The political trend of Dulin had always been alternating between slow and uproars, so much that anyone could easily tell what it is just by looking at the people in front of the Hamilton Palace. At the beginning of the 2nd Month of Church's Year 798, the Morisette Imperial Household had officially announced the upcoming return of their brave Prince O'Neil to the capital, and there would be a city-wide welcome ceremony protected by the Capital Security Division. The news did excite all layers in the hierarchy for a while, but the debate between the candidacy for the crown prince selection had become more and more intense.
Nobles gathered sporadically around the great hall of Hamilton Palace. Whether it's intentional or subconscious, they were all blocking a door on the other side of the hall. It was the study of His Majesty, and this day was the last day His Majesty had before he needs to announce his choice for the crown prince.
The door to the study swung open without warning, prompting the great hall to fall into silence as people make their way near it. The Palace Chief Marquis Lanston Cambre walked out of the room. After a brief moment of being stunned by the people, he shook his head disappointedly at the hopeful nobles. The nobles dispersed in defeat, only a few people who were familiar with the Palace Chief pulled him aside for more information.
"Marshal Dortmund Andrew Nedgabel has arrived!" the guard rang the copper bell outside of the hall.
The nobles stood up from their seats lined against the wall of the great hall. They seldom had any opportunities to cross paths with Duke Andrew, but all of them respected the governor of the Eastern border of the empire.
Dortmund nodded slightly at the few ministers who greeted him before entering the study, led by a servant.
Inside the study, a fireplace was lit. There was a glass door connecting the room to the imperial garden. The door was open, and the sunlight spilled unfiltered onto the goose feather carpet. Tables and chairs were placed outdoors beside the stone stairs. There were a few high ranking military officers around His Majesty Alfa III, and all of them stood as Duke Andrew approached.
"Your Majesty, it was good to see you," Duke Andrew greeted the Emperor with a formal military salute.
"Dortmund! Join me, these are all your friends!" Alfa III stood up as he gestured at the seat next to him, motioning his brother-in-law to take it.
Dortmund did not rush into taking the seat. He walked toward General Vangol Abberning Hagrid, whose arms were already in an outstretched position.
"Dear God of Light! We haven't met for more than a decade!" General Vangol looked at his old friend, pleased. "How was Celia?"
Dortmund gave him a frown, "You little! She's my wife, she shouldn't be the first thing you asked about when we meet! You should have asked about my family first!"
"Hahahahahaha!" General Vangol laughed heartily, as if he had been transported back in the day when he was courting the same ladies as Duke Andrew. "Your Majesty, did you see that? Our Marshal Andrew is still such a killjoy, just like old times!"
A tableful of high ranking officers laughed. They all knew the commander of Military District Five and Marshal Andrew were once close friends.
"Marshal Andrew! Remember me?" the speaker was a tall, expressionless general.
Dortmund looked at him, noticing the chipped left ear beneath the speaker's military hat. "Hank Brutnort! What a surprise! Did you get bored living in the stone houses in Titania already?"
The general of Titania howled in laughter as he gave his old friend a big hug. He distinctly remembered this handsome boy from House Andrew who tried to court his sister, the two even had a fight.
Next, a stately general appeared in front of Duke Andrew. Dortmund had never seen this man, but he recognized the insignia on the man's collar. A dual blade overlapping a bow.
"You must be General Rigulya Steinberger!"
"Good to see you, Marshal! Thank you for taking care of the twerps from my house!"
"You're too kind!" Duke Andrew hugged the commander of the Northwestern border of the Empire.
"Alright! Steinberger of the Northwest, Andrew of the East, Titania of the Central East, and Hagrid of the South. All four of the military houses in the empire had arrived!" Rudolf Hoss of the Secret Service Department clapped his hands once before turning to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, we are ready to start."
Alfa III nodded, "Take a seat!"
