The Empror's Trap-Chapter 42: Ch - Undercurrents

"Uheya, I know you’re desperate to save your country. Your people, the Sal people, they can’t leave those fertile grasslands. But I must be clear: this must be implemented, unless you choose to formally go to war with us."

He leaned back in his chair.

"At the negotiating table, there are no personal feelings, Your Highness."

"I understand completely."

Uheya’s smile turned bitter.

This attack... if it had been her father, he would never have acted so rashly. The king, at least, possessed some rationality in these matters. But her brother? While he inherited their father’s boldness and determination, he lacked the old man’s capability.

This raid was essentially just chest-thumping—trying to prove himself and establish authority among the tribes. The idiot hadn’t considered the geopolitical implications at all.

So here she was, with the bare minimum goal of securing peace at the lowest possible cost.

"I just hoped for your help, though I was prepared for the possibility that it wouldn’t come."

"True, but you’re not happy about it," Kenji said calmly. "I’m sorry I can’t offer more assistance. If there are any personal requests in the coming days, I’ll try to help where I can. Her Majesty has been good to me, so as long as the requests aren’t too outrageous, I might be able to do something on a personal level..."

"No need. I’m not in the mood. But thank you." Uheya looked exhausted. From Kenji’s perspective, she must have prepared extensively for this diplomatic mission, desperately trying to minimize the price her country would have to pay.

As a friend, Kenji’s heart ached for her.

But as the Duke Anos of Camelot? The Sal Kingdom’s current predicament was entirely self-inflicted.

"After dinner tonight, could you spare me some time?"

Uheya put a piece of meat in her mouth. The venison, despite its exquisite preparation, might as well have been sawdust. Her mouth felt numb, mechanically chewing without tasting anything.

"Sorry, let’s wait until this whole situation is resolved," Kenji scratched his head awkwardly. "I have a lot of work right now. Domestic affairs, military matters—I need to handle it all, so I don’t have time..."

"I understand. We’ll catch up once this is over." Uheya nodded comprehendingly.

His refusal seemed perfectly normal to her. After all, she knew well that someone in Kenji’s position already had their hands full with daily responsibilities, not to mention various social obligations and hosting duties.

No time to spare? Completely understandable.

After their chat, at her command, the other delegation members returned to the table. They finished their meal, and both parties concluded the banquet with the usual pleasantries.

Kenji breathed a sigh of relief as he quickly hopped into his carriage.

Lina smoothly jumped onto the driver’s seat, and with a crisp call, the carriage soon vanished into the night.

...

"How did it go?"

Pluvia lounged across her desk, inquiring.

She’d already reviewed most of the memorials and handled several cases. During this brief respite, she finally had time to speak with her loyal minister.

"Your subject believes Uheya has no connection to the traitors within our nation. In fact, she may be completely unaware of the matter," Kenji reported.

Truth be told, Pluvia could have made time to host the banquet herself. But she knew that as emperor, her presence would have made the other party far too formal—not conducive to gathering information.

Kenji was different. Since the two already knew each other, why not let him test the waters and confirm whether their desire for peace was genuine?

So from the beginning, Uheya had been under Kenji’s surveillance.

"Your reasoning?"

"Uheya isn’t a core figure in the Sal Dynasty, Your Majesty," he explained his logic. "She’s just being used as a scapegoat to sign the agreement at this critical moment. To be precise, she has no real power, let alone the ability to contact domestic traitors."

"Indeed."

Pluvia massaged her temples, feeling a headache coming on.

Kenji had been too efficient this time—Pluvia felt overwhelmed by all the information he’d provided. Intelligence, related news, details from every angle.

Like this tidbit that Uheya had inadvertently revealed.

While Uheya hadn’t said much directly, it wasn’t a complete waste. At least Kenji could determine that she wasn’t the one collaborating with Camelot’s band of traitors.

That being the case, they needed to consider another angle.

"Your Majesty, your subject suggests keeping a close eye on Uheya’s situation at this time."

Hearing his suggestion, Pluvia nodded.

Yes, Uheya hadn’t colluded with Camelot’s internal officials. But that didn’t mean those officials would behave themselves.

For example, imagine you’re someone paid handsomely by a foreign power to cause trouble domestically.

After completing a series of tasks, you receive your payment—but it’s far less than promised. That would be hard to swallow.

And the people who promised you riches keep stalling.

What would you do?

After this, those ministers and other individuals of special status would inevitably try to contact the Sal princess, to discuss their next assignments.

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Even though the princess knew nothing about it.

And then? Kenji could have people watch her. Just see who gets close to her, and the judgment becomes simple.

"Approved. Handle this matter delicately—don’t mess it up. The more covert, the better. I don’t want any additional diplomatic incidents."

"Understood, Your Majesty. Your subject will handle this matter with care."

Kenji took his leave.

After finishing the day’s work, Kenji returned to his warm home. In the study, his sister was drawing. Peering through the window, he could see how engrossed she was in her work.

After some consideration, he decided not to disturb her and headed straight to his own study.

At that moment, Lina beside him let out a relieved sigh. "Phew, finally got everything done today."

She was exhausted. She’d had to maintain an elegant appearance beside Kenji all day, starting from when they received the delegation. She’d worked hard to appear graceful, determined not to embarrass Kenji.

And she hadn’t embarrassed him—the only problem was that staying composed for an entire day had nearly done her in.