CHAPTER 25
After a month since, my daughter had gone away. We were investigating nonstop about what truly happened to her and what happened to me that I’ve been chained by his palms.
I glanced at the documents that were scattered every corner of my office. I don’t want to go out knowing that Walter will keep pester me to the point my day will be the worst.
A week ago, before his highness goes to the eastern borders to peacefully talk to the bandits unless they point their swords to them, that’s a different story. The bandits will surely be eliminated.
His highness commands is absolute. He had form many plans in his head for the possible outcomes. It may be useless to the others but, for him it’s better to be prepared at all times so, they need a multiple solutions to different situations especially when it terms to wars and conflict of the Empire.
His title as a commander general to the black phoenix is never to be underestimated. Only few knows that they were the elite and most capable knights that he had even if it’s in small numbers. People only knew their achievements on war but, what they don’t know is that there’s more to it. Assassin, an intelligence squad, and mostly skillful on swordsmanship, some of his chosen companion are those commoners who he saw a potential. He treat people equally. That's why he's the best candidate to be the next in throne but, for an unknown reason he step down and the Emperor agreed to it which is very controversial. Afterall, the Emperor really wants the first prince to rule the kingdom because of his achievements and his vision.
The members of the first prince had their own way of playing their enemy. That’s why his highness comes ups with different tactics to eleminate his foe by the help of the experiences of the said group. He’s open to their opinions, he will accept what if’s and he won’t allow people to not raise their voice. Many nobles feared his capabilities, some group with him but, despite all of that there were aristocrats who don’t take on his side. That’s what politics is all about. They support whoever they have the most beneficial to their selfish gain.
I remember what happened a week ago. He visited me here telling that he will help my investigation with regards to the abduction of my daughter. I appreciate his help at the same time I’m suspicious of him. Why is it he will extend his hands to help us? He didn’t saw or know my daughter, why is he doing this?
I neglected it at first. I insisted not to interfere the Marcox’s issues but, he used his authority to leave me with no choice as he has the highest authority among us.
“Since, its come to this. May I know the reason, why are you doing this, your highness?”
“Let me frank with you, the same night of her abduction. There’s a plot to harm me too”
“T…then, there’s a possibility that some insider is a traitor?”
“I can’t say that without evidence”
“What happened to you that night, your highness?”
“That’s confidential, I don’t think it’s necessary to go that deeper”
“Yes, your highness”
“Use my knight, you can let him do the work without resting”
“That’s a bad thing to do”
“Use them the way it suits you”
“Yes, your highness”
“Tomorrow, they will probably be here. I shall take my leave”
He wear his coat, he walks his way to the door.
“You don’t have to escort me outside”
“But, it’s the common courtesy, your highness”
“It’s okay”
That’s the last conversation that we had. Now, two knights were here. They were disguised as my newly hire butler.
The other one was wearing a monocle eyeglass with a long black hair with a burgundy eyes. He had a perfect shape nose, a red kissable lips and he’s taller than me. He’s tone body is more appealing than the other knight. Well, that’s just my opinion. He introduced to us as Wijs Azeliana. He didn’t say anything about their position, he told us that he’s only giving advices of his highness, he’s one of the intelligence force. What’s more shocking is, he’s two years older than me.
What’s giving me goosebumps is, he had a similar face features and traits of my late husband. Seeing Sir Azeliana, I keep remembering him because of my incompetence. He’s excellent in everything, he always comes up with a solution and reasons to support that. It’s very scary how he easily handle those things just like my late husband.
The other one has a lavender layered hair with sections. He had a big eyes that made it attractive, a thick eyebrow, a pointed nose and a muscular body. As soon as he introduced himself, I thought that he’s the type of person that would be the friends of all, he would be fitted in and I’m correct at it. In just a couple of days, he know everyone on this manor. He's name is Zelig Bagley.
Right now, I’m feeling uneasy. It seems that they discovered something that I hid. I know what is it because I never said a word about that.
Sir Oliver and the Head maid is currently here in my office room. They all feel the same way as I do, for some unknown reason they felt anxious.
The moment Sir Azeliana entered the room. I can feel the tense atmosphere. We were conducting investigation on our own but, we didn’t find anything. Sir Oliver don’t have enough sleep for these couple of days because of that. I told him to rest sometimes but he's eager to solve the problems before the lady will go home.