The marshal and three generals joined the Emperor at the table. They didn't have many opportunities at meeting up, but they all knew each other pretty well. The four Military Houses being gathered by the Emperor at once, so something serious must be up. As soon as the joy of having met each other had passed, everyone had put on a solemn face.
Rudolf Hoss unrolled a map across the table. Dortmund frowned, it was the Capital Security Division's map for defensive planning, where all the areas enclosed by red dotted lines were important locations in the capital.
"Your Majesty, you can start describing the situation now," the head of the Secret Service Department notioned.
"Mm," Alfa III hummed and looked at the four commanders of their own House. First, at Steinberger. Stationed at the Northwest border of the Empire, Steinberger had defended the Empire from the Deiss for over two centuries. Hagrid had been managing the Military District Five for generations in Vielonna, defending the Southwest border. Next, Titania! The House was special in the sense that Titan Empire was named after them. They had briefly ruled the country two centuries Before Church. After the Morisette came into power, the first emperor of Morisette let its former ruler have one of the counties on the west side of Narcissus County. Lastly, House Andrew, it had guarded the Eastern border since the Morisette started ruling, and they were the biggest military house of all!
"Every one of you may be asking, 'why summon us?' Especially in this period when the nobles in the capital were making so much noise," none of the commanders said anything, they knew the Emperor wasn't waiting for a response.
"I fully believe the loyalty of the four of you and your Houses. Undoubtedly! That was why I summoned you here, I want to discuss with you about the Ministry of Senior Nobility."
"Only us?" General Hank Brutnort Titania looked at Alfa III suspiciously, the issue wasn't something the military houses can decide on their own.
"Yes! Only you can control the situation in the capital. I don't trust the Capital Security Division's ability to react to emergency!"
"Is someone going to rebel?" General Vangol Abberning Hagrid's eyes twitched.
"Not someone!" Alfa III shook his head, "It's me who wanted a rebellion!"
The generals' eyes were wide in confusion, only Duke Andrew nodded lightly. He had been staying in Dulin, so he's more familiar with the political situation in the capital.
"Your Majesty, did you want to dissolve the House of Lords? Especially at this critical period when their actions cause the Imperial House unease?"
"Dortmund, that's exactly why!"
The other generals didn't dare to speak up. Historically, House Morisette had only dissolved the House of Lords once, and that was about four hundred years ago, when the barbaric Persians almost attacked Dulin. To unify the noble class's, the founding father sent a troop to take over the House of Lords and went on to execute The Great Purge that lasted for ten years, capturing and imprisoning almost a third of all the nobles in the empire.
According to the Titan Codex, the emperors does not have the right to veto the decisions of the House of Lords, but they do have the right to dissolve it in order to reform the government, however self-contradictory it sounds. The formation of the House of Lords can be traced back to the mythological period of the Roman Republic. In its transition from a republic to an empire, the House of Lords had fought hard against the concept of a monarch, and even though the public system had evolved into a pretty complete system, the power of the monarch had evolved from its initial days of being restricted to the current supreme power.
The republic era, with nobles and slave owners as the core was washed away into the river of distant past, under the feudalistic rule, the empire had given the rulers unrivalled power, and this was written into law, further solidifying this new set of game rules. The rule was in service of the Imperial Household and its benefits, negating any form of possible questioning, as well as any forms of disturbance to its existence. Under this situation, the influence and usefulness of the House of Lords were further reduced.
"Your Majesty! You have complete right to do so, and it's reasonable to do so! However, the House of Lords isn't a complete pushover too, the Titan Codex had described the powers and responsibility of the House of Lords very clearly! The committee members came from all over the empire as a representative of the majority of the people, that was the foundation of the rule of the empire. As long as their proposals follow the laws of the empire, you dissolving the House of Lords would directly affect your reputation! Have you thought this through? Or rather, are you aware of the events that lead to this situation? Marshal Dortmund Andrew Nedgabel was finally a little antsy.
