Chapter 99

Duke Rodwell's funeral was held very quietly.

In the ducal family's graveyard, barely a dozen nobles stood gathered, Isabel among them.

Even his own grandson, Grand Duke Rustis, had sent word that a sudden fever would delay him by several days.

Isabel had said she'd had no time to notify people, caught off guard as she was by the Duke's sudden death.

But everyone had already guessed the real reason.

That they had stayed away from the funeral for fear of falling out of the Emperor's favor.

"Still, I'm surprised not a single person came from the Noble Council."

"They're all at His Majesty's banquet, surely. It's a welcome for the Holy See's inspector, after all — not just anyone's dinner."

"His Majesty chose today on purpose, don't you think? To make everyone pick one or the other."

"It's a cruel thing to do. The man was head of the…