Trying To Retire As The Empress Of An Empire

Chapter 2

The cold wind brushed against my face as I open the door to my balcony. I observe the guards along the gates, carefully watching as they change their shifts as I will be needing this information later on. As I gazed at the moon above, a knock sounds through my room.

"Your Imperial Majesty, Lord Abelforth is here to see you." The servant informed, not daring to open the door.

"Tell him I am already asleep," I replied.

The servant obliged, announcing her leave. Then just a moment later, Abelforth hops down onto my balcony. He kneels down, placing his right hand over his heart, asking for my forgiveness.

"Kollin, I'm sure you are aware of the saying about visiting a lady late at night, correct?" Kollin tenses up, bowing even more. "I profusely apologize, Your Imperial Majesty. However, this is a matter I cannot postpone 'til tomorrow." He explained, not changing his stance.

"Again? Kollin I'm sure whatever it is, it can wait until sunrise," I replied.

"The Duke of Elion is missing."

I paused, "...Then..mind telling me why you're still here?". He remained silent after I sent him a deathly glare. I swiftly rush out of the room, with Kollin rushing behind me.

I head to the teleporter in the palace's basement, using my fire magic as a source of light. "How long has he been missing?" I asked, while descending the spiral staircase leading to the basement.

"Six hours, as of now."

Duke Elion is not one you can easily mess with, as he is the head of a powerful family and also has my favor. However, that doesn't mean there is no one stronger than him. Still, out of all the noble families, why couldn't it be someone I hate? Like Marquis Melcrat's family, if it were them I could just brush it off and call it a day.

"Hurry up Kollin, we don't have all day." Kollin reaches the teleport circle and I immediately teleport us to the Elion Estate.

Upon arriving we were greeted by Elion's knight commander, Jheax Windlestraw. He kneels and bows along with the rest of the knights.

"Your Imperial Majesty, welcome. It is a profound honor to have you with us today."

"Rise. We have much more important matters to discuss." He does so, inviting us to their estate.

I shake my head, "No need, just tell me how the hell did you lose sight of your own master."

For a brief moment he glances at the knights, he looks nervous as he informs me of what had happened. "We had just gotten back from the Ascuran subjugation mission. We arrived at the estate and the lord quickly headed to his chambers after we had arrived. We figured he must be tired from the mission, so we let him rest. After a while, I thought something was off. The lord was never someone who would oversleep, even at the harshest of conditions. Even then, it was unusual for the lord to lock himself up in his room. So when I visited him in his chambers and there were no answers, I entered his room and that's when I found out that he had dissappeared."

I take a second to process all of this before I look over to Kollin. "Since when have you known about this?"

"Just a few hours ago, Your Imperial Majesty." He respectfully answered.

"Hmm," I pause for a moment. "Do you have a tracker with you? Bring him to me."

Jheax promptly commands his knights and they then fetch their tracker. While we waited, I asked a few more questions to the commander to get more of an idea on how we would find the duke.

"No weapon, no armor, exhausted and likely depleted of mana so he can't even use it to protect himself." I sigh, putting my hand against my temples as an attempt to ease my headache.