A Reality better than the Dream

15.-The traitors - An unxpected help

Αfter this, the emperor sent message to Sheng that he would help in this bad situation. He was thinking that this wretch had obviously tried to make her surrender to him either using the people's suffering of starvation or offering his help in case the barbarians had captured her or her grandmother. The barbarians had old hatred against king Iridan, her grandfather, and would like to take revenge against his inheritor and his kingdom. He always knew that Prince Kandik was a lustful person, but now he had gone beyond the limits! The emperor knew that, since he had fixed his eyes on her, he would not let her free. He had to handle the problem in his own way.

So, Emperor Oren sent his confidants back in their secret mission, to protect the queen and her grandmother. Then, he sent his help, food supplies and men to help in the investigation of the incident. When the help arrived in Iris's kingdom, she felt surprised because of the emperor's quick movement. His confidants offered their help, since she had to face the corruption even of those who would make the investigation. The queen felt quite relieved with the news and said that she was quite grateful for Emperor's generosity. Emperor's investigators did secretly a separated investigation and had their own results. The other investigators did not understand anything. They had thought that the emperor's confidants were there to help them finish their task more quickly, nothing more.

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The emperor has a great concern for her. He wanted to meet her again, the war schedules were a very good excuse, however, would he expose her in more dangers involving her in these schedules? It would be different if Prince Kandik had not been involved in the situation.

Tangren sees clearly that the emperor is focused on a problem, but what kind of a problem? The war, the politics or Queen Iris?

Tangren: Emperor, when will Queen Iris visit us again? One of your generals asked me about this yesterday. He said that he has found her thoughts and notes extremely useful and that she is not only beautiful but also educated and capable. Also...

Oren: Mm? What else? (asked in an expressionless way).

Tangren: That she is... how can I tell you?... suitable for you!

Oren: Oh, is he finally a general or a matchmaker? (he said in a strict manner).

Tangren smiled.

Tangren: Anyway, I only informed you about what your general said, nothing else. Ooh, I forgot it! The third of the confidants you sent to her kingdom has returned and is waiting outside.

Oren: Bring him in.

The confidant had followed Prince Kandik after he had met the queen and found out that he had stopped at a hotel by the road to get some rest. After one hour her minister Singe with simple citizen's clothes stopped at the same hotel, too. He seemed to be very anxious. But he could not eavesdrop, because there were everywhere Kandik's men. Also, two of those guarding the stores had visited the next days minister Singe's house, although such lowly class persons have nothing to do with the ministers and the upper class.

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After a month the secret investigation in Iris's kingdom has come to an end. Some of those who were in charge of the store's safety had abandoned their positions at that critical time before the fire, some of them had increased suddenly their wealth from unknown origins, one of the ministers, Singe, was found involved in treachery, and all the traces led to Prince Kandik. But they were not enough to eliminate him permanently from the whole empire.

However, Queen Iris hid from the public and her ministers the elements which drove to prince Kandik personally, she kept them for the emperor to use them at the proper time and way he chooses, because Prince Kandik had not to do only with her kingdom but also with the rest ones.