Chapter 128: Assuming the Worst
With the matters in Cordelia resolved, Arabella and Raymond headed to Arno Dukedom. Duke Arno was lucky to have a bit more preparation time compared to Count Cordelia.
Or so she thought.
[First, the Emperor, now the Empress. What am I going to be punished for this time?] Duke Arno was pale and tense.
Arabella discovered that Ferdinand had just visited Arno as well so Duke Arno didn’t have much prep time either.
Ferdinand had declared to punish the Duke for assigning Count Dempsey who had a personal grudge against Safiro as the one to guide them with the ways of the Empire.
Following the rules of Valeria, Dempsey was not even qualified to have been assigned to such an important position.
Another reason for the punishment was for falling for the Count’s provocations and false accounts of aggression from Safiro which led to Duke Arno declaring war on the Tribe and conquering them with the help of knights from Riva.
"Greetings to Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress. Greetings to His Excellency, the Prime Minister."
Duke Arno paled even more when he realized Raymond was also there. He knew that Raymond was very much influential in the Empire. And it was in a positive light, unlike Ferdinand who was popular for his negative reputation.
Since Duke Arno was already aware of what was happening in Safiro due to Ferdinand’s visit, asking him to have the Arno Palace prepare cooked meals for the people of Safiro went easily.
Duke Arno approved of it and refused to receive supplies from Riva.