Chapter 28

It was officially announced that Empress Via had gone to the land of Galacia, which was formerly the territory of the late Empress Dowager and is now owned by Alek, to recuperate.

Galacia is at a distance from Midas that is neither too far nor too close, and since the Empress Dowager's summer retreat was located there, it was not unnatural for the emperor's concubine to spend time there.

The court, which had been in turmoil due to the death of the Empress Dowager, gradually regained its composure and, under the new emperor, Ancheize began to show signs of unity as a nation.

The focus of attention began to shift to the emperor's half-brother, Prince Celdus, who was gaining prominence almost on par with the new emperor. In the past one or two years, the fourteen-year-old prince, who had grown tall and had a slender and handsome face, had been attending all the court functions of Ancheize, as if to dispel the rumor of his frailty in childhood, and was fulfilling his duties as a royal with neither excess nor deficiency. The emperor, in particular, doted on this younger prince, and it was not uncommon to see them walking affectionately down the corridors or going on rides together.

There was a time when an ambitious nobleman tried to manipulate Prince Celdus, attempting to bring him into his fold, but when the proposal was made to Celdus, he calmly brushed it off and, some time later, exposed the matter in a meeting of the courtiers, causing the nobleman to fall from power. Since then, there have been no reckless misunderstandings of trying to elevate the younger prince to the throne over the emperor.

As the year of mourning for the late emperor and empress was about to end, Alek decided to verify something that had been on his mind for a long time.

As usual, Amon, Gruuk, and Luitas visited his room and were busy with their respective tasks when Alek suddenly spoke up, asking if they would mind answering a question.

"What's this all of a sudden?" Luitas, who had been writing rejections and reasons for the emperor's fishing permits, which were as high as a mountain, raised his head from the tedious work and asked suspiciously. "It's about Via."

The room fell silent.

"Via has been going out to the lower town of Midas incognito, but after the emperor's death, security was tightened, and it became impossible for her to leave the palace with the methods she knew.

Using a stay at the Purple Jade Palace as a pretext to buy time was true, but that alone wouldn't allow her to leave the city. Someone must have helped her escape.

If Via felt a necessity to leave the palace, and if there is someone she trusts enough to consult and who can forge a permit to leave the palace, I think it's one of you.

I don't intend to blame anyone, but I really need to know. Will you tell me?"

The three remained silent, not raising their eyes. As Luitas, who had been sliding his gaze across the floor in hesitation, was about to speak...

"It was me," Gruuk answered, breaking the silence. His eyes were fearless and directed towards his master.

"You, huh?" Alek took a deep breath, as if to suppress his emotions.

"Since the time of the Empress Dowager's passing, I have been consulted by Her Highness. She believed it was better to be away from His Majesty, and I agreed.

On that day, I received a message from Her Highness that she would be leaving that day, and I prepared the permit. I am aware of what I have done. If you wish to hold me accountable, I am prepared to accept it."

"Wait!" Amon, who had been frozen in place, stepped forward in a panic.

"If you wish to hold someone accountable, I should be included. I had a vague suspicion. I thought it was either Luitas or Gruuk.

I knew and remained silent. Therefore, I am equally guilty."

Alek silently watched Amon, who was desperately trying to protect his friend. Then, a soft sigh was let out from beside Alek.

"I had a vague suspicion as well," Luitas interjected in a calm tone.

"I realized it much later, but I thought it would be impossible for Empress Via to hide her tracks so perfectly on her own.

His Majesty must have known and remained silent all along, didn't he?

I didn't expect this to be brought up now. What exactly do you want?"

Luitas' calm tone made Alek turn away, pouting.

"You're too calm. Show a little more concern."

Judging that Alek wasn't angry, Luitas chuckled and put the documents on the table.

"Do you want to bring Empress Via back?"

I can't really agree with that, but, Luitas was somewhat prepared, as he had been concerned that the master hadn't been smiling as much since the empress left.

"That's not it," Alek gently denied.

"Even if I brought her back by force, I couldn't make her happy. I just want to know if Via is doing well.

I thought the person who helped her escape would know."

Amon and Luitas looked at Gruuk.

"I know where she is," Gruuk answered, looking straight into Alek's eyes.

"She is in the city of Toua, near the border with the Securt Federation.

It is a bustling trading city with many nouveau riche merchants who hold titles similar to nobility, and I thought it would be a suitable place for Her Highness to live.

I wrote a false letter of introduction in my name, stating that she was a governess for the daughter of a noble family with a mansion in Midas.

Her Highness is well-versed in etiquette and, as a governess, she would be treated with respect, ranking just below the master and mistress, the butler, and the head maid.

I thought she wouldn't have to suffer too much.

I have the name of the family I introduced her to, but I have not contacted them at all, as I made a promise with Her Highness not to do so. I believe she is there."

"A governess, huh? That's a good idea," Amon exclaimed in admiration.

That way, she would earn a decent income and avoid danger. With the etiquette she learned at the palace, she would handle the job easily.

Alek also seemed relieved.

"I just want to know if she's doing well."

Gruuk nodded at Alek's words.

"I'll check immediately."

"Can I handle it?" Amon interjected.

"An Antore knight can make a round trip to Toua in four days. And someone who knows the situation and can be considerate of Her Highness' life would be best.

Let me arrange it."

"Who do you plan to send?"

At Alek's question, Amon smiled.

"Ebeck. He was worried too, so he'll be glad to take on this mission."

Five days later, Ebeck returned with news.

Alek, who was attending a dinner party, called out to Celdus and they both headed to the office.

"How is my sister?" Celdus asked, his eyes shining, as soon as they entered.

Ebeck met him with an indescribable look. After greeting the emperor and the prince, Ebeck's usual vigor was missing. When Alek looked at the faces of his three close aides, they also wore bitter expressions.

