It was not long before I entered the tavern, with the cloak hiding me, I was able to pass by without realizing that there was none to look at. The customers of the inn are rather few compared to other taverns, if my estimate is right, the people inside are around five. I did not include the bartender, since he's currently entertaining someone.
I looked around to find the Rone, and there I saw him sitting alone on the edge of the tavern. There is a cover from both sides, so I guess that is a private table. Though there is no one here, that doesn't mean being extra careful is unneeded. I shifted my gaze from the drunks, and I carefully pace through the path until I have reached my destination.
Rone who was busy looking down as he patiently waited, noticed the shadow of my presence and he lifted his head. "It's been awhile," I greeted silently to reduce the sound that can be heard through my surroundings. 
He smiled at me and he nodded. "Please have a seat," he whispered as I followed.
I sat next to him, and then I rested my hands on the table.
"My apology for completing this commission late," he said before he took his bag out. "I shall not delay you further, my lady, since I sense that this is barely the time for me to mess around."
Then within his hand, he pulled a document that was on his bag as he put it on the table. "No, it's fine, I somehow understand that you are busy."
"No, my lady, I was called back to report to the master. I heard that he was not in a good mood, and I am afraid of meeting him late that is why I have to do this quickly," he mumbled as he scattered the documents in three pages of paper. 
I stiffened as I hear him say the word master. He must have been called because of me. Kalester is truly unpredictable and I feel more guilty as time passes by. He was honest with me, and I can't even trust him. I looked down for a second, and I carefully shook my head, avoiding these unnecessary thoughts as I focused on the matter at hand.
"So, how did things go?" I simply asked. 
"I'll be honest my lady, I've acquired a small amount of information regardless of the things you wanted, however," he paused and he pointed at the paper beside. "It's not completely for a naught, because the further I dig the secrets of the palace, the more hidden information appears out of nowhere."
"You asked for secrets, but I also found something that is related to the emperor, the second prince, and the first prince," he said and it made me tilt.
"The first prince?" I asked. 
"It's hard to say, because I can't appeal this claim, as I didn't have any evidence. It was just a theory, my lady, but the first prince, is taking medicine regularly. The medicine his consuming is a lethal drug, I heard some maids in the palace about his regular intake which is quite odd, and I heard them saying that the emperor might be trying to eliminate his son." 
I quietly looked down as I held my chin. The emperor hated his son, he didn't even mourn his death, it is not impossible for him to do this. The first prince, he died because of a sickness called, Ephesia Rush, but what if this sickness is not just any unknown disease. What if it is actually a disease that can be triggered through any means of method?
No, this is just a theory, nothing more or less but I'll be able to clear my thoughts once I see his highness. It's also clear that I don't know much about Ephesia Rush, and the lack of information I have, the more it is confusing for me to judge. 
"I'll go over with the first prince later, please tell me about the other issue," I brushed off my thoughts and proceeded. He looked at me and then he nodded, as he handed over to me the documents that were beside him.
"My lady, there is an odd information I was able to gather in the second prince side. Considering how this information is not leaked, and that everyone who knew it had disappeared. That is all, until I follow this lead," he pointed at a profile of a woman I knew. "It's an accident that I found a piece of this evidence, fortunately, the maids were not too careful in which place they threw it away."
Then he brought out a book like, which is almost scattered, and I realized that it was a ledger. Though it was messy, the design of the book remains unscathed. He carefully handed me the book, and I went through pages and pages of written records of transactions and all.
But what really surprised me was something else. My eyes widen at the mention of my name on the ledger, not only that, there are transactions that are written along with my name on each page. There is also one thing that I noticed beside my name on this ledger. I barely saw it because I thought it was just a word, but my eyes did not deceive me.
There is a written record and mention of Clarissa's name, along with a transaction record, with his highness the second prince approval. I stiffened as I continued reading the book, and I couldn't believe it until all puzzles were complete.
"This is a ledger that records not only a transaction, but also the falsifying archives that Lady Clarissa was doing. It also mentioned here the involvement of the second prince, and his mother, the concubine. If you look closer at the edge, it also records one of Lady Clarissa's transactions, amongst thirty-thousand million gold, that came from his highness the second prince," he paused and I looked at him. "Which was stolen from the Roqueves Treasury."
I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized the implications. I never investigated both of them before, that is why, such a revelation was almost shocking. Not only that, my name is mentioned, that means any illegal transactions are being put in my name, and the money stolen from the treasury was also written in my name.
The ledger is basically full evidence, but I can't use this to my advantage, if one final evidence is missing. That's right, anything that proves I was not part of this scheme. A written approval, or the witness of the one who forges my name. That said, I can't use this for my advantage in the upcoming ball.
"Lastly, the final issue you inquired of me before. I gathered evidence proving, I got records of the second prince infidelity, and also gathered some witnesses that can present themselves in court," he said and I simply nodded as I gathered the documents in the table. "I also found something odd, my lady, it was a rumor after you departed from the palace."
