Baby Princess Through the Status Window - Chapter 139
Translator and Editor: Nana and Tea
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Chapter 139
The next day, the cabinet meeting deteriorated into chaos due to the information given by the emperor.
“Look at this,” he said nonchalantly, tossing a crystal ball that rolled and stopped right in the middle of the officials.
The document that emerged with a burst of light revealed the corruption of a specific noble family.
“This…!”
“Duke Pacour. What is the meaning of this?”
There were suspicions that the Duke embezzled even the public funds of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But that wasn’t the only problem.
“Furthermore, we discovered evidence that the missing funds were used to purchase weapons.”
“H-How is that possible…!”
The nobles were strictly prohibited from raising private armies by the Empire. While individual knights were allowed under their command, that was subject to limitations in numbers. So, at that moment, one word passed through the minds of all the officials: treason.
“Therefore, I order a full investigation of the Duke.”
The cabinet meeting, which began right after the storm season, held great significance. It was a moment to demonstrate the determination to handle the most important matters of the year.
In that cabinet meeting, the Emperor had declared his intention to expose the Duke’s corruption.
It was akin to a declaration of war.
“Indeed, that must be done.”
The Emperor’s voice seemed to carry determination. The officials also exchanged glances with each other.
Embezzlement and weapon acquisitions were undoubtedly serious crimes. However, it was true that the evidence revealed was somewhat insufficient to pressure the Duke.
Nevertheless, the Emperor promptly issued a stern command.
“Summon the Captain of the Imperial Knights. Detain all members of the Duke’s household and conduct a search within the Duke’s residence.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Furthermore, intensify the investigation into the suspicious deaths of those with Harmin allergy as previously ordered.”
“Understood!”
The resounding response from the captain of the Imperial Knight brought the nobles back to their senses. In particular, the nobles from the noble faction were not pleased.
They realized that the investigation into the Harmin tea allergy case, attached to this incident, was the Emperor’s true purpose.
“Your Majesty! You cannot do this!”
“Shouldn’t the Duke be given a chance to explain first?”
At that moment, a chilling wind swept through the meeting place. It was not merely a figment of their imagination but a tangible force created by mana.
The officials reflexively lowered their heads as if someone was squeezing their necks directly.
“An explanation… Do you not consider the Duke willingly undergoing the investigation as an appropriate explanation?”
The officials recalled the Emperor’s image during the war, where there was never a day without the scent of blood. They had almost forgotten it as he had become increasingly amiable while tarrying with the princess.
The Emperor was originally a person who exuded the smell of blood everywhere he went like this.
“I can’t believe you’re pressuring the only… duke left.”
In the end, amidst the silence that fell among the dukes, it was only Duke Pacour who managed to breathe out a word, as if barely alive.
The green eyes of the duke, resembling those of the empress, narrowed as they gazed at the emperor.
“There was a valid reason for the downfall of the dukes. Of course, it wasn’t without some clever maneuvering.”
Even after that, the capital remained calm and silent, as if it had settled into a deep slumber. The discussion of the empire’s most pressing issues, such as the grain supply and maintenance of magical barriers, was no exception. They were too busy calculating in their minds what kind of impact the investigation of the duke would have instead of caring about other things.
“Damn it!”
The duke couldn’t recall with what state of mind he had returned from the Empress’ Palace. He never expected the emperor to utter such words during the first cabinet meeting of the year.
“The emperor has finally gone mad!”
As he openly spat out the words that had built up inside him, the duke’s face contorted in anger. He was extremely nervous, especially when he thought about the arrogant blue eyes that had looked down on him.
“What on earth is he thinking…”
Despite his anger, his mind remained sharp. The duke’s office, which had been thoroughly destroyed not long ago, had been restored to its original state. Instead of throwing objects recklessly this time, he glared menacingly. It seemed that yesterday’s commotion had left a mark on his mind.
“Somebody… seems to have unleashed a search spell…”
On the last day of the Storm Season, the duke had to adopt a vigilant stance. For the past year, it had been difficult for him to understand what the emperor wanted by observing him. But when someone unleashed a search spell toward his mansion, his attention became even sharper. Soon, whispers started circulating.
“Those damn mages… they’re not worth the money.”
