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Chapter 40
“Noah may not desire the throne, but he will be a thorn in their side. Eventually, he will have to be removed. Perhaps he’ll even be the first to go.”
A struggle for the throne is brutal.
It’s a seat taken by devouring one’s own blood relatives. In the history of the empire, very few losers in the battle for succession survived.
If they did, they either fled the empire or went into hiding.
That is the nature of a throne war. Kill—or be killed.
“I hope Noah grows strong. For the sake of the late empress, I do not wish for Noah to die young.”
“I heard that Prince Noah is under the care of Her Imperial Highness the Empress. May I take him?”
“Officially, that wouldn’t be allowed.”
“Then…”
“It must be done secretly.”
“You mean abduct him?”
“Isn’t that why you came?”
Of course, that was the purpose of the visit.
“I’ve already made arrangements. By now, he should be arriving.”
Alexis’ eyes widened.
The sound of hooves could be heard in the distance.
“They’ve arrived.”
The emperor pointed outside with his chin.
“Go see.”
“Your Majesty…”
“They will learn that Noah was sent to Matap Tower. I made sure of that.”
“They won’t suspect he’s in the north.”
“Exactly. So go without worry. A long night walk makes everyone anxious. It’s best to part ways here.”
“Understood.”
“Occasionally, it would be good if you could send a letter to let me know how Noah is doing.”
“I will.”
“Thank you, Duke.”
Rising from his seat, Alexis bowed deeply and left the mansion.
Outside, a small carriage awaited.
The coachman stepped down and saluted politely.
“His Highness the Prince is asleep.”
“Thank you.”
“Very well.”
Alexis called Dmitri.
“Drive the carriage, Dmitri. You will escort it.”
Leaving the driving to Dmitri, Alexis climbed into the carriage.
Inside, Noah lay asleep under a blanket. Seeing Noah after so many years, he looked pale and weakened. Alexis’ eyes were filled with concern.
As Alexis closed the carriage door, it began to move.
The carriage carrying Noah swiftly left the capital.
Late at night, Grand Duchess Christina could not sleep.
She lay down, attempting to rest, but woke repeatedly after only brief moments of sleep.
“I feel uneasy.”
A bad premonition lingered.
Sighing, she pulled the cord to call the head maid.
“Bring me some tea. Chamomile would be good.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Shortly after, the head maid brought her the tea.
Christina descended from the bed and sat on the sofa, sipping the tea. Yet the unease did not vanish.
Her thoughts turned suddenly to the emperor.
“How has His Majesty been lately?”
“He is well.”
“Are you certain?”
“Yes.”
“This won’t do. I need to confirm it myself.”
Only then would she feel at ease.
“Contact Empress Marianne.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Having received the letter from Christina, Empress Marianne frowned, crumpling it in her hand.
“So you think you are my maid?”
Though irritated, she could not refuse; they were allies.
In her pajamas and a shawl, Marianne made her way to the emperor’s quarters. The emperor’s palace was adjacent to hers, allowing her to arrive quickly.
The emperor’s bedroom was guarded by royal knights.
As Marianne approached, the knights bowed.
“Is His Majesty inside?”
“He is asleep.”
“I have something important to convey; please open the door.”
At that moment, the chamberlain appeared through the quiet darkness.
“Your Majesty the Empress, please follow protocol.”
“Chamberlain, I have something urgent to tell His Majesty.”
Marianne smiled faintly and gestured to the head maid she brought. The maid nodded and vanished like mist.
“My apologies, Your Majesty.”
“You will not step aside?”
The chamberlain remained firm at the door, bowing slightly.
Amused, Marianne laughed quietly.
“His Majesty is indeed fortunate to have a loyal servant like you by his side. I envy him.”
The chamberlain had once been courted by her but had rejected her under all circumstances.
“Thank you for your kind regard, Your Majesty.”
“Very well. Protocol is protocol; you may leave.”
“Your consideration is most humbling, Your Majesty.”
Marianne turned quietly and left the palace.
Once outside, the head maid reappeared, using the network provided by Christina. Her stealth was remarkable.
“Did you see him?”
“Yes.”
“Report what you saw to the Grand Duchess.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
After sending the maid back, Marianne returned to her quarters. Her task complete, she planned to sleep.
“His Majesty really was asleep?”
“Yes, as quiet as a mouse.”
“Good. You may leave now.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Even after dismissing the empress’ head maid, Christina still felt uneasy.
For some reason, she missed Raul greatly today.
“I want to see Raul.”
“I will summon him.”
Christina found her way to Raul’s bedroom.
A book lay beside him, suggesting he had fallen asleep while reading. It was a storybook.
“Tsk, still reading storybooks?”
“He was especially fond of that book.”
“This one?”
“Yes, Your Highness. I heard Your Highness personally compiled it as a gift for the young prince’s fourth birthday.”
“Ah, I remember now.”
Christina stroked the book, lost in memories. It had been a gift for Raul when she had more free time, before the Prince of Prussia fell ill.
Back then, the grand duke made all household decisions; she only managed domestic affairs.
“These memories are pointless… put it away.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
She handed the book to the head maid and gazed quietly at the sleeping Raul.
This child was destined to be the future emperor. No one else was fit for the throne.
Her thoughts suddenly shifted to First Prince Noah.
Christina immediately sprang from her seat.
“Noah…”
“Yes?”
“You forgot about Noah.”
“Contact the empress immediately and instruct her to check on Prince Noah.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The head maid hurried off.
“What else?”
“The Grand Duchess ordered you to check on Prince Noah.”
“At this hour?”
“My apologies. She said it was urgent.”
“Ha… make sure the consequences are felt, then.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Marianne left her chamber irritably and headed to Noah’s room. It was the farthest, most rundown room in the prince’s palace.
Before opening the door, she took a deep breath and gestured to the head maid.
“Open it.”
The maid nodded and opened the creaking door.
Marianne nearly snatched the lantern from the maid and shone it onto the bed.
Her eyes widened.
The bed was empty.
“He’s gone…”
The maid who followed her was equally shocked.
Before them was only an empty bed.
“How could this happen?”
The Grand Duchess’ shadows had been guarding him. She had monitored Noah that thoroughly.
“Your Majesty… all the shadows have been dealt with.”
“What?”
The maid opened the wardrobe inside the room, revealing two bodies that fell out.
Marianne’s gaze hardened.
“Inform the Grand Duchess of this.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
She muttered to the empty bed, her eyes sharp.
“How did he get out?”
The Grand Duchess had stationed guards at the door. No one could approach.
Yet someone managed to eliminate them and sneak Noah away.
Marianne pondered who could have done such a thing.
“Could it… be His Majesty?”
It was not impossible. The emperor knew the palace better than anyone.
Meanwhile, upon learning the truth from Empress Marianne, Grand Duchess Christina realized the source of her unease.
“So that’s it.”
Someone had taken Noah away.
