"Achoo!"
"Your Grace, this is your medicine."
"Ugh."
Ett sneezed hard.
Sokk.
"Ah…"
My brain! It rattled so hard she felt she could see another dimension.
How ecstatic she could be if it were her room and her comfort bed.
"Your Grace, hold on. Oh no, your sneeze is mixed with blood."
My life… disgusting and embarrassing.
Ett dazedly looked up, her lifeless veridian eyes just stared at nothingness.
"Royal Physician… am I on my deathbed already?"
"Don't say such a thing, Your Grace. Although you seem ill, that you're about to faint anytime again, it's much better than before."
The Royal Physician smiled kindly.
If it was before, well, no, Physician Franz lied. It's actually worse than before, but the good thing about her Grace now is that she's resting well. Before, she would always be in her study burning candles all night long, thinking of ways to get back to her former physical self.
Sigh.
"Your Grace, it's already been a week. After another five days, surely you'll be able to recover again."
"Ugh."
This time it's Ett who sighed, closing her eyes.
Just for helping that child, to make sure nobody could see him, even if it's well guarded, now she's sick like this. Whenever it has to do with Guren, she'll fall ill.
Not that it's an omen, it's just a pattern recognition.
"How is it?"
"Pardon, Your Grace?"
A thought passed Physician Fran before he made an 'ah' sound, smiling wickedly, different from his kind and gentle nature. "His Majesty appointed the Count's eldest son to make the decision."
"That child, Cashim?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Although those loyal to his Majesty have some reservations about the heir of the Montecraso household, they didn't express their disagreement. Surely, his Majesty is testing him, and whether he fails or not, His Majesty would have another way. If not, it's the main plan."
Physician Fran confidently said, and Ett nodded.
Guren was always capable. He never showed weakness; there was always a second or third plan. That's why the imperialist dares not say anything and listens to his orders like a puppy. Moreover, if it's Cashim with the House of Isotel and his hidden cards, he should be able to thread well.
"I've heard the Count is not fond of this son of his. He even went back after quite amassing a fortune that his son had worked hard on his own."
Physician Fran took the emptied cup of medicine from Ett. "What do you think, Your Grace?"
Ett coughed, "I've seen him once, he's like a slippery eel."
Not just once, but she even spoke to him. Yet, now is not the time to tell this doctor about their encounters.
"What else?"
Physician Fran was Ett's New York Times as he was the only one who would visit her whenever she was sick. Ett prefers to talk to Fran rather than to the maids, who lack information and are as stiff and formal as Guren.
"And the Jushen strategy?"
It was a strategy to help from the sidelines for the downfall of the Jushen Empire. Taking advantage of their scholars, do they think they can get away with it? Besides, this is something other empires are watching and taking advantage of. It's not just them; it's been a collective approach, yet they've kept more hidden and have not truly collaborated with other empires seeking the reward.
"Well, my trustworthy apprentices who reside in different places poisoned certain wells and found a slow-acting poison that a simple silver spoon cannot detect. They might have found traces if they weren't as skilled s me or better than me. But the Jushen nobles would follow such paths. Not us."
"Hm."
"As for the Archeduke, after being away and having just come secretly, he will soon return to Adiand."
I don't think so.
But Ett didn't speak out loud.
You see, this is a wide web of schemes intricately connected with the sole purpose of destruction. The war is still ongoing, albeit it's not as blatant as the one that happened years ago. Just thinking about the things she needs to do as Ett, with her average mind, causes her a great headache.
She's not Zhuge Liang.
"Leave for now."
"Understood, Your Ladyship."
Ah.
***
"Sire, the new servants and Palace Knights have arrived."
One of the maids announced to Ares.
"Have them gather at the hall."
"Yes, sire."
After a few minutes, Ares entered.
A list was in his hand.
In a serious tone, he uttered, "There are three hundred servants added."
Ares felt this was inadequate.
They need about thousands for this wide and massive palace, as it also has its complex court, yet the Adiand royals prefer fewer people, even though the money they have in the Reserve Fund is teeming with an enormous amount, not less than what they have in the Royal Fund, say their personal reserve.
Emergency Fund is what the Dowager coined it.
"Attendants with different skills are about a hundred. And then,"
Ares looked up, looking at the other side. "Palace Knights about a hundred."
