* * *
The eyes of Irtel and the knights sharpened as they noticed the flower above, their gazes scanning the area around the Grand Duke.
‘This is a different kind of magic flow than usual magical energy.’
The Grand Duke glanced up at the terrace Ed had left earlier.
Clearly, Ed had sensed something, too.
Certain that a spell had been cast targeting him and Ed, the Grand Duke touched the bird’s beak again, deliberating briefly before standing upright.
“Tell Ed not to leave his room and to keep the ruby on him at all times. Actually, have Ronen stay with him. Tell Ronen to keep his necklace on as well.”
“Understood.”
As the Grand Duke issued his orders and took a step, the bird perched beside him suddenly flapped into the air.
Following the bird with his eyes, the Grand Duke saw something rising from the bushes.
Sensing it, Irtel immediately stepped in front of him.
The bird, tilting its head in confusion, landed back on the ground.
The Grand Duke chuckled briefly, his eyes on the still bird at his feet.
‘It’s saying it’ll stay like this if I don’t move.’
Patting Irtel’s shoulder lightly, the Grand Duke stepped forward.
“I’ll take care of this. Return to your posts and ensure no intruder takes advantage of this commotion to infiltrate the ballroom.”
“But, Your Grace, it could be a trap,” one of the knights objected, stepping closer.
“It could be,” the Grand Duke acknowledged with a nod.
“But right now, the ball is in full swing. We are obligated to protect our guests during this event. No casualties or incidents must occur until the ball ends peacefully.”
“…”
“Return to your posts and fulfill your duties. Remember that the strength of the North is reflected in every action of those who represent it.”
As the Grand Duke moved again, the bird took off into the sky. Watching it soar, he thought to himself, ‘Let’s see where this bird’s nest lies.’
The Grand Duke moved quickly, his steps quiet as he followed the bird’s shadow darting through the night.
The bird’s flight slowed as it neared the rear gates of the fortress.
It landed on an ancient tree branch near a secluded area surrounded by barley grass, ivy, and large protective trees.
Illuminating the area with a magic light, the Grand Duke spotted a silhouette hiding behind the tree.
Maintaining a safe distance, he observed as the figure hesitated before peeking out.
It was a young girl with her hood pulled low over her face.
She seemed to sense his presence, not through sight but some other means.
“Are you the one who cast the spell?” he asked.
The girl shook her head vigorously, cautiously tapping the ground with her staff as she approached.
“Ma-magic? No, sir. I don’t know how to do that,” she stammered.
‘Then she can’t see or sense the bird on the tree,’ he mused, watching her.
While the Grand Duke pondered, the girl reached into her coat.
He remained alert, watching for any signs of a concealed weapon.
Instead, she pulled out a red envelope.
Noticing the yellow daffodil and silver seal embossed on it, the Grand Duke frowned.
“A traveler asked me to deliver this to you,” she said timidly.
“Who was this traveler?”
“I… I don’t know,” she replied, her voice shrinking.
“How do you know I’m the recipient if you don’t know who sent it?” he asked, testing her.
“The traveler said that only the intended recipient could read it, so I was to wait here and give it to whoever came for it.”
The Grand Duke crossed his arms, the unease he’d felt since meeting her growing stronger.
“When did your sight deteriorate?” he asked.
The girl fumbled with her response.
“Well, uh, I can usually see fine, but the traveler said I had to use a special eye-blocking potion for this errand.”
The yellow daffodil, silver seal, and red envelope all pointed to one individual: the Dowager Empress, Jens Naitron, the late emperor’s last wife and stepmother to the current emperor.
After ensuring the girl found her way safely outside the fortress, the Grand Duke returned to his office and read the letter.
[It’s been a while, Your Grace. I heard belatedly about the earthquake in the North and wanted to check on your well-being. I’m also concerned about the ancient murals there.
I wish I could visit in person, but age has made long journeys too taxing for me.
Perhaps I’ll see you when you next visit the capital. Until then, take care.]
As the letter concluded, the edges of the paper burned away, leaving behind a single line of text: [Tomorrow at dawn, by the cave at Mount Garenda.]
The Grand Duke rose, gazing out at the bustling ball before drawing the curtains.
Later that night, during a lull in the multi-day ball, a single horse left the Northern fortress.
The rider was the Grand Duke, heading alone toward Mount Garenda under cover of darkness.
The murals mentioned in the letter were known only to him and Ed.
After exiting the cave, he had placed a protective barrier in case of aftershocks.
If the barrier had been tampered with, he would have known.
He needed to understand how the Dowager Empress, who had kept a low profile in the palace, had learned of the murals.
Reaching the mountainside, he dismounted, tying his horse to a tree before pressing forward.
The barrier around the cave remained intact, but as he turned, a knight emerged from behind a large tree, bowing in greeting.
The Grand Duke observed him warily as a woman stepped out from the shadows behind the knight.
“It’s been a while, Your Grace,” she said.
The Grand Duke regarded her briefly before bowing.
“Have you been well, Your Majesty, the Dowager Empress?”
“It’s good to see you again,” she said warmly.
Her appearance had changed significantly, a testament to the struggles she had endured over the years.
“It’s good to see you as well, Your Majesty,” he replied.
“You’ve grown so much,” she remarked, her voice tinged with nostalgia.
After surveying the area, she continued, “This might take a while. Do you have time?”
“Yes, that’s fine. However, wouldn’t it be better to move elsewhere, Your Majesty?”
She shook her head slightly.
“Not many know I’ve come to the North. It’s better to speak here as we are now.”
“But the weather is cold.”
“This cold is nothing, Duke.”
The Duke glanced at her gentle smile and removed his cloak, draping it over her shoulders.
“Won’t you be cold like this, Duke? I’m fine.”
As she tried to return the cloak, the Duke smiled and said, “Living in the North for so long, this weather feels almost warm. If anything, I’ve burdened Your Majesty with my responsibility.”
“…You’re still as warm as ever, Duke.”
After exchanging brief pleasantries, the Empress Dowager signaled her escort knight, seemingly ready to broach the main topic.
The knight nodded and disappeared into the shadows to avoid disturbing their conversation.
They silently looked at each other for a moment before the Duke spoke first.
“Was it something so urgent that you had to come here, evading the Emperor’s eyes?”
The second consort of the late Emperor.
The stepmother of Fez Neytren, the current ruler of the empire.
Her origins and name had faded into obscurity, leaving only such titles to define her.
She glanced up at the Duke, then turned her head toward the cave.
“Duke, have you seen the murals inside this cave?”
* * *
