The Empror's Trap

Ch 47 - Royal Family Regulations:

Hmm, I should take her out somewhere when I have time. She'd been by my side for so long, and me going to meet an old friend without bringing her... that really isn't very considerate.

Thinking of this, Kenji suddenly felt completely overwhelmed with tasks.

...

In the palace.

Today Pluvia again faced stacks of memorials.

However, just as she was about to open a new document, a figure approached from outside.

Hearing the quickening footsteps drawing near, she instinctively reached for the sword at her waist.

"Your Majesty, it's me, Sonya."

The figure outside spoke.

"Enter."

Pluvia released her sword hilt as Sonya entered carrying a memorial.

"Your Majesty, this is a memorial from Duke Anos. The messenger said it's extremely important."

Sonya respectfully presented the document, which had been thoroughly sealed with wax. Evidently, Kenji didn't want anyone but Her Majesty seeing its contents.

Pluvia casually picked up a nearby knife, cut open the seal, and unfolded the memorial. The contents were crystal clear. After reading it, she drew a deep breath.

The memorial detailed Kenji's interrogation of Shenya Luin.

Yes, Kenji had conducted the interrogation, but Pluvia knew about it. Or rather, she had tacitly approved his actions.

Desperate times called for desperate measures. With both her and Kenji under scrutiny from various court factions, Pluvia couldn't overly provoke the officials' sensitivities. So she had approved Kenji's methods, and he had indeed properly reported back to her once the deed was done.

After finishing the memorial, Pluvia immediately burned it.

Such things couldn't be allowed to reach anyone else's eyes.

"Sonya, help me summon the Minister of the Imperial Family."

"As you command, your majesty."

Countless terrifying thoughts flashed through his mind - like the officials the previous emperor had permanently sidelined under the pretext of sick leave, or the political enemies forced to beg leave due to old age who truly ended up as nothing but old bones...

Seeing the fear in her uncle's eyes, Pluvia sighed deeply: "Uncle, you overthink things."

She truly wasn't concerned about his health - he was perfectly robust, no sick leave needed. But she hadn't planned to eliminate her Uncle either.

She just wanted an excuse to temporarily clear his position as Minister. Some things simply couldn't be entrusted to her uncle.

But her Uncle remained frightened. Though thinking carefully, Pluvia really had no reason to move against him. He caused no trouble, and honestly just managed internal royal family matters - no real power to speak of, so what was there to deal with?

"Your Majesty, forgive my direct words..."

"Speak."

"We are family after all," Siguo's face carried traces of fatigue and pleading. "If possible, please show some consideration."

Seeing her elder's expression, Pluvia's hand trembled slightly.

"I will handle it appropriately."

She finally replied thus.

After Siguo withdrew, Pluvia sat quietly staring blankly at the desk before her.

She had shown them consideration more than once, yet they had never shown her the same. She understood her uncle's request, but even setting aside personal feelings, from the perspective of her empire and people's future, she couldn't easily abandon what needed to be done.

This wasn't about personal grudges.

Thinking this, she picked up her brush, loaded it with thick ink, and wrote line after line on the blank paper before her.

She sealed the letter and handed it to Sonya: "Deliver this to the Chancellor's mansion."

"Yes."

Taking the letter, Sonya quickly left the palace, boarded a carriage, and sped toward the Chancellor's residence.

Meanwhile, what was Kenji doing?

He was galloping across the countryside with the beautiful Sal Kingdom envoy.