I Became the Tyrant's Servant

“Is that true?”

The Empress Dowager clenched her fist at the report brought by the maid. Her well-trimmed nails dug deep into the palm of her hand.

“Yes. The Duke of Baloa is determined to investigate, setting all other duties aside. They are making rapid progress with the cooperation of Count Linoa, who is in charge of the site of the crime, to investigate the incident.”

The head maid reported with her head down.

“I don’t think it’s a false rumor, seeing that the Count, who is already busy with the issue of his first son, is making a fuss about helping the Duke of Baloa with all his heart and soul at every cabinet meeting.”

The Empress Dowager rubbed her temples with her two fingers.

“It’s been quiet for a while, so I didn’t expect to be hit in the back of my head like this. It’s a headache.”

After a short sigh, the Empress pointed annoyedly at the chief maid.

“Is there still no news from the assassins?”

The maid bowed her head apologetically.

“We searched every way to find out the whereabouts of the assassins who failed the operation as instructed by the Empress Dowager, but unfortunately, there is no news yet.”

She already knew it, but it was the only thing that made her feel terrible.

The Empress Dowager clicked her tongue.

“I can give them as much money as they want, but it’s frustrating because there’s no way to contact them.”

The head maid didn’t look well either.

“They were originally such a discreet group, but since then, not even their shadows have been seen, as if they were swallowed by the ground or rose to the sky. I suspect that they were caught by the Duke when they tried to assassinate her. I don’t think we’re going to get a clear clue from them.”

The maid, who had no way of knowing that all the assassins were dead, had no choice but to assume the worst.

“If the Duke succeeds in identifying their background……. No matter how much I claim them to be the main culprit, I am worried that I will not be able to prevent all the damage to the Empress Dowager.”

The Empress Dowager smiled for a moment at the appearance of her loyal maid.

“No, I can’t make you take all the blame.”

The hand of the chief maid, who faced the Empress Dowager’s firm declaration that she would not cut off the tail, gained strength.

Her old decision to follow her was right, too.

She has grown up with all kinds of royalty and nobles since childhood in the royal palace in Esland, but the only one she considers a true monarch is the Empress Dowager in front of her.

Her experience in controlling the political arena, proficiency in acting, and meticulousness in achieving what she is aiming for. Each of these factors influenced her decision to follow the Empress Dowager.

In the end, she decided to sacrifice her life for the Empress Dowager who was defending her own people until the very end.

Although her attitude toward the younger ones has become cold since the Empress Dowager was betrayed by Eleanor, the former chief maid whom she cherished like a real sister, she still cherished her people.

Still, her teeth still gritted when she thought of the evil deeds that Eleanor had committed. However, whenever she thought about it, she decided to take care of the Empress Dowager.

Obviously, the Empress Dowager is the one who will lead Esland to a new golden age.

The Empress Dowager opened her mouth again to the maid who was immersed in such thoughts.

“We have to find a way to solve it.”

Then the young maid, who was only looking around, opened her mouth.

She seemed to be rolling her head to get into the eyes of the Empress Dowager because she came up with a good idea to shine excessively while pretending to be polite.

“The Duke of Baloa, who has always been a nuisance in the past, should be eliminated this time, Empress Dowager.”

The young lady-in-waiting continued to talk in a clear voice.

“There is no reason for the Duke to doubt the Empress Dowager yet, and she has maintained a positive relationship with you, and she is also close to the Concubine Janet, so we can lure her to our side and deal with her. If we just clean up the mess, no one will know.”

When the young maid smiled proudly, the chief maid almost shook her head.

As expected, the Empress Dowager clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction.

“We’ve already come to this point after using assassins who have a high risk of being traced back to me, but now you mean to put blood on my hands directly?”

When she gave a firm shout, the young maid stuttered as if embarrassed.

“Well, I think that’s the surest way…….”

The Empress Dowager raised one eyebrow.

“And if the Duke survives, there will be no way to take her away. Will you be responsible for all that?”

At that, the young maid bowed her head without saying anything.

The chief maid, who saw through the cool atmosphere, skillfully intervened.

“We have all the solid evidence, so why don’t we use it?”

The Empress Dowager immediately grasped her intentions.

“It wouldn’t be a bad idea to blame someone else for the crime.”

Then she frowned.

“But can you find the right person? If we bring in someone we don’t trust, the situation can only get more complicated.”

The head maid bowed her head.

“I happen to have the right person.”

The Empress Dowager tilted her head curiously at the sight of the head maid shining her eyes.

“Really?”

“Yes. That person has a clear motive to hire an assassin, and it wouldn’t be hard to manipulate since they are someone from the countryside.”

As if it was still difficult to be sure, the head maid bent down even deeper toward the Empress Dowager, who did not answer.

“I’ll see if that person would be useful or not.”

“Yes, I trust your judgment.”

While nodding, the Empress Dowager tapped the armrest of the sofa with her fingernails and unconsciously took her hand to her mouth.

The chief maid, who had been with her for a long time, knew, though, that she had pulled her hand just before it touched her lips. She has a habit of biting her nails whenever she’s extremely nervous.

