Chapter 347
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After Marquis Crewe leftâ
Rebecca, left alone in the quiet and desolate Daisy Palace, swept a hand over her swollen cheek.
For the past few days, she had not been able to sleep comfortably for even a moment because of an anxiety that felt as if her nerves were burning away.
She had to remain trapped in the palace and helplessly wait for news from her grandfather.
During that unwanted rest, she thought over and over again.
His Majesty the Emperor had threatened that she could be investigated for preparation and conspiracy to commit rebellion, but would he really not know that it was forced?
The conclusion she reached in the end was ânoâ.
If he charged a noblewoman with treason merely because she had tried to suppress the poor, then far from being a wise ruler, he would be recorded in history as a foolish ruler unlike any other.
There was no way an Emperor so intoxicated with playing the role of a wise ruler loved by giving alms to lowly commoners every year would take such a risk.
The scene he had shown in the audience hall was probably only a political performance meant to suppress the spirit of the aristocratic faction, beginning with House Nord.
âBut Grandfather and I fell beautifully for His Majestyâs bluffâŚâ
The current Emperor had suppressed factional struggles with neutral conduct in order to preserve national power.
But the fact that he openly sided with House Bayern meant he would abandon the stance he had taken until now, didnât it?
âWhat reason would he have to do thatâŚ?â
The Emperor, who had ascended the throne after a fierce struggle over imperial authority, valued peace above all else.
But the fact that he had stood on one side and shaken the political course he had established himself meantâŚ
A moment later, at the realization that suddenly came to her, a chilling shock ran through her entire body.
âWhy, why had I forgotten that?â
Duke Bayern.
The corruption documents that man had sent to her grandfather for the purpose of threatening him.
While her mind was distracted by useless things, could those documents have reached His Majesty the Emperor?
ââŚThat shouldnât be a big problem.â
Rebecca desperately consoled herself.
Together with her husbandâs aide, she had handled the state project, and the dam construction had gone back on track to some extent.
The sluggish construction could be blamed on the site manager and subcontractor, so there should be plenty of ways out.
âI wonât be able to avoid responsibility for failing to fulfill my duty of supervision, butâŚâ
If she proved she was not the ringleader of the corruption, she could recover no matter how much His Majestyâs trust cracked.
But there was no way that was all the Emperor had learned.
Even if it was major corruption, it was not enough to give the lady of a meritorious house such a humiliating punishment in front of everyone.
If that was all, it would make sense to confine Duchess Bayern along with her until the investigation ended.
Or punish neither of them.
His Majesty the Emperorâs political course had always been neutrality.
âThen, just how much has His Majesty found out?â
Not only the state project corruption, but also the tax laws her husband and the administrators of the duchy had touched, and so onâŚ
What if he had found out that much?
The gallery rental contract with Count Conwell.
The custody lawsuit between Count Azelot and House Bayern.
Attending all sorts of gatherings.
ââŚThis was not the time to care about such things!â
Rebecca was nervously chewing on her nails when.
âMadam, it is me, Bennie. May I come in?â
âCome in.â
Her personal maid Bennie entered with a pale face.
Her frightened look was clear.
At the ominous feeling, Rebeccaâs eyebrows twitched.
âWhat happened to what I told you to look into?â
Her grandfather, who had visited her for the first time in several days, had disappeared after leaving only a warning along with a slap.
What did her grandfatherâs visit suggest?
After thinking it over, Rebecca had sent Bennie outside to look into the situation.
She could not simply wait blindly when she had no information at all.
She was being watched, but this level of activity was nothing unusual, so surely they would not suspect it.
âThe aristocratic faction tried to create public opinion favorable to you, Madam, butâŚâ
âThey failed, didnât they?â
âYesâŚâ
With it clear that the Emperorâs favor was shining upon House Bayern, what strength could the aristocratic faction exert?
This was as she had expected.
That did not mean her anger was small, however.
As Rebeccaâs face gradually reddened and her breathing grew rough, Bennie hesitated over the rest of her words.
âAnd what else?â
Surely that was not all there was to report.
âTh-The thing is⌠Marquis Crewe and Duke Bayern had a conflict in the banquet hall.â
âA conflict? What did they say to each other?â
âI-Itâs⌠because Master did not appear at the banquet hallâŚâ
Rebecca squeezed her eyes shut.
