Chapter 432

The King’s Brother's reply and Duke Plafard's response
A few more days passed since that meeting, and it seemed preparations were steadily progressing behind the scenes.
One of Plum’s subordinates, who had been accompanying me under the pretense of guarding me, had disappeared without me noticing.
It was likely that contact had already been made with this Duke Plafard person too.
All that remained was to hear from that side and wait for the King's brother’s reply.

“Lady Lily, are you in?”

Just as I was preparing a pattern for a furisode in my room, a knock came at the door.
The voice calling from the other side was familiar—it was the maid assigned to assist me during my stay.

“Yes. Come in.”

“Excuse me. His Grace Duke Roberaud has summoned you. He requests that you come to the drawing room as soon as you are ready.”

“Understood. I’ll head there after I put away my tools.”

“Thank you. Then, I’ll take my leave.”

A summons from Duke Roberaud, huh.
I hope it’s something good.

After putting away the pattern and other tools, I made my way to the designated drawing room, where both Duke Roberaud and Marquis Vardmoi were already present and waiting.
They had what looked like a letter spread out on the table and appeared to be discussing its contents.

I had a bad feeling.

“You’ve arrived, Lily.”

“Yes. Pardon the interruption, Duke Roberaud, Marquis Vardmoi.”

“It’s fine. Sit down.”

“Thank you. So, is that letter the reply from the King's brother?”

“It is. The bastard is demanding the unconditional release of the hostages and reparations.”

Reparations?
We were the ones who were attacked!

“He claims that Vardmoi spread false information and deliberately lured his army into Vardmoi. That’s his excuse.”

“… Isn’t that a bit much?”

“They’re fully aware that excuse won’t hold up. It just shows how cornered they are.”

Hmm… That really does sound like something that King's brother would say.
Hard to believe he’s managed to govern the northern region all this time.

“So, Marquis Vardmoi, how are you planning to respond?”

“That much is obvious. We ignore the letter and march on the city where the King's brother is with the hostages in tow.”

“I figured. By the way…”

“Lily, may I interrupt for a moment?”

“Yes. What is it, Plum?”

“About Duke Plafard, was it? The secret messenger I sent to him has returned. It seems they brought a response, and I’d like to have them enter and share it with us. Is that all right?”

Oh! What timing!
Neither Duke Roberaud nor Marquis Vardmoi objected, and the messenger was to be called in immediately.
I assumed they were waiting outside the door—but apparently not.
Where could they be?

“You may come out.”

“Yes, excuse me, Lord Plum.”

“Hyah!?”

A shadow stretched from Plum, and from it emerged a woman.
I recognized her face—she was one of the guards who had come with us.
So she had a power like that, being able to come out from shadows.

“Pardon me, Your Grace Duke Roberaud, Your Excellency Marquis Vardmoi, and Lady Lily. I have returned with a personal letter from His Grace Duke Plafard.”

“Is that true!?”

“Yes. The contents were explained to me verbally as well, so I’ll summarize. Duke Plafard is currently unable to act freely, as his wife and children have been taken hostage by the King's brother. This applies not only to the duke himself, but to all the nobles who have been acting with him.”

I see—his family’s being held hostage.
That would be tough to deal with.

Duke Roberaud checked the contents of the letter and, as it turned out, the guard’s summary was expanded upon in more detail.
If this letter is to be believed, about half of the nobles aligned with the King's brother are acting under duress.
It even seems some nobles have had their families executed as a warning.

But now, our path is clear.
By rescuing the families of the nobles held by the King's brother, we can gain much more freedom in our movements.
And this time, since I’m also one of the targets, there’s no issue with lending a hand.
This just might go surprisingly smoothly, don’t you think?

What do you think about this chapter?