Chapter 285 (1/2)

“Well, Lady Jena. She told me about the ins and outs of Duke Jena’s ambush plan. In fact, she saved your life.”

“Really?”

I opened my eyes wide. I was shocked about what he revealed to me. As if he understood me when I was confused, he briefed me kindly about what happened.

On the day I was ambushed by the masked men, Jiun visited the Imperial Palace again as she did the previous day. Although she went there to confirm her request to see the emperor, she was told that the emperor rejected her request for an emergency meeting. As a last resort she wanted to see the two dukes or my father, but they could not because of the case of Marquis Mirwa.

At that time the noble faction was devising a plan to overturn the decision at the big conference. As it happened, Duke Jena set up a plan to kill me and shift the blame to Marquis Mirwa on the occasion of his disappearance. After she heard it by mistake, she went to the palace again after agonizing about what to do. She was on the horns of a dilemma for fear that something bad might happen when she told somebody who she could not trust.

‘Oh, I remember she told me she had something to say to me at that time…’

Looking at me when I was biting my lip after belatedly realizing it, he continued to explain.

According to him, Carsein discovered her who was wandering around in confusion, so asked her why. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, he gave a royal knight convey his message to Duke Lars, then hurriedly headed for the ambush area with Jiun. After learning from the knight about the situation, the emperor and my father hurriedly ran to my location.

‘Oh, I see. That’s why Carsein came to me faster than the reinforcement unit, and that with Jiun. Right. That’s why the masked men charged toward her to kill her desperately, confirming that she betrayed them.’

His explanation quenched some of my curiosity, but I had another question.

Why did Jiun try to save me? Didn’t she confront me everytime to become the empress? Was it because she discovered Duke Jenna’s rebellion and knew that she could not survive if she was involved in it? Was she trying to strike a deal with me for her life?

When I kept tilting my head, the duke continued to explain the situation.

When I was attacked by Sir Spia, everyone said I was going to die. My organs were badly damaged and I bled so much that even the royal doctor shook his head, confirming that my pulse stopped.

Then, how did I survive? The fact that my pulse stopped was tantamount to saying that I died.

“Are you surprised? Well, I was, too, when I heard it. Even now I’m still surprised.”

He then paused a bit, then caught his breath slowly.

“As I wasn’t there, I couldn’t see it myself, but fortunately the High Priest arrived belatedly…Um?”

The duke stopped talking at that moment and stared out somewhere fiercely. There was a government official walking around as if to look for somebody.

The duke walked toward him, raising his glasses. I also followed him after hesitating for a moment.

“Investigator Inves, why are you here instead of investigating the suspects?”

“Oh, you’re here, Duke Verita. In fact, I’ve been looking for you because I have to report something to you urgently.”

“Really? What is that? ”

“Well…” Squinting at me, the female investigator drifted off as if it was difficult for her to talk to him in my presence.

So, I said goodbye to him and left the place first.

I was agonized while walking in the long corridor. Why did Jiun try to save me? Was she really trying to make a deal with me for her survival?

No matter how hard I thought about her motivations, I could not figure out the exact reason until I came back home and sat down on a sofa.

Why did the duke stop speaking at that moment? Who could tell me about it? I felt it awkward to ask my father or the emperor about it. Did I need to go and ask Jiun directly?

While I was pressing on my stinging head, a maid cautiously came in and informed me about the High Priest’s visit.

‘That’s good. Anyway I was going to see him and thank him tomorrow. ‘

When I stood up gladly, I saw the young man in a white robe coming in.

“May the blessings of life be with you! You’re awake, Lady Monique. What a relief!”