If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 269

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

“Of course, you’ll need to investigate the phantom caravans. But I already have a good idea of who’s really behind all this. Just investigating the caravans won’t reveal the true mastermind.”

The true mastermind. At that, Cain immediately thought of one person. Was Mernich really about to bring up the Grand Duke?

It was common knowledge that the Grand Duke openly disliked his nephew. The nobles of Leden were abuzz with speculation: just how far would the future emperor, Crown Prince Mernich, allow his violent uncle to go?

“Grand Duke Norfolk.”

Just as Cain suspected, the name came straight from Mernich’s lips. Cain forced himself not to clench his fists as he met the prince’s gaze.

“My uncle. That man has been siphoning off all the goods coming into the capital.”

He called him ‘that man’ without hesitation. For someone known to be soft-hearted, this was a surprising side of the Crown Prince. While Cain remained silent, Mernich continued.

“And if it were only supplies, that would be one thing. But lately, he’s even started meddling with the imperial knights under royal authority.”

“You mean the Grand Duke has been taking knights for his own purposes?”

That seemed impossible. The imperial knights were not people who could simply be bribed or lured away. Those serving in the royal order were subjected to thorough training and indoctrination from a young age.

“No, it’s not that simple. The royal knights can’t just be swayed—they’re imperial property. But my uncle is focusing on recruiting retired knights, or young men who haven’t yet begun formal training. He’s probably using them to build up his own mercenary forces…”

“And perhaps smuggling information about the royal knights as well.”

Mernich nodded grimly. Training an army outside the imperial court was a major crime. The Grand Duke had already broken countless laws, but secretly building a military force was a serious offense in itself.

Suddenly, Cain recalled Ethan’s earlier report: a border region near Leden, rugged and sparsely populated, which recently saw a suspicious influx of supplies under the management of Marquis Durer.

“I believe the Grand Duke is planning something big.”

“And by that you mean…?”

“…Treason.”

Even for the Crown Prince, voicing that w bord was terrifying. He instinctively lowered his voice and glanced around before leaning in to whisper.

Cain watched Mernich’s face carefully. Was the prince truly afraid of his uncle’s unpredictability? Certainly, but Cain sensed there was more to it than just that.

“All the affairs of the capital are overseen by the Lord Palatine. By piecing together the facts, I reached a conclusion—not just a hunch, but a solid one.”

“I understand, Your Highness.”

“Do you… know anything?”

Cain hesitated, unsure how much to reveal about Ganam and Marquis Durer. But if Ethan’s report had already reached Joseph, it was likely Mernich would have heard too.

Cain studied the prince, as if trying to read what cards he was holding. Was Prince Mernich truly as gentle and timid as he seemed, or was there more beneath the surface? Should Cain ally himself with the prince to take down the Grand Duke?

“I’ve heard reports that military supplies are being disguised as commercial goods and sent into Ganam. But I assumed Your Highness was already aware, so I was hesitant to bring it up. Forgive me.”

The best outcome would be for the Grand Duke and the Crown Prince to come to blows, and for the Grand Duke to lose. But was Mernich up to the task? As Cain pondered this, he continued.

“Do you know who holds the deed to the land in Ganam? Marquis Durer.”

“That’s just a smokescreen,” Mernich replied. “He’s only the legal owner on paper.”

“Of course. I assume the real owner is the Grand Duke. When the Leden guards tried to search the wagons entering Ganam, the merchants refused, citing Marquis Durer’s name.”

Mernich’s face showed a flicker of surprise. Maybe he truly hadn’t heard about Ganam before now—or maybe the expression was a calculated move. Cain kept watching.

“They’re just flailing around in the dark, hiding behind the name of a relative. But it’s clear who’s really pulling the strings.”

“Exactly.”

The Crown Prince’s face grew tense.

“So, how did you know the wagons were carrying military supplies?”

“The Empress provided the seal.”

Did the Crown Prince really not know? If the Empress, who adored her only son, had started making independent decisions, perhaps she’d sensed the throne meant for her son was in jeopardy.

“My mother…”

Mernich sighed. He looked genuinely caught off guard, and if this was all an act, he’d make a better jester than emperor.