Chapter 393: My Lady
Lady Isolde chatted warmly with Elin, often asking if she was comfortable.
Simon sat watching them, quietly planning when to return to Brambleford. Now that he was married, he saw no reason to stay longer in Eldora.
The recent assassination attempt left him with a shadow over his mind; Eldora was unsafe.
Just like every regional lord tried to avoid leaving their own territory, Simon felt the same. Once on another’s land, he couldn’t guarantee his own safety.
Besides, now that he had Elin as his wife, he didn’t want any accidents in Eldora.
While the two ladies laughed, Simon spoke up: "Mother, I plan to return to Brambleford in five days. I won’t stay longer; this place isn’t safe."
Lady Isolde nodded. She didn’t try to stop him. The assassination also worried her deeply.
"Yes, better to return early. The waters in Eldora are muddy; every extra day brings danger. Also, your territory needs managing. If left too long unattended, there could be trouble. Prepare and go back soon." Elin knew about the assassination and did not oppose, but asked. "Has the assassin been found?"
"According to Father, it was either the Second Prince or the Ohare merchants colluding with the northern tribes. Both are most likely." Simon said thoughtfully.
"The Second Prince?" Lady Isolde was shocked.
Simon nodded and told her how the Emperor had tested him about it.
"If it is the Second Prince, Father likely wants to smooth things over. As the ruler, he won’t want to move against his son and anger Prince Lionel. Still, a warning will be given." Lady Isolde said.
"Hmph, I guess Father thinks so too. But if it’s the Second Prince, I won’t compromise. How else can I face the fallen soldiers?" Simon’s anger rose.
"Even if it was the Second Prince, it’s not treason worthy of death. The worst is to strip his title or exile him." Elin said.
Lady Isolde nodded. "Elin is right. You must not act rashly. Let Father handle it." She worried Simon might do something foolish in anger.
Simon frowned. "Yes, Mother."
After chatting more with Lady Isolde, Simon and Elin rose to leave. They couldn’t stay long in the castle.
"Mother must be lonely here alone in the deep castle, and you’re not with he,." Elin said thoughtfully on the way back.
"Kings are most heartless. But what can be done? The only thing I can do is raise my own status. ’Mother’s status depends on her son,’ so I’ll try to make her life easier in the castle, free from others’ bullying."
Elin often talked with her sister and knew the castle’s dark sides. Still, her sister hoped one day to be the perfect Empress.
Sometimes, Elin couldn’t understand: was power really that important?
Back at the mansion, Simon ordered Ysabeau and Joan to count the wedding gifts and prepare to return to Brambleford.
Elin had gotten to know Ysabeau and Joan.
She was gentle and kind. After chatting, the two maids happily called her. "My Lady."
Watching this, Simon nodded in satisfaction.
For a man, a good wife who can manage the household is priceless.
Though their marriage was political, he hoped for peace at home.
After long days of hardship, who wants chaos returning home?
After talking a while, Elin quickly took on the role of wife, eagerly helping count the gift list. To her, these things now belonged to them.
This gave Simon even more peace of mind, and he smiled.
Thinking of the gift list from Emperor Alaric, Simon pulled it out and scanned it.
He laughed. The Emperor had been very generous: sixty thousand caps of gold, five thousand bolts of cloth, and hundreds of precious jewels. He was well fed.
The final wedding event of the morning ended. That afternoon, Simon and Elin counted the gifts.
Sixty tables hosted six hundred guests, nearly all of Eldora’s elites.
They worked until evening, tallying the gifts’ value at around three million caps of silver, a great haul.
Though most gifts needed selling to convert, Simon was pleased with the amount.
As the group was happily busy, someone suddenly entered the mansion.
It was Gius. After the assassination, Simon had secretly sent Gius to investigate. Gius had been working tirelessly and even contacted Richard in Brambleford for help.
Seeing Gius, Simon led him into the main hall. Elin wisely excused herself to the bridal room.
"My Lord, Richard’s men have caught an O’Hare merchant who supplied tribesmen to the Crown Prince." Gius, tired from travel, said firmly.
"Caught?" Simon’s eyes narrowed.
"Yes. Richard planted spies in the tribes’ territory and soon uncovered the merchant’s background. This merchant even dealt with our Chamber of Commerce, breaking rules by smuggling liquor onto the grasslands. Percival has wanted to punish him for some time." Gius explained.
"What about the capture?" Simon knew of the merchant. Many in the Brambleford Chamber despised these Ohare merchants, calling them traitors for selling contraband to the reaver tribes, indirectly aiding their rise.
Gius said. "Between Prince Lionel and Prince Augustus’s territories lies a lawless village where many Ohare merchants gather. Goods pass through there, but rivalries among the merchants exist. We had Percival bribe one Ohare merchant for information, and we successfully captured the target. He’s now outside Eldora, awaiting your orders."
"Well done." Simon praised.
From the Emperor’s tone, Simon knew Alaric intended to downplay the matte;, he wanted stability, not chaos.
But for Simon, this was a grudge he couldn’t let go.
---
In the imperial study, Zepher was quietly reporting to Emperor Alaric. When he finished, the Emperor frowned deeply.
"Are you sure it was Prince Simon’s men who caught the Ohare merchant?" Alaric asked.
"Yes. We could have caught the merchant earlier, but Prince Simon’s people got there first. Our men have been following closely, and we can take the merchant back anytime the Emperor orders. But until then, we dare not act rashly and risk offending Prince Simon." Zepher replied.
"Hmm, you handled it well. Avoid conflict with Prince Simon’s men. I know Simon’s temper; though he’s changed a lot in two years, he’s not someone who will take a loss quietly." Alaric gave a bitter smile. "Now we wait to see who this O’Hare merchant really works for."
"If it is the Second Prince, Your Majesty will have a tough tim,." Zepher said, worried for the Emperor.
Having served Alaric for over twenty years, Zepher knew him well. The Emperor’s patience was for the empire’s peace; without it, chaos would have erupted long ago.
Alaric frowned again. "It’s not too hard. If the Second Prince is behind this, then we must give Simon an answer. For the Eldorian Empire, Simon is far more important than Prince Lionel now."
Zepher nodded. "Indeed. After all, Prince Simon is of the royal family."