in the cool night air.

Your Highness.

A familiar voice stopped her in her tracks, and she looked backwards. It was her father, Alphord, whom she had not seen in a very long time.

Father.

Even though she hadnt encountered him on the battlefield, it was likely that he had been present in the fight. She looked at her father in surprise at the suddenness of the meeting. Alphord repeatedly closed and opened his mouth as he struggled to find the words to say.

Now that youre the princess, you should call me Lord Blaise, not Father.

Ah, Im not used to it yet

Elena smiled awkwardly as her words trailed away. Although she cared deeply for her family, she was married now, and did not see her familys faces as often as before. The last time she had seen her father, it was a brief encounter at the tournament, but she had kept her ident.i.ty hidden.

How have you been?

Ive been well, nothing special. I came to find you to give you an answer to your letter.

Elena remembered that she had written to her father about Mirabelle studying abroad.

Do you mean about Mirabelle?

Yes.

Elena then nodded, her face slightly tense. If Alphord opposed Mirabelles study abroad, she would have to think up an answer in response. However, Alphords reply was completely different from what she antic.i.p.ated.

As you have suggested, Your Highness, I thought better to send Mirabelle abroad for her safety until the Empire is stabilized.

That means

Yes. When you were missing and confusion ensued, I quickly sent Mirabelle to the Freegrand Kingdom not long ago. She said she would write to you as soon as she got there. Now that Ive come across you, I wanted to tell that to you.

Elena didnt think it would be easy to persuade her stubborn father, but so far the current confusion in the Ruford Empire seemed to work in her favor. An irresistible smile came to her lips.

I regret not being able to say goodbye to Mirabelle, but Im glad that shes left to study abroad.

Alphord did not reply. He still seemed uncertain about sending his youngest daughter away. However, Elena felt a little more relaxed now that her sister was safe, especially since she hadnt dealt with Paveluc yet.

Elenas mood lifted and she spoke.

You made a wise decision. Not only for Mirabelles safety, but because it was what she wanted.

Yes.

Despite his affirmation, there was conflict in his eyes. He gazed at Elena with an enigmatic expression and ventured on carefully.

However, Your Highness, I recently heard a strange story from the other n.o.bles.

What do you mean?

Everyone says that you are an excellent fighterwhat on earth do they mean?

Elena blinked in surprise. If she thought about it, it was only natural that Alphord wanted to know.

At the moment, revealing her ident.i.ty was a spontaneous decision so she could release the soldiers from the Crown Princes palace. Moreover, she had no reason to hesitate, as Ophelia had already found out about it.

Elena did not calculate this particular situation however. She looked uncharacteristically sheepish as she attempted to explain herself to her father.

Well, since my mother was a knight, I wanted to learn sword fighting too. You know I once begged you for lessons when I was young.

Alphord simply stood there and quietly listened. His blunt stare and stony expression only served to make Elena feel even more nervous.

And soI did everything in secret. I learned just by watching, so Im not that good.

So the rumor is exaggerated?

Yes, a littleI guess so.

She desired to be recognized by Alphord, but she couldnt reveal her true skills. There was a great difference between learning swordsmans.h.i.+p for self-defense and being good enough to kill a dozen enemies at once.

More importantly, Alphord, the head of the Fourth Order of Knights of the Imperial Family, would know that her current ability was not something one learned just by watching and practicing. In order to explain it properly, Elena would have to reveal everything about her previous life, something she was not prepared to do to him. She was scared how he might react to that.

But I heard

As Alphord was about to speak, he was interrupted by Carlisles voice coming out of the meeting hall.

My wife.

At Carlisles call, Elena immediately turned her head.

Yes, Your Highness. Ill be right there.

Elena rushed to make an excuse to avoid a difficult situation.

I have to go now that my husband is calling me. I will see you again.

Yes, Your Highness.

He looked ready to say something else, but he didnt stop Elena. She went to Carlisles side, leaving Alphord behind.

Carlisle, who was standing at a distance, recognized Alphords face, and he turned towards Elena.

Ah, you were with Father-In-Law?

Yes. But for now, I just want to leave this place.

Carlisle didnt understand why, but he nodded and strode ahead. She fell into step beside him.

Alphord watched their backs retreat from a distance.

***

Paveluc left the palace with his servants from the Duchy of Lunen, but that didnt mean his influence was completely gone. Batori had remained as a servant of the Crown Princess. In his hand was the last order Paveluc had left him.

[Kill the prince.]

It would be difficult to a.s.sa.s.sinate the man who would soon officially become emperor. If Batori succeeded, however, he was promised reward beyond his belief.

Batori stared intently at the paper, then placed it in his mouth and swallowed it so that no evidence remained.

Its time to do my job.

Though humble in appearance Batori was, he was a man of unparalleled ability. There were many reasons why he followed Paveluc, but the biggest was because he wanted to rebel. If the sky was changed, he could wash away his old ident.i.ty. He recalled the words Paveluc had spoken to him.

If you succeed, I will give you a position as great as a general.

To achieve the future that Batori wanted, he would start by monitoring Elenas every move.

I will be general

The smile on Batoris lips broadened. It was a difficult task, but not impossible. All the members of the Blood a.s.sa.s.sins that Paveluc had given to him long ago had secretly infiltrated the Imperial Palace. Batori had prepared for this very moment.

Carlisles a.s.sa.s.sination was both a dangerous mission and a golden opportunity.