novelhk Chapter 40 The Instigator
Chapter 40 The Instigator
Aulet killed Bob on a whim at the wedding, and therefore had not thought about how to dispose of the body.
But since Aurelia wants to steal Bob's identity, she can't let others determine from the corpse that Bob Capello has been murdered.
Although Aurelia had already cut off Bob's face, just to be on the safe side, she chose to cut off Bob's head and throw it out of the small window of the toilet.
The direction the toilet window faces is foul-smelling, so few people pass by there, making it very unlikely to be accidentally discovered.
Afterwards, Aure left the wedding venue openly, retrieved the head, and threw it into a small canal in the city.
It is estimated that it has now flowed into the Sogo River and is drifting downstream towards its estuary.
Therefore, Aure doesn't need to worry about the captain of the Guard finding out about her for the time being.
So Aure took a sip of hot tea, nodded, and said:
"I hope Mr. Knight's investigation goes smoothly and this situation can be resolved as soon as possible."
"Who can argue with that? A lockdown of the capital would undoubtedly have a huge impact on the royal family's revenue. The last time palace officials were owed salaries was only twenty years ago, and many senior members of the cabinet still remember it vividly. I certainly don't want to experience that myself..."
As he spoke, Jonas carefully protected his meticulously groomed mustache with his fingers, then put a cookie into his mouth to prevent crumbs from getting on it.
After taking another sip of black tea to smooth down the sweet but dry food, he continued,
"However, I think this matter shouldn't be delayed for too long."
"Why do you say that?" Aurée asked.
"How can the people of the hills turn a blind eye to Count Pena's imprisonment?"
"You mean, the hills have risen in rebellion?"
"It's hard to say if they've rebelled, but at least they've assembled troops and are already stationed on the edge of the hills."
Jonas smoothed his beard.
"Although His Majesty's reasons for ordering the imprisonment of the hill nobles are legitimate, they lack concrete evidence. If the hill nobles cannot be given a reasonable explanation, no one can predict how things will develop."
Upon hearing this, Aure gained a general understanding of the current situation:
"If the captain of the guard cannot find conclusive evidence in time, or find the queen, then His Majesty must release the nobles of the hills, otherwise the hills may choose to fight to the death."
"That's it."
Jonas helplessly spread her hands.
"I heard that a total of 500 riders and more than 2,000 infantrymen were assembled, and some sources claim that the actual number is twice that."
"But without excellent generals to command, no matter how many soldiers there are, they are nothing more than a pile of loose sand."
Jonas nodded:
"That's true. The city lords of the hills are mostly imprisoned in the dungeons of Platinum Castle. However, the one currently commanding the hill army is someone we absolutely cannot underestimate."
Aure frowned: "Who is it?"
"Hubert Peyton," Jonas said, "nicknamed Loyal Dog."
It's him!
When Aurelia played Rosa, she overheard Pena talking to his vassals about loyal dogs.
If I remember correctly, the port of the loyal dog was attacked by pirates, so he personally led his ship in pursuit.
That's why the loyal dog didn't join the wedding procession, thus avoiding the fate of being imprisoned in a dark cell.
So much so that now, troops can be assembled in the hills to put pressure on the royal family.
As Aurelia was reminiscing, Jonas spoke again:
"For some reason, Loyal Dog did not come to the capital for the wedding, but this unexpected event has made the situation unpredictable. Although Loyal Dog is only a baron, I have heard of his name."
"Mr. Jonas, I've heard that you remember 100,000 coats of arms, which I'm sure includes the lords, large and small, of the kingdom."
"That's true, but I didn't specifically learn about Loyal Dog for academic reasons. In short, he's someone who can definitely cause trouble for any opponent..."
Jonas was speaking when the doors of the Heraldry were suddenly pushed open from the outside.
Aurélie and Jonas stopped their conversation and glanced toward the door.
A fit, muscular man dressed in an elegant jazz uniform walked straight into the room.
He then stood in front of the door with his hands behind his back, making his beard and the long sword at his waist even more striking.
Aurelia recognized the other person at a glance, as did Jonas.
He quickly stood up, greeted the other person, and bowed in greeting:
"Oh! Your Highness, your sudden arrival is truly awe-inspiring!"
Aurée also bowed.
This man was none other than the king's eldest son, Mitchell Sinclair.
Mitchell glanced disdainfully at Aurelia and Jonas, then turned to look at the small round table where the two had just been talking.
He walked over, sat down generously in the empty seat, and then picked up a cookie and began to chew it heartily.
"Give me a strong cup of black tea..."
As Mitchell spoke, food crumbs kept spraying from his lips.
Upon hearing this, Jonas went to make tea, while Aurelia came to Mitchell's side and introduced herself.
Since Aurelia also intends to assassinate Mitchell, then getting closer to her would be a good move.
However, Mitchell seemed uninterested in Aure's current identity and simply ordered her to sit back in her previous seat.
A short while later, Jonas brought over the tea:
"Your Highness, here is your tea."
"Sit down, Jonas."
Mitchell picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then said,
"You need a maid here, Jonas. You're a high-ranking official in the court, why do you still need to make your own tea? Besides, a pretty maid can bring you a different kind of pleasure in your spare time."
Jonas smiled politely:
"As everyone knows, maids are the most dishonest people in the world, and the intelligence and knowledge stored here are all worth a fortune."
Mitchell didn't dwell on the matter; instead, he asked:
"What about the others in the Heraldry Academy? I remember you had two Heraldry officers and four Heraldry attendants under your command."
"They've all been dispatched, Your Highness. As you know, the Heraldry is always busy."
