chapter 4

Inside the throne hall, a man in his late forties was left waiting for an hour. His patient almost run out, the man did his best to calm his nervous heart.

The moment Jennings walked in, the man immediately knelt before him on one knee. Jennings handed Everly to Carson so he can act as a proper Emperor

Usually, Everly felt embarrassed to let other people, other than her master and brothers, carry her. However, Carsons' long shiny silky hair lured her, willingly throwing herself in his arms.

The ambassador said in a loud clear voice:" your grace, please forgive this lowlife fo–".

Before he could complete his words, Jennings interrupted him with a wave of his hands.

Jennings he calmly said: "it's fine, get to the details".

The man raised his head to look at Jennings's face, but quickly lowered it again after meeting his gaze.

"My emperor, last night around 10 pm Earl Alphonsus's body was found in his bedroom, he was stabbed to death".

Jennings: "how is the investigation progress going?".

"The investigators said that the culprit might have been assisted by a member from inside the mansion".

Jennings's eyes shook faintly, he exchanged a glance with Carson, who was being abused by Everly, then said slowly: "why would they assume that?".

"It seems that the hidden treasury had been broken through. The stolen items were the Earls' special collection of the Yakhshan swords, the will testament and some expensive jewellery".

Testament you say? Knowing the whereabout of the treasury is suspicious enough. Now the will testament being stolen is not a matter to turn a blind eye on.

Jennings pondered his answer for a little, then said: "this matter shall be looked over, deliver my words to the Alphonsus family members. due to disappearance of the Will, the one to take over the Alphonsus Earl title will be decided by no one but me. We are sending one from our people to throughly investigate this issue".

"I shall do as your grace please ".

Jennings turned to face the messed up Carson, while the man kept his head down as he left the throne hall.

" gather all the details about every single family member of the Alphonsus, including their actions for the past two years ".

Carson made rather a doubtful expression, he solemnly said:" is your majesty planning in waking 'him' up?".

Jennings sighed, he took Everly from Carsons' hand, and said while walking towards the door:" the Alphonsus family possess a great influence between the nobles, this matter can not be taken lightly ".

the Alphonsus family is considered to be one of the oldest nobles families, it's origins extended from the main families that established Sitia imperial. knowing the power that the Alphonsus held upon the Empire's trade agreement, Jennings, as an Emperor, could not just half-ass the case.

he patted Everlys' head, as he spoke to her gently: "let's go get some breakfast".

Everly nodded her head a couple of times before resting her chin on Jennings's shoulder.

*****

"Okay, go ahead ". Whispered the maid 'A' to the other maid.

Maid 'B':" no, you go"

Maid 'A':" I don't want to die, why do we have to wake him up anyways?".

Maid 'B':" I heard his majesty say something like urgent matters. But it's barely afternoon, and miss Rachel isn't around ".

Maid 'A':" someone has to wake him up... just what is this urgent matter that requires him!!!".

Maid 'B':" aaaah, I am going in. Damn it".

the maid quietly opened the door, sneakily stepping inside. the room was just too dark, maid 'B' slowly approached the bed.

At that bed, Lennox laid there.

Maid 'B' hardly swallowed her nervous saliva, she bent over, causing her braid to slipp to her shoulder. she whispered in Lennoxs' ear.

"Your highness ".

nothing happened.

Her heart began beating too fast. She raised her trumbling voice a little more.

"Prince Lennox, please wake up".

He did not move, maid 'B' extended her hand towards Lennox, shaking him gently.

"Prince Lennox, please wa–".

In a blink of eye, a silver flash crossed in front of her, the maid took a step back, but her legs melted in fear. Making her fall on her buttocks and start sobbing.

Lennox sat on the bed, staring at her with a murderous glare. one of his hands held a long knife, while the other hand was tightly grabbing a bunch of golden hair.

It was the maid's braide!!!.

In a Malicious tone, Lennox spoke:" was life so unfair to you, that you came seeking death from me?".

Maid 'A' immediately ran inside and knelt in front of him. She said fearfully.

"Calm your anger, your highness. These fellow were only obeying their Emperor. His majesty is demanding your presence, he said it is an emergency".

Lennox snorted: "that old bastard said? It better be worthy ".

He stepped out of the bed and threw the braid to the maid 'B', then asked coldly: " what time is it now?".

Maid 'A':" it is already past 12 PM, your highness".

Lennox brushed his hair to the back saying: "almost time for the lunch.... tell them to bake me some cookies for a later snack".

Maid 'A': "as you wish your highness ".

After the maids closed the door, Lennox pondered at the knife in his hand for a while. Then threw it on the bed.

"I think it's going to be fun".

he already knew what the Emperor want from him, thanks to his wide information network, Lennox was able to grasp on the leatest events almost immediately. The death of McMillan, the late Earl, was something Lennox was aware of from the night before.

******

At Jennings study.

Jennings, as usual, was drowned in work. As he went through the endless reports and documents, he frequently glanced at Everly with a guilty conscience.

Watching her wear a serious expression as she sat on the ground with a bunch of papers and ink.

`I shouldn't have told her to do that, she is really thinking deeply.

After the breakfast, Everly sticked to Jennings and insisted on helping him. For Everly to help at paperwork was somehow impossible, not with this IQ level. Thus, Jennings gave her some old documents as a distraction. He thought that Everly will get bored easily and leave to play outside, but who knew that she actually took it way too seriously?!

Jennings sighed:" Evey, honey. Why don't you go play with the..... horses?".

She quickly turned her head and looked at him with blazing eyes: "no, I want to help".

He was just about to release another deep sigh, but was interrupted by the knocks on the door.

"Come in"

It was Carson, he soundlessly walked closer to the desk and bowed toward Jennings.

" the crown prince woke up as you commaned, his highness said that he would meet your majesty at the dining hall by the lunchtime".

Jennings said in a concerned tone: "anyone got hurt?".

Carson:" just one of the maids got a new hair cut. An ugly one".

Jennings massaged his forehead saying:" make sure to compensate her generously for the damages".

Carson: "as you say".