Ch. 239 The First Trap (2)
As soon as Ophelia came up with a solution for one problem, another one appeared like unkillable vermin. Her face wrinkled in a scowl, and she snapped at her lady-in-waiting.
“What is it this time?”
Cassana hurried inside, her face pale.
“It’s about the Second Prince…”
“What about Redfield?”
“He was arrested by Carlisle during a party!”
“What?!”
Ophelia could not suppress her anger any longer and leapt to her feet. Cesare’s eyes widened in disbelief as he turned towards Cassana.
“What are you talking about? What’s the reason for the Second Prince’s arrest?”
“He was under suspicion for illegal drug use…”
“What? Drugs?”
Cesare’s face turned ugly. Neither Ophelia nor Cesare spoke, knowing full well the nature of Redfield’s parties. It was impossible not to. More than once, it fell upon Empress Ophelia to silence the nobles who tried to come forward because of Redfield’s proclivities.
Ophelia’s face flushed with rage. It was rare for her to ever lose her composure.
“I had cautioned him, and yet…!”
Ever since Carlisle returned to the Imperial Palace, Ophelia repeatedly warned her son to keep his head down. She was furious that he kept disobeying her and participating in activities that would threaten their family’s stability.
“What should I do, sister?”
Cesare looked up at Ophelia’s clenched fists and hard eyes. He knew this was serious. Ophelia had gathered this much power for Redfield’s sake. If he could not succeed the throne, then her current influence would crumble to dust. The Anita family had produced a great number of generals before, but it was nothing compared to the absolute power of the emperor.
Ophelia barely managed to hold back her surging anger.
“…Did you find out where Redfield is being held?”
“We don’t know the exact location yet, but witnesses say he was dragged into the Crown Prince’s palace.”
At Cassana’s words, a cold light shone from Ophelia’s eyes.
“Cesare.”
“Yes, my sister.”
“Gather all your forces immediately and search the Crown Prince’s palace.”
It was a more aggressive than expected, and both Cesare and Cassana looked at Ophelia with startled expressions. However, the Empress continued on as if she already made up her mind.
“Use any means to enter the Crown Prince’s palace and bring Redfield back to me.”
Her son’s capture by the Crown Prince was enough to shake the Empress’ influence. While some plans required a slow unfurling, there were other times where one could not yield.
Such was a time. Redfield could never be surrendered under any circumstances.
After a brief pause, Cesare bowed and answered with a loyal shout.
“I will obey you!”
*
*
*
As Elena woke up at dawn, she sensed a strange air surrounding the Imperial Palace. Mirabelle was still asleep, but Elena’s senses were more acute than a normal person’s. She looked around warily as a murderous intent seemed to press in on the walls.
Seueug—
Elena opened the window in the guest room and looked outside. Through the dark, she saw hundreds of torches in the distance moving in perfect unison. It was a scene that reminded her of Blaise Castle in her last life. Something extraordinary must have happened.
Elena hastily changed from her nightgown into a dress. She left the room silently and gave orders to the maid at the entrance, who jerked awake from her doze.
“Call Mary and the nanny to the guest room. Tell them that Mirabelle shouldn’t be disturbed and should stay asleep.”
The maid seemed surprised by Elena’s sudden appearance, but she immediately answered with a bow.
“Ah, yes, Your Highness.”
Those were the two Elena could trust Mirabelle to while she was away. Elena continued again in a low voice.
“Send someone to Blaise mansion as soon as it’s light, and tell Derek to pick up Mirabelle from the palace.”
It wasn’t immediately clear how perilous the situation was, but Mirabelle needed to return home. In case of any danger, Derek would be able to bring her to safety.
The maid quickly gave another bow.
“As you command, Your Highness.”
With Mirabelle’s safety secured, Elena then moved to Carlisle’s office. In a situation like this, he was likely not asleep in their bedroom, and was either in his office or at the front of command.
Elena’s guess was right, and when she opened his office door, he found his head bent towards Zenard in deep conversation.
“Caril.”
Carlisle glanced up at her appearance, then looked back at Zenard.
“Do as I told you and leave now.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Zenard bowed to Carlisle and then to Elena, then disappeared from the office in the blink of an eye. When only the pair of them were left, Elena turned towards Carlisle with a serious look.
“What on earth is going on?”
Carlisle looked relaxed in the face of Elena’s worry.
“Are you awake already? You may sleep more.”
“I can’t sleep when there are people everywhere.”
“So there are.”
Carlisle gave an easy grin, and Elena became even more confused.
“I know you’re hiding something from me. Now tell me, what are you up to?”
“I tried to cover it up as much as possible because of your injury, but now that the plan has been put into motion, I can’t hide it anymore.”
Carlisle held out a document that said “Confidential” towards Elena. She took it with a questioning glance, and Carlisle continued.
“Read it. I’ll explain as you go.”
