The Ganut

Episode 37: I'm hiding!

The night was long and intense for Mary and Jerel, but they had to return before Sifane woke up. At dawn, one of Jerel's carriages came to pick her up and take her home. Melva was already up as usual. She saw her sister return discreetly.

-    Well, I say so !

-    What ?? (said Mary smiling) I forbid you from judging me.

-    I'm not judging you, on the contrary! Considering the way and time you came home; it must have been more appetizing than I thought.

-    Let's just say that...

-    No Mary, this is not the time for remorse. You'll regret it later. Tell me first. I want to know everything.

-    Garuk has just woken up. I'll tell you when he's on his way to the academy.

Garuk was indeed standing. The last week of classes before the holidays had just started right after the activities week. It was the most hated week among academics. Garuk was therefore not thrilled about the lessons, but he had a reason for wanting to go to the academy: Makissi would be there.

Morak had been on alert since his mother's screams the day before. He prayed that his father would recover. He wanted at all costs to attend the interrogations. Paul called the guard to question him. The guard reiterated Caesar's words:

-    A group of bandits had attacked and injured his highness during the robbery.

-    But the wheels and the interior of the carriage are intact. Plus, he still has all that jewelry.

-    We defended ourselves and they were scared when I hurt one of them with my sword. They fled but the duke was in bad shape and had already been badly beaten and injured.

-    I really think there's something you're not telling us.

-    You can have. But do not leave the palace until further notice.

Bali was finally alone with Caesar. He was better. His head and leg were bandaged.

-    What are you still doing sitting next to me? Are you playing the model wife or are you just afraid that I will change my version of the facts?

-    Don't be ridiculous.

-    How am I? I don't even know who to be ashamed of, you or me?

-    We'll talk about it in private later.

-    If I did not reveal the truth, it was to avoid a royal scandal and not to upset our children. But believe me, you won't get away with it. I will make a decision when I recover. And beware if misfortune happens to my guard!

Bali was now at Caesar's mercy. But she still thought she had done the right thing by not listening to Raoul. Then Paul entered the room and Caesar asked his wife to let them talk in private. She complied and left them alone. Caesar explained everything to Paul.

-    But what link would this have with the disappearance of the driver and the servant?

-    There may not be one. It's just that she has loose morals. Or...

-    Or what ?

-    Or she made them disappear because they knew it.

-    Yes, I understand about the driver's case. She probably eliminated him because I was about to question him. But what about the servant? Why would she kill him?

-    I don't know. I'm going to use my position of strength to try to take the words out of his mouth.

-    All right. I'll keep Ervin posted.

Paul's messenger had finished his service. He took his afternoon to enjoy his time with his lover. Once he opened his door, he saw Raoul sitting on one of the chairs in the kitchen. He had fallen asleep with a bandage on his head.

-    What the hell are you doing at my place, how did you get in?

-    Humm... (he squeaks in pain)

-    You didn't answer my question.

-    I'm hiding.

-    By the 10, what have you done, who are you dealing with?

-    The less you know the better.

-    Why didn't you go to your master.

-    Like I said, I'm hiding!

-    By the way, the driver's girlfriend spoke with the great sage. I don't know what she said to him.

-    I'll take care of it.

Zassi had just finished asking about her father. She went to look for her mother as he had asked her.

-    You asked to see me.

-    I'll be direct.

-    About what ?

-    Are you directly or indirectly involved in the deaths of your ex-servant and your ex-driver?

-    Who said the driver was dead?

-    Don't play that with me Bali!! Especially not after what happened yesterday.

-    What exactly do you want from me?

-    All the truth. And I'll know if you lie to me.

-    Only the driver. I don't know anything about Frida. She knew everything too, but she would never have betrayed me. She had all my confidence. I don't know anything about the reasons for his death. But when you said that you would question the driver, I was afraid that he would talk about my nights out which also included Frida. So I... (she wipes away a few tears)

-    So what do you have...?

-    Don't you think I suffer enough just saying it?

-    And who carried out the order?

Bali raised his eyes and looked at Caesar. He understood. He knew who it was.

-    Well, that's it. You were more complicit with him than me. Your deception therefore has no limits. I'm going to ask for him to be captured.

-    For which motive ? Don't do that, they could trace it back to me, I'm begging you. Think about the integrity of our family

-    Do you realize what you're asking me? You ask me to cover you and spare your murderous lover.

-    I'm ready to plead with you if it would save our family.

-    " Our family ? ". For me, you are no longer part of it. I won't do anything to avoid alerting Moral and Zassi. But I want you to leave. That you leave Sifane. We will find a way with Paul so that Morak takes full powers. We'll tell the children that things are complicated between the two of us and that you'll be at your cousin's in Tresoria until things settle down. I'm giving you a week to put everything in order with your friends and loved ones as a token of my good faith. Go with your lover if you want, but after this week, he will be wanted and tried for murder.