Chapitre 42: 'It never has been again since that fateful night.'

"And this spy of yours? Could he be trusted?" Vernon stood from his seat and walked towards them, settling on a small couch facing a small table in the center with the two gentlemen facing each other. Alexander wanted to ask the same thing, but he didn't want to seem doubtful, especially when Vance's trying to prove his loyalty and cooperation.

"I saved him from slavery and trained him myself. He swore to follow me to the grave. So yes, I trust him."

"And what did he say? That your cousin's supporting Walton? Where did the two of them even meet?"

"I don't know. Walton's goal isn't clear to me either. At first, despite all the rumors against him, I had a slight hope that he might just want to build an empire for his business. That's why he's willing to go the extra mile to achieve it. But lately, he's reported to have met with mostly nobles that were against Lia's ruling. Most of them also were ones that the late duke punished or stripped of their titles for acting against the law and morals of the duchy."

"Right," Vernon bobbed his head slowly, "I did hear about that at some point. He could've secured the line of succession if he actually had a child with Nathan's sister before he killed her."

Alexander's eyes widened. He didn't know enough details about the late duke's sister. Only that she succumbed to a rare disease that took her life away a few months after getting married.

"Did he… really kill her?" The young duke squeezed in a question between the two. He couldn't believe that they would nonchalantly be talking about a possible murder of one of House Florence's immediate family members.

"Nathan's sister might appear soft and sweet, but she's smart. Smarter than his brother even, that's why it came as a shock to us when she suddenly announced her engagement to Walton. He's not as bad before, but he's known for being a cunning man. Nathan was initially against it but seeing that his sister would do anything to have his blessing, he thought it must purely be out of love. Well, we all did think it started that way too."

"Started that way? Then something changed?"

Vernon nodded. "Vance here wouldn't know because he's an outsider, but it's well-known that Nathan was a sickly kid. He once had a fever that lasted almost two weeks. His parents then thought he'd never make it, but by the mercy of the Heavens, he did. With a price to pay, though." The duke leaned in closer and talked softly, "The medicine used to treat him greatly affected his ability to bear children and risked their line of succession. But fortunately, his sister was born healthy."

"But Amelia?"

"Amelia…" Vernon chuckled awkwardly and leaned back, glancing at Vance for a moment before continuing, "Lia's a miracle—even more so her sibling. One was already enough even if she was born to be a girl, but to get a second one years after was beyond just a blessing." The young duke kept on noting Vernon giving small glances at the advisor as if looking for affirmations. Vance gave small nods but didn't utter a word.

"That's why Amelia was greatly doted upon when she was born." Vernon continued, waving his hand about, "She's must also be the reason that her aunt was killed. Since Walton might've thought that his chances of ever being in power were taken away, he should at least make the death of his wife leverage for a different kind of power. Of course—"

"Of course, that's nothing but hearsay. Though we were surprised to know that the late Duke was deemed infertile. We all thought that Lia would be an only child, but Priscilla and Nathan were still young. When my niece told us that she was pregnant the second time…" Vance interrupted the duke only to stray from his own statement. "We were all overjoyed." He simply stated, and Alexander's eyes observed as the atmosphere between the two men changed drastically. There's definitely something more here, but the young duke also knew that it's too early for him to prod any further.

Silence covered them again. Remembering the conversation he had with Amelia at the eatery made a lot more sense at the mention of the late duke's condition—they wanted her safe because they might not receive another miracle that's why she's been hidden from the public until she was old enough to know better. It's understandable if put like that.

"Anyway," the advisor sounded, clapping his hand once. "You've always loved stories like that, Vernon." He said, and the duke sneered at him, but he didn't continue what he was talking about. Alexander felt uneasy being left on the edge of his seat just as Vernon seemed to end his story too.

"We've strayed far from what we originally met to discuss before heading out to see the Order." Vance reminded them, and the two dukes instantly cleared their throats and straightened themselves. "As I was saying, Walton's gathering more than a handful of problematic nobles on his side and might make a significant move soon. We can't be dilly-dallying any more than we already have."

"Well, she's young and a woman, nonetheless. Though I don't get why they're against it. Lia's achievements in putting Osmea as a leading exporter of fresh produce across the continent couldn't be denied. I've got nothing against these nobles but disappointments." Vernon scoffed, and Vance showed a quick smirk as he wore his glasses again.