"What is that?" I asked.
"The second prince was seen in the casino, using a large amount of money, along with fake approval of the Duke Roqueves seal, and according to this said rumor, the second prince was hiding it during his time in the casino, but words got out and people did not believe it. I believe the rumors are slowly dying due to blocking of information, that's all I've got so far," he stated quietly to avoid anyone from eavesdropping. 
I've always known that the second prince is a wasted gambling addict, but at some point I was too blind to point it out. Not only is he part of Clarissa's scheme, his using my father's name without my permission. I've discovered enough evidence I could use, plus I have gathered witnesses thanks to Rone. 
However, I still feel unhappy about it. I can use the ledger in the future, and I have plenty of evidence to support me but I still felt unhappy about this revelation. There are crimes that were placed on my name before I died, and these crimes, including illegal transactions—now, I was sure who made that up—it was to protect Clarissa all along. 
Even if he didn't love me, this is going to go as far as to use my name. That name was purely given to me by my mother, I can't just let them tarnish this name! I admit I didn't want any revenge at first, because I believe that revenge will lead to nothing but repeated painful responses.
But things have changed, my name is precious to me. It was the only thing that my mother left me, after these happy memories. Using my name in such a way, it makes me madder than I ever felt. I forgot the reason for my death, but this is something I can't let go. 
"Alas, my lady, I need to go," he started clearing up the table and then he stood up. Rone was about to go, when I grabbed his garment. 
I have to address the issue with Kalester as well, because he ran away before I even cleared the misunderstanding. Even if I go back home, he won't be there till midnight. Beside his making me upset, and I feel guilty because I tried to push him away. 
"Uhm, my lady?" 
I looked at him and smiled. "Take me to your master, I need to settle things with him."
Rone looked at me for awhile, then he tilted as he held his chin, before he looked away. His silence was enough words to convey his confusion, then suddenly he looked at me. "I am not—"
"I'll pay you handsomely, no, I will reward you with information that is within the protection of the Roqueves Archives!" I said as I interrupt his rejection, beside I am merely bluffing, I just need a way to find Kalester. 
"My lady, that is—" I stopped him again and smiled.
"It's an exclusive offer," he turned upward and then he breathed out. Well, then it seems his going to refuse, but I still have a card. "Along with the mines under my name."
I've given that mined to the second prince before. Now I regret it so much, ever since he took over the mines, the business lost its resources because the mines dried up as soon as he took over it. Though I have many mines, this was mostly the important one amongst them.
Because mine consisted of diamonds. 
Of course I didn't say the name of that mines, I just want to bring it up. 
"Oh god, it's tempting," he mumbled and then he smiled. "Deal!"
『━━✣━━』
On the edge of the opera house, where a backdoor was build, had been used by many of the informants to avoid public relations with the outside. Informants are very silent people, but there credibility as spies are guaranteed and can't be shaken by mere rumors. The over all structure of the opera house was built with secret doors, and restrains to ensure the safety of not just the costumers but also the informants information from leaking out. 
When Kalester built this structural building, and the architectural availability of the building, this opera house was merely a feeble that has been abandoned by a noble lord. Perhaps because they couldn't pay the wages of the opera, it stopped operating. That is when Kalester decided to explore the world of commerce, and risk his own disposal to build his influence in the high society.
The opera, along with the nearby shops has been slowly being sold to him by a different name. The emperor was monitoring Valentine's wealth, and activities. The only thing he can't control is private information which made him invest in an Information House, and gather all information in the empire.
He still remembered that time. He woke up different from his previous time, so he didn't adjust too well at first. His father was worried that he suddenly said nonsense about going to the capital. The only way he can convince his father was through transactions and what the grand duke mostly wants.
In that moment, he was worried about Catholy that his merely dreaming and nothing was real. The thoughts were overwhelming inside of him, he was not sure how to act or is he happy to repeat the same thing over again.
So, he departed to the capital, and sneaked into the Roqueves Mansion—only to be slapped by reality itself—that time, Catholy had already entered the palace as the Second Prince fiance. The palace was tight enough that it wasn't easy to sneak inside the palace. 
He met her in the end, but she couldn't remember him. She saw him, and yet she returned her gaze towards her fiance. Leaving him confused and irritated, as his feelings were filled with jealousy and pain. 
She was there, and yet he couldn't reach her in his current situation. As if there is a wall, so hard, he couldn't destroy it. He tried for several days, but he ended up feeling lost, as his heart gradually became madder. 
In where he repented to one conclusion. "I'd rather kidnap her, than give her to that bastard."
It was his wishful thinking, but he knew he couldn't do anything about it now. Circumstances are different today and before. Catholy's memory has returned, and he has grown tired of waiting. This time, he wouldn't be the one who settled things with the emperor, the demotion part was not part of the plan, but things needed to calm down.