Chapter 132
* * *
Imperial Consort Othellia fiddled with the edge of her teacup.
Madam Gonalon, who had been sent down to Astra, had returned.
Madam Gonalon’s expression was bright as she looked at the Imperial Consort.
“Congratulations, Your Highness.”
“Congratulations? What have I done to deserve congratulations?”
“The long-standing problem that had troubled Your Highness has been neatly resolved, so congratulations are indeed in order.”
Imperial Consort Othellia stared intently at Madam Gonalon.
“You found the child?”
“Yes.”
The Imperial Consort’s expression changed instantly.
“Where was he? As expected, was it Astra?”
“Yes. He was staying in the Daymond jurisdiction of the Astra Dukedom. It was a remote location, suitable for hiding.”
“And where is he now?”
“The child is dead.”
“…Dead?”
“Yes. There was a wildfire in the Daymond jurisdiction last year. The fire spread to the residential areas, resulting in over twenty fatalities.”
“And the child was among them?”
Madam Gonalon’s smile widened slightly.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Is there evidence of his death?”
Madam Gonalon handed over the dossier she was holding to the Imperial Consort.
Inside was an official document from the Daymond jurisdiction, bearing its seal.
Among the list of the deceased was an unidentified child of a similar age and build to the hidden prince.
“This child?”
“Yes, Your Highness. I’ve confirmed it multiple times.”
Imperial Consort Othellia looked at Madam Gonalon with a piercing gaze.
“I assume I can have the document investigated personally.”
Madam Gonalon’s grip tightened on the now-empty dossier. She had anticipated this, but the reality of it being scrutinized made her heart sink.
“Are you saying we declare the prince dead in the Daymond jurisdiction?”
“Ywes.”
“Forged documents can be easily spotted.”
“Dun wowwy abow tha. Ouw domain hab-a vewy copeten powsun.” (Don’t worry about that. Our domain has a very competent person.)
The man who had kept the imperial administrators busy for three months and ten days without finding a single piece of evidence,
Michelan.
‘With such confidence, there shouldn’t be a problem.’
Madam Gonalon answered the imperial consort with a proud smile.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Finally, a smile returned to the Imperial Consort’s face.
“You’ve done well.”
“The fact alone that I am able to assist Your Highness brings me immense joy.”
At that moment.
Knock, knock.
“The ladies have gathered, Your Highness.”
Today was the day of the Imperial Consort’s salon event, held once a month.
The Imperial Consort stood up.
“Will you join us?”
“Yes, of course.”
As they moved together, Madam Gonalon swallowed nervously. She recalled her conversation with Erylotte.
“What do you mean, spread rumors in the salon? Our deal was to report the prince dead and arrange a meeting for you with the Empress Dowager!”
“But din’t we awso pwofide fowged documuns fow yew?” (But didn’t we also provide forged documents for you?)
“That was something you were naturally expected to do…!”
“Thewe’s no sush fing as ‘natuwawy’ in thwis wuld.” (There’s no such thing as ‘naturally’ in this world.)
“…!”
“If yew compwy wif thwe weqess, it wiw benefif yew as wew anyway. Twuss me.” (If you comply with the request, it will benefit you as well anyway. Trust me.)
‘Crazy girl.’
Madam Gonalon had only one thought on her mind: Why did she ever decide to join hands with a three-year-old?
Not just any three-year-old, but one more cunning than most ladies of high society.
Walking while recalling the conversation she had with Erylotte, Madam Gonalon and the imperial consort soon arrived at the salon.
The ladies warmly welcomed them, and as they sat down, various conversations began.
“You must have had a hard time traveling all the way to the Astra domain for ten days.”
“Not as much as the Imperial Consort, who looks after the empire.”
Madam Gonalon’s comment brought a smile to the Imperial Consort’s face.
“So, you’ve returned from Astra with only improved eloquence, I see.”
“Being with a smart child seems to have rubbed off on me.”
“A smart child?”
“Yes. Daymond Astra’s daughter, Erylotte Astra.”
Madam Gonalon spoke with a subtle tone.
“The child was exceptionally brilliant. Can you believe she has a protective charm for reading ancient languages?”
“Ancient languages…?”
“I coaxed the child into talking, and it turns out, ancient historical texts contain fascinating content. For example, the ‘blessed land’.”
“A blessed land…?”
“Yes, a sacred land where simply staying increases one’s magical power.”
“Hmm…”
Magic is the source of energy for creating protective charms. Stronger magic would naturally lead to more powerful charms.
“I’ve heard from the child what constitutes a ‘blessed land’.”
As Madam Gonalon whispered, the ladies’ eyes widened.
Such information wouldn’t be casually shared among the titans of high society.
As soon as they left the salon, they found places that met the conditions of a ‘blessed land’.
[Cavelen Street 231-31]
It was a place that was once considered among the cheapest in the capital due to its proximity to the slums, and yet practically overnight, its land prices skyrocketed in an instant.
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