Chapter 37

The Justice Affairs Department, is an organization created by the imperial family. It has five branches, with each being located in the South, North, West, East respectively, with the major office located in the capital.

Each branch is headed by a Director, who is chosen and appointed by the Empress, on the consultation of the Emperor and his council.

In the South here, the organization's director was none other than Duchess Belv, wife to Duke Belv and birth mother of Ronald.

It has been a few years since I'd last seen her. It was probably around the time I got engaged to Ronald. Over five years had passed, yet she looked the exact same way as she had before. Her imposing stature made her recognizable, even from a mile away.

From the way her eyebrows furrowed, you could tell she was annoyed with my disruption, and even more so, with the way I addressed her.

"It's Director here, Lady Deor." Looking at me distastefully, she asserted her title, which in turn, made me chuckle knowingly.

Taking a step forward, I stood right beside Duchess Belv. Harper fell in line beside me, while shooting glares at the guard who looked defeated.

Smiling up at the tall duchess, I said, "It's quite disappointing that the service here is poor. How can this organization provide justice, when the workers can barely show respect?"

I eyed the black-haired guard meaningfully, ensuring he knew I wouldn't forget his earlier defiance. "Anyways, shall we go in and have an important discussion, my good director?"

Duchess Belv's piercing gaze narrowed, but she nodded curtly. "Follow me, Lady Deor." Her voice was laced with a bit of annoyance.

As I entered her office, I was met with the opulent decor. The room was adorned with lavish furnishings, and the scent of expensive perfume wafted through the air. A stunning portrait of the Duchess and a young Ronald, hung prominently behind her desk.

The Duchess gestured for me to take a seat, her movements elegant and controlled. I obliged, settling into the plush chair as Harper remained standing, her eyes fixed on the Duchess.

"Please, Lady Deor, state your business," Duchess Belv said, her tone firm and bored. "If it's a bribe to stop the investigation on the Adrianna Deor Foundation, then you're wasting your time."

Hearing that, I clasped my hands gently. "We have barely exchanged pleasantries, Duchess, yet you already hurry off to business."

"Lady Deor, I think I've stated clearly that I'm not 'Duchess' but 'Director." The frown which she'd been wearing since, seemed to deepen. She stared stared straight at me without flickering for a moment, and said. "Now, what do you want?"

It was obvious she was not in the mood for any round about talks, and I also wanted to wrap things up quickly.

"Some false allegations have been piled up against my Adrianna Deor Foundation" I said, facing her with my arms folded.

At the back of my mind, I felt anger towards whoever was behind this. What was more, the person felt like a powerful being for two reasons. One, they had the stricter director of the Justice Affairs Department doing their bidding. Two, they knew my secret identity as the owner of Wine. It was know coincidence my charity foundation and my secret business were simultaneously attacked.

What I wondered now was if the duchess also knew my identity as the owner or if she was just a puppet controlled by someone more powerful.

The only powerful enemies I had were my father and Duke Belv. Or could there be more?

The duchess' words pulled me out of my thoughts. "False allegations, you say? I've received reports of embezzlement, mismanagement of funds, and questionable associations. Tell me, Lady Deor, what makes you think these allegations are false?"

I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. "With all due respect, Director Belv, those reports are nothing but fabrications. My foundation has been transparent in its dealings, and we've worked tirelessly to provide aid to those in need. I'm willing to provide any documentation, any evidence you require to clear our name."

The Duchess leaned back in her chair, steepling her fingers together. "I'm afraid it's not that simple, Lady Deor. The allegations have already been made public, and the people demand justice."

Justice? I was being denied justice because my organization was completely innocent of all the charges, but my reputation was being dragged through the mud!

At the wedding event I hadn't taken the time to socialize with others, but according to Henry a lot of nobles were eating up the news. Labelling me as a 'greedy and vicious woman'.

I was one, but I didn't need the whole of high society knowing it yet, and moreso for such a reason like stealing donations meant for the less privileged!

A surge of frustration coursed within me, but I kept my tone even. "I understand the need for an investigation, but what doesn't make sense in shutting down its operation."

This was my major issue. When an organization was closed down it means it's involved in some very heinous crimes. Such a scandal would affect me and would hinder my plans to ascend as a Crown Princess and eventually Empress.

The Duchess didn't seem to care for any of my qualms, and spoke with an expression that remained unreadable. "Lady Deor, if your organization continues with its operation I'm afraid it may try to cover its dirt. In the meantime, it must be closed down"

"Oh really?" I had run out of patience and longed to throw something at the Duchess, to make her change the decision. But I had to continue using my words. "It almost seems like you have a personal issue with my foundation. Care to share anything, Director?"

