shadow's crown

"I think the best place to hear the latest news is in the tavern.

Walking down the street, she entered a crowded tavern...sitting in a corner, she ordered a glass of beer and began to listen to various gossip of the capital.

'Did you hear? Recently a commoner was found dead in an alley..

'Peasant? The one that serves Lord Demyan?

'I heard that he went to the mountains on an errand, but, unable to fulfill it, ran away...

'maybe he was kicked out?

'who knows..

'but I heard something completely different... it was said that that servant found out the secret that Lord Demyan Binor was hiding, and therefore, when he tried to hide, he was killed..

'maybe he was killed by bandits who recently appeared in the capital?

'don't they leave a mark on the bodies of their victims?

'I remember there was a similar case in our area. His name was carved on the body of the deceased...

_It's terrible, if this came all the way to the capital, then it should have reached the emperor's ears too..

'By the way, it was said that Lord Binor's mistress was also arrested..

'and what is it for?

'maybe she cheated on him with that servant?

'Then she wouldn't have been detained, this is an internal squabble...

_Lord Demyan's mistress..?isn't this Izzola?

I'll need to find out more from Hilda later.._

'And, besides, did you hear that the eldest duke died during the investigation?

'Senior Duke?

'Duke Mills?

_Mr. Argen's father?_

'yes..he is the Minister of Defense, and participated in solving the case..but due to an accident..he died..

'Does this mean that all powers will pass to his son?

'I think this will take a while

'Why?

'In order for the heir to take the place of the Duke, he must marry..

'But it's an urgent matter...

'he can investigate even as a successor... but will take over his father's post only after marriage..

'So that's it..

_I think I've learned enough..it's time to go back._

"Lady! you dropped...!

Turning around, she saw a guy holding a scarf with flowers in his hand.

He had bright golden hair and green eyes like foliage...

His thin physique was hidden by cast-offs, and his hands were rough with abrasions.

"You look sick, have you gone to the doctor?

"Excuse me? Are you talking about my pale skin? I just have this complexion, no need to pay attention..

Having given her the thing, he ran away.

'By the way, have you heard the recent news?

'which one?

'slaves and captives from other countries...were freed...

'What?! Why suddenly such mercy..

'I think something big is brewing...

_captives and slaves? I think I read something similar in my father's report...

It said..I can't remember _

"Uff, I need to go back..

Leaving the establishment, she noticed the silence and calmness of the dead street.

"It's rare to see such a sight in Miverpool.

Miverpool is the capital of the Beverdity empire, it is famous for its noisy nights and busy streets, because it is the most guarded and safe city, but recently, due to unknown attacks, residents panicked and began to wonder who was behind all the incidents..

Many died trying to uncover the truth, including the Minister of Defense, the most respected knight at the palace.

"That's right, I remembered...

_the report that I saw in my father's office, it was about those escaped criminals,

Due to an attack by bandits on a ship that was carrying prisoners, they were able to free themselves and escape, but the government decided to cover up this case and began an investigation to find all those who escaped.

The ship that carried them belongs to our family, so my father is involved in this matter... I need to find out more.

Izzola, I think she has something to do with this, since she is from Neverdia, the country from which the Captives were.._

"Beware!

Turning around, she saw a carriage rushing at full speed...

Someone grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her back...

_Who..?_

"You..?

Surprised, she continued to ask...

"That guy from the tavern..I thought you had already left..

"Oh, lady... so it's you... I was just walking and saw a horse flying at you, so I couldn't step aside.

Are you hurt?

"No, everything seems to be in place..

I have a question for you..

"Ask, but I don't think I have enough information to help you..

"You know, I think I already know the answer, thank you for saving me... I guess I'll get going...

_I don't think that a guy from the slums who somehow ended up in the capital can be clean on his hands, it's better not to get involved with anyone.._

____

"Milady!

"Mm, waaah...yes, Hilda...I asked you not to disturb...

"Stop pretending, I know that you left the palace at night..

"What how ..?!

"You thought that no one knew you by sight? You are the bride of Archduke Levendel..

Thank God you returned unharmed.. you know how worried I was waiting for you..

_That's why it was so suspicious, when returning I had no problems passing the gate..._

"You know that Miverpool has been in chaos lately, how could you go alone to such a dangerous place, and at night?!

"Okay, sorry, next time I'll ask Hans to accompany me...

