Chapter: 265

Astelle looked at him, then bent her knees and bowed her head in a strict manner.

“If you don’t have anything else to say, I’ll be on my way.”

Astelle turned back without any regrets. 

Kaizen couldn’t take his eyes off her until she disappeared from view.

***

There were many great mansions in the capital, but the most splendid and magnificent was the residence of the Duke of Reston. 

A sharp wind shook the windows as the flames of firewood swayed in the dark. Duke Reston, sitting in his study room, looked at the reflection in the dark shadows and asked, “The Emperor?” 

The man standing next to him came out quietly and answered: 

“It is said that he arrived at Dentsu Castle.” 

“It’s sooner than expected.” 

The duke thought that if he leaked information stating that this place was preparing for a rebellion, the emperor would be wasting time in the country castle. 

The duke already knew that the man he had recruited was the emperor’s spy. He acted as if he was preparing for a revolt through him, letting the emperor get the wrong information. That way Kaizen won’t come back to the capital, turning his way around to trap the Duke.

‘Let’s see which of the two is the real trap.’

The Duke gave orders to the subordinate who was beside him. 

“While waiting at Dentsu Castle, if the opportunity arises, raid the emperor.” 

The duke had no intention of starting a rebellion from the beginning, he was aiming for an assassination. 

When the emperor is in the capital’s imperial palace, the chance of assassination seldom arises. 

However, while on the journey, the guards can not protect the emperor as much as in the imperial palace.

There will always be gaps. 

“I, by the way, Princess……” 

“Huh?” 

“Princess is with the emperor.” 

The Duke did not answer for a moment. 

It took him a while to figure out who the princess he was talking about was.

“I don’t care about Astelle.”