Chapter 71

"Could you please go and get Mr. Fu right away?"

"Lady Lilith, it's still very early in the morning..."

"It's fine. Elderly people wake up early. He must be awake by now."

Lilith, who had woken up and immediately started taking notes, asked Taina, who had entered the room, to fetch Frederick.

Taina, surprised, left the room.

While she was hurriedly getting dressed by Rese, she was informed of Frederick's arrival.

"Sorry, Mr. Fu, for calling you so early."

"No, no, it's fine. Elderly people wake up early, you know."

Frederick yawned widely as he spoke.

Moreover, he had deliberately buttoned his shirt incorrectly, showing that he had dressed in a hurry, and even had bedhead.

Although he was actually awake, after hearing Lilith's words from Taina, he decided to be sarcastic. Lilith laughed at this.

Just that made her anxiety from earlier disappear, and she began to feel more at ease.

"Actually, I had a dream that we needed to urgently come up with a plan... Before that, though, can I confirm something? The acquaintance from the Fontae Kingdom who came to meet Mr. Fu, is he about Mr. Fu's age, has a white beard like a goat, is quite bald, and has a long face?"

"Hmm. You've captured his features perfectly. So, what is the urgent matter that requires planning?"

Understanding the importance of the conversation, Frederick changed his attitude and answered seriously.

Lilith nodded at Frederick's question and continued.

"The baron received a summons from His Majesty. The messenger probably told him the reason. I didn't see the scene, but the baron was in a panic. He told the messenger to wait three days because he needed to make preparations, and then he went to meet another man."

"That man, with the features you just described, is Saul. I see. I found it strange that Saul would come to see me... So, does this mean the smuggling destination for the Stoneware is the Fontae Kingdom?"

"Yes, it seems so. And... Mr. Saul, the man you mentioned, advised the baron to run away. He said that the king would welcome him with appropriate treatment. However, the baron, unable to tolerate 'appropriate treatment,' got angry, and Saul, the man who looked like him, suggested that if that was the case, he should kidnap me—the princess. He said that by doing so, he could hold the empire and the Freud Kingdom hostage. The baron seemed to be in favor of the idea."

"Good heavens! To think he would be so bold! Such a conversation alone would be enough to charge him with treason and hang him!"

Frederick, unusually, raised his voice.

The plan was indeed reckless and bold.

"Indeed. But the baron, already fearing that he might be hanged, is acting out of desperation. He said he would hold a banquet today to entertain the messenger from the emperor, and I should receive an invitation. ...If he's really lost his mind, that is."

"But even if he invites you to his mansion, it would be impossible to kidnap you with your guards present and escape all the way to Fontae. It's an absurd idea, even for someone with a normal mind. ...Hmm. That makes sense..."

"Do you know something?"

"When I met Saul, he was unusually curious about you. Because he's quite talkative, he found out from one of my disciples at the palace that I am your tutor."

"...What did you tell him?"

Frederick grinned at Lilith's suspicious gaze, and the tense atmosphere in the room relaxed.

"I told him that you are a lovely, delicate, and very kind person. However, because you are not very healthy and have not had much exposure to the world, you are enjoying various things in this Toisen town. Is there a problem with that?"

"...No."

Frederick's response matched the rumors about the Crown Princess. But when he said it, it felt like he was teasing her.

Lilith, a bit piqued, quickly refocused her thoughts.

"So, what do you think Saul's purpose is in coming here? Did he sense the movement to accuse the baron at the palace and come to cover up the evidence?"

"That could be one of his purposes."

"Anything else?"

"Kidnapping the Crown Princess."

"Surely not..."

"Yes, I was also surprised and disbelieving when I heard it from you. But the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. He was not only interested in your character but also in your schedule. The number of guards accompanying you when you go to the kiln can be found out by asking anyone in town, and he also brought several armed men, claiming to be guards. Information about the baron's situation should not normally leak, but he must have obtained it from somewhere and decided to cooperate with the baron to plan this. Therefore, he must have a secure escape route."

Lilith listened to Frederick's words in disbelief but eventually nodded firmly.

Her eyes held a severity that was unusual for a woman.

"I understand. Considering all possibilities, I will not leave this inn for a while. Even if I receive an invitation from the baron, I will not accept it. I will also inform Taina and Rese about this and have Rese warn the knights that there are people planning to kidnap the princess. I will also write a letter to the prince."

"Not a postcard?"

"I intend to continue sending postcards. However, I need to increase the number of guards accompanying Rese when she goes to the town. The letter to the prince will be... sent to his servant Dennis via Rese. Although they have never exchanged letters before, it wouldn't be strange if they were friends or even lovers, so it shouldn't raise suspicion. Since Rese and Dennis are in positions where their letters won't be inspected, it should be safe. However, I can't write anything too careless. It will be a bit vague, but the prince will understand... Is there anything else we should do?"

Frederick thought for a moment in response to Lilith's question.

There shouldn't be anything else they can do to protect themselves within the current scope.

The baron has three days to respond to the emperor's summons.

They should have someone trustworthy investigate Saul's movements and wait for him to give up on kidnapping the princess.

The problem is that Saul may overestimate his own abilities, but this time he shouldn't be reckless.

"May I ask what you will write in the letter to the prince?"

"Well, first, I will mention that Fontae is involved in the Stoneware smuggling, but it's being framed as the work of a mere merchant. I will make up a plausible excuse and say I happened to find out. Next, I will mention that I have my period. So, if anything happens to me, I will ask him not to worry and to prioritize this country, and if possible, Freud as well. It might sound a bit presumptuous, don't you think?"

"No, not at all. After all, that's what an alliance is for. If something happens to you in this country, the King of Freud should protest. But are you really okay with that, Lady Lilith?"

"It's not a matter of being okay or not. I just don't want to be kidnapped. I will take every precaution to protect myself. So, I will tell the prince that there's no need to send additional troops. There are guards in this town, and I will work with the knights. By the time the final firing is complete and the kiln is ready to be opened, Saul will have given up and returned to his country."

"...Yes, that's true. Then, please inform Taina and Rese about this. I will ask a friend in this town for help."

"Wait, Mr. Fu, you have a friend in this town?"

Surprised by Frederick's words as he stood up, Lilith asked.

Frederick grinned again.

"Not a cunning acquaintance, but a true friend. I didn't live this long for nothing, you know."

He laughed loudly and left the room, and Lilith found herself smiling naturally.

Although she was anxious when she woke up, she was now completely calm.

Lilith had many allies, including Taina, Rese, and Frederick, so there was no need to worry.

Noticing Frederick's departure, Taina and Rese peeked in, and Lilith called them over with a smile, telling them she had something important to discuss.