North x Northwest

Chapter 342

‘I can’t blame him for reporting it late. Shail isn’t someone familiar with court, so it’s completely understandable. And recently, I’ve not only been preoccupied with being taken by Annette to the salon and chatting with her maids, but also with stamping the emperor’s face*, so I was left with no time to meet anyone else. In addition, I had to attend small banquets and tea parties to learn more about Sesbron’s circumstances. Shail isn’t used to catching his master in between breaks.’

“Indeed, I haven’t had the time to worry about anything else since I arrived at the palace, so make sure to see if anything is missing.”

“Yes, I understand.”

After Shail left, Lil stood in front of the mirror and took a deep breath to calm herself.

‘All I need to do is do what I have in mind. Sesbron’s situation is already working in my favour. From the unexpectedly poor national treasury to the seriousness of the matters related to banditry and the emperor’s psychological issues that come with all of it. Moreover, with Annette, I have newfound support. I only need to remember to never let my guard down. As long as I’m quick to respond at any moment, there should be no major losses for me.’

Lil left the boudoir and headed to the administrative building where the meeting was being held. It was only a short walk, but as she went, Lil’s steps became more nervous, well aware of the sound her shoes made on the marble floor, as well as the shadows of the pillars in the corridor appearing and disappearing at regular intervals.

In the hallway in front of the conference hall, union members, newspaper staff, and even onlookers gathered sparsely to await the results.

The guard at the entrance recognized Lil and opened the door for her. The emperor and empress were sitting on the podium in front, while the ministers, members of the council, and members of the small merchants’ union were all sitting at the long table in front of them.

As Lil came in unannounced, the conference room fell silent and everyone turned to look at her. Venua, who was sitting next to the Minister of Finance, glared at her.

‘I’m seeing some of the faces that I have met in Kano.’

“Gentlemen, she is my niece who will soften your hearts.”

The union leader sitting closest to the emperor asked.

“What brings you here, My Lady?”

“I am here to help you at the request of the Imperial Army. I was staying in the village of Kano during the attack and suffered direct damage.”

One of the union members sitting at the table immediately affirmed that he recognised her.

“Ah, yes, I have seen you in Kano. You were part of the Admiral’s party, right?”

“That is right.”

“..!”

Only then were small exclamations heard sporadically, as though Lil’s presence suddenly explained itself.

“I came to understand that the suspicious unknown men mixing themselves with the bandit group is one of the main issues discussed during this meeting. I can assure you they are not actual bandits from another faction, but mercenaries hired by someone.”

“Even so, that does not change anything.”

“You may be right. How do we know who hired them and for what purpose? In this specific instance, these so-called bandits raided the village and attacked the people.”

“…”

Lil added while shaking her head.

“The reason they carried out the attack was to hide their true purpose and cause confusion among the witnesses. In other words, the bandits from Kano were being used by the person who hired the mercenaries as a mere front.”

“If that is the case, then who exactly hired them?”

Instead of answering, Lil simply glanced at Venua, causing people to turn their heads one by one to follow her gaze. When the majority of the eyes were directed at him, Lil declared.

“Venua Obernyu.”

Surprisingly, Venua found himself caught in the middle of the attention of dozens of people without batting an eyelid. The sight of him casually leaning back in his chair was an act worth watching. As a buzz started hovering around the table, he threw his hands in the air to express his bewilderment.

“Your Majesty, this is exactly what I was worried about. Whenever something unfortunate happens, it is me who is being blamed. It has been like this since we were little. Liloa is a child who has not yet grown up. She was originally inferior to her peers, but sadly, her judgement must have become blurred during the time she was away. She must have been misguided. Liloa, how dare you show such pampered resentment towards your brother…”

“…”

Venua shut his eyes and shook his head to display his frustration.

“You even went as far as to frame me in front of His Majesty, not knowing how much the Admiral’s name is worth. As your older brother, I feel responsible for this and would like to apologise on your behalf. I will take you to Obernyu where you will be educated properly.”

Even the emperor couldn’t hide his disappointment at Liloa’s seemingly absurd claim. Next to him, Annette, with her mouth pressed in a tight line, looked at Lil with anxious eyes.