House Andrew was placed in such a position, due to them representing the interest of localized army, that they can only request for budgetary and material aid from the House of Lords. If it weren't for the nobles agreeing to support House Andrew in their proposals, House Andrew would have lost the large sum they requested to support their massive army.
"I know what you're concerned about!" Alfa III gave Duke Andrew a reassuring smile, "The expenses budget for this year and expenses of the local government had already finished, Andrew will not be shortchanged even one Golden Ti."
"Your Majesty, it's not that!" Dortmund thought the Emperor misunderstood him, "I am talking about how the dissolution of the House of Lords would be disastrous to all layers of the empire, the nobles would lose their confidence in the Crown, and the--"
"Dortmund!" interrupted the Emperor, "It's such a shame that you're still looking at it in the old way. Don't you think I didn't think about how the House of Lords would react if I dissolve them? Do you know why I am so determined on rectifying the order of the nobles?"
Marshal Andrew didn't speak. He didn't have much of a say on this issue, he wasn't too clear about the situations in the inlands of the empire.
The Emperor shot a glance at Count Rudolf Hoss, who immediately passed him a stack of thick documents.
"This is the tax inspection report by the Secret Services Department in conjunction with the Imperial Tax Bureau. What do you think I saw in this?" Alfa III was running out of patience, he no longer was trying to persuade the Four Military Houses, but ordering them to obey.
"This report showed that omissions, false reports, and failure to declare taxes are rampant on all layers on tax classes! House Andrew is exempted, so I didn't include it, the three other major Houses were also accurate on their report, I admire that! But the rest…
For example, the three major areas at the North, the Southern cotton-producing area, the landowners in the center, absolutely all of them were executing some opportunistic accounting! They faked their tax submission receipt to cheat the empire of their annual allowance, and stolen from the treasury with their deception to fund themselves! This was why the economic strength of the empire was rising, but the treasury was running dry! There is a need for me to take action against the organization that protects the benefits and the rights of the noble class that is the House of Lords!"
"So, Dortmund!" Alfa III placed his hand on Duke Andrew's shoulder, "The one who had lost his confidence isn't the nobles, but me, the Emperor! I can no longer trust those deceitful, mendacious folks! Besides, even if there are thousands upon thousands of reasons, they shouldn't make a ruckus on the election of the Crown Prince. That will only expedite their demise!"
"Your Majesty!" said General Vangol Abberning Hagrid, "I think, it is normal for the noble class was so concerned about the election of the Crown Prince. Not only because of their personal benefits, but also because of the future of the empire."
"That's right!" Alfa III nodded, "However, someone with ulterior motive had this planned since a while ago, that's where it's abnormality came in, and it's dangerous to keep it going!"
"There's a problem with that," said Count Rudolf Hoss suddenly. "The report was signed after Duke Kachev Drakas Ferdinand reviewed it, and, well, the tax review operation was started by Duke Kachev. I was just wondering if… if it has anything to do with the unrest among the House of Lords."
"I have considered that possibility! Let me be frank. I believe everyone here have heard of this as well," sighed Alfa III. "Don't think I wouldn't find out, all of us here were wild when we were young, and that includes me!"
The Emperor's words prompted everyone to laugh, however, his own face had darkened.
"My youngest child, heh, he's a handsome young man, born in House Ferdinand. It was only until now that I started to suspect that old Kachev had already planned this out with his daughter. However, I don't want to look into this now, I've already made a mistake, I will not make a second one!"
The Emperor rubbed his hands together, he was ready to show off. He liked this feeling of holding everyone's attention.
"I think, I've already had a clear grasp of what Kachev's plan is. Firstly, the case with the former Secretary of State had laid a foundation for his ascension, and his timing returning to the capital was perfect. Secondly, he utilized his own influence and a flawless plan to trigger a reformation of the government, which I am actually satisfied with. Next is his intention."
"A while ago, House Ferdinand had tried to reach out to House Andrew. The gossip circulating around the City of Dulin regarding my illegitimate son and Corolla of Andrew didn't appear out of thin air, but Dortmund refused House Ferdinand!"
