Chapter 127

 

As soon as Leroy was granted permission, Saskia collapsed into the sofa, bursting into hearty laughter.

 

Erich’s scowling gaze seemed to go unnoticed as she laughed nearly to the point of tears.

 

Unable to bear it any longer, Erich clenched his teeth and said,

 

“Please, maintain some decorum, Captain.”

 

“Ah, ha... It’s just that I’m genuinely moved by your sentiment.”

 

“Captain!”

 

At Erich’s raised voice, Saskia finally caught her breath and straightened up.

 

She hastily wiped away the tears that had welled up in her eyes and attempted to rectify the situation.

 

“Oh, well. It seems our Erich felt quite sorry when the Duke actually decided to leave. It’s alright, Iona, right? The Duke understands, doesn’t he?”

 

“Of course.”

 

Leroy smiled politely and sat back down.

 

Iona, who had been inwardly flustered by Erich’s impulsive behavior, relaxed her expression after hearing Saskia’s explanation.

 

Erich, who had initially been intent on ousting Leroy with principles, seemed belatedly regretful as the situation took an unexpected turn.

 

Regardless of the process, it was fortunate that Leroy was able to hear the story himself. This saved them the trouble of having to pass the message later.

 

“So, what exactly is this ‘confidential matter’ you claim to be of such importance?”

 

Leroy prodded Erich with a look of innocent curiosity.

 

Erich, still harboring some dissatisfaction, did not resist this time.

 

He sighed softly and began with a serious face,

 

“Have you heard about how Count Modrov died?”

 

Iona nodded in response.

 

“I heard. He hung himself using his clothing from the bed frame.”

 

“That’s correct. His death is estimated to have occurred around midnight. The body was first discovered by a servant delivering breakfast in the morning.”

 

“That’s quite a delayed discovery.”

 

“It was nighttime, after all. According to the knight on duty, he thought the Count was simply asleep and did not look too closely. So, that’s the official stance, at least.”

 

Erich casually dismissed the external circumstances with a tone suggesting he found them unconvincing.

 

Then, staring intently at Iona, he tapped the tip of his nose with his index finger.

 

“There was a mark on Count Modrov’s face. It looked like a friction burn from the fabric.”

 

“...”

 

“If he had hung himself voluntarily, there wouldn’t be any reason for such abrasions to appear. On the other hand, if someone tried to force it on him and failed, causing friction, then it would make sense.”

 

Erich made a motion, sliding a hand holding fabric from his neck up to his face.

 

Iona could easily imagine Hayden struggling to free himself, the noose becoming undone in the process.

 

Saskia, who had been listening to Erich’s explanation, interjected at just the right moment.

 

“And there were handprints on his knees.”

 

“It paints a picture, doesn’t it? One person holding him down so he couldn’t struggle, while another strangled him.”

 

“I’ve had my rounds with the Count and Nils, you see. Those marks weren’t there yesterday.”

 

Saskia added, causing Erich to pause, about to continue but then hesitated.

 

Despite the disdainful looks from her subordinate, Saskia didn’t care in the slightest.

 

Dismissing Erich lightly, Saskia clapped her hands as if to sum up the situation.

 

“So, for these reasons, Erich and I have concluded that the Count’s death was murder. But publicly, it will be announced that the Count attempted suicide. Just as we’ve informed you.”

 

“Isn’t this evidence conclusive enough? It seems like a thorough investigation would reveal the truth.”

 

At Iona’s question, Saskia chuckled as if amused.

 

Saskia, stroking her chin with her right hand, said,

 

“Ah, of course, it’s not like there’s absolutely nothing to dig into. But this is the royal palace, after all. It seems like an insider... someone of high status, was behind the murder.”

 

Digging further would only serve to fall out of favor with those above.

 

Though the knight order serves as an investigative body, their authority is strictly limited to what’s permitted by their superiors.

 

Nor had Count Modrov lived a particularly virtuous life, to warrant risking disfavor to clear his name.

 

Certainly, Saskia had no intention of muddying her future for the sake of trash like Hayden.

