Chapter 49
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Shadows of Suspicion
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After dinner, I gathered all my bitches and guards.
To confide my thoughts to them.
"So, you're saying the Countess seems suspicious?"
Ekyon asked on behalf of the group.
She had lowered her voice to the absolute minimum, just in case someone outside might overhear.
"Yeah. It's just a hunch, so keep it in mind but act normally."
"Understood. If Your Highness senses something off, there must be some shady corner to it, so we'll stay cautious."
Antiope and Aktaion, who had been listening silently, nodded as well.
They seemed to firmly believe my intuition was as good as hard evidence.
'This is starting to feel cultish.'
I swallowed dryly without realizing it.
I appreciated their faith, but it was a bit burdensome.
"Thanks. So, Aktaion, I might need you to put in some extra effort."
"You want me to tail her secretly and keep watch?"
"Yeah. I can track her movements during the day, so handle the nights. You won't get much sleep, so it'll be rough."
"It's just surveillance, not assassination, so it's fine. I've gone without sleep for long stretches before anyway."
Aktaion replied with a nonchalant expression.
It wasn't brimming with overconfidence, which made her all the more reliable.
"Thanks. Start tonight. You know the location, right?"
"Got it. Heading out now."
The moment Aktaion said she was going, she vanished with her invisibility skill.
There was no presence, not even the sound of footsteps.
"If you two see or hear anything, let me know. I'll keep it in mind."
"Yes."
They nodded, then exchanged glances, seeming hesitant.
Was there more they wanted to say?
"Something else on your minds? Speak freely."
Once I opened the floor, Antiope jumped in as if she'd been waiting.
"Your Highness. If even you find the Countess suspicious, don't you think the imperial family here might feel the same?"
"Huh?"
I nodded instinctively.
It was a perfectly reasonable point.
"You're right. That's possible."
"Then they might have found clues Your Highness hasn't, so why not ask?"
"Good idea."
I nodded and stood up.
No time like the present to go see her.
"I'll go alone, so you two rest. Rest when you can."
"We're grateful for the consideration, but you should take one of us."
Antiope shot me a worried glance.
She seemed uneasy even with Sister Castor around.
"Fine, then. Antiope comes with me tonight. Aktaion's on surveillance, so Ekyon, you'll handle night guard tomorrow. We rotate daily."
"Yes, understood."
With the plan settled, I left the room with the two women.
Ekyon headed to the room next door.
Antiope and I went to the side chamber where Castor was staying.
"Your Highness."
Upon arrival, a servant girl standing by the door bowed hastily.
She was the on-duty servant, ready to come running at a moment's notice.
There had been one like her by my door too, but I'd left her be.
I knew the way; no need to drag her along.
"Is Sister inside?"
"Yes. I'll inform her right away."
The servant turned slowly and knocked carefully on the door.
"Excuse me. His Highness the Crown Prince is here."
"Is that so? Come in."
A response came immediately from inside.
It felt like she'd been waiting for us.
"Please, go ahead."
"Thanks."
I passed the servant, who had politely opened the door, and entered the room.
It was night, but the moonlight was bright enough to clearly see the room and Castor's face.
"You're here. Sit first."
"Yes."
Antiope and I sat on the long sofa Castor indicated.
Castor took a seat in a black armchair.
Her expression was stern, but her eyes were soft.
Her body was slightly leaned toward me, hinting at her fondness.
"Sorry for visiting so late."
"It's fine. So, what brings you here? Or is it nothing in particular?"
Castor asked while looking straight into my eyes.
It seemed like urging at first glance, but she made it clear even idle chat was welcome.
"I wanted to say hello again and ask something."
"Speak freely."
"Yes. What do you think of the Countess?"
At my question, Castor's eyes sparkled.
My guess had been right; as imperial kin, she disliked small talk.
"Asking that means you've sensed something fishy about her too."
"Yes. From what you're saying, you felt uneasy about her as well?"
"The type that's unsettling to keep close. Plenty of two-faced people out there, but hers runs deep."
Castor frowned and shook her head.
I didn't quite grasp "runs deep," but I got the gist.
"Then, have you...?"
"Wondering if I've dug into her background? Of course I have, but not a single suspicious move."
"Not a single one?"
My eyes widened involuntarily.
It was too strange that even her personal investigation turned up nothing.
"None at all. No secret meetings, no signs of passing anything along. Tea parties, walks, outings—all perfectly normal."
"I see."
My gut screamed suspicion, yet her actions were impeccable.
Normally, I'd conclude I was overthinking it.
But if fellow imperial kin felt the same, it changed things.
She might be using undetectable methods or had prepared in advance.
"Is that why you came?"
"Yes. I thought you might have some leads."
"Reasonable thinking. Sorry I couldn't help."
"No, you're busy with the plague."
Investigations, controls, treatments...
Plague response alone kept her swamped, so the Countess matter would take a backseat.
"Thanks for understanding. Still, I'm keeping watch, so I won't be caught off guard if something happens."
"Yes. I'll look into it as much as I can, so don't worry. That's what I came to say."
