I Don’t Want to Be a Lady

“Tonight? It would be difficult unless we had an excuse to make him move right away.” Navier looked reluctant.

“There’s a very good excuse. And there’s something you can do for me.”

I gave Navier some instructions and called in Alice and Count Silver, who were hiding in the March Hood. And Madrenne, whom I had forgotten about.

“Count Silver. Tonight, Duke Krow’s private army will attack the imperial palace.”

“Are you saying he’s going to start a rebellion?”

In response to Silver’s couldn’t believe attitude, I told him about Duke Krow’s behind-the-scenes work from the fact that he had purchased weapons separately through nobles on his side and he was in a corner due to the pressure from Count Bornes.

“He doesn’t have time. Today, he will hear unwelcome news. It’s the truce between the Harpion Empire and the Kelteman Empire.”

“So you’re saying he’ll start a rebellion before the news spreads? But a truce wouldn’t threaten him, even if he won’t welcome it. For now, the crown prince has the upper hand.”

Silver didn’t seem to understand Duke Krow’s treason.

“It seems like Count doesn’t know how cornered people would change.”

There was no way he didn’t know. He was the leader of the imperial guard, who had been involved in conflicts and battles with many people. But the person they were talking about was the duke. He was the person who helped the current emperor ascend to the throne and was the crown prince’s uncle. He could not do that just because of the financial pressure alone.

“I think you’ve gone too far. He’s not the type of person to break down like that.”

Silver was sure. Duke Krow wasn’t a short-minded and shabby person who would cause a rebellion at that level.

“And that’s not all.”

“What else is there?” asked Silver.

 I asked. “How do normal people react when someone they thought was dead returns alive?”

Silver thought about it and opened his mouth. “When a person they thought dead returned alive, they may deny it at first, but they will soon accept it.”

I asked again in response to Silver’s answer. “What if it’s static? What if that person is someone who should never come back alive?”

“!”

I smiled mischievously. “Today, he will see a vision of someone he never wants to see. Rumors that the truce agreement had arrived and the return of a political enemy he witnessed with his own eyes. How will he react?”

He would most likely realize that his plan had gone awry and make his move. This time, to make sure to remove Charter.

“In what way are you going to let him know that Duke Kaien has returned alive? And that too by today?” asked Silver.

“My people are already starting to move. Perhaps they have met by now?”

I ordered Navier’s informants to spread rumors of the truce agreement through the capital, and her men, who were similar in size to Charter, had their hair dyed black and planted them throughout the capital. And I instructed them to appear where Duke Krow’s men and carriage passed by.

All that was needed was to instill some suspicion in Duke Krow. Even the slightest doubt was enough to shake a person’s heart. Once that suspicion grew, it would become an accepted fact.

Silver wanted to ask, but now, this issue wasn’t important.

“Still, I don’t understand why he’s going to attack the imperial palace. He will target Duke Kaien but will not dare to storm the imperial palace.”

“We have to make him attack.”

If the war ended like this and Duke Kaien returned alive, he would have continued the sluggish succession fight again. But what if he offered a chance to end the fight once and for all?

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but he won’t move.”

Of course. He had no justification. If he attacked the imperial palace now, he would be branded as a traitor. The emperor didn’t do tyranny, nor did the public sentiment run out due to a long war. There was no reason for him to lead his private army and attack the imperial palace. This would have resulted in lowering public sentiment.

“That’s why we need to deliver a decisive blow.”

I said to Alice, who was staring at Silver. “In that sense, Alice. I need you to do something for me.”

“Oh! Is it finally my turn to step forward?”

She didn’t even ask what was going on. She would figure it out if I told her what she could do.

“Let’s turn the empire upside down.”

Silver looked at me, who was smiling sinisterly, with very worried eyes.

* * *

Inside the carriage heading to the imperial palace, Duke Krow rubbed the corners of his eyes, looking extremely tired. There was no news from his hound that went to look for Yabai and Nuar.

In that case, he had to go see Count Bornes right away. However, he couldn’t see him willingly because of something he had done not long ago. And if it’s his doing, he won’t be able to get any information from him even if he meets him. He was mean and vicious, but he absolutely kept secrets. Hasn’t he also trusted and commissioned him?

It was unavoidable since the hound had to be kept on leashes, but facing this situation was quite a shame.

At that moment, something caught Krow’s gaze.

“Stop the carriage right now!”

The carriage stopped at Krow’s urgent shout. He hurriedly stuck his head out of the carriage and looked around at the place where he had seen someone a moment ago.

Of course, there was no way he would come back alive. Obviously, he died in the Kelteman Empire.

“I guess I saw an illusion because I was tired.”

He dismissed it as an illusion.

There wasn’t just one black-haired person in this empire. He guessed he just happened to see a black-haired man passing by. That’s what he thought. However, once the black-haired figure was stuck in his mind, it didn’t leave his mind even during the meeting.

“That, Duke. If you could give me a moment…” As the meeting ended, the nobleman, who hadn’t been able to meet him yesterday, approached him and said that.

“It’s difficult for now. I’ll send a message as soon as I have time.”

The nobleman was distressed, but he couldn’t do anything. He just withdrew because he didn’t dare to offend the duke.