"How about her council?" Vernon casually asked, leaning back on his seat with his knees crossed.

"As of the moment, there's only one I can truly trust. Marchioness Berdwell. Her daughter came with us. I'm sure you've seen her."

"Ah," the duke nodded, remembering the new face that kept close to the duchess' ladies-in-waiting, "the one with the straight hair? She's a feisty one, I can say."

Vance chuckled, nodding slowly as well. "She really is. Just like her mother."

Though the two gents found their comfort to converse leisurely with each other as if there's no urgent matter to be discussed, Alexander couldn't bring it in him to join in their conversation. His head was too full of information to be working properly. He needed at least a day or two to take it all in and remembering that Vance hasn't told him his plans yet made him look forward to it more.

"So, are you saying that you can't even trust your own council?" Both Vance and Vernon turned their heads to the young duke that finally spoke.

"Who trusts their own council?" Vernon stifled a laugh and playfully hit the advisor's arm, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. "They're good for balancing between things you're having problems deciding about, lad. But never about matters of your safety, remember that. How do you think we knew about your engagement to Lia?" a hearty laugh filled the room as Vernon wasn't able to hide it any longer, and Alexander shook his head.

There was some truth in what the duke said. Who could've known of their engagement other than his own council, whom he confided and thought all plans with?

"Anyway," Alexander butted in, trying to bring back the matter at hand, "What's this plan of yours to make the emperor agree? This better be bigger than mine."

Vance turned his head to the young duke. His eyes darted at the floor somewhere before looking straight back at him. Inhaling slowly, the advisor took a few seconds before finally uttering the first words.

"About that," he started, his chin sitting on his thumb as his forefinger laid on his upper lip, the rest of his finger softly covered the rest of his mouth; elbows propped by the chair's cushioned arm. "I don't know how to word this properly, but when the emperor asks for you to discuss the matter of the rumors of the engagement with Lia, tell him the truth of it. Admit it and ask for his blessing. When he tells you that it isn't possible, tell him that you knew about who killed Lia's parents." Vance said it so casually that it was so simple. Even he could make up an excuse like that.

But looking at both men sitting quietly, probably gauging his interpretation of the plan, made Alexander a little anxious. He gulped some air as his breathing hitched a little, leaving him slightly on the edge of his seat again.

Could it really be possible that the emperor has something to do with what happened? Then the rumors about it were true!

A few months after the incident happened, a rumor started floating around that the empire might reclaim Osmea after the family was violently murdered. Amelia was reported missing after the Mulfords took her in, and everyone grieved even though her body was not found among her parents. Of course, Alexander and his people were made to swear not to mention the truth to anyone. Matter-of-factly, everything was so well kept that even though there were claims that the duchess was alive and taken somewhere, it remained as just a rumor too.

But rumors or not, supporters of the family still believed that a Florence blood will once again rule over them. The announcement of the emperor that Vance would temporarily take over the responsibilities of the ruler of Osmea had the whole empire talking. A former knight from a foreign empire, and a mere secretary to boot, held the highest position in the duchy that not even Amelia's distant relatives were given a chance to. It was an absolute uproar.

"Could the emperor be involved?" Alexander leaned closer to the advisor. He couldn't help but ask in a soft voice as if there were ears on the walls ready to deliver the truth to everyone if he spoke any louder.

Vance took a moment before finally saying that Emperor Augustine was indeed involved. Though his short pause seemed uncertain, none of it reached Alexander. But there's something else he's not telling. Alexander could feel it in his guts. Even Vernon, who couldn't stop being sarcastic earlier, was obviously nervous, his eyes shifting slightly from time to time as if thinking when it will all be over.

"I don't get it. Why would the emperor do that? Weren't the four of you close enough to be friends? The emperor doesn't seem to be a person capable of killing his friends. He thinks highly of Amelia and even favored her during the Gathering. And if he really did it, why would he put you in charge before? I had this realization when Vernon confirmed to me about your connection to Pradour and that only the emperor knew the truth about you and the duchess' mother." Vance turned to Vernon, but the duke only glanced at him before he made himself comfortable in his seat by looking the other way.