"Confirming we're on the same page means you're taking over. Reliable as ever."
A soft smile touched Castor's lips.
No sarcasm—just genuine gratitude.
"Glad to help even a little. That's all from me... Anything you want to say?"
"Something to say..."
Castor trailed off, arms crossed.
She was stalling, so there must be something.
"Personal question, but are you steadily sowing your seed?"
What the—? The out-of-left-field question hit like a brick to the back of the head.
Even Antiope blushed and bowed her head.
Memories of mating must have flashed back.
"Pardon? Ah, yes."
My head reeled, but I answered honestly.
It was just startling, not embarrassing.
"Good. Spreading your seed widely benefits Ion. When you find a bitch you like, sow it freely and get her pregnant."
"Won't that make me seem too promiscuous?"
"Not at all. Embrace virgins or married women with child—anyone you want. You're in a position to do so."
Whoa... seriously.
I never imagined encouragement more aggressive than Mother's.
"Yes, Sister. I'll do my best."
"Mm. But sowing or not is entirely up to you. I'm not forcing it—don't overdo it."
I nodded with an awkward smile.
Nothing left to say.
"Any among the women you've embraced who have quickened yet?"
"Not yet. Thinking of making babies after the pilgrimage ends."
Baby-making starts post-pilgrimage.
Contraception mandatory until then.
"Sound judgment."
Castor nodded readily, easing my mind with her agreement.
"That's all from me. Grandma and I will handle the plague, so you focus on your tasks."
"I'll help too."
"Not desperate enough for your help yet. With the Countess suspicious anyway, prioritize that."
I paused briefly, then nodded.
I'd wanted to assist, but now refusal felt impossible.
"Yes. But call if you need me—my Unique Magic can heal."
"Right, that's true. No one will die from the plague with you around."
Hope flickered in Castor's eyes.
She knew of my Unique Magic, even without knowing the faces involved.
"So, don't hesitate to ask."
"Thanks. It'll be a big help."
"Yes, then I'll take my leave. Good night."
I bowed politely and stepped out.
No leads gained, but the talk wasn't fruitless.
Assumption: Countess has some hidden means.
Castor's favor up.
Decent gains.
"Your Highness."
As we walked the corridor, Antiope spoke.
Her earlier blush had faded.
"Hm? What?"
"Will this take longer than expected, or wrap up quickly?"
"Good question. Months of watching and no leads—super suspicious. She must be good at dodging eyes."
Small surveillance teams in plague zones, but manpower shortages.
Impossible to cover without gaps.
Plus, the villages we passed said the plague started there first...
Headache all around.
"Fine not getting involved in the plague?"
"Sister says it's okay, so I'll watch."
I cut the talk short and hurried down the corridor.
Even if minor, I'd dig into the Countess first.
Got to shake off this unease.
'Ah, sleepy.'
Late into the dawn.
Aktaion yawned silently, leaning against the wall.
Current spot: the Count's bedroom.
Monitoring the Countess, with the Count's movements as a bonus.
Invisibility active. Presence fully suppressed.
Unless as sharp as Ion imperial kin, impossible to notice.
Even seasoned mages or warriors might sense something off...
But pinpointing her? No chance.
Above all, the Count and his wife weren't skilled.
Just a bit better than commoners.
'Let's go.'
Aktaion slipped through the pre-opened window to the balcony.
Leaped balcony to balcony, back to her room.
"You're back?"
Antiope, lying in bed, greeted her.
Her gaze locked precisely on Aktaion.
"Good work. Any results?"
Even Ekyon, rising from bed behind her, detected Aktaion perfectly.
Her senses sharpened from guard duty.
'Unbelievable.'
Aktaion chuckled incredulously as she dropped invisibility.
Women as sharp as imperial kin were intimidating, yet reassuring.
"Yeah. Not asleep?"
"No, the breeze woke me. You must be tired—lie down and sleep."
Ekyon rubbed her eyes and patted the bed.
The massive bed had room for three side by side.
Three days in.
Too early for slip-ups, but zero leads was excessive.
'Is she really suspicious?'
Aktaion tilted her head while undressing.
Loyal to Niu, but not blindly so—doubts crept in.
"No leads today either. Is there really something?"
"If His Highness says so, there is."
"Exactly. Even if it's just hairy ass cheeks, something's there."
Ekyon and Antiope showed absolute faith.
Attitudes worthy of the term loyal hounds.
'Unbelievable.'
Will I end up like that?
Aktaion shuddered at the thought of her future.
"Still, three days with nothing is an issue."
Antiope sighed, eyes gleaming.
She had an idea.
Aktaion sensed it too, folding her clothes as she asked.
"Got a plan?"
"Yes. If not, we'll pry her pussy open by force to find out. Sorry, but could you put your clothes back on?"
Antiope rubbed her eyes and stood.
Time to test the plan she'd brainstormed with Ekyon.
"Huh? Oh, sure."
Aktaion nodded in bewilderment.
The crude phrasing rivaled street thugs, leaving her head spinning.