Soon the Empress Dowager opened her mouth.

“Does Janet still get along with the Duke these days?”

The maid answered immediately.

“Yes. I left it as it was because the Empress Dowager didn’t say anything, but should we sanction it now?”

“No.”

The Empress Dowager smiled softly.

“I should invite Janet once. I think there’s a lot to ask.”

***

Thanks to Count Linoa, the rumor quickly spread.

The rumor spread that the Duke of Baloa actually held all the evidence and waited for the time to expose it. This rumor also suggested that the criminal would be punished unconditionally when the trial was held. The more widespread the rumor grew, the bigger the issue became.

As a result, my expectations increased day by day.

In particular, it reaches its peak at mealtime.

“What do you think?”

As soon as Cardan in front of me swallowed a piece of Halibut steak.

After a short pause, Cardan shook his head.

“It’s clean.”

After passing the main dish and tasting the pumpkin pie served as dessert, Cardan quickly put down his fork.

“It’s a healthier taste.”

“No, why……!”

Cardan smirked as he shook his head as I screamed at the disappointing result.

“Is it so disappointing that the food is not poisoned?”

When I saw Cardan responding casually, I stopped fussing.

“I am disappointed! I even made up evidence that I didn’t have, brought it up at every Cabinet meeting, and spread rumors here and there! At this point, isn’t it reasonable for the Empress Dowager to take the bait?”

Under stress, I absent-mindedly picked up a new fork and started eating pie.

I thought that if I pressed the Empress Dowager this much, she would succumb. But there has been no news so far.

There was no invitation either, which used to bother me regularly before.

The Empress Dowager had to make a decisive mistake for me to find out Lores’ location, so it was frustrating.

I smacked my lips.

“I was looking forward to it. How will the Empress Dowager try to get rid of me?”

Cardan looked at me with an awkward look as if I was some kind of pervert.

“You seem to enjoy assassination attempts.”

“Ahem.”

I wasn’t enjoying it, but I couldn’t refute it because I was looking forward to it this time. Cardan’s eyes narrowed as I turned my gaze away awkwardly.

“It’s because I’m frustrated! It’s frustrating!”

I tapped my chest.

“I’m not a person who stays still without any response like this. The Empress Dowager’s servants are so loyal that we can’t even plant spies. I’m sure Janet knows nothing.”

I pulled my hair out and paused.

“No way… Does the Empress Dowager already know that we’re lying?”

Cardan frowned.

“What?”

“Why is that? How can she possibly know that there is no evidence on our side?”

Though I knew it couldn’t be, my thoughts kept biting my tail.

“It’s already been a long time since the case was broken down, and according to you, there’s no way they’re able to know that we’re lying.”

“I guess so”.

I already knew it, but somehow I was relieved that Cardan told me.

“Yes. In addition, the Marquis of Sherrington also attends all the meetings that Count Linoa goes to these days, so they must be watching us closely.”

“Indeed.”

Then Cardan reached out to me. It wasn’t until he gently rubbed my forehead with his thumb that I realized I had been frowning the whole time.

“You’ll just have to wait.”

“Hmm, yes.”

Hearing his low voice calmed my impatient mind a little.

Ever since I opened my eyes here, I have had to struggle alone to survive. Because I can only trust myself.

Maybe that’s why I felt strange.

To be able to share, discuss, and rely on someone instead of worrying about it alone.

When I glanced at Cardan, his mouth curled into a soft line.

My heart beat fast for a moment.

Surprised by my heartbeat, I jumped to my feet.

“Ha ha. As expected, Your Majesty is wise.”

Unconsciously, I tried to tap him on the shoulder and paused.

“Well, I look forward to your continued support.”

I left the office after a quick good-bye.

Then I noticed it belatedly.

It’s my office, yes.

I rubbed my face in the hallway.

“Get a grip, please.”

***

As directed by the Empress Dowager, the head maid arrived at the commoner’s bar in remote frontier territory by changing horses and carriages day and night.

Thanks to secret communication in advance, the other party was out at the appointed time.

It seemed that the person secretly met her as she was wearing a hood over her so that she could not see her face.

Nevertheless, the maid’s clothes sticking out a little under the hood did not seem to be very meticulous.

After sitting in the innermost seat, the head maid held out the prepared letter.

“This is the will of the deceased. I am sorry to deliver it only now.”

“T, thank you.”

The hooded maid took the letter with trembling hands.

The hooded maid was nervous at the sight of the neat letters, butfortunately, she read the letter thoroughly without any doubt.

It was worth imitating the handwriting based on various reports that the deceased had sent during his lifetime.

Soon after, the hand of the hooded maid holding the letter began to tremble.

The shock seemed severe to the point of sobbing.

“Huheok.”

Sure enough, a violent cry broke out from the hooded maid who had finished reading the letter.

She even felt sorry for her who sobbed in silence as if she didn’t want to draw attention while shaking her body.

An angry voice slipped through her teeth.

“Grandfather…”