Chapter 57: Nighttime Confrontation
The moon hung high in the midnight sky, casting an eerie silver glow over the mansion’s grounds as I confronted Alex in our dimly lit room.
"So, what are your thoughts on this matter?" I asked, my eyes fixed on him expectantly.
"What?" Alex replied, his brows furrowing in confusion.
"About the princess," I clarified, my voice steady but tinged with a note of urgency.
"About the princess? What do you mean?" he continued to wear a puzzled expression, seemingly unaware of the storm brewing within me.
"Duke, if the previous empress sent the princess here, then I’m sure there must be some conspiracy behind it. Otherwise, why would she, who was about to die, send her one and only child here to Ablia when the emperor could take better care of the princess?" I reasoned, my mind racing with possibilities.
"So, what are you trying to say?" he inquired, his tone tinged with curiosity.
"I’m trying to say that there must be some conspiracy behind all of this. If the princess isn’t safe in the palace, then perhaps the palace itself is the reason behind everything," I asserted, the weight of my suspicions settling heavily on my shoulders.
"Madam, are you suggesting that the emperor is behind all of this?" he asked, his voice betraying a hint of disbelief.
"Yes, I’m not sure about everything else, but I do believe he is aware of what has already transpired. Otherwise, why hasn’t the emperor made any efforts to locate his only successor, who was born during that time? He could have done so, but he hasn’t. It’s as if this matter has been buried under his orders," I explained, my conviction unwavering.
"I don’t know what has happened or not, and I won’t stop you from investigating this issue," he replied calmly, his gaze locked with mine as if he were searching for answers within my eyes.
"So, are you agreeing with my proposal? Have you signed the contract?" I inquired, my heart pounding in my chest as I awaited his response.