To think that all of these people were selected quite well and had been brainwashed by Akan. Even if the brainwashing doesn't succeed, they have drunk a poison that has no antidote outside of this palace.
With the other servants and Palace Knights here acting as the Eyes.
"All must be mindful of their actions. You will all be designated in distinct places by your fellow servants."
"As for the Palace Knights…"
They can't be taken to Commander Gammarad.
Although they are in the same territory and plot of land as His Majesty, they are separated by a gate that only chosen Royal Knights could enter. Palace Knights and Royal Knights serve both the Adiand Royals; however, the Palace Knights prioritize His Majesty and the Dowager.
Ares looked at the list of those who are qualified to stand on guard of His Majesty and the Dowager.
"Belahast, Rowaron, Alchemid, you'll be stationed where His Majesty resides. Farahous, Liden, and Karnak, you'll be coming with me. The other Palace Knights will be arranged later; you can return to your quarters."
"Understood."
"Assist these three."
Ares uttered at one of the servants.
"Yes, sire."
"You three follow me."
The three Palace Knights nodded.
"Understood."
From their profiles, these were an orphan, a fallen noble, and a second son who had no chance of being the heir of the household. They all lost something in their life.
Ares stopped at Ett's Wing.
"From here on out is the Empress Dowager's wing. You must conduct yourself properly. Anything you hear or see, be silent."
Ares looked at them sharply.
"You'll protect the Mistress all the time. Understood?"
"Yes, sire."
The three said in unison.
"Well, not that there are too many assassins. There are sometimes, but all were dead."
A warning.
"And most importantly,"
Ares knocked on Ett's study room.
"Never be entranced by the Mistress's pretty face, though she is fairly the weakest lady you'll ever meet."
"Understood, sire."
"Come in."
Hearing Ett's scratchy voice, indicating she had another mouthful of coughs, Ares's serious face turned into a gentle smile as he opened the door.
"Greetings, Mistress. I have brought you the Palace Knights who would be of service to you. Do let me know if you want to add more, as I deemed their number lacking."
Ett put down her pen and cracked her knuckles.
Wow, it hurts, but still it's satisfying.
"Come closer."
Ett ordered.
The three knights came closer, about two meters away, and knelt, not daring to look at her.
"I order you to look at me."
She always likes to see someone's eyes before she decides.
"Hm."
Good. It seems the rabinwashin is good. They don't look flustered, no slip of emotion when they see her. They're quite handsome; one of them caught her eye.
A soft-eyed man who looks down at his toes, with red hair and slight freckles on his cheeks, crossing the bridge of his nose to the other side. He has a lean yet masculine frame. His eyes were the most brilliant thing she had seen, a burning ember yet subtle in the way he showed his expression.
Is this guy a knight? Why must he be placed here when he can do more outside?
Ah, what a loss, she has a child with a physical body of a child as well. Even if there's a chance to return to adulthood, she's too busy and frail. Don't forget, she's legally married in writing, even if she doesn't want to meet the father.
Pity, oh what a pity.
The strong moral etiquette she had has become so deeply rooted in her that it's not easy to extract.
"Akan, it should only be one."
"That won't do, Mistress. They could take turns in safeguarding you."
"Akan."
"Then take two."
"Akan."
"Please understand, I can only concede if you have two regular Palace Knights attending you."
Ett sighed. She doesn't want to waste words on him anymore.
Ares smiled, seeming to have won. "Apologies, Mistress, then who would you choose?"
Right, why is he getting ahead of himself just because the Mistress seems gentle these days?
"I only need one. No more."
One that has red hair with freckles across his cheeks and the bridge of his nose. Ett likes his eyes the most.
"The ember eyes."
Then Ett asked, "How about His Majesty?"
"There was one Palace Knight who was sent to guard His Majesty as well."
"I see. If the emperor is satisfied with one or two or none at all, have the other be one of Gammarad's men. After all, the role is the same."
As long as Butler Xiwen gives an orientation and those palace knights are at a good distance, they won't feel Guren's wrath when he is working so hard.
"Understood, Mistress. Then, please excuse us."
"Alright."
As the three Palace Knights bowed down, Ett waved her hand, "Also, here."
Ett gave Ares a few sketches.
"This is?"
Ares took a closer look, and it seems to be tools? Seems like for cleaning, and a bit of gardening tools?
They look very…strange.
"I was bored, have it made. The usefulness is written behind it."
"Yes."
"Go."