Chapter 117
Plans Gone Wrong
Eleanor’s bodyguard, who was always calm and collected, suddenly raised his voice towards the Emperor in this formal setting, signaling that this was part of her plan.
Karsian quickly realized this and began walking toward Ernst.
“How dare you speak to His Majesty like that…! Someone stop him!”
Imperial knights blocked Ernst before Karsian could intervene. Their strong hands grabbed his arms and restrained him.
Karsian stood still and watched. Since he didn’t know exactly what Eleanor’s plan was, he decided it was better to observe for now.
“Your Majesty, please just listen for a moment…”
The commotion grew louder, and the nobles whispered, watching Ernst being restrained by the knights. Some seemed to recognize him, and a few secretly admired him, but for now, they pretended to ignore him.
“Stop! Let him go.”
It was Emperor William IV who put an end to the chaos.
The Emperor made a small gesture, and the knights stepped back, releasing their grip on Ernst. Some murmured quietly about how strong the seemingly delicate man was.
As Ernst’s face emerged from behind the knights, the Emperor narrowed his eyes, recalling the familiar face. Although he couldn’t remember all the faces of other noble knights, Ernst’s distinct features had stuck with him.
“I remember now. Aren’t you the bodyguard of Princess Astria?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Forgive my rudeness, but I’ve come here because something dangerous has happened to my lady, and I fear the consequences,” Ernst replied, bowing low.
“Lady Ellie… in danger?” The Emperor raised his eyebrows in surprise.
The Emperor had been secretly communicating with Eleanor after their previous meeting. Though he found it awkward, the information she provided had been useful. It seemed that she truly did have control over Astria’s household.
‘Now that I think about it, the last letter I received mentioned that she would risk even more to get solid information next time. Has something gone wrong?’
William IV rubbed his beard slowly, contemplating.
“Please, tell me more. If I can help, I will.”
“Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. When I briefly stepped away, I returned to find that Lady Eleanor was missing. A servant had told me she was summoned by the Duke of Astria, but I discovered that the servant was not from any household, and the Duke’s summons was a lie.”
Ernst’s voice darkened as he continued.
“When I followed the direction she went, all I found was her hat left in the middle of the hunting grounds.”
“So, Lady Astria is missing… in the hunting grounds?” The Emperor’s eyes widened in shock.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Someone has dared to kidnap the Princess of the Empire at your event!” Ernst’s voice was filled with urgency.
The nobles gasped in surprise.
Karsian stood frozen, his face pale. For once, he felt a deep sense of fear, not because he had been tricked by Ernst’s words, but because he had realized the hidden intention behind those words. He now understood what Eleanor was trying to do and why she hadn’t shared her plan with him.
“Fortunately, we brought a detection dog from the Astria family. It hasn’t been long since Lady Eleanor disappeared, so if we use the scent from her hat, we can track her down! But, we don’t know what forces might be waiting for us. I humbly request Your Majesty’s knights to assist us!” Ernst bowed deeply.
After a moment of contemplation, the Emperor nodded.
“I cannot believe something so cruel happened at my event. Very well, I’ll lend you my knights. As Emperor, I command that Lady Astria be returned safely!”
“I will obey Your Majesty’s command!” Ernst quickly bowed in gratitude.
As Karsian stood frozen, the Emperor gave his consent, and a few of the Emperor’s knights swiftly followed Ernst.
“I’ll go too,” Karsian suddenly said.
“You?”
“Yes.”
The Emperor’s face showed more surprise than when he heard that Lady Astria had been kidnapped. Karsian, who had always been composed, was now urgently asking to join the search. The Emperor hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Alright, go ahead.”
Karsian immediately took action, his expression determined as he mounted his horse. A few of the Emperor’s knights followed him, while the nobles, captivated by the drama, cheered them on.
“Duke Royster, off to save his lover. A man leading his horse to battle for love. What a sight!” the nobles murmured.
“Duke Royster!”
Just as Karsian was about to leave, an older man rushed up to him and whispered something urgent into his ear. As the man spoke, Karsian’s face paled.
Once the man left, Karsian mounted his horse, his expression now grave.
“Let’s go!”
Ernst shouted, and the knights kicked their horses into action. The sound of galloping hooves filled the air as they rushed toward the hunting grounds.
Karsian urged his horse forward, pushing the pace as his mind raced.
Not long ago, a member of the Royster family’s physician had come to him.
“During Lady Eleanor’s last checkup, she asked a peculiar question. She wanted to know where on the body someone might survive a stab wound,” the physician had said, speaking quietly.
Karsian remembered this question as it echoed in his mind. It had seemed like an innocent curiosity, but now he realized there might have been more to it.
“Lady Eleanor…” Karsian muttered under his breath as his horse galloped faster.
He had to reach her before anything bad happened.
