It was a stroke of luck.
After fulfilling her duties guarding the brick house, Michelle received an invitation from Eileen.
Eileen had invited the knights to her home, offering a sumptuous dinner, with one notable absence: that of her superior, Cesare.
Although the Archduke's knights swore unwavering loyalty to their master, they occasionally longed for a bit of relaxation and fun.
Diego executed an elaborate plan:
Only the Archduke's knights would gather at the future archduchess's house for dinner, except for the man himself. He felt it was time to reconnect with his companions.
Did Eileen send you the invitation?
When the invitation was presented to him, Senon reacted with enthusiasm. So much so that he inadvertently crumpled the corner of the report he was supposed to deliver to Cesare.
Senon was the only nobleman among the Archduke's knights. Gifted with exceptional skills, he served as a lieutenant under Cesare's command. This time, he also took on the task of organizing the research data discovered in Eileen's laboratory.
He consulted several experts on drug regulations and the Archduke's immunity.
Meanwhile, Eileen worked tirelessly alone, putting in extra hours to ensure everything was perfect before her wedding.
But even someone as dedicated as Senon, who had been fighting tirelessly, could not ignore such surprising news. [ Only the Archduke's knights will gather at the future Archduchess's house for dinner, except for the man himself.]
He already felt wronged for not being able to attend social events before. He couldn't miss this opportunity and was determined to participate.
— Absolutely. I'll go, even if I have to work overtime for a whole week to make up for it…
While Senon grumbled to himself, dejected, Diego played with the plush rabbit with enthusiasm. It was filled with imported cotton and its texture was impressive. Just touching the soft rabbit brought a feeling of comfort.
Seeing Diego, a robust fellow, hugging the plush toy with satisfaction, Senon couldn't resist a sarcastic comment.
Eileen is already twenty-one years old. What is she going to do with a stuffed animal?
— You'll certainly love it, miss.
Diego responded matter-of-factly, implying that Senon was the one who lacked sensitivity. The fact that no one recognized his splendid gift was yet another complaint.
Emergency!
At that moment, Michelle rushed into the office.
— The young lady has been kidnapped!
With his scream, Senon dropped the documents, and Diego dropped the plush toy, both running out of the office.
On the ground floor of the Archduke's residence, soldiers were already gathering, and Cesare was receiving a report from Lotan.
Although they had withdrawn the soldiers guarding the brick house, they maintained security in places where Eileen's eyes could not see them, in case of any unforeseen event.
But all of those officers had been killed. During the shift change, they found their bodies, stripped of their uniforms, and soon reported the kidnapping.
— We have confirmed that there is a traitor among the high ranks of the army and we are investigating.
When Diego recounted the betrayal, he immediately looked at Cesare.
Unlike the soldiers, shaken by the betrayal of a superior, Cesare seemed extremely calm.
However, his normally serene red irises shone with an unusual glow. He was merely maintaining a facade of composure.
After hearing Lotan's report, Cesare remained silent for a moment.
— … Something has changed. With the situation altered, I may no longer be in control.
After uttering these enigmatic words, Cesare immediately gave an order.
— We're going to see the President of the Senate.
The President of the Senate, the Marquis Menegin, was a former military commander.
At the time when Cesare was still crown prince, the Marquis led the army as commander.
He frequently took Caesar to the battlefield, sometimes even appropriating some of Caesar's conquests.
With the reputation he gained in this way, he rose to the position of President of the Senate and became a central figure in the anti-monarchist faction.
Senon made a quick gesture to Lotan, who objected to Cesare's order.
It's difficult to consider the Marquis guilty.
Although he was a notorious figure, the Marquis had not reached that position by luck. He was skilled in political maneuvering. He would not risk his career, much less his life, for such a senseless act.
— No, not him, it's his son-in-law.
— …!
With Cesare's sudden statement, the knights understood everything.
Marquis Menegin, who had been childless for a long time, finally managed to have a daughter in his old age.
He wanted to pass everything on to her, but according to imperial law, women could not inherit titles.
Therefore, he had brought in a talented young member of the nobility as his son-in-law, in order to prepare him as his political successor.
Although carefully chosen, the Marquis overlooked a crucial detail: his son-in-law, Matteo, was more ambitious than the Marquis himself.
Not content with just the name Menegin, Matteo desired power and wealth. Thus, he began importing marijuana, a plant unknown in the empire.
Taking advantage of the Menegin family's influence, smuggling became relatively easy. Matteo mixed marijuana with other herbs, creating a new drug, and began selling it little by little.
All the new drugs circulating on the streets of Fiore were Matteo's products.
By distorting trade routes in various ways to avoid being tracked, Matteo believed he had covered his tracks.
However, Cesare identified Matteo as the drug trafficker even without concrete information.
Although he had known for a long time, Cesare allowed Matteo to continue until he had accumulated a large sum of money.
Matteo believed everything was going well, but in reality, he was falling into a trap.
Cesare only confronted Matteo when he was completely cornered.
It was a drug scandal capable of bringing down even the father-in-law.
Matteo tried to resist at the last moment, but it was too late—he had fallen into Cesare's clutches.
Realizing his life was over, Matteo went insane and kidnapped Eileen in an attempt to get revenge on Cesare.
Marquis Menegin knew nothing about it.
However, his ignorance would not exempt him from the consequences. He would pay for his negligence.
— Your Grace, Archduke Erzet!
The Marquis roared as he descended the lonely staircase.
The residence was lit as if it were daytime, due to the soldiers' sudden arrival in the middle of the night.
Wearing an eye patch and limping, the old man descended the steps, brandishing his cane furiously against the invading soldiers.
— You miserable wretches…! You know where you are!
Cesare fired, impassively. The bullet struck the heavy chandelier on the ceiling with precision, sending it plummeting to the marble floor.
Crash!
Shards of glass scattered across the hall, obscuring the Marquis's powerless presence. Cesare approached him.
— Marquis Menegin.
He pressed the still-hot gun barrel against the marquis's eye patch.
The man, who had been roaring, fell silent immediately. He recognized the danger in Cesare's red irises.
Why, why are you doing this...?
— Where is the village that you gave as a gift to your son-in-law, Matteo?
Surprised by the unexpected question, the Marquis quickly revealed the location as soon as he heard Cesare reloading his weapon.
It's about a thirty-minute drive from here!
Show me the way.
Cesare lowered his weapon and gestured with his head. Lotan lifted the Marquis by the shoulders.
— I will accompany you, Your Grace.
With no choice, the old man was taken to the village. They arrived in ten minutes—a journey that would normally take half an hour.
As he got out of the car, the Marquis vomited. No one paid any attention to the frail old man.
A faint light filtered from the village. Cesare made a subtle gesture. Snipers approached.
With so many windows, it was easy to find a vantage point for the snipers. As soon as Michelle signaled they were ready, Cesare ordered the firing.
Gunshots rang out.
The village was filled with the cries of the men who had lost their legs. Ignoring them, Cesare walked alone into the village.
His pace was quick, urgent, unlike his usual calm.
To be continued…