 

“More importantly, the coroner has already concluded it was suicide. Do you know what that means?”

 

Saskia asked with a regretful expression. The answer came from Leroy.

 

“It means they’ve already tampered with everything.”

 

“Exactly, from someone who brought forth the next emperor, no less.”

 

Saskia pointed at Leroy with her index finger, as if he had hit the nail on the head.

 

Though the gesture could be interpreted as presumptuous, Leroy did not point it out.

 

It was clear that Saskia was inwardly furious about the unjust situation.

 

Regardless of Hayden deserving death, it was true that the Empress had caused excessive turmoil within the area under Saskia’s jurisdiction.

 

Iona suddenly asked,

 

“Have you reported everything to His Highness the Crown Prince as well?”

 

“Of course, I went straight to His Highness the Crown Prince first. After all, I need to decide on how to handle this.”

 

“What did he say?”

 

Even as she asked, Iona could easily guess Richard’s response.

 

Sure enough, Saskia gave the exact answer Iona had anticipated.

 

“He told us to investigate.”

 

Saskia answered crisply and shrugged her shoulders, then fell silent.

 

Looking off into space with an inscrutable expression, she turned her gaze back to Iona and said,

 

“That’s why it’s classified. I’m telling you because it’s you, but forget about using this information for anything. It would mean our heads.”

 

Erich nodded in agreement as if to show his approval.

 

It was a natural request from their perspective.

 

After all, it was information they could only share on the basis of their close relationship, and if they wished, Iona too had to keep silent.

 

At this point, dwelling on Hayden’s death wasn’t exactly a good option for Iona either.

 

Instead, this situation had accelerated her inheritance of the title, so in a way, she had the Empress to thank for this incident.

 

‘I am curious why there was such a desperate need to deal with the Count...’

 

Given the Empress is shrouded in secrets, uncovering the cause wouldn’t be easy.

 

A misstep could alert the Empress to their movements and lead her to act first.

 

If one does not wish to be framed for suicide like Hayden, a more cautious approach is needed regarding the Empress.

 

Iona decided to focus on what she could and should do for now.

 

“I understand what you’re saying. I’ll ensure the information stays between us.”

 

Upon Iona’s assurance, Erich and Saskia visibly relaxed.

 

Evidently, they were inwardly worried about the ramifications of sharing the truth with Iona, given the involvement of someone influential.

 

With a noticeably lighter tone, Erich suggested,

 

“Would you like to go and confirm the body of your father?”

 

“No.”

 

She had no desire to see Hayden’s final state.

 

Having left nothing but bad memories in life, looking at the disgraceful sight of her deceased father would only upset her stomach.

 

Iona had not hurriedly entered the palace to gaze upon Hayden’s lifeless body.

 

Looking at Saskia, Iona said,

 

“I’d like to meet Nils first.”

 

***

 

Originally, all visits to Hayden and Nils were prohibited, but perhaps due to the exceptional circumstance of mourning, permission was granted relatively easily.

 

After speaking with Saskia, it didn’t take long for Iona to be led to the room where Nils was being held.

 

Surveying the modest interior fitting for a prisoner, Iona turned to the knight who had opened the door.

 

“Could you allow us to have a conversation in private? It will only be for a moment.”

 

“I’ll wait outside then.”

 

The knight vacated the spot more readily than expected.

 

Apparently, unlike his father, Nils wasn’t considered a threat by the Empress.

 

After all, that must be why he’s still alive and breathing to this day.

 

“I heard you’ve been refusing to make any statements.”

 

Iona began as she walked slowly into the room.

 

She dragged a chair noisily across the floor to sit down, but Nils showed no reaction.

 

He was just lying on the bed as silent as a mouse.

 

Considering it was still nearly daytime, it seemed he was not really asleep but intentionally ignoring her.

 

Irritated by his insolent attitude, Iona decided to exercise a bit of patience.

 

After all, Nils would have no choice but to hang on her every word from now on.

 

Staring at Nils’s back, Iona abruptly said,

 

“Nils, abandon your father.”

 

The blanket-covered body of Nils twitched weakly.

--- End Of The Chapter ----

 

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