"That's better..

'The adviser of the Emperor ' Leivish Trilon the third ' has arrived!

"Everyone bow down and listen to His Majesty's command.

By order of His Holiness the Third Emperor of Biverditi

Vienna Dels Edingberg will be engaged to the Duke of Levendel, and after her marriage will serve in the southern part of Beverditi as a military medical volunteer.'

_what? what kind of volunteer? at a military unit? I am not only forced into marriage, but also sent as a volunteer to the front line? Why am I being punished like this..._

'cough cough, this order will be free to take effect on the full moon of the next month'

After reading the message, the messenger looked at the girl with a look of condolences.

and added

"I wish you health, I'm taking my leave.

"God, my lady, how can it be... I'll go with you, I can't leave you alone ,to go to the front line on your own, although now we are not waging an open war with Neverdia, but skirmishes from one side to the other still appear, and I think...

"You're right, I also think that a big conflict will soon brew.

"Next month's full moon is...

"Um...in two weeks..

"Then it's time for us to go back...

" I can go back to the residence?

"yes, we agreed to stay because of the hemorrhoids in 3-4 days to come back again but..

"Since it will happen in 15 days, then it's okay... yay!

---

Returning to her house, Vienna went into her chamber and lay down on her bed, thinking about what had happened, she fell asleep...

But after some time she woke up, deciding to go out on reconnaissance again.

_I need to get more information_

Having put on a robe and leaving through the back door, she went to a large square where tourists and travelers gather.

_I need to find that guy, maybe he knows at least something _

"Young Lady!

"Yes?

She turned around and froze in surprise.

"I didn't think that I would meet you here unaccompanied, don't you know that it's dangerous here?

"You're conducting an investigation, aren't you?

"Well, yes..

She grabbed his hands and started begging

"Please, take me with you, I can be useful...!

"What happened? How are you involved in this?

_if we can solve this problem...maybe I won't be sent to the front as a credit for my help?

I really want to say this out loud, but I don't want him to know about it_

"No

"Umm, please~

"No means no, it's dangerous.

"Damn, maybe I know more than you!

"I don't think you have enough information useful to me...

"You're looking for someone...? I can help you, girls can be useful in many ways, especially in matters where disguise and cover are needed.

"This...what if you get hurt?

"This will already be under my responsibility.

"Okay, just don't go anywhere alone, especially without warning!

"Yey!

So...who are you looking for?

"First we need to find Izzola, although she was detained... but after 48 hours she was released, and she lay low somewhere...

"Izzola?

"Yes..she was a courtesan, but after she started working as a maid at Lord Binor's estate..

"Somehow ended up in his bed and then became his mistress, which is why...

"His wife divorced him and took the children...

You know her?

"Yes..

I have already met her once, I'll need to find out about her from Hilda...my Nanny.

"Okay, since you have some information, then you better not leave my side, understood?

"Okay, sir.

"Just call me Argen..I'm only 2 years older than you.

"Okay,...Argen.

What else seems suspicious to you besides Izzola's disappearance?

Maybe you met someone suspicious?

"I met a boy... who seemed very suspicious to me...

"What does he look like?

"A brunette with green eyes... he apparently escaped from the slums and is working for someone, I'm trying to find him.

"A brunette from the slums? I think I recently met a guy from there, but... he wasn't a brunette.

"I think...it's worth delving into this matter...

We have two options, either children from the streets began to flock to the capital, or these are specially hired children who decided to interfere with the case.

"I have another guess.

"Which?

"I don't think they're involved.

"Why do you think so?Any ideas?

"They may work in some organization, but I don't think they would be entrusted with such an important task.

"We just need to track them down and find out if they're accomplices or not, don't you think?

"Agree

"Where did you meet him?

"At the crossroads, in the tavern, I think he was collecting information just like me.

"But I think that he was there to make sure that the information was arranged correctly.

"In what sense?

"You know that gossips are like wildfire? One person will spill the beans and the entire secular society will hear the news.

"You mean they wanted to make a splash? But...

"I also think that this will not benefit anyone, only those who want to start a war.

"But if this was to aggravate relations between both countries... I think a third part is involved...

"You think so too? Since this war isn't beneficial for either us or Neverdia...

*Shhhhhh

A rustling sound was heard behind the bushes, after which a shadow was seen.

"Sorry, I accidentally overheard your conversation.