Book 8: Chapter 27


    After dinner, Luna helped me adjust my cape from behind, and then quietly asked me, Your Majesty, will you be back on time tonight?


    Uhm, I should be since there isnt really any work nowadays.


    Luna patted my shoulders and with a smile, said, If there is not much work, do not exhaust yourself. If Her Majesty returns and sees you thin again, I will be scolded. Moreover, if youe back early, I will not have to stand outside holding the light to await your return, either.


    I looked at Luna with a smile, and asked, Are you getting sick of waiting?


    <em>Nier has always been the one holding a light to await my return, but since neither of them was here right now, Luna became the one who waited for me holding the light. Honestly speaking, I really like having someone wait for me. Seeing a light waiting for me whenever I returned to the outer court at night showered me with a soothing bliss.</em>


    No. I would never. Luna shook her head. She then checked left and right to ensure nobody was around before giving me a gentle back hug. With her head rested on my back, she softly continued, I feel that you belong to me alone when I wait for you, like that I be the only one waiting for you


    Luna


    But Mr Castell did not return with Her Majesty this time.


    Luna cut me off and didnt even give me a chance to turn around to hug her. From that position, she mentioned Castells absence.


    I nodded and replied, Yeah, I was surprised Castell didnte back. Perhaps Castell did something wrong to anger Her Majesty.


    Mr Castell has been Her Majestys personal attendant for about ten years, right? How could he do something that would make Her Majesty unhappy? I think that it might be because Her Majesty ordered him to stay Maybe Her Majesty no longer likes Castell. For a personal attendant, losing Her Majestys favour is the same aspletely losing ones life.


    How could Castell be abandoned by Her Majesty?


    This is a mutual feeling we share as personal servants!


    <em>Im a little reluctant to believe it. Her Majesty doesnt trust Castell at an ordinary level. I dont know what would happen for Her Majesty to no longer trust Castell. But there can only be one, and that is that Castell overstepped his boundaries by either digging his hands into military affairs or politics. Thats something Her Majesty forbids.</em>


    <em>I dont believe Castell would do that sort of thing, though. Hes a very wise guy, so theres no way hed dig himself a hole. From Castells perspective, Her Majestys trust is whats most important to him. Im sure that Castell wouldnt involve himself with military and political affairs.</em>


    However Your Majesty


    Luna released me. I turned my head around to look at her. She looked at me with eagerness, but also some anxiousness, and asked me, Your Majesty, would you one day abandon me ? Would the day where you do not like me anymoree and rece me with a new personal servant?


    No.


    I looked at Luna and resolutely shook my head. I stroked her head and sincerely exined, Havent I told you many times already? Youre my only personal servant. If youre no longer with me, Ill just be without a personal servant. I will never abandon you. Youre very cute, Luna, so I wont dislike you.


    Luna looked at me with tears in her eyes; but, a blissful smile surfaced on her face. She gently grabbed hold of my hand and softly responded, I am so d to have been saved by you I am so d to be able to always be by your side Your Majesty you are so gentle


    I smiled then pulled my hand back and told her, Ill be back early tonight. Luna, leave a light on for me.


    Luna responded with a firm nod, and then replied with a smile, Uhm. I will wait for your return, Your Majesty.


    <em>There honestly isnt much work today. I just need to confirm some preparations in the pce, so that any damages or losses noted after the Empress returns wont have to do with me. While Im at it, Ill sort out how the Valkyries will manage the members of the vassal states in the city. Theyre managing them only in name. In reality, theyre keeping tabs on them.</em>


    <em>Up until now, I still dont know what the scheme behind the scenes is. Therefore, I need them to gather information from those around the lords.</em>


    Onii-sama, do you have any thoughts about what we are investigating?


    I shook my head. I looked at Freya and candidly replied, No.


    Freya looked at me with a gaze as if my response was a matter of course, but also simrly to a mother looking at a naughty child. She then nodded, That is most like you. Onii-sama, I have an idea, though.


    Whats the idea?


    We ask a few people from the red-light district to go to where they are staying. Men may not speak about many things; the strong-willed fighter types who wont speak even when physically tortured. But, they will spill everything when the beauty in their arms, nheless. A man lying on his back in bed is when he is most defenceless.


    <em>I understand what Freya is thinking now. Shes saying to send some women from the red-light district to them, to see if theyll speak when theyre indulging in the beauty of the women. If a woman alone isnt enough, we can just add alcohol into the mix. I think theyll divulge everything under the influence of alcohol.</em>


    Lets do that then. Ill leave it with you.


    I nodded and Freya puffed her chest out proudly.


    <em>Shes just a kid but she hopes that I depend on her. Shes the same as my moms It gives off the old-woman-acting-cute vibe.</em>


    Ah, Your Majesty, Miss Freya.


    As we just finished discussing the matter, we saw Alicee out from another side. Behind her were a few people who came out with her. I took a look at them.


    <em>I seem to recognise them. One of them is the fatty from the conservative faction. I think he was from the financial department. </em>


    He saluted me when he saw me then left.


    I was curious as to what Alice was doing, but she is Her Majestys personal attendant.


    <em>What shes doing has nothing to do with me, except I cant figure out what a personal attendant would see a finance minister for.</em>


    Are you two doing something?


    I never expected Alice to ask me in such a direct manner. I nodded, We were just discussing the fight the Valkyries got into and came up with an idea. I think well find clues soon.


    Alice narrowed her eyes. She then revealed a smile, Your Majesty, are you serious about investigating the case? I think it would be better for you to leave it to Her Majesty to investigate.


    But Her Majesty is absent at the moment, isnt she? Ill handle this case. I believe Ill find out the truth. I can just pass the results of my investigation on to Her Majesty afterwards.


    I nodded and continued on proudly, I think Ill be able to get to the bottom of it before the full-moon night. Attest, itll take me until a day or two after the full-moon night.


    Alice looked at me as she replied in a tone full of pride, Oh? Well, good luck then, Your Majesty But you only have about three days until the full-moon night, right? You must be careful that night. I will be sure to tightly guard the outer court. I shall forbid anyone from approaching.


    I nodded, In that case, I shall leave everything with you, Alice.


    Think nothing of it. It is my duty, my most important duty