"But they're all trivial things," Mitchell said dismissively, "just busywork with no real meaning."
"Perhaps, Your Highness," Jonas nodded. "So, Your Highness, is there something important you wish to discuss with me?"
Upon hearing Jonas's question, Mitchell sighed:
"Alas, my father has been quite depressed lately. As his son, how can I not care? I know he is angry about the disappearance of his new wife, so I gave him an excellent suggestion."
"A suggestion? An excellent one?" Jonas looked puzzled.
"Yes, I propose a sword duel with the prisoners. If they lose, they must confess the truth; if they win, they will regain their freedom. I cannot lose. With God as my witness, they will have no choice but to tell the truth."
Jonas laughed: "If God truly punishes those who break their oaths, at least half the world's population would die on the spot."
And your father will be even more despicable, Aurelius thought, he is the most shameful oath-breaker in the world!
Mitchell's cheeks flushed red upon hearing this, and he stuffed several more cookies into his mouth.
"I admit my idea was a bit hasty, and my father criticized me for the same thing. Afterwards, he examined the family crests of the nobles I had imprisoned in the dungeon. All I knew was the emerald hills of the Montero family. Then my father gave me a severe scolding and ordered me to come here to catch up on my studies..."
"I see," Jonas nodded. "Please wait a moment, Your Highness, I will go and fetch you the latest heraldic encyclopedia."
A moment later, Jonas brought in a thick book and placed it in front of Mitchell:
"Your Highness, would you like to see it yourself, or would you like me to explain it to you?"
"I can read, I can read it myself."
Mitchell said impatiently, then flipped through the pages carelessly.
Then he slumped into the chair and complained:
My father looks down on me completely.
"Your Highness, you are the king's eldest son and the heir to the Kingdom of Judian. You shouldn't say such things!" Jonas said, frowning.
"I'm not making this up. My younger brother is far more talented than I am at drawing and writing. Father always smiles especially happily when he sees him. But shouldn't men be more inclined to wield swords, ride horses, and shoot arrows?"
Jonas shook his head and patiently advised:
"But this is the Kingdom of Great Scriptures. The King of Scriptures established this nation upon the foundation of the divinely bestowed Great Scriptures. The Sinclair family crest is like an open book. Your Highness, your bloodline is inseparable from knowledge and books!"
"But not all Sinclairs,"
Mitchell slammed his hand on the table, causing the liquid in his teacup to spill, and stood up excitedly.
"I'm not! I am absolutely the strongest warrior in the history of my family. I have even mastered martial arts, a power that only the elite among knights can wield!"
Having overheard this, Aurelia gained a general understanding of what kind of person Mitchell was.
He doesn't understand the atmosphere of reading, can't analyze the situation, yet is highly arrogant.
If Mitchell wasn't just boasting, this man's martial arts skills must be extraordinary.
For Aurelia to think that she, a weak woman, would dare to assassinate Mitchell is somewhat overestimating her abilities.
But killing doesn't necessarily require a knife, and Mitchell seems to be an easily controlled and manipulated person.
After only a moment's thought, a revenge plan had already formed in Aure's mind.
"Oh! That's a real shame, Your Highness," said Aurelia with a sorrowful tone.
Upon hearing this, Mitchell's eyes lit up, and he smiled:
"Right! What did you say your name was again? Ben?"
"Bob, Bob Capello, son of Robin Capello, is now the lord of the Lines Plateau and has been granted the title of Earl by His Majesty."
"So that's how it is, the bloodline of the Crimson Forest!"
Aurée nodded, and then continued:
"Your Highness, I believe that martial arts are not useless; it's just that you haven't encountered a place where you can fully utilize your talents."
"Of course I know that!"
Mitchell said with a frustrated look,
"War brings glory, but the most recent war was three years ago, and I missed it because of my wedding. My talents have been buried ever since."
"The most recent battle? Three years ago?" Aurelia feigned surprise. "Your Highness, don't you know?"
Mitchell shuddered and asked in return:
"What do you mean?"
"Now, in the Montero Hills, troops have been amassed at the border to rescue their imprisoned lord; war is imminent!"
Mitchell looked at Jonas: "Is that really true?"
"Yes..." Jonas answered hesitantly, "but, however, it's just a demonstration for now. War may not break out, and there's still room to utilize peace..."
Aure interrupted immediately:
"Your Highness! Now is the perfect opportunity. If you can persuade His Majesty to let you lead the army into battle and suppress the rebels, with your illustrious achievements, His Majesty... no! The entire kingdom will look at you with new eyes and sing your praises!"
Mitchell's eyes lit up, but a hint of hesitation remained.
"But...can we really win?"
"Rest assured, how could a small hill possibly rival an entire kingdom?"
Auley said,
"Furthermore, I will certainly lend Your Highness a hand. It was through my military exploits in the battle three years ago that I obtained my current title and control of the plateau!"
Then Mitchell burst out laughing.
Jonas, however, looked at Aurelia with a puzzled expression.
He clearly didn't understand why Aurelia would say those things.
Aure had no other reason than to want Mitchell dead.
If the loyal dog were truly as shrewd as rumored, Mitchell, with his shortsightedness, lack of foresight, and blind arrogance, would not have been able to defeat his opponent.
Moreover, Aure will also follow the army and secretly sabotage them.
Wang Jun is bound to be defeated, and there is a high probability that Mitchell will be killed in battle or captured.
Even if she were captured, it would be much easier for Aurelia to kill Mitchell than it is now.
Aure tried her best to control her expression so as not to burst out laughing.
Those who fear killing cannot seek revenge.
I am no longer afraid of killing.
Aurée thought to herself,
Now they're even going so far as to instigate war!