Chapter 40

* * *

“Brother Vincent still isn’t back yet?”

I widened my eyes at Ramon’s report.

He disappeared right after the celebratory feast at the monastery. No one in Lombard had seen him since.

He wasn’t the type to run off without a word so I’d been quietly worried and ordered Ramon to investigate.

“You’re sure? Did you check with the Archdiocese?”

“Of course. Since I said it was your direct order I was allowed to meet Sister Godelina who serves the archbishop. But… she’s also troubled, Madam. They don’t know where he went either and they’ve found no clues yet.”

A bad feeling crept up inside me.

“Where on earth did he go? He wouldn’t have been eaten by a wild animal… right?”

The success of the cathedral project was thanks in large part to Brother Vincent and his extensive knowledge of sacred law.

With the Inquisitor’s visit looming I wanted to properly reward him.

Maybe even make him my person.

Yes he was timid but also very capable. Someone like him would be useful by my side.

“Should I send a search party into the mountains?”

“It shouldn’t be the case but we should prepare for anything. However we need the Lord Duke’s approval to mobilize the soldiers.”

Even the capable administrator Ramon sounded uneasy.

The timing of the disappearance was the most suspicious part.

Witnesses said he had left the dining hall not long after the Duke and I returned to our chamber.

Everyone warned him it was dangerous at night and to wait until morning but he just smiled and brushed it off.

Very casually too.

‘He’s from the Holy City. He probably doesn’t understand how dangerous nights are up here.’

Lombard bordered a massive mountain range and ridges cut between villages like mazes.

Wild beasts prowled often.

Someone coming from the peaceful Holy City would never expect that.

“Do we really need the Duke’s approval? It’s just a small search unit.”

“The Lombard army is entrusted with the Northern Wall. Unlike other territories only the lord may command them directly. Even you cannot override that, Madam.”

“I know I know. I was just asking.”

I knew Lombard’s military regulations better than anyone.

Back then I had to accept Edwin’s betrayal precisely because the ones who came to arrest me were Lombard soldiers.

Even the Emperor couldn’t move them.

They followed only the lord.

“I’ll get the Duke’s approval myself.”

It had already been several days since Brother Vincent vanished.

I desperately hoped that timid priest was still alive somewhere as I hurried toward the guest salon.

The Duke was currently entertaining important visitors.

Normally I shouldn’t leave a banquet early but Ramon’s expression had been too serious to ignore.

I knocked lightly.

“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long?”

“Impossible. Even a moment waiting for you is a pleasure.”

The Duke smiled from the head seat.

He wasn’t just being polite. He genuinely looked delighted. Suspiciously delighted.

But I wasn’t here for him so I turned away.

And froze.

“Count Alnor? Are you feeling unwell?”

“N-no ha ha! Not at all.”

Count Alnor the guest of honor quickly answered.

Yet his face was pale and sweat rolled down his temples.

Earlier he was so arrogant he couldn’t even look at me. Now he didn’t dare raise his head at all.

He was anything but fine.

“My personal physician is very skilled. How about a checkup?”

“A-ah no. I couldn’t trouble you over something so trivial…”

“What do you think, Your Grace?”

I ignored the refusal and turned to the Duke.

He seemed equally aware of something wrong but then his expression shifted suddenly.

“I don’t think we need the physician. Any doctor from the Inner Wall would do. Even a veterinarian would be fine.”

“You’re terrible at jokes, Your Grace.”

“I wasn’t joking. He really looks fine. If you don’t believe me why not let the Count answer himself?”

The Duke stared straight into the Count’s eyes.

“Haha yes of course I’m fine. I must not be used to such fine food. My stomach was just surprised, ha ha.”

“You see. Nothing wrong.”

The Duke’s smile deepened.

The Count nodded like a puppet being pulled by strings.

‘What’s going on?’

When I first met him he was unbelievably annoying.

Yes I understood why he hated me. His cousin’s corrupt income stopped because of me.

But he was so obvious about ignoring me in favor of the Duke that I almost prepared a small humiliation as payback.

Yet now he acted polite and terrified.

‘And his advisor…?’

He stared at me like I was some sort of saint.

Two men. Two brains not functioning.

“Well then let’s continue the meal.”

At my signal the banquet resumed.

This dinner was to relax the atmosphere before official negotiations began.

Such negotiations could take days or even months but the Duke seemed in a rush.

He summoned the Count immediately after receiving the lawsuit so the Count rode two days nonstop for a journey that usually took four.

Meaning we had less time to prepare.

Yes the officials had been working late but hey. I’d take my bonus and go home eventually.

Ignoring the weirdos I focused on my food.

After the banquet I planned to ask the Duke to help search for Brother Vincent so I sped up.

‘Is it just me or have meals felt more like home cooking lately? Whatever. Delicious.’

I dipped my bread into the creamy chickpea soup and nodded in satisfaction.

Completely unaware of what the Duke was doing behind my back.

* * *

After the meal during the short break before negotiations began the Count was led into a sitting room.

Once the Duke’s staff left he collapsed onto the sofa.

His legs had given out. He didn’t care about dignity anymore.

“Huff… huff… what was that…?”

His attendants panted just like him.

When they first met the Duke he had been calm and somewhat detached exactly as rumors said.

He was unexpectedly respectful to his wife but nobles often wore elegant masks so the Count stuck to his plan.

To win the Duke’s favor they ignored the Duchess and flattered only him.

His expression stayed gentle throughout dinner so they were confident it was working.

Then the perfect moment arrived.

The Duchess briefly left the table.

The Count casually began some light gossip.

‘Your Grace, this must be stressful.’

‘Hm?’

‘Leaving the table in front of guests. She must not have been taught proper manners in the palace. How discourteous.’

‘Guests? Who?’

Among nobles when a spouse left the table it was common to tease them a little.

Light ribbing was considered a social lubricant in the North.

But the Duke’s aura flipped instantly.

The friendly mask disappeared.

His eyes turned cold.

Like he was staring at a bothersome insect.