"Let's just say he didn't mean it. He's been carrying this guilt for years behind a façade of a just and cheerful emperor. What do you think would happen when all of a sudden, he's faced again with the fact that he had a hand in the death of his friend? Remember the suffering and the pain that Lia went through just because of his selfish desires. What I am telling you is true, Duke Clement."

"Didn't mean it? It's just an accident then?"

"When something almost kills your entire family, it's hard to accept it to be just an accident."

"But I see that you're on good terms with him?"

"I am just aware of what my position is. I don't need to make public my hate. What's important is that he knew this, and I get to take advantage of it. It isn't that much of a loss after all, is it?"

"Don't you feel mad about it?"

"I am, boy. My anger towards him seethes to my very bones that once released, I won't be able to stop it until one of us is lifeless on the ground. But I also know too well that giving in to madness would not bring Priscilla back nor make Amelia's life better. We all seemed fine to outsiders, but we're not. It never has been again since that fateful night."

Alexander studied the advisor, scrutinizing even the most minor thing that might give him away and tell the young duke that he's just bluffing. But there wasn't a single one. The pair of dull blue eyes stared back at him equally, as if considering something else. Though no matter what he revealed further, Alexander's still fixed on helping Amelia one way or another.

"So, I just have to tell him that I knew what happened seven years ago? And what if he asked me where I knew about it or deny it?"

It's easy for anyone to make that assumption. Undoubtedly, the emperor has dealt with the same accusations a number of times before. His wouldn't even matter at this point.

"Tell him that you knew it from me, and he'd know that you meant business. We've talked about the matter more than I could remember. You can threaten him a little. I'm sure you're used to those kinds of things, are you not?"

The young duke glanced over to Vernon and asked what he thought about it, and the duke just bobbed his head and told him to just do what the advisor instructed him to, and he'd be well on his way to getting the blessing for his engagement to Amelia.

"But you're the sword and shield of the empire. Shouldn't you be stopping any threats against the emperor?" Alexander didn't know what's what anymore. Everything little thing confused him. It was just too much to take in all at once.

"Of the empire, not of the Emperor." Vernon corrected coolly.

Closing his eyes, Alexander tilted his head to the side and rubbed his forehead with the base of his palm before running his fingers through his hair as he let out a sharp exhale. His eyes darted at the advisor, his jaw a little tensed, but he calmed down right after. A few words more, and he thought his head would be split into two.

"Wouldn't you ask me what I have in mind?" he asked when the two gents looked at their watches and prepared to leave. They're meeting with some of the Order members, after all.

"It's better to keep this one to yourself. It's a short lesson from us—trust no one. Not even us." It was Vernon who spoke as he walked back to grab the cloak from the back of his seat. "Well…" he stopped to look at Alexander, "Well, you should trust us a little just this once after all," he kidded, and Vance shook his head, smiling this time.

Alexander also stood up and grabbed the same cloak he had yesterday with Amelia and followed Vernon to a secret door that appeared after the duke pushed aside a shelf decorated with different bits of small gold statues; some books, and several gold and silver plaques, and some precious stone ornaments he mentioned was gifted to him by some friends.

The secret passage would lead Alexander and the others to one of the five surrounding towers at the far left of the palace's annex building, where the guests were given rooms to stay during the celebration of Vernon's birthday. Unlike the one at Amelia's, this one was surprisingly shallow. The way was only enough for one person to go through. It's midday, so the trip was sweaty, and the lack of vents or any small crack for winds to pass through made Alexander's breathing a little ragged.

He realized that the situation was the same as with the Whitt siblings. Vernon and Vance were completely fine and even joked around. He wanted to tell them to walk faster, but he didn't want to waste his breath talking to people who might not even listen to him in the first place. Alexander had no other choice but to patiently follow and keep himself in check.

Fifteen minutes in the passageway felt like an hour or two. He came out to a spacious room with huge square windows overlooking the palace grounds, sweating profusely. Seeing that the documents were being kept in place by heavy marble paperweights on the table, the young duke quickly made his way from behind Vance to the nearby window. He untied his cloak and brought his arm over his face to wipe it.

As the wind hit his face, Alexander closed his eyes and inhaled it. Nothing beats fresh air from atop a high tower.

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