Chapter 74
Alois cautiously observed Benedict, who had been gazing out the window.
‘He appears to be listening half-heartedly, but I’m sure he’s taking it all in.’
That was the kind of master he served. While the Emperor wasted his energy on meaningless provocations, Benedict meticulously prepared to dismantle his opponent and seize everything.
“That’s all. And…” Moritz concluded his report and unfolded a piece of parchment. It was a letter from the Emperor. Every time, the Emperor included a short missive with the invitation, its contents always filled with blatant taunts, as if deliberately intended to irritate the Grand Duke.
‘Of course, His Grace always scoffed at the trivial content.’
Despite his derision, Benedict always examined the letters accompanying the invitations. He sought to glean any unconsciously revealed information within the correspondence, penned by an Emperor consumed by envy and insecurity. The Emperor would never know how his letters, meant to amuse himself, were transforming into his own fatal weaknesses.
“Your Grace.”
“Hm?” Alois turned to Moritz, who wore a troubled expression. It was Moritz’s duty to read the Emperor’s letter.
“I believe you should see this letter yourself.”
Familiar with the Emperor’s usual level of contempt and insults, the old butler adjusted his monocle, puzzled.
Benedict strode forward and took the letter. His golden eyes scanned the contents swiftly, and then a chilling smile spread across his breathtakingly beautiful face.
“Interesting.”
As his captivating lips curved into an arc, a chill ran down Alois’s spine. That smile meant his master was truly angered. The air in the room seemed to shift instantly from spring to the depths of winter.
“Alois.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
He accepted the proffered letter respectfully. What could the contents possibly be? He couldn’t even begin to guess.
[I would appreciate it if you would inform me whether your partner is your long-faithful fiancée, or the delightful plaything I saw the other time.
P.S. My offer for an exchange of… slaves… remains open.]
The butler gasped, closing his eyes tightly, then opening them again, hoping he had imagined it. But the words remained the same.
“I gave the order for silence.” Benedict’s low voice resonated through the study. Alois and Moritz simultaneously looked at their master.
“News of the woman’s abilities must not be leaked. Not within the mansion, nor in the barracks.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
The Emperor’s letter was tossed into the fireplace. The flames devoured it instantly.
***
Alois sought out Greta.
“What is it, Butler?”
“I have something to tell you.”
After relaying the contents of the Emperor’s letter and the Grand Duke’s command, he reiterated his warning. “I trust you will handle this discreetly, but please emphasize the order of silence to the maids again. There’s no telling what might happen if it’s broken.”
“I will.” Greta, inwardly surprised by the news, responded calmly. Then, she noticed a pink envelope peeking out from Alois’s waistcoat pocket. The color was unmistakable. As she recalled, only one woman favored such envelopes.
“What is that letter?”
“Ah, this…” Alois pulled out the envelope. Greta’s eyes turned icy as she saw the name: ‘Daniela Nocturne.’
“It’s from His Grace’s former fiancée.”
“Former fiancée? She’s nothing but a leech, a spy.” Greta’s tone was soft yet scathing. Despite her uncharacteristic choice of words, Alois offered no rebuke. Truthfully, while he had referred to her as the “former fiancée,” he held no favorable opinion of the woman.
“What did His Grace say?”
“He ordered it destroyed without even opening it.”
“I see. Then, may I handle it?”
“You?”
“Wasn’t I the one responsible for replying to the various invitations sent to the Grand Duchy?”
Technically, that was before the Oaklien family became the Grand Ducal family, back when the Grand Duke’s mother was the heir to the Oaklien Marquisate, but it wasn’t entirely untrue.
“You must destroy it.”
“Don’t worry.”
Accepting the letter, Greta asked, “By the way, I heard from Sir Lemon that His Grace will be traveling to the area bordering the former territory of Crozeta. Is that true?”
“I only just received the order to prepare for the journey. He departs at dawn tomorrow.”
Greta sighed briefly. “It’s frustrating to always hear about it after the fact. It makes my role of serving His Grace feel meaningless.”
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