"Ebeck, speak."

At Amon's command, Ebeck finally spoke.

"Her Highness was indeed working as a governess at the home of a noble family named Agashi. She was well-mannered and well-educated, and her employer trusted her deeply.

However..."

"However, what?"

"A wealthy merchant's heir fell in love with Her Highness. He was so infatuated that he fell ill.

He was good-looking, talented in business, young, and had no bad habits like gambling. It was a perfect match, and the employer was very pleased. The engagement was quickly decided..."

"Did she marry him?"

Alek gasped.

If the woman he loved was happy, he thought he should bless her. He had asked for this information to know how Via was doing.

But the thought of Via marrying another man felt like a stake through his heart. He knew he should say something to bless her, but the words wouldn't come.

But Ebeck's next words were something Alek hadn't expected.

"She ran away, disliking the engagement."

"Huh?"

It was Celdus, not Alek, who involuntarily spoke.

"My sister, who made marriage her life goal, ran away from it?"

Celdus shook his head in disbelief.

"Could she have been involved in an incident? Maybe someone envied her because she was beautiful?"

"There was a note left for the employer, and the handwriting was confirmed to be Via's. Her belongings were neatly packed, indicating that it was a premeditated escape," Ebeck explained.

Alek was stunned. The unexpected turn of events left him unsure of what to think.

"Didn't she say she would marry even if he was bald, fat, and old?"

Luitas' rather awkward question made Ebeck tilt his head in confusion.

"Yeah, she said that. But she didn't like it."

Celdus muttered to himself, glancing at his brother's stern profile.

"Comparing is no good, right?"

"Or maybe she couldn't forget?" Luitas whispered in response.

"But this is bad. If she had married decisively, the emperor might have given up."

Even though they tried to lower their voices, they were in the same room, and Alek looked at Luitas with a complex expression.

"I understand what you mean, but I don't know if I should be happy myself."

The thought that Via still cared for him was exhilarating.

But that didn't mean he could have her. And now, he wasn't sure if she was safe.

"Is there any other information?"

Amon asked sternly, and Ebeck shook his head.

"I couldn't track her movements after that."

Gruuk was visibly pale.

He regretted keeping his promise to the empress and not contacting her, as it would now be impossible for her to get a proper job.

"Should we use the guards to track her?"

Amon started to say, but then noticed his master's expression and wisely closed his mouth.

"I apologize. That was rash."

"What's wrong with that?"

Ebeck asked his superior.

"The emperor's personal guards might be better at tracking the empress than we are."

"True, the guards might be able to find her," Celdus replied with a rather sarcastic smile.

"But the previous emperor did the same with Empress Tsity.

He killed my sister's father in front of her and Tsity, and then took her to the harem. If my brother uses the guards to track my sister, she will never forgive him again."

Ebeck was speechless, his gaze wandering across the floor.

"Ebeck, I have one question for you."

Celdus looked directly at Ebeck.

"What is it?"

"What name did my sister use there?"

Alek frowned, not understanding what his brother was getting at.

"Viatris Seize."

"I see."

Celdus smiled brightly. Then, my sister has reclaimed the one thing she wanted, he thought.

"Viatris?"

Alek called the name curiously, and Celdus nodded with a smile.

"It's the name my sister's father gave her. It was the only thing that connected her to her father, and she cherished it deeply.

She was forced to change her name to Viatora, which didn't suit Ancheize, and both my mother and sister disliked the name Viatora.

That's why she always insisted on being called Via, right?"

Knowing the regret his sister felt for being forced to use the name given by the man who killed her father, it had always bothered him.

"I think my sister is probably fine," Celdus said brightly.

"She has reclaimed the name she wanted and is likely telling herself that she will be happy no matter what. I'm sure she is living somewhere, strong and resilient."

In the end, more than a year passed without any trace of Via.

Marriage proposals continued to reach Alek, and the courtiers persistently encouraged him, but he never agreed.

It was impossible to ask the empress's younger brother for help, and the head of the imperial palace's attendants was known for not accepting bribes.

Alek's close aides, all of them, would dodge and equivocate when asked to do something against the emperor's wishes.

This made it difficult to make contact.

However, there were no complaints from those around him, as the emperor was energetically working to enrich the nation, and the praise for his efforts outweighed any dissatisfaction.

Alek himself knew that radical reforms would invite opposition, so he focused on a steady and people-oriented governance.

Other nations, which had been looking for an opportunity to attack Ancheize, found no such opportunity. Even Seis, which had been causing minor conflicts, stopped, knowing that any rash move would result in a severe loss.

Ancheize was beginning to show unity as a nation, and under the young emperor, a solid foundation was being built.

What Alek was now focusing on was the country's flood control project. The Bize River flooded every year during the rainy season, causing many casualties.

Last year was fortunate with less rain, but this year, even in early spring, there had been several heavy rains.

Despite repeated petitions from the people, the previous emperor had left the issue unaddressed, likely because it was a large-scale project that would take years to complete.

Alek sighed.

He needed to estimate the scale of the project and prepare a budget. He should conduct an inspection within one or two months.

During the day, he was busy with official duties, and at night, he would have documents brought to his private room and go through them until he fell asleep.

He worked so hard because he felt lonely spending the nights alone.

The time he spent with Via was not long, but he couldn't forget it. If he could just know that she was safe, he thought.

He couldn't send the guards to find her, knowing it would hurt her. He had Amon look for her, but he didn't think she would be found through official means.

"Have you forgotten me?"

Alek stopped flipping through the documents and whispered softly.

She said she would forget him and be happy. He loved her strength, but he knew she had cried alone, like a child, as the head maid had told him.

It had been a year and a half, almost two years