There were several potential suspects, but none had a clear motive. Even if they sided with the First Consort, there was little to gain.
“Who did she tell you to inform?”
The maid hesitated, then looked at me.
“She said if you want to save Lady Aerial’s life, come to the sealed palace alone, Lady Bijonne.”
“Is that true?”
“I swear on my life, my lady.”
The maid knelt, trembling.
“So, they kidnapped El to lure me out.”
“You mustn’t go!”
Evan lifted his head, shouting. I glanced between Anasha, still bowed, and Evan, fiercely opposed.
He continued, voice strained.
“At first, we meant to keep this from you.”
“…”
“You’re the sole master of me, Anasha, and Pison Trading Company. We couldn’t act behind your back.”
His words were typical of his rigid honesty. He didn’t want me to know, but couldn’t deceive me either.
“I feel the same, Bijonne,” Anasha said, slowly raising her head. She bit her pale lips, her face contorted with anxiety, anger, resentment, and guilt.
“Honestly, I want to save El—no matter who I have to sacrifice, even my own life.”
Her trembling hands clutched her skirt.
“But I swore to him. No matter what, I’d protect you, Bijonne. Even if it means losing El… my child.”
Tears welled in her eyes. The pain of vowing to abandon her child must have been agonizing, like spitting blood and tearing flesh.
Though not as much as Anasha, I loved El too. I couldn’t give up on her.
“I won’t abandon El.”
“Bijonne!”
“My lady!”
“El is your daughter, but she’s also my grandfather’s. I won’t leave her in the First Consort’s hands.”
“You don’t need to go yourself. Just get His Majesty’s permission for us to storm the palace with force. Evan and I will handle the rest.”
“The First Consort would harm El before your forces reached her.”
“So you’ll play into her hands?”
Anasha’s voice rose hysterically, her face pale. Though unspoken, Evan’s expression mirrored hers.
“You know this is a trap!”
Her voice grew shrill, torn between protecting me and saving El.
“Calm down, Anasha.”
“I…!”
Evan gripped her trembling shoulders, shaking his head.
I turned to the maid, still kneeling.
“Was a boy with El?”
“Huh?”
Her eyes widened at my question.
“A boy with sky-blue hair.”
El disappeared with Lai. It was unlikely Lai was involved in the kidnapping—more likely, she was taken too.
“Yes, there was a boy with sky-blue hair beside Lady Aerial.”
As expected, she nodded.
“His condition?”
“He looked badly beaten—bruises on his face and limbs—but his life didn’t seem in danger.”
“Was he in the same state as El?”
“Yes, asleep like her.”
At least El wasn’t alone. Knowing Lai was with her, even as a child, eased my mind slightly. But we had to rescue them from the First Consort quickly.
“We need to save them.”
“Bijonne!”
“My lady!”
“Stop shouting.”
Anasha and Evan yelled simultaneously. I pressed my throbbing temples.
I was just a noblewoman, untrained in swordsmanship or special abilities. Even if I followed the First Consort’s demands, there was no guarantee I’d save the children. Going alone would only give her another hostage.
I wasn’t that foolish.
The First Consort might be linked to the Inayari.
This could be her revenge against me. But something felt off.
Her targeting me specifically was suspicious. She had reason to hate me, but this scale of action seemed disproportionate.
It’d make more sense if she targeted Sys for the First Prince’s death.
Driven by vengeance, she’d logically aim for Sys, whom she likely blamed, not me.
But if she was tied to the Inayari and summoned me for that reason, her goal was clear:
Breaking the barrier.
To the Inayari, I was a rare opportunity. If they missed this, who knew when another like me would appear?
They’d do anything to use me to destroy the barrier.
“If I don’t go, she’ll kill the children.”
“I’m sorry for them, but we can’t send you into an obvious trap,” Evan said, voice trembling.
“He’s right. El wouldn’t want you to sacrifice yourself,” Anasha added, her face twisted in pain, her bloodied lips ragged from biting.
“I’m not a fool. I won’t be used by her. But I won’t abandon the children either. So, I’ll stage another act.”
“What…?”
I leaned back, relaxing my muscles.
“Are there knights in the company close to my height?”
“We could find some among the younger trainees,” Evan said.
“No, trainees won’t do.”
I shook my head. He looked confused.
“We don’t know what might happen. They could die. We need someone skilled enough to survive any situation.”
“Not necessarily a knight, then.”
Evan’s lips tightened, deep in thought. Anasha, catching my meaning, had trembling eyes.
“There’s someone in the company, not a knight, skilled in combat. They’re your height, lean—perfect for this.”
“Good. I’ll also look within House Eliant.”
Evan nodded. Multiple candidates were ideal. To fool the First Consort and save the children, we needed strength.
But deceiving her comes first.
“Will she fall for it?” Anasha asked, worried.
Though I hesitated to give false hope, the plan was feasible, so I answered firmly.
“I’ll prepare thoroughly to ensure she’s completely fooled.”
“Thank you.”
Anasha stood, approaching me, tears streaming down her face.
“Thank you for not giving up on El, Bijonne.”
She collapsed, sobbing. I gripped her trembling hands, clutching my skirt.
“It’s too early to relax, Anasha.”
“I know. But there’s hope we can save her, right?”
Her tearful eyes looked up at me. She knew this was a gamble.
Even if we disguised someone perfectly, there was no guarantee the First Consort would be deceived. If she saw through it, El and Lai’s lives were forfeit.
Still, this was our only option. We had to prepare meticulously to ensure she was fooled.
I tightened my grip on Anasha’s hands.
“No time for tears, Anasha. Call Madame Miela.”
Even if only in appearance, we needed to transform someone into me from head to toe. Madame Miela was unmatched in that art.
