Chapter 53
“Eunice. When Cecil collapsed, did she go to the First Prince’s Palace?”
“No. But she did stop by the Empress’s Palace.”
“The Empress’s Palace? …Ah, right. The First Prince’s Palace is right next to it.”
That meant they had to consider the possibility that the place where Cecilia’s spirit familiar was killed might be the Empress’s Palace.
The First Prince’s Palace and the Empress’s Palace.
Both were extremely difficult places to search thoroughly. If Cecilia could just regain her magic even once, Melania would be able to create a tracking artifact…
“Father, Mother. For now, I’ll look around the area near the Empress’s Palace and the First Prince’s Palace when I’m on patrol. I’ll check if there’s anything suspicious.”
—Don’t do anything too dangerous. If you get hurt while trying to help Cecil, that won’t do.
“Yes. Don’t worry, Father.”
“I’ll try to find any attendants or maids who were working at the First Prince’s Palace or the Empress’s Palace at the time.”
Albert, who had entered the Academy at the top of his class and graduated early, had built a wide network through alumni gatherings, book clubs, tea parties, and many other social events.
Most attendants and maids working in the Imperial Palace were children or branch family members of noble houses. If he asked around enough, he would surely find a witness.
“I’ll stay by my lady’s side and take a close look at the Empress’s Palace as well.”
“Don’t overdo it.”
—Yes. If something happens to you, wouldn’t Cecil be heartbroken too?
The Duke and Duchess were worried about her, but Eunice was full of determination.
Among everyone, she had the easiest access to the Empress’s Palace. She believed it was her duty to find her lady’s soul fragment.
‘I can’t just leave my lady’s soul fragment in a place like the First Prince’s Palace or the Empress’s Palace!’
Two days later, Eunice accompanied Cecilia to the Empress’s Palace. Using excuses like going to the restroom, dropping her handkerchief, and getting lost, she made her way to the garden between the Empress’s Palace and the First Prince’s Palace.
‘If someone really released a bird and shot it with an arrow, then this garden is the most likely scene…’
Eunice casually looked around, trying not to draw attention as she searched for anything suspicious.
And then she found something.
“Sniff… sob…”
“…A child?”
At the far end of the garden, near the First Prince’s Palace, a small child in priest robes was sitting under a tree, hugging their knees and crying.
Knock, knock.
“Your Majesty the Empress, Lady of the Rohaim Duchy. Please excuse me for a moment.”
One of the Empress’s maids entered the room and, after asking for permission, went to the Empress and whispered in her ear.
Cecilia couldn’t hear clearly, but it seemed someone had arrived.
‘What? Who could it be? They know I’m here with the Empress, yet they still came in to report it?’
It must have been someone important. The Empress briefly looked surprised before turning to Cecilia with a calm expression.
“We’ll stop here for today.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Instead of asking what was going on, Cecilia politely nodded. The fact that the maid had whispered in front of her meant she wasn’t meant to know.
‘No wonder she seemed distracted all day.’
“Then I shall take my leave.”
As Cecilia exited the room, she glanced around quietly. But she did not encounter the Empress’s guest.
‘If it’s a guest important enough for the Empress to hide… the only person I can think of is the one treating the First Prince.’
She was curious, but if she were caught eavesdropping on the Empress and her guest, even her parents would struggle to handle the consequences.
Though a little disappointed, she decided to give up and stepped outside the Empress’s Palace. There, she noticed a carriage that was not her family’s.
‘That crest… isn’t that from Marquis Liam’s house?’
Marquis Liam.
‘I feel like I’ve heard that name recently. Where was it?’
If Eunice were here, she could have asked her right away. It was strange that Eunice wasn’t in sight after coming this far.
‘Where did she go?’
As she looked around to ask someone about Eunice’s whereabouts, a maid approached her.
“You are the Lady of the Rohaim Duchy, correct?”
“Yes. And you are?”
“I am a maid from the First Prince’s Palace.”
Huh? Why would a maid from the First Prince’s Palace approach her?
“Your maid is currently at the First Prince’s Palace. His Highness the First Prince has requested that you be brought there.”
“…What?”
Why would the First Prince want my maid?
She blinked in confusion, and the maid glanced at the guards of the Empress’s Palace nearby before lowering her voice.
“I’m Fiona’s friend.”
Then, in a louder voice for others to hear, she continued,
“Please come with me, my lady.”
“Ah… yes. If my maid is there, I must go immediately.”
By revealing that she was Fiona’s friend, the maid was clearly indicating she would explain how Eunice ended up at the First Prince’s Palace.
As expected, while they walked through the wide garden between the Empress’s Palace and the First Prince’s Palace, the maid explained what had happened.
“I don’t know how your maid ended up in this garden. However, she ran into the apprentice attendant of the bishop who is treating His Highness the First Prince. In the process, she overheard something she wasn’t meant to.”
“Something she wasn’t meant to hear?”
“That His Highness the First Prince is currently receiving treatment—and that it’s working.”
Ah, right. That was supposed to be a secret.
Though, judging by how maids talked among themselves, it seemed most people already knew.
“So is my maid in serious danger right now?”
“To be honest, His Highness the First Prince doesn’t seem to want to silence her. Rather, he appears to be planning to use this to put you in a difficult position.”
The maid’s face showed clear frustration. It seemed the First Prince had a habit of exploiting people’s weaknesses.
“Please be careful. His Highness has always… disliked seeing the Second Prince possess something better than him.”
“Thank you for telling me. At least I can prepare myself now.”
Knowing the situation in advance made a big difference.
She was grateful for the information. Still, she couldn’t help wondering if it was safe for Fiona and this maid to tell her such things. If the First Prince found out, they wouldn’t be treated kindly.
‘I’ll repay this kindness someday.’
After memorizing the maid’s face, Cecilia ran through possible scenarios in her head as they approached the reception room where the First Prince was waiting.
Through the slightly open door, she heard him snort.
“To dare threaten me… I’ll at least praise that courage.”
“Your Highness was the one who frightened the child first.”
“I’ve told you twice already—the one who committed the wrongdoing was that child.”
“That’s not true! I really didn’t say anything! I didn’t!”
The sound of the child sobbing followed. Having heard the situation beforehand, it made Cecilia feel even more distressed.
She couldn’t just stand by. She was about to push the door open when the First Prince’s voice rang out again.
“Very well. In consideration of your efforts in treating me, I will let this matter slide. But remember—there won’t be a second time.”
There was no reply.
Instead, footsteps approached the door. Cecilia stepped back slightly. A moment later, the door opened.
“…Ah.”
The person who emerged was a woman holding the crying child in her arms.
What stood out first was her priestly robe. Judging by the decorations on it, she seemed to be a bishop.
‘I see. So this is the one treating the First Prince…’
But strangely, even though Cecilia was certain she had never met her before, the woman felt oddly familiar.
‘No… it’s not the first time.’
Cecilia was sure she had seen that face before.