‘This gives me a familiar feeling. This happened to Liloa before. Being criticised as a foolish woman like this had happened in the past…’

But Lil bowed her head calmly.

“Your Majesty, I am not saying this in vain. Please allow me to call on a witness.”

Annette, grabbing the emperor’s arm, whispered. He then raised his hand to his temple and asked helplessly.

“And who is the witness?”

Lil looked directly at Venua and answered.

“His name is Maxwell Farin.”

“..!”

Venua’s eyes widened in an instant. His hand, which had been leisurely resting on the table, suddenly clenched into a fist. As Lil sneered at him, he unconsciously hid his fist below the table.

“He should have reached the front of the hallway by now.”

After receiving the emperor’s approval, the chamberlain went out of the conference hall. Venua, with his chin slightly trembling, glanced back at the doorway and when the chamberlain entered accompanied by Maxwell, he was unable to hide his reaction.

Lil, too, focused her attention on the entrance.

‘He must’ve been preparing himself to enter the palace, looking far from his state when I brought him with me on the Clotilde.’

Lil looked back at Venua, who quickly masked his panicked expression, before asking Maxwell as he came to her side.

“What is your name?”

“Maxwell Farin.”

“What is your position?”

“I am the platoon leader of the Obernyu Royal Guards and a Baron of Obernyu.”

“Tell me what you did in Kano.”

“I…”

Maxwell’s parched lips trembled as he exhaled, perhaps feeling the pressure of exposing his survival, or perhaps afraid of the outcomes of his testimony. Either way, he couldn’t easily speak.

Taking advantage of his hesitation, Venua shouted.

“Maxwell! Are you holding a grudge against me and doing something foolish just because I reprimanded you? Do you not understand how much I cared for you?”

Lil refuted Venua’s sabotage.

“If the leader of the Royal Guards makes false revelations because of petty disappointment, then that speaks of problems with my brother’s quality as a master. What makes you proud to prove low in front of the audience?”

Venua, completely ignoring Lil, extended his hand towards Maxwell.

“Maxwell. It is not yet too late. I will accept you without asking anything, so just come back.”

Maxwell had been silent for a while before muttering.

“…What happens when I go back?..”

“What do you mean? I will reinstate you to the Royal Guards of course.”

“If I go back, will I have to endure the young master’s verbal abuse and assault again?”

“Be careful of what you say! Discipline is all about warning subordinates in the hope that they will follow the right path. Are you trying to frame me like this?”

Maxwell shut his eyes despite Venua’s shouts echoing throughout the conference room.

“Your Majesty, I…”

“Maxwell!”

Maxwell opened his eyes as if to counter Venua’s anger, but he was looking at neither the emperor nor Venua.

And so, his lengthy confession began.

“A few days before the incident, I received instructions from the Prince Regent of Obernyu to assassinate Admiral Retiro. I have lived with pride and honour as a baron of the Principality and leader of the Royal Guards, but… The Prince Regent forced me to obey, threatening my family in Obernyu. I admit that I made the wrong choice for fear of what might happen to my family when I refuse to carry out his orders…”

“…”

Thick streams of water fell from Maxwell’s eyes.

“It was decided that it would be appropriate to take advantage of the area where bandits were rampant along the Great Trade route. In order to trap the Admiral, mercenaries were hired to stir confusion, and when the Admiral was spotted out on patrol outside the village walls, the order was carried out.”

After Maxwell’s revelation, he was out of breath as though he had been strangled. He bowed his upper body deeply and let out a weighty exhale. His shoulders and back were visibly rising and falling.

Lil saw his tears falling.

The emperor asked, clutching his armrests with all his might.

“What is the meaning of this?”

Lil answered calmly.

“It is all true, Your Majesty.”

“I did not ask you. Answer me, Venua.”

“Your Majesty, this is nothing but ridiculous slander. What reason do I have for trying to kill the Marquess of Roahn?”

– – – – –

Footnote:

‘…busy stamping the emperor’s face…’ = we’re not entirely sure, we figure it means something as showing her face often.