"As far as I know, this was just a scratch on the surface, because old Kachev had already finished the tax review. I believe a lot of Houses that didn't appear in the blacklist had been blackmailed. And those that did appear, Kachev had undoubtedly given up on. He knew I will take action against them."
"After that, the House of Lords announced the issue with electing a crown prince, as well as establishing my youngest son's formal position. The only reason why Kachev would advertise it is because it is true. That child is my son, Secret Services had confirmed that, so I can't be on the offense, because if he suddenly disappears now, the nobles would think I'm a lion who had gone mad, and no one would be willing to serve me and my empire. Think about it, would a father who murdered his own son worth respect? The House of Lords were betting on this, on the child's future with me."
"Kachev avoided confronting the Imperial Household. It is a good decision on his side to target the House of Lords for this. I've decided to acknowledge him as my own, but I will only give him a lordship and his title. I will not include his name in the imperial lineage. About the election of the Crown Prince, I have no choice. That eldest son of mine has to come out of this unexamined life he's living!"
"Your Majesty!" General Hank Brutnort Titania voiced his opinion this time, "It looks like you've already decided to yield to the House of Lords, so why take the risk to dissolve them?"
Alfa III shook his head dejectedly, "No one would understand them more than I do, the words 'bully' and 'bootlicker' were written all over their face and carved into their bones. My giving in would only allow them to want more. They will not accept my decision. To them, this is only an investment of a huge value. Kachev had already lead them to believe the viscount would have a future as bright as Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette. Don't forget, Oscar had gone through the experience of being re-accepted into the Imperial Household, the House of Lords would not hesitate to make me go through that choice again."
"Your Majesty," General Titania was a little confused. "From what I can tell, what you said was already the biggest concession the Imperial Household would allow! I believe the House of Lords would be able to see that too. so they should be able to accept--"
"They will not!" Alfa III cut General Titania off, "The situation may be different now because the nobles outside would have noticed the four of you entering here, they should be able to guess why I summoned you to Dulin."
"Your Majesty, please give your order! What would you have us do?" Duke Rigulya Steinberger ran out of patience. This was why he despised the nobles in the capital, they knew how to talk the talk, but no one could walk the walk.
"Has the military power I requested for arrived?" Alfa III looked at each of the four commanders, smiling.
"First Brigade of Hagrid Infantry of Fifth Military District Five, stationed at Dulin towards Damorga!"
"Steinberger's Ninth Infantry Brigade stationed at the edge of the forest ten kilometers from Westberg Fort."
"Titania's First, Second, Third, and Fourth Heavy Armored Division stationed at the Northern and Eastern assembly points."
"Narcissus Knights Traisen Front First Mixed Brigade had taken over the barracks belonging to the Capital Security Division."
"Good!" Alfa III nodded satisfactorily, "House of Lords have yet to decide on the date to propose a motion, and the arrival of the four armies should delay that by a while. Count Rudolf Hoss will explain the next segment."
"Generals, Marshal," Rudolf bowed at the four heads of Military Houses. "We have completely avoided the Imperial army and the Ministry of Justice so that we can guarantee their stability. On the day the House of Lords will propose a motion, specifically at 0000 hours, the martial law will be enforced in the City of Dulin. The signal will come from the Tower of Heroes, and all four armies will immediately take over the defense of the City of Dulin under the reason of capturing hostile enemies of foreign origin."
"I have, on this map, divided the City of Dulin into four sections," the head of Secret Services Department motioned, "Hagrid Infantry, First Brigade will be stationed in the Southern section, Steinberger's Ninth Infantry Brigade take the Western section, and the four Heavy Armored Division of Titania will take the Eastern and Northern sections."
"Uh… What about my Mixed Brigade?" Dortmund was a little perplexed as he realized Count Rudolf Hoss had finished talking.