“Ah, Duke Krow. Why don’t you have tea with me if you have time?” The emperor, who was about to leave the meeting hall, stopped and called him.

“Would it be possible?”

Krow obediently followed the emperor. The nobleman from earlier who was watching behind him let out a low curse.

Krow, sitting across from the emperor and savoring tea, felt no taste because of his disarray but praised the emperor as usual.

“The tea tastes good. By the way, does Your Majesty have something to say to me?”

In fact, Krow was very unhappy with the situation where he was facing the emperor like this. According to his plan, the man in front of him should have headed to the border by now. Still, things went awry for some reason when Grand Duke Federut, who had been hiding, stepped forward and offered to take over as commander-in-chief.

The last time he came to see the emperor before going into hiding, it was nothing short of chaos. After his fierce confrontation with the emperor, he stormed out, causing destruction everywhere he went within the palace. Everyone in the palace knew about the incident where he shattered everything that came into his hands as he left.

For some reason, the emperor tolerated his outrageous behavior and issued a silence order to everyone in the palace. After that, Grand Duke Federut locked his castle gates, and as more than ten years passed, he was slowly forgotten.

Then, he suddenly appeared and shouted that he would protect the empire again. Citizens of the empire cheered at the resurrection of the guardian. The capital was abuzz with crowds and cheers that flocked to his departure ceremony. It was incomparable to Duke Kaien.

Krow, remembering his majestic appearance, tried to suppress his rising irritation.

All that aside, Krow was not in the mood to chat with the emperor now. He wanted to leave this palace as soon as possible to find Yabai and Nuar in person. This tea time was a waste of time and had no value for him.

“no. It’s just that  new tea has arrived, so I thought it would be a good idea to take it with you.”

“Is that so? Thank you.”

The emperor asked him, who seemed to react somewhat differently. “What’s wrong? You have a bad complexion.”

“It’s nothing. It seems like I’m having trouble sleeping due to the current situation.”

“Is that so? After all, you’re the only one who truly cares about this empire?”

“Wouldn’t Your Majesty care more?”

Krow left the parlor after a fruitless conversation that hid each other’s true feelings.

“Let’s go back to the mansion quickly,” said Krow to a knight following him. He thought he might have received a call from his hound, so he planned to return to the mansion quickly.

Crowe sat in the carriage and took stomach medicine to soothe his bitter stomach. Then, something caught his eye again.

No way.

“Damn it. I keep seeing the illusion.” Krow complained, rubbing his eyes with his fingers. However, he was startled when the knight escorting him said something while knocking on the carriage.

“Your Grace, wasn’t that black-haired man just now Duke Kaien?”

“What?”

Duke Krow looked surprised and looked for the black-haired man again, but he had already disappeared.

“Where did he just disappear?”

The knight answered Krow’s question. “I think he went into the alley.”

“Hurry and catch him!”

At Krow’s command, the knight immediately ran into the alley where the black-haired man had disappeared.

“Duke Kaien, that’s ridiculous.”

For some reason, he felt like an ominous feeling was creeping up his ankles.

“I missed him. The alley was like a maze, and I couldn’t find him.”

“Incompetent.” Krow, who scolded his subordinate for his incompetence, soon became lost in thought.

The man who appeared a moment ago was clearly Duke Kaien. He had seen him for years. Because he had a consistent hairstyle and clothing, Krow could recognize him at a glance, even when passing by from a great distance.

No way. That can’t be true. The hound wouldn’t dare betray him. He had a reliable way to keep his leash on.

“Bring in the hound immediately.”

“Are you saying the hound that carrying out the order you commanded?”

“It’s more important than that, so call him in right away!”

The knight remained silent in response to Krow’s shouting. All they had to do was follow his orders. Even if Krow lost his judgment, his knight only had the duty to follow silently.

“Betrayer.”

Krow’s teeth, which had been receiving a report by the knight, made a rough fricative sound. Even if the hound was on a mission, whenever he received a call from him, he had to return immediately, but he didn’t return now.

“Get the hound right now.”

“But we won’t be able to find him unless he shows himself.”

Krow shouted in anger at the knight’s protest. “Find that guy’s hideout or whatever, even if it means turning this entire capital upside down! He betrayed me! Do you know what that means?’

“…”

“If he sets his mind to it, you and I will die without knowing when or how!”

The knight’s complexion visibly darkened at Krow’s words. Because he knew very well that what he said was true.

“Go out and find that guy right now!”

“I understand.”

There was no hope, but it was impossible to just ignore it. The knight left the mansion with a few knights, searching his whereabouts, including where he had been in touch with him.

“

What on earth is this… Is Duke Kaien really alive? The hound… Does that mean he doesn’t care what happens to his family?”

What is the reason why a hound that had been obedient for 20 years is now biting back? Krow held his throbbing head and leaned back in his chair.

. The butler knocked on his study door.

“If it’s not a big deal, come later. I don’t want to hear anything now.”

Normally, the butler would have quietly retreated. Still, today, for some reason, he didn’t return and instead opened the door to the study and entered.

Krow asked with a tired look. “What is it?”

The butler looked down to avoid upsetting his master as much as possible. “Master, that’s… There are rumors of a truce with the Kelteman Empire.”

“What!”

Duke Krow jumped up, and his chair fell backward.