He could only assume that the search spell was directed at the mansion. Unfortunately, yesterday happened to be the last day of the Storm Season, when the flow of mana was most malicious. As a result, the mage guarding the duke’s mansion could only sense that an unknown flow of mana approached, but couldn’t explain exactly what it was. However, the similarity to a search spell was the reason it was referred to as such.
“Are they the same annoying flies from before…”
That was why the duke had to stay in his hidden study room where his secrets were kept. He hadn’t been able to catch the tail of those who had rushed into his mansion yet.
“It’s hopeless.”
When the former emperor died, it was a smooth succession. But strangely, things had been going awry in recent years. Although the exact cause was unclear, there was something constantly bothering the duke.
“That young girl.”
As the duke thought of the princess, his expression was filled with increasing hatred. Gone was the duke who used to casually observe her like a weed on the roadside.
Then, suddenly, a thought crossed the duke’s mind, offering a possible explanation for the emperor’s erratic behavior.
“Could it be revenge for the incident when I made advances toward the princess?”
He was well aware that the emperor, who burned like fire in front of the nobles, behaved strangely in front of his own daughter. He hadn’t expected him to act as if he wanted to oust him because of that.
“Well, I can’t just disappear like the other dukes.”
The duke had already sent assassins in the past. There was no hesitation the first time, and the second time wouldn’t be difficult.
“If that’s how it’s going to be…”
Then he’ll thoroughly crush them.
The conspirator’s green eyes flickered ominously as he schemed.
Although spring had arrived after the storm, the coldness between people remained unchanged. This was due to the Emperor’s fierce determination to eradicate the nobles.
“Ah, how frustrating.”
Siervian let out a sigh on her way to visit Karmen. The icy appearance of the palace seemed all too familiar to her.
‘He said we should focus on the allergy cases.’
In truth, phrases like training private armies were just an excuse. Naturally, it was just a pretext to investigate the duke. That was why the duke’s people were being captured one by one. Everyone knew it was merely an excuse for interrogation.
‘It’s still too difficult to touch Harmin.’
She had naturally considered telling them directly as a possible solution. However, the repercussions seemed too severe, so for now, she planned to undermine the nobles indirectly. Focusing on the allergy cases naturally brought to mind the assassination of the former chamberlain.
If that were the case, she could naturally bring up the matter of the Harmin grass he was holding in his arms.
‘Even at this time, people are being poisoned.’
The fact saddened Siervian once again, causing her to sigh heavily. Lately, the maids’ concerns had grown even stronger, so she had to sigh secretly like this.
‘I wonder if the notification spell reached the duke properly.’
She would have liked to meet the duke in person and examine his status window, but her father did not allow it. The decision was made to both lessen his worry and make it seem like he wasn’t trying to provoke the duke by bringing her.
“Why the sigh?”
“Karmen.”
When she sighed again while looking at him, his handsome face fell all at once. But she couldn’t give a proper reason for it.
“Just frustrated.”
“There’s a lot to be frustrated about.”
Karmen waved his hand without much concern. Then, a mana flew swiftly and gently pushed aside the lilac stems that appeared before Siervian, revealing the space inside like opening curtains.Thanks to this natural(?) consideration, Siervian could barely manage to smile.
“What did you do today?”
His tone was similar to an interrogation. But since she could understand the worries hidden within, Siervian didn’t mind and informed him of her various schedules.
Lately, Karmen had been visiting Siervian often, seemingly concerned about her. Perhaps he had heard something about this incident from her older brother.
The Tower Lord, Karmen, and the Imperial Knights were important allies. Siervian could trust them because she had personally confirmed their loyalty.
“Karmen, you don’t have to keep coming if you’re busy.”
“Do you think I’m coming because I want to?”
[Karmen Kasselov]
Mood: Embarrassed
Thoughts: I’m coming because I want to, but I can’t just say it outright.
The clear status window next to him stood out for a moment, belying his sullen expression and question. It almost seemed like Karmen’s status window was asserting itself, begging to understand his feelings.
Thanks to that, Siervian could barely smile and Karmen raised an eyebrow again.
“Instead of sighing, just smile.”
“Smiling, huh?”
“…Be quiet.”
He retorted, annoyed. Siervian noticed the complex change in Karmen’s inner thoughts as she replied.
‘Huh?’
[Karmen Kasselov]
Mood: Deep disappointment
Thoughts: Damn it, I could have stayed a little longer, but there was a problem in the mine. But what the hell is that jerk trying to do?
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