"The Narcissus Knights will be in charge of the protection of all palaces and main governmental buildings," Alfa III ordered calmly. "Marshal Dortmund Andrew Nedgabel, my friend, I have entrusted my life and my family to you. I don't foresee any huge issue during the operation, but who knows what will happen?"
"Your Majesty!" Dortmund shot up from his seat. Even if this was just a test by the His Imperial Majesty to House Andrew, he would still need to respond this way, "I swear upon my ancestors on the altar! No one would be able to move even a brick or a tile in the Imperial Palace, and no one would even get close to the Imperial members under the vigilant eyes of the Narcissus Knights!"
Alfa III nodded.
"Another question, Your Majesty," General Hagrid tapped the security division map. "If we split our manpower at the different sections, who will be sent to take over the House of Lords and to dissolve the committee?"
Alfa III smiled and revealed a shocking answer.
"The Imperial Paladin!"
"There is something like that in the empire's battle array?"
Aeolia raised her eyebrows in smugness, watching Vijdeline lose her composure.
"Of course! Vij, do you know something? This was Marshal Alan's words! He said the invasion of Deiss is to destroy the Paladin, and then they will loot the thing they guard."
"What are they guarding?" Vijdeline's eyes widened.
"Marshal Alan didn't say! But I think, it could be the Imperial Treasures! Those ascetic Paladins must be guarding something huge!"
"Give it up, will you?" Vij smirked at Aya, "Imperial Treasure? Morisette? That's impossible! No one would know this better than I do. The Morisette's is a complete pauper at this point, His Majesty Alfa III had been scratching his head trying his hardest to ravage the nobles and the business class. His appetite is just like his insignia, it's a salivating, roaring lion! The Sukhoi's tax contribution to the empire was already sky-high, but he's still not satisfied!"
"And so you decide to evade it?"
Vijdeline was suddenly conscious of what she was saying and looked at Aya with an alerted expression.
"Don't look at me like that, all the nobles in the empire had been doing it! To sustain their lavish lifestyles and feed their own mouths, they will naturally find ways to reduce their burden, the higher the tax rate is, the more they get creative with the accounting, it's a vicious cycle!"
"Ah-ah… Eh…" a baby babble broke the awkward exchange, Vij switched to her motherly smile as she took her month-old baby on the water surface.
The biting coldness of winter was blocked outside of the cavern by the boulders, steam from the hot spring permeated every single crevice of the area, and every surface was covered with droplets of water. A pleasant sunshine poured in from the patio, and water rolled around in the "miracle spring", sending geothermal energy to warm the people inside of it.
"Little Micath" laid in his mother's arms comfortably. His name, Micath was given by his father. It seems like that aside, only his azure blue eyes was inherited from his mother. He looked a little sleepy, obviously satisfied from the milk he had.
Two perfect bodies were shimmering in and out of the spring steam. Vijdeline stared intently at Aeolia's scar on her body, while Aeolia's eyes were jealous of Vijdeline's maternal aura.
"I heard from Paul, that you had sacrificed a lot for Oscar, even almost costing your life."
Aya's attention snapped back to reality. She smiled in embarrassment, "That's nothing, I have my missions. You, my dear Vij, didn't you sacrifice more for Oscar?"
Aya was playing around with the little guy in Vij's arms, "For him, you married a jerk, you endured people's sarcasm and comments, and you still need to be wary of those who have ulterior motives. In that sense, your sacrifice is the greatest among all the people who did, did you think about that?
Oscar may never have four wives, your life would forever be bound by this child's fate."Vijdeline shook her head while she smiled, "You don't understand Oscar!"
"What made you say that?" Aeolia lifted her head to protest, "I have been by his side for five years--"
"So what if you've been at his side for five years?" Vij interrupted, "As long as you treat him with sincerity, he will use the rest of his life to cherish you, to repay you. Unless I turned on him, he will always remember my name, this, to me, is enough."
"What if… What if you turned on him?" Aya seemed to have trouble saying that.
"Ha ha! That will never happen!" Vijdeline was smiling, but her face had darkened, "O'Neil Andrew Morisette is such a person. He's a tiger who had been heavily injured, he will not allow betrayal in his life! Somewhere deep within his heart was a horrific devil, if he allowed that devil to take over…" Vij didn't finish her sentence, but she gestured a prayer to the God of Light.
"I- I'm feeling a little cold," Aya retreated to the edge of the spring, grabbing her own bathrobe.
"Don't move!" Vijdeline tugged against the Countess's arm. "Listen… There's a sound!"
O'Neil Andrew Morisette had lost so much weight, he only needed to turn his body around to squeeze through the narrow mountain passageway. Steam obscured his vision, so he waddled slowly along the wall to the spring.
"Vij! Vij! Are you here? Is that you?"
The dressless Aeolia held her breath unconsciously, she begged Vijdeline, who was pressing her into the water, with her eyes, "Please, just let me wear something!"
"I'm here…"
"Ola! Found you!"
"Aya's here too…"
That shocked the Prince who had just started unbuttoning his shirt. Aya's here? Dang it! Torry that little liar, he said he only saw his sister with her child alone coming here.
"Uh, do I need to go away for a little?" Oscar tried very hard to identify the bodies in the water, and indeed, there were two curvaceous bodies.
"Aya said there's no need!" Vijdeline's face was radiant with mischief.
"You bastard!" Aya didn't dare speak out, so she scolded Vijdeline by lip-speaking.
"Oh? Is that so?" Oscar was a little suspicious, but his feet had already entered the spring.
"Ah! Don't look!" Aya finally yelled. She plunged into the spring water with white fog still rolling along, not wanting things to get complicated.
However, Oscar did see it!
"You… You two…"
"Look at your silly face!" Vijdeline pointed at his nose. "Come in here, what are you standing there for?"
"But is this appropriate?" Oscar scratched his head and rubbed his nose. Mentally, he had already considered Vijdeline his wife, and his son is here too. Goodness! Aya's here too! Why is she here?
Oscar disrobed awkwardly, but he still left his weapons where he could reach when he entered the spring.
Aya turned around, knowing she must have been blushing. Her forehead was littered with sweat, and her limbs were trembling out of excitement. She was looking forward to it a little, but she knew, as someone who can only hide in the background, her actions were outrageous.
"What's the rush in looking for me?" Vijdeline slid into her "husband's" arm, leaving Micath on the water surface, and the little genius started floating and kicking the water, entertaining himself.
"He… he wouldn't sink, would he?" Oscar held his son in his hand.
"Let him go! Our son likes water, he's in love with this place. Whenever we take him out of him, he would cry."
Oscar let his son go cautiously. He saw the little guy swimming toward Aya, who held the boy uncomfortably. Aya's neck had turned red from embarrassment. Through the clear water of the spring, Oscar could see her bosom heaving uneasily. Taking in a deep breath, Oscar shifted his gaze away, it's more comfortable to look at Vij who's similarly nude.
"I'm just here to tell you… I might not be able to wait until little Micath's first-month celebration!"
"You're leaving?" Vij tightened her brace.
"Vij, you know I would never want to leave here. I would rather be by yours and our son's side my whole life, however… I've just met with the messenger of His Majesty, it's like the whole world was hurrying me to move on."
Vijdeline put up a bold look and smiled, "Yes, you should go back, to Dulin! Your career and our future lies there!"
Oscar kissed her forehead, but the intimate moment was interrupted by Aya's yelp.
"I'm… I'm sorry!" Aya handed over little Micath and explained, "He… He bit me!"
Vijdeline chuckled as she saw Aya covering her breasts with her arms, "Such a naughty baby! That's something only your father can do!"
Oscar's face turned red, "Hey, don't pull me into this!"
Vijdeline stood up suddenly, revealing her perfect frame. "Alright! My baby has to sleep, you two can continue!"
"H-Hey!" Aeolia yelled in her state of desperation, "Vij, Vij! What about me?"
Ignoring the Prince's look of disapproval, Vijdeline bent down and kissed his face, "Trust me, beautiful Countess, you would know what to do in a while."
"Isn't it right, Oscar?" Vij turned to her man, but was immediately shocked by what she saw, "Oh my God of Light! Have you gone crazy? Why do you let our son play with this?"
Vijdeline snatched the mini hand cannon out of Micath's hands!
Oscar shrugged, "He seems to like it, his mother smells like black powder and lubrication oil."
"How would you know? He doesn't know how dangerous mini hand cannons are! Goodness! Micath wasn't even a month old, and already you would introduce such a terrible thing to him, I have to keep him far from you!" Vijdeline put on her clothes rapidly, and even wrapped her son in a cotton blanket.
"That's your invention! Of course your son would like it!" Oscar hollered at Vijdeline who rushed out of the cavern.
"Are all women this paranoid? Or is it just mothers?" Oscar asked Aya, who was frozen on the spot.
"I… I'm must leave!" Aya seemed to want to force her way out, but Oscar's big hand grabbed her before she could execute her plan.
"Where are you going? I said I will never let you go again!" Oscar hugged the (*&)*^*&)*&%)&
The Countess looked at his eyes, she was confused and struggling, but undoubtedly, she had slowly begin to lose herself. When Oscar's lips slowly enlarged in front of her, Aeolia closed her eyes slowly, preparing to give in. However, a voice deep inside of her keep reminding her that she's a Military Investigative Officer, she's—
"271149! Do you remember this?"
Duke Andrew nodded, staring questioningly at Baron Messier De Quixote.
"You found out what it means?"
"Yes! It… may be a little hard to believe!" Messier was a little hesitant to report this, he didn't believe it at first. Messier took out the folder he prepared and presented it to Duke Andrew.
Duke Andrew had noticed immediately, the cover page of the document was engraved with the red numbers "271149".
Dortmund was a little nervous, he wanted to know what this number meant, having been kept secret by the Military Investigation Bureau for so long.
Imperial Secret Services Department, Archives Bureau. #271149:
Aeolia Siva Wimmester, born Church's Year 773, 19th Day of 6th Month, birth place Austella. Grandfather is Duke Cara Siva, presently held in Damorga Prison. By recommendation of her extended family, Aeolia had received education and aid from House Andrew.
Year 789, 9th Day of 11th Month, five days after her official transition into Military Investigation Bureau of House Andrew, she had been jointly recommended by Chief Executive of Secret Services Department Southern Branch and Secret Services Department's Damorga Prison Stationary Agent to become our Undercover Investigative Officer belonging to Southern Vielonna Operation Branch, code 271149.
271149 will collect and analyze information specifically on House Andrew's activity in the South.
Year 791, 22th Day of 10th Month, 271149 received secret instruction from House Andrew's Military Investigation Bureau to be transferred to Military Investigation Bureau of the City of Dulin. Our department made immediate arrangement for 271149 to follow the order, appearing in the upper class society of the City of Dulin. His Majesty the Emperor Alfa III will confer her Ladyship, along with her sole duty to watch over His Highness the Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette and his immediate family, as well as relaying the information promptly…
"No wonder Alfa III would confer her the title of Countess without much probing!" Dortmund inhaled deeply, he had no further need to peruse the following entries of the record.
"Where did you get this?" Duke Andrew handed over the document to his second son sitting beside him.
"I thought it was pretty clear," Messier pointed at the cover page, "it's the Imperial Secret Services Department Archives Bureau. Rudolf Hoss handed this to me himself. I think… due to a series of events, Rudolf thought there was no longer any need to continue spying on Prince Oscar, it may be sanctioned by His Majesty. Many things could be decided with Aeolia being close to him, it could be His Majesty's way of reimbursing House Andrew. After all, His Majesty wanted to know who betrayed the Military Intelligence Bureau. If we can find this person, it would be the same as having a hold on Duke Kachev Drakas Ferdinand's weak point."
