I Was Told 'No One Would Miss You,' So I Became the Empress of Another Country - Episode 19
On the day my father and I were to meet the king, I had a bad feeling from early morning.
We carefully placed the important evidence in a secure box, increased our guards, and prepared to leave the duke’s estate.
But I soon realized my bad feeling was right, shortly after stepping out of the mansion gates.
“Duke! Strange men are gathering at the back gate, waiting for the carriage to leave!”
The servant’s urgent shout filled the air with tension.
I quickly rushed to the window and looked outside.
A suspicious group was indeed gathering near the back gate.
“As expected, they made the first move. Celestia, we can’t stop here. We’ll take another route to the palace.”
Following my father’s instructions, we decided not to leave through the front gate but through a small side entrance instead.
Bringing a few guards with us, we chose to ride on horseback rather than use a carriage for safety.
We quickly prepared, and I, my father, Lydia, and several servants mounted our horses.
However, as soon as we left the duke’s territory, pursuers appeared.
A group of unknown men was trying to surround us.
“Damn it! There are too many of them…!”
The guards quickly drew their swords, forming a protective circle around us.
Inside the formation, Lydia clutched her bag tightly, her face tense.
“Celestia, I have the evidence box. I’ll protect it no matter what!”
“Lydia, it’s too dangerous!”
“It’s fine. If I don’t do this, they’ll target you instead. I’ll be a decoy and escape in another direction.”
With those words, Lydia and one of the guards rode off, drawing the enemies away.
I almost screamed after her, but now was not the time—I had to break through the enemies in front of me.
“Ugh…! Father, let’s push through together!”
Even though I wasn’t skilled, I gripped my sword, focusing more on deflecting enemy attacks than attacking.
Thanks to my father and the guards skillfully fighting, we managed to break through the enemy’s encirclement.
But Lydia was nowhere to be seen.
My father let out a short breath and scanned the area with sharp eyes.
“Lydia must be taking a longer route to the palace. She did this to keep you safe… We’ll meet her at the palace gates.”
“Yes… I just hope she’s safe.”
My heart pounded with anxiety.
The enemy was clearly after our evidence.
Could this be the work of Flora and Leon?
When we arrived at the palace, we immediately explained the situation to the guards.
We received permission to meet the king and hurried inside.
Then, the sound of galloping hooves approached.
It was Lydia and her guard, covered in dust.
“Lydia, I’m so glad you’re safe!”
“I managed to protect the evidence…! It was dangerous, but as I kept running in the opposite direction, fewer enemies chased me, and I made it to the palace.”
Lydia’s face had a few scratches, and her clothes were dirty with mud and dust.
Still, she clutched the box tightly, making my chest tighten with emotion.
“Lydia, thank you so much…”
“It’s nothing. I’d do anything to protect you.”
After catching her breath, Lydia handed the box to my father.
He nodded deeply and then gave it to me.
“Now, let’s go to the king. With this, we can expose Leon and Flora’s schemes.”
We confidently requested an audience with the king and were allowed inside.
The king had already heard about the attack on us and looked displeased.
His advisors and high-ranking nobles stood around him, creating a tense atmosphere.
“Duke, what is this ‘important evidence’ you have? I heard you were even attacked over it.”
The king’s voice was sharp with frustration.
I straightened my posture and presented the box.
“Your Majesty, please take a look. This is an exile order for me, forged with your signature by Prince Leon. It also shows that Flora used funds to support this plan.”
The king opened the box, took out the documents, and examined them with disbelief.
The surrounding officials murmured, and tension filled the room.
Flora might claim she was just a victim, and Leon would surely explode with rage.
Just then, the door opened.
Standing there was none other than Flora herself.
With tears in her eyes and a sorrowful expression, she pleaded:
“Your Majesty… Please listen to me. I was only deceived by Prince Leon! I knew nothing about this…!”
“You dare say that here?! You were the one moving those forged documents!”
My father’s voice rose in anger.
Flora knelt before the king, her voice trembling even more dramatically.
“I really didn’t know… I only followed Prince Leon’s orders! Please, believe me…!”
The king’s expression darkened.
Flora was trying to play the victim and push all the blame onto Leon.
But her act only seemed to confuse the king further.
At that moment, footsteps echoed from the hallway.
Leon stormed in, furious.
“Flora! How dare you use my name to spread lies?!”
His eyes were bloodshot, filled with rage.
Right before the king, the worst possible confrontation was about to unfold.
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