CHAPTER 76: LOYAL ALLY

No matter how you look at it, salvation in this situation came to me completely unexpectedly.

Yes, I definitely did not think that I would ever experience such joy upon hearing about the upcoming conversation with the emperor.

Usually, such news was a cause for excitement, if not panic, for me. But right now, after everything that had happened, the chamberlain’s words sounded like a breath of fresh air to me.

When we left the banquet hall, the music continued to play, but now it seemed so distant and muffled. We left the hall and entered a long corridor lit by crystal lamps. Every step on the marble floor echoed in the silence.

The chamberlain walked slightly ahead, without turning around, and I, looking at his back, tried to imagine what kind of conversation awaited me with the emperor. However, I should have guessed this from the very beginning. There weren’t that many options.

Finally, we approached tall doors decorated with gold ornamentation. The chamberlain knocked briefly, and the doors opened almost silently.

Inside was a small, cozy but luxurious lounge with soft velvet-covered sofas, low tables with crystal decanters, and paintings of the imperial family on the walls.

It was not far from the banquet hall and served as a place for members of the imperial family to relax during banquets and other similar events.

Normally, no one except members of the imperial family was allowed to enter. So I should have considered it an honor to be here — a place where even most courtiers were not allowed to enter.

I hesitated for a moment, but then took a step forward.

When I entered the room, I immediately saw the emperor sitting in a chair by the window, looking at the night garden through the glass.

Cedric de Stone.

Blue eyes, soft features, golden hair touched with gray — at first glance, he looked like a good-natured, almost harmless man. It seemed that sitting in front of me was not the ruler of a vast empire, but simply a kind old man.

However, I was one of the few who knew that behind this outward gentleness lay an iron will and a calculating mind.

When I entered, the emperor looked away from the window and looked at me.

"Lady Weinstein," he said in a low, calm voice. "Come closer."

I curtsied.

"Your Majesty."

"Are you surprised that I summoned you?" There was a slight irony in his voice, as if he already knew my answer.

"I confess... yes," I replied honestly. "I did not think I would be granted such an honor."

The emperor smiled slightly, though there was no particular warmth in his smile.

"Tell me, Lady Weinstein... what do you think of this evening?"

I slowly approached him.

"It was... a magnificent event, Your Majesty," I said cautiously.

"I have no doubt," he chuckled softly. "It seems you really enjoyed yourself in the company of Lord Dickens Jr."

I felt a little embarrassed when the emperor mentioned this. Of course, he was also in the banquet hall at the time and probably watched us dance along with the other guests.

In fact, the emperor had long considered my relationship with the Dickens family rather suspicious, so I didn’t want to add fuel to the fire.

After all, he might have had different thoughts when he saw me with the new hero of the empire who had won the recent war.

So I was about to open my mouth to assure the emperor that it was just a coincidence and that I really had nothing to do with Roger’s sudden decision.

And yet...

"Your Majesty, I..." I began, but he suddenly raised his hand, interrupting me.

"You don’t need to explain," the emperor said calmly. "That’s not why I summoned you."

"Then..." I asked cautiously.

His eyes narrowed, and his voice took on a steely tone.

"I haven’t asked you about this in a long time. How is the investigation progressing?"

I cleared my throat.

Well, it was no surprise that the emperor brought up this particular topic. After all, that was the ultimate goal of our relationship.

"Your Majesty, I am still working on the case."

A shadow of irritation flashed across Cedric’s face.

"You’ve been saying the same thing for the last three years," his voice grew colder. "Why haven’t I seen any results yet?"

I clenched my hands into fists, hiding them under the hem of my dress.

"I’m trying my best, but it’s not that simple."

"Not that simple?" He smiled bitterly. "My patience is not infinite, Lady Weinstein. Or do you think that the kidnapping of my daughter is a matter that can be taken lightly?"

These words hit me like a blow that took my breath away. I remained silent, carefully choosing my words so as not to make a mistake.

"I understand your concern, Your Majesty," I finally managed to say. "And I swear I’m doing everything I can."

The emperor leaned forward, gripping the armrests of his chair so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

"Everything you can? And what is the result? Do you have any evidence?"

I took a sharp breath.

"I think I’ve found a lead on the enemy," I said slowly. "But I can’t be completely sure yet."

A fire flared in the emperor’s eyes.

"What?" His voice was low and sharp. "You found him?"

"Perhaps," I replied, trying not to let the slight excitement in my voice betray me. "I think I’ve found a man who fits the description of the current head of the Order of the Shadow."

Silence hung in the room. The ruler of the empire looked at me as if he were trying to read my soul at that moment.

"And who is he?" he finally asked, his voice tinged with impatience.

"I... can’t tell you that yet," I said quietly.

The emperor’s eyes flashed coldly.

"You can’t? And why not?!"

"The fact is, the investigation is not yet complete. I don’t have enough evidence to say for sure. If we rush to accuse someone who may be innocent, we risk not only making an irreparable mistake, but also scaring off the real criminal. Then he will go into hiding even deeper, and it will be much more difficult to find him."

"So what is your plan?" he finally asked, struggling to remain calm.

I straightened up, gathering all the composure I could muster.

"Your Majesty, you can rest assured that I will do everything in my power to achieve justice. I will uncover the truth and bring Her Highness back. But for now, allow me to proceed with caution. I will tell you my plan as soon as I am completely confident in its reliability. Please... trust me."

My words hung in the air, and I held my breath.

The emperor took a deep breath, then exhaled loudly. Something like fatigue mixed with despair flashed in his eyes — a father who had not slept properly for many years, tormented by fear for his daughter.

He ran his hand over his face, his golden hair slightly tousled, and for a moment Cedric de Stone seemed even older than his years.

"Lady Weinstein," he said slowly, "you really shouldn’t test my patience. You know the only thing I want is to get my daughter back safe and sound. Nothing else matters. And if you fail..."

His voice trailed off, but the threat was clearer than any words could have made it.

I braced myself, but replied firmly:

"That won’t happen." I held his intense gaze. "This time, I’m more confident than ever. Her Highness will be able to return home very soon."

An awkward pause hung between us. The emperor’s blue eyes stared intently at me, and I couldn’t tell if he really saw me as an ally or just a pawn that could be sacrificed for his own ends.

Nevertheless, I knew for sure that the emperor’s trust was not something to be trifled with. For my own well-being, I had to avoid provoking him unnecessarily.

So, I just took a deep breath and continued to play the role I had already learned well:

"The Weinstein family has always been and remains a loyal ally of the imperial family. His Majesty can be sure of our loyalty. I will not back down until I see this matter through to the end."

The emperor leaned back in his chair, and the expression on his face softened slightly. But only slightly. He nodded as if accepting my words, but his eyes remained wary.

"Loyalty..." he repeated thoughtfully. "Very well. I will give you a little more time. But keep in mind, Lady Weinstein: the last thing you need is to disappoint me."

I bowed my head in a curtsy, feeling cold sweat running down my back.

"I will not let you down, Your Majesty."

And although I spoke these words with confidence, deep down I could only dream of the day when I would finally no longer have to walk this fine line.