The duchess looked straight at me. A short moment of silence followed, before she spoke up defensively. "There's no such thing, Lady Deor. Even if there was, I do well to separate any personal sentiment, from my duty."

***
Though I anticipated it, I still felt slightly irritated by the duchess' uncooperative nature, as I went back home.

The first person who came out to receive I and Harper was Henry, who was about to go out on an errand I'd sent him on.

He handed over the documents I told him to acquire, saying. "Sir Nathaniel brought them over while you were out."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised. "He brought them, here?" I asked emphasizing the fact that this was the Deor mansion.

Henry nodded. "Yes. He waited at the gates requesting to see me. Oddly enough, the knight seems to know just how precisely things are done here." Henry easily addressed Nathan as an ordinary knight, because that's what I had made him and Harper to believe.

Ignoring his comment, I took the bundle of documents and went upstairs to my room. When I arrived, I opened and read through the papers, then a smirk appeared on my face.

While I was concentrated and reading through, Harper came with a glass and a bottle of wine, then poured the red liquid into the glass for me.

'How impressive Nathan. Getting your hands on this information my organisation couldn't'

Making sure there were extra copies of this information, I nodded with satisfaction and stretched my hand towards the wine on the table. Slowly swirling the glass, I then took a sip, ecstatic that my plans would not be affected in any way.

'Duchess Belv you'll beg me on your knees with this'

***
At the same time, at the commoner's town square....

A man in a white robe was discreetly dropped on the road by a red carriage. He'd been given a glistening white robe sewn from the best material, and his skin treated from any wounds.

The coach man whispered to the man as he descended. "Hey priest. You'll do well to carry out the lady's orders effectively."

The priest who was scared the bone hastily nodded. The instructions given to him were simple and would lead him to his safety. Therefore, he would carry out this task of his with much fervour.

The carriage moved away to a slight distance and parked. The mysterious group probably wanted to watch him carry out his duties.

'Despite the fact that it's blasphemy, I will be forgiven after this...'

With full conviction, the priest walked to the centre of the town square, fumbling and limping in such a way attention would be drawn to him.

He quickly recalled the last instruction the red haired noble lady had given him, with her purple eyes glowing intensely. "Make your performance as dramatic as possible. It'll make the incident blow up even more."

With that recollection, the priest opened his mouth and let out a shrill scream, drawing the attention of several by standers to him.

"Ahhhhh! I can see it! The Empress has been chosen! The woman who will rule beside the Emperor and bring development to the South!"

Commoners were baffled by the man's shouts, while others became interested in his words and stopped and watched his hysterics.

Realizing he'd drawn considerable attention to himself, the priest declared, "I'm a priest and I've received a message from above! A message concerning this empire's future!"

More people stopped to observe and surrounded him.

"What is he talking about?"

As the crowd grew, their murmurs and whispers filled the air. The priest, sensing the perfect moment to unleash his fabricated revelation, raised his hands to the sky and proclaimed.

"The heavens have spoken! A virtuous Empress shall rise, and with the Emperor, she shall bring prosperity to our great empire! The South, long neglected and forgotten, shall flourish under her wise and just rule!"

This was the mysterious lady's plan the priest was ordered to carry out. The common folk of the South were quite a religious bunch.

The onlookers exchanged skeptical glances, but the priest's conviction and fervor began to win them over. Some nodded, intrigued by the promise of a brighter future, while others whispered among themselves, speculating about the identity of this prophesied Empress.

Some even thought the man was a lunatic, but majority were swayed by his theatrics.

A young woman, her eyes shining with excitement, pushed her way to the front of the crowd. "Tell us, holy man, who is this chosen one? What is her name?"

The priest's eyes darted about, as if searching for divine inspiration. Then, with a beatific smile, he declared, "Lady Adrianna Deor. It's been written that she's meant to stand by the Emperor. Although some human beings try to work against it, however the spiritual world has a way of arranging fate."

He took a pause, closing his eyes, allowing his words to sync in. "She was forcefully pushed into a wedding yesterday, but a beast ruined the occasion! This shows that her only station is as Empress!"

As the crowd erupted into a mixture of awe, curiosity, and fervent discussion, the priest's gaze flickered toward the red carriage, now a discreet distance away. He sensed the watchful eyes of the mysterious people who had captured him, and a shiver ran down his spine.

Had he performed to their satisfaction? He hoped he'd done all that scary red-haired lady desired.

As the crowd became rowdy, with each person discussing his words, the priest quietly slipped back and was taken back into the carriage by the hooded figures.

According to his captors, he had to carry out such a performance at the noble district too. That way, the whole South would be talking about the 'prophecy'.

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