Shadow Empress (GirlxGirl) (COMPLETED)

Chapter 18 | Mysterious Disease

IMPERIAL CONSORT VIRTRA'S POV

"Imperial consort, please, have mercy. Please don't kill me. I have no choice but to do what he asked me. If not, my whole family will suffer. My father has been doing illegal business with him. But now that he's not working for the court anymore, I have to take his place. Your highness, please spare me. I have a wife and a son to feed. My whole family depