Chapter 90
“Shall we strike the driver?”
Gashitian muttered quietly from behind the Empress.
Kenneth shook his head and smiled broadly, exuding calm.
After all, he was still a Grand Duke.
Kenneth had decided not to back down any further. How could someone be so insolent when dealing with a subordinate?
Though he was first in line for the throne and Gerald second, did that mean they could disrespect him? Wasn’t he the Empress now?
“This concerns the Imperial Palace.”
“It’s not just about the Imperial Palace. Someone nearly caused trouble for the royal family. If it weren’t for a single word from the coachman, an innocent child could have been sacrificed, wasn’t that so?”
Grand Duke Gerald looked at the Empress softly, as if seeking her agreement.
What? Are you saying I was swayed by the coachman’s words and oppressed the people?
Kenneth’s anger flared at the Duke’s remark, but he simply raised the corners of his lips in a smile.
He knew losing his temper here would mean defeat.
“I understand your concerns, Grand Duke. But every matter has its procedures and rules, and we must follow them.”
Kenneth answered calmly, aware of the onlookers.
“Exactly. In cases like this, you cannot simply postpone it. Aren’t there too many eyes watching? You must make an example of this. The Imperial Palace values every single citizen’s life. Trying to cover it up hastily? You must set a proper precedent.”
Gerald slowly regarded the Empress.
Cover it up?
Kenneth pressed her lips together, holding back the tremor of frustration.
She realized instinctively that neither of them would back down until this matter was resolved.
She clutched her skirt tightly to hide her trembling hands.
After all, she couldn’t bear being pushed back like this right after asserting herself with Sinclair post-marriage.
Yet, the crowd had already begun to side with Sinclair’s claims.
“Cover it up? Did it seem that way? Absolutely not. Legal proceedings would follow the palace’s method. And this is a main road, not a courtroom. What are you all doing? Hurry and take that coachman away.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
At the Empress’s command, the Imperial Palace guards grabbed the coachman under the arms.
The flustered coachman resisted with all his strength, shouting,
“Your Majesty, you cannot do this! Please, forgive me, Your Majesty!”
“Quiet.”
At a single word from Empress Kenneth, one guard slammed the flat of his sword against the back of the coachman’s neck. The coachman’s head dropped forward with a thud.
“What are you dawdling for? We have more appointments to attend.”
Kenneth finished overseeing the scene. She could not afford to lose control of even this. Her command set all the staff bustling into action.
The guards dispersed the crowd and cleared the area.
“By the way, where were you headed dressed like this?”
“Marquis Roland invited us. They’re putting on a play today.”
“You all?”
“Yes, they wanted our Theodore in the [Numitori Study Team].”
Sinclair interjected lazily, and the Empress bit her lip.
Cecil Heder, how dare you try to include the Grand Duke without my permission?
Two wrinkles appeared between Kenneth’s brows.
“Your Highness!”
“…!”
Suddenly, a boy prostrated himself before them as if in a full bow.
Sophia, standing nearby, panicked and tried to help the boy up.
“Please take me with you too.”
“…!”
Sinclair was taken aback.
“Didn’t you say you were looking for your sister?”
Gerald helped the boy up and, like Sinclair before, looked him in the eye.
Having observed the tension between Kenneth and Sinclair earlier, Gerald had intentionally held back, giving Sinclair a chance to release some of her pent-up feelings.
But now, with the play approaching, he had to resolve the matter quickly.
Today was a day for his wife and son to make happy, precious memories, and he intended to ensure Sinclair wouldn’t worry about a thing.
“I was on my way because I heard the play was at the Heder residence,” the boy explained.
“A play?”
“Yes. My sister might be in it.”
Sinclair couldn’t immediately understand the boy’s words.
“I thought the play was hosted by the temple?”
Ah, so the play here was organized by the temple.
Of course, in ancient times, theater was a state-run art form based on rituals.
Did the author know about this? Then again, it wasn’t in the book, so as Joanna said, the Creator might not have known.
In the bleak world of the original story, the temple had no influence before Theodore, but now it seemed to hold considerable power in the empire.
Wait—does that mean the boy’s sister is a saint?
In the book, saints were like field nurses, healing knights in wartime.
Does she have healing powers?
Or did she study healing techniques?
Or is she acting as a saint for performance?
Sinclair waited curiously for the boy’s answer.
“My sister was a temple copyist, but caught the attention of the high priest and was allowed to perform in the play. But at some point, she stopped coming home.”
“Why?”
“Saints performing in front of first and second class members must stay in the dormitory.”
That was right. Here, society had three classes: first-class clergy, second-class nobles, and third-class commoners.
Schmidt had told her that this strict hierarchy was established during Emperor Herace’s reign.
Before that, social rank could change based on ability, and the polytheistic nation freely interacted with demons.
Perhaps that was why Gerald had avoided the Dyson Temple in the Karikas estate after that incident, even though Sinclair had gone there on her first outing after marriage.
Of course, the temple visit seemed significant because she was Michael’s daughter.
But Sinclair herself had little reason to go, discarding every invitation to services or prayers.
“Have you requested a meeting?”
“I tried several times, but was always refused.”
“I see,” Gerald frowned. Strange.
A dormitory in the temple for training in ritual performances? He had never heard of such a thing. Rituals were typically conducted by senior priests.
Performances were usually handled by lower-ranking clergy…
“We must meet my sister and bring her back. Mother is very ill and wants to see her face one last time.”
The boy wiped away his rising tears with his fists, trying to control his sobs.
“Alright, what’s your name?”
“Jerome.”
Jerome? That name sounded familiar.
Sinclair studied the boy. In the book, a knight named Jerome, a commoner, had loyally protected Alfred. He had silver hair and a tall build…
But this boy’s hair was dark gray, almost black. Could it be a namesake?
“Very well, Jerome. Wait here. Schmidt!”
Gerald stood and called for Schmidt.
The aide hurried out from behind, apparently not done with his work yet.
Ugh, following us again today?
Perhaps they had business matters to discuss. After all, the attendees at the Marquis’s house were pillars of the empire.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Take this boy, check on his mother’s health, and start treatment immediately.”
“Yes?”
Schmidt’s eyes widened at the sudden additional task.
Meanwhile, Jerome, expecting to return home, clung to Gerald in panic.
“Your Highness, I can’t go home alone. I promised Mother I’d bring my sister.”
“Jerome, your sick mother can’t stay home alone. As soon as we find your sister, she’ll be sent to you. Go home for now.”
“But…”
“Will you trust the Imperial Household? The Empress herself heard this, so she will assist us. Isn’t that right, Your Majesty?”
Kenneth smirked slightly at Gerald’s look and nodded.
“But…”
Jerome hesitated, but Theodore suddenly offered him a lollipop.
Jerome looked up in surprise.
“Eat this and stay strong. Grand Duke Schlesien never lies. We’ll find her and send her to you, trust me.”
Ah…
Only then did Jerome politely accept the candy with both hands.
“I will remember, Grand Duke.”
Then he looked at Schmidt resolutely.
“Shall we go? Please guide me.”
Schmidt gave a light bow and quickly followed the boy, several staff members trailing behind.
Finally, the matter was settled.
“Then we shall meet later at the Heder residence.”
Gerald bowed to the Empress while holding his wife’s waist. Sinclair also kneeled to greet the Empress.
“We shall meet later,” she replied.
Meanwhile, she gave Crown Prince Alfred a slight smile and a wink.
Theodore, apparently upset, stared at the Empress briefly before running to Sinclair, holding her hand tightly as he followed Gerald.
Kenneth scowled.
So their confidence came from winning over the hearts of those two men, huh.
Huh… using charm to gain influence. Just like her mother.
“Let’s go!”
Kenneth turned and walked toward her carriage.
But then…
“Your Majesty, I regret to inform you, one wheel of the carriage is broken and it cannot move at the moment.”
A servant bowed politely, holding his hands together.
Sigh…
Kenneth pressed her hand to her forehead. One mountain after another. Typical.
“If we bring another carriage from the palace, it will take a long time. What shall we do?”
Taking a rental carriage would be unthinkable for the Imperial Household’s dignity.
Then…
“Oh, a carriage?”
Kenneth clenched her lips as she heard Sinclair’s bright voice.
Wasn’t she already gone? When did she come back?
Kenneth frowned as Sinclair gracefully approached.
“Your Majesty, would you like to ride in our carriage?”