"Could this be falsified?" Dortmund was unwilling to believe the information.
"No, definitely not!" Figg Andrew Tibotty replied. "After I have taken over Military Investigation Bureau of Dulin, I did some intensive investigation, it took me quite a while to find the description of 271149."
"How was she described as?" Dortmund was perplexed.
"I'm really sorry, that document was written in codes, and I couldn't bring it with me, so I can only summarize my understanding of it." Figg tilted his head, organizing his thoughts.
"In reality, the Military Investigation Bureau had discovered Secret Services Department Southern Branch's intention to absorb Aeolia as their secret agent, Aeolia's enlistment with the Secret Services Department was ordered by her superiors."
"You're saying… she's a double agent?" Dortmund had finally seen the light behind the clouds.
"That's right. I've checked Aeolia's reports toward Secret Services Department, it seems there's not much difference from the ones recorded in the Military Investigation Bureau, which means the information she reported was approved by us."
"Can you guarantee? Don't use the phrase 'it seems'!" Marshal Andrew glared at his second son, how could he be so casual about this issue?
Figg shook his head helplessly, "I can't guarantee this for now. Aeolia's level of confidentiality was too high up, she reports directly to the chief, but because of Chief Berkley's passing, we could only trace her through textual records whether she had ever been disloyal to House Andrew."
"Then go! Scrutinize every single word between the two documents! What are you sitting here for?" Dortmund stared at his second son angrily, his temper had been like this for a while.
Figg rolled his eyes, but he didn't snap at his father. Big brother's death had affected everyone.
"I think… it wasn't Aeolia who betrayed Prince Oscar!" said Baron Messier softly as he stared at General Figg's back. He was an experienced Special Investigations Officer, he trusts his instincts.
"Aeolia's identity as a double agent is non-refutable! Who else, aside from her?" Dortmund shook his head in suspicion, "She had been part of the team ever since the Military Intelligence Bureau started planning the rescue operation. She was in charge of organization, communication, and everything regarding the rescue team."
"Even if she's servicing the Secret Services Department, in terms of standpoint, our goal was the same in rescuing Prince Oscar! Rudolf Hoss's spy in Deiss even supplied us with information!" Messier's analysis prompted Duke Andrew to nod.
"That's right, we don't have any proof regarding Aeolia and Duke Kachev being in contact!"
"My lord," Messier grinned, "did you have a look at the cup of tea Chief Berkley drank before he died?"
"The poison?"
"Yes," Messier nodded, "to be specific, that poisoned rose tea! Excuse me, please allow me to remind you of a tragedy."
"Speak!"
"I compared it with the poison your eldest drank when he committed suicide, that was a completely different poison. In other words, it might not be Racheff who poisoned Chief Berkley!"
Dortmund was shocked! He recalled talking about Berkley's death to Racheff, his eldest son didn't actually admit poisoning Berkley.
"Also," Messier poured another cup of tea for Duke Andrew, "rose tea is usually a lady's drink, that means Chief Berkley could be meeting a woman! If we assume this woman to be the betrayer of House Andrew, she must fulfill the following conditions!"
"One, she would know every single part of the rescue mission. Two, she must be close to the immediate family members of Prince Oscar. Three, her hiding spot is in plain sight, so she could protect herself from our detection, yet still communicate freely with the enemy. Four, she was trusted by Chief Berkley Andrew Nedgabel, because she wouldn't be able to kill him otherwise. And five, the most important point, she knows about Aeolia's double agentry. She thought she was clever, leaving 271149 as an evidence for her scapegoating, but she wouldn't have guessed this was what helped us narrow our investigation scope and exposed her!"
"My lord, do you know such a woman?"
"Hah!" Dortmund laughed coldly.
"That double-crossing Zoera!"