“There’s something I need to ask”
“What is it?”
“Walter Yatt, who is he?”
“If I were to lie, what will happen?”
“We will no longer help you or it's up to our judgement"
“Right” I turned my face to Sir Oliver and the Head Maid. “You can go now”
“But, your grace”
“Its okay, I can handle this. The two of you should rest”
They just nodded in agreement and excuse themselves. As soon as the door closed. I stood up and sit adjacent to him. There’s a tea set that left by the head maid. I brew some tea and offered it to him as well.
“I don’t exactly know what happened but, all I knew is that I woke up beside him and my father, entered the room together with my husbands family. They were looking at me with disgust. That night, is the day were my late husbands burial”
“Did you really examine that it’s your husband?”
“N..no, they told us that it was him. It’s his belongings and burned clothes after all”
“Then you concluded that it was him?”
“No, I wanted to investigate about that because it's too suspicious nobody wants to give me the results of the examination and the investigation at the scene. His family told me not to because that’s their son’s body and if I were to stick my nose with it, they will get even more furious to me. I accepted that he’s gone”
“And you were having fun that day?”
“How could you say something absurd? I love my husband and I would never do such a thing. I know, this may sounds excuse for you but, the truth is… I was devastated. I… was drunk, I poured wine over and over to my glass until I was knock down and I woke up by the slap of my father. I don’t know what happened that day”
“Did you investigate?”
“Yes, I don’t have any leads. My suspicious was turned to Walter but, I didn’t find anything. I… suffered from humiliation”
“Why is he here, you two are lovers right?”
“No, we are not. He claimed to be one, he keeps pestering me all day and he keeps visiting here that he ended up introducing himself to my daughter as my lover”
“What did you do?”
“Ever since, her father died. I.. am a bad mother. Because of the burden that left by the duke passed to me. I don’t have any more time to spend with her that made our relationship sour. I’m trying to make amends, I want to create a peaceful home together with my daughter and her child. This time around, I will protect her with all my might. That’s why, please lend us your strength I don’t care what happened to me. As long as I can seek justice to what happened to her, that’s the most important”
“Even if that’s the case, you didn’t tell us about it”
“I thought it wouldn’t be necessary”
“You’re also a victim”
I smiled bitterly. “If it’s for my daughter I can suffer this much”.
He clench his fist and gritted his teeth. I don’t know why but he seems to be furious, about what? I'm confused.
I sip the tea to calm down. I may hallucinating things. After all, I’m taking a drug that let me sleep.
Every night, I can’t sleep thinking what happened to me and my daughter. I can’t fathom what happened to her, I know she’s been in a traumatic situation more than me.
I noticed he rummage his small case beside him. He grab a small bottle with pink tablets in it. I sigh sadly. It seems like I can’t get out of this. They really investigate whatever in this house. The bottle that he put on the table beside my tea cup, is the drug I took every night. Even, Sir Oliver didn’t know that. I purchase that secretly.
“You know what this is?”
“Yes. It seems like my secret was leak out”
“In our team, there’s no information must be left out”
“That thing helps me rest”
“Even if it’s bad for your health?”
“Yes, I already prepared the paperwork of the inheritance passing down to my daughter. I know she can managed our territory in case there’s something happened to me”
“Why don’t you just take care of yourself?”
I smiled to him. “I’m not afraid to die, I will live until, I found out the truth and my daughter’s safety and my grandson’s life is secured. If I gain my reassurance, I can be at peace. If I can see my husband to the other side, I will ask for forgiveness for my stupidity. I let someone touch my body. I let someone dirtied me”
I stood up. “I’m very sorry Sir Azeliana but, I think I should go. I don’t want to further discussed this with you as it is my life. I want you to do what his highness command you to do. I’m always fine, I will be. You should go back to your room and rest”
I left him there. I don’t know what his expression and I don’t want to find out. I’m a mother that once neglected her child. I closed my eyes until tears flowed down on my cheeks.
I look up to the sky. “If only you were here, I know things would be better. If only I was the one who caught up to that incident. If only I take your place, I know you can take care of Chantria unlike me. After all, you are the best dad she’s ever had”