256: Traitors beneath the crown (final)

Traitors beneath the crown (final)

"Alright then, I'll continue," Sasha muttered, her expression suggesting that she had arrived at the challenging segment of her discoveries. "As I've mentioned, the late Monarch didn't meet his demise through poison."0

The Princess initiated a restless stroll around Kaiser's study, her gaze skimming over the books lining the shelves, her hands remained clasped behind her as she moved.

"The servants left the room with the bottles, and the last individual in the company of Emanuel de Lanark was the Crown Prince – the same Crown Prince who conveniently avoided giving his testimony."

She paused, her head tilting slightly downward as though she were piecing together her own conclusions on the spot. Gradually, her gaze lifted again, and her tone turned speculative.

"Given the information currently available to us, the most plausible scenario is that Sir Arkin entered the scene and dealt the fatal blow to the Monarch's heart. This leads us to consider that Claude de Lanark's continued silence isn't mere happenstance; his silence now can be interpreted as complicity."

"Absurd!" Leopold retorted sharply.

"Arkin, defend yourself!" Gustav snapped.

Arkin's lethargic hazel eyes eventually fixated on the Princess.

"What if I did? Hm? You yourself mentioned the oddity of him presenting celebratory alcohol while supposedly investigating." His placid expression contorted, his teeth clenching. "Is it not reasonable for my blood to boil on behalf of my... my sister?"

The word 'sister' oozed with palpable animosity as he hissed it out.

"Commander!" Kasier's patience frayed as he raised his voice, his own composure slipping completely. "This is not the time nor place for you to lose control!"

The Archduke's chest rose and fell rapidly, his emotions getting the better of him in contradiction to his own advice.

"You are granted a final opportunity to speak, but you must adhere to the absolute truth if you value your position – not to mention your life!"

Adela's icy hand found its way to Kaiser's similarly frigid one, gripping it firmly. He swallowed hard, immediately regaining his composure at her calming touch. He ran his other hand over his face and then looked down at her, silently acknowledging her steadying influence.

The lady's gaze shifted between a flushed Arkin and a surprised Sasha, realizing that the Princess might be learning about Arkin being Adela's brother for the first time.

"Commander Arkin, I implore you to share the truth of what transpired that night..."

Arkin winced, unable to meet Adela's eyes. There was a visible struggle on his face before he appeared defeated.

"The Princess is right. Emanuel's behavior seemed odd to me, prompting me to leave my post briefly..." Arkin raked both hands through his hair, disheveling its once-neat appearance. "As I approached her chambers, I happened to overhear... Adela's husband cautioning her against opening the bottle." He swallowed, his voice tense. "That was when I decided to turn back and resume my station."

Sasha nodded encouragingly, her anticipation palpable. They had finally reached the moment of the alleged crime. "Please, continue, Commander."

Arkin's gaze shifted to Kaiser, his eyes guarded, seemingly seeking guidance or permission.

In a tone of frustration, Sasha emitted a piercing whistle.

"Hey, Commander! Look at me and continue explaining. Tell me precisely what you heard upon returning to your station."

With no interruption from the room's occupants, Arkin's shoulders slumped as he chose to continue. "...I overheard...an argument."

"Arkin, of all times, is this what you're bringing up?" Gustav muttered in disbelief.

Arkin's gaze softened as he looked at his father, "Don't worry, Father. I've already shared this information with His Excellency. I never wanted to reveal it, but if it's necessary, I will."

Kaiser placed a reassuring hand on Gustav's shoulder, offering him the same support he had received earlier.

"Arkin von Conradie has the right to remain silent from this point on," Kaiser announced, drawing a spiteful glance from Sasha.

"Just when we were getting somewhere!" Sasha complained with frustration. "Kaiser, admit it. I've told you from the start that I won't stop until I uncover the murderer's identity. You can put him on trial or give him a medal, it's all the same to me!"

"Princess... please..." Adela implored, struggling to find the right words to convey her plea.

Sasha took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, her tone now composed. "It was the Crown Prince who killed Emanuel de Lanark. Just say it so we can all move forward."

Kaiser's sharp look silenced the escalating arguments, his raised hand demanding attention.

"Claude claims he saw someone through the window. And I, Kaiser de Lanark, choose to believe him."

"Are you fuc*ing kidding me, Kaiser?" Sasha's disbelief doubled as she observed her friend's stoic face. "...Do you expect me to continue chasing after someone's... hallucinations!" She mocked.

Kaiser lowered his hand.

"You know me well enough to understand that I would never shield a criminal, not even if they were my own kin. Every soul must atone for their wrongdoings, only then we can move on to Eaden in the afterlife."

"Does that imply you're planning to throw your Crown Prince into the dungeons eventually?" Sasha challenged.

Arkin grumbled unintelligibly before pushing back against the generous option of silence the Archduke had bestowed upon him.

"Claude de Lanark adhered to a direct order from his Monarch. And I, as the Commander of the Second Order, can affirm that."

"Finally!" Sasha exclaimed with enthusiasm, breaking the stunned silence that had gripped the Emorian nobles. "Give it to me, Commander, word by word."

Arkin nodded. "Word by word... Emanuel said... Either you eliminate those vying for your throne, or you eliminate me.'"

Sasha frowned, torn between interpreting Emanuel's words as a literal directive or a figure of speech. Leaning more towards the latter, she shook her head, recognizing that at this juncture, it held little significance to Kolhis.

"My involvement in this case is now concluded, Kaiser. I will prepare a classified document for the Kingdoms of East and West, as well as for my grandfather. The name I will register in there is Claude de Lanark. While he may be hailed a hero in Kolhis, he will no longer be recognized as a legitimate King for Emoria by us."

"I will not attempt to sway your decision," Kaiser dismissed, his gaze shifting from the Princess of Kolhis who stood near to Aldric of Varinthia, sweeping over his subjects, making deliberate eye contact with each of them.

"I hold a firm belief in the truth of Claude de Lanark's words. Therefore, I expect absolute confidentiality regarding the proceedings of this room. As for the Dukes..." Kaiser paused, focusing on Rauul. "I find it difficult to place trust in the accounts of two servants who fled to Kolhis. Should you wish to make a formal confession regarding the attempted poisoning of the Monarch, you and your families shall forfeit your titles and be branded as traitors to the crown. If you choose not to make such a statement, your esteemed positions as Dukes of Emoria shall remain intact."

Emotions welled up in the Duke of Serta's eyes. "Our loyalty is to you, Kaiser, and to all that you hold dear."

"By the name of God, Kaiser, request the life you saved on those battlefields, and it shall be yours," declared the Duke of Galondy.

Kaiser let out a weary sigh, deferring his response to them, and turned his attention to his daughter.

"Go to your husband. It was foolish to confine him in the dungeons in the first place."

"Come, I will accompany you," offered Leopold, rising from his seat and extending his hand towards Adela.

Adela released her father's hand and rested both of her hands on her thighs, fingers tightly interlocked as she contemplated her next move. Her heart raced at the thought of finally putting this harrowing murder case to rest, but she had one final destination to visit before reuniting with her husband, hoping it would mark the end of their prolonged separation.

"Please go ahead, Uncle Leopold. I will follow shortly."

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