Chapter 165 (1/2)

Chapter 165

Proofreader: somnium

It was the third day from the day Artizea received the first message, when Duke Riagan’s appeal, Cadriol’s march, and Gayan’s envoy arrived.

On the night of the third day, Skyla received a call from Artizea.

The general news was also conveyed to Grand Duke Roygar.

Of course, he didn’t know the details. This is because Grand Duke Roygar’s connections in the South were not at a level that could even respond to military issues.

Some of the businesses belonging to his enterprise also had large and small businesses in the South.

In addition, a family proud of history and tradition among the southern nobles supported Grand Duke Roygar. The Duke of Riagan was already an existence that could not be their focal point.

Even so, he did not have a special information network like Artizea. He couldn’t get the news at the same speed as the envoys in the military.

So the information received was still at a simple level.

Queen Eimmel was assassinated at the hands of a merchant introduced by the Duchess of Riagan. The merchant was from Iantz, and is now an imperial noble.

The Prince of Eimmel, enraged at this, raised his army, captured two southern port towns and besieged the Duchy of Riagan.

Cadriol’s national letter said that he only wanted to punish the Duke of Riagan for assassination of the Queen, and he had no intention of invading on the Empire’s territory, asking for their understanding.

Of course, from the point of view of the Empire, it was impossible to let the army of another country into its own territory.

Even more nominally, it is the homeland of the family of the Empress’ parents. Moreover, he was the one entrusted with a heavy duty by the Emperor.

Whatever the cause, they couldn’t let a small country like Eimmel threaten them. It was also a matter of the face of the Empire.

It was so sudden and unexpected. Grand Duke Roygar was confused as to how to deal with this.

Could this be a good opportunity or not? It was very complicated.

Skyla was not in a position to directly participate in the discussion of the countermeasures. However, it was possible to make a rough guess from the story that came out.

And Skyla’s worries went one step further than the others.

‘Isn’t this also the work of Her Grace Grand Duchess Evron?’

When she thought of it with common sense, it was difficult to think that Artizea had even used her hands up to that point.

Even if she had her hand in the assassination, how could she have used her hand on Prince Cadriol of Eimmel? It’s not about anything else, but war.

Marchioness Camellia speculated, with a high probability, that it was a conspiracy perpetrated by Prince Cadriol herself.

The rationale was that he raised an army as if he had been waiting and moved like a lightning bolt.

There was a good reason for that.

After King Eimmel remarried to an ambitious young woman, Eimmel’s royal family was in turmoil.

It was no secret that there was a bad relationship between the Queen and the First Prince, an age difference closer to brother and sister rather than parents.

Therefore, it was reasonable to think that Cadriol himself might have planned a conspiracy designed to shift the blame for the assassination of the Queen to another country. It was a more reasonable explanation than that it was originally aimed at the Duke of Riagan.

Perhaps, the original intention was to hold the Iantz accountable. The Duke of Riagan tried to intervene in the midst of it, but failed and things got messed up.

Without knowing the true identity of Mrs. Lexen, they had no choice but to judge that way.

But Skyla thought only about the results.

The Duke of Riagan was in a very embarrassing situation. Otherwise, he will be destroyed by the Eimmel Kingdom before help arrives. Even if he doesn’t, he’s definitely out of the Emperor’s favor.

Because the fact that he secretly tried to create his own power does not go away. Even if the Emperor saved Riagan right now, the Emperor would keep that fact in his heart.

Could it be that Artizea designed it for the Empress?

Artizea opened the door to the Empress’ palace. Skyla did not believe in the slightest bit that Artizea had touched the Empress’ heart.

It is easy to understand that Artizea promised this from the beginning.

But she could not tell Marchioness Camellia of her opinion. It wasn’t that her mother wouldn’t believe her, but she was worried that Artizea wouldn’t accept her.

She was so nervous that she had received a note from her maid saying that Artizea was looking for her.

Skyla put on a black cloak and sneaked out of the house alone without anyone knowing.

An uncharacteristic carriage was standing near Camellia’s mansion.

Skyla tried to catch and ride it, but at this time she realized it was strange to stand still near the Marquisate.

“Ah.”

She exclaimed briefly. The coachman came down and opened the door.

Skyla got into the carriage. The carriage had a passenger. She was a woman in a black veil and mourning robe.

“Your Grace.”

She was not surprised.

The door is closed. The carriage departed. There was no destination. It was just running in the middle of the street like this to have a conversation without approaching anyone’s residence.

There was only the noise of the wheels rolling in the carriage for a moment.

“Have you thought enough?”

Artizea said.

Skyla came to her senses in surprise and responded reflexively.

“Yes.”

But she wasn’t sure what she was thinking was enough. She did a lot, but is it enough?

But it didn’t seem like it would be good enough for her to ponder more.

Artizea lifted the veil.

“Have you made up your mind?”

“I thought that the decision of my mind would be made by Your Grace, not me, but…….”

“If you put your money on a bet, you cannot collect it till the result is out. It’s a big bet on who will be the next Emperor.”

Artizea smiled.

“One side’s merit is the other’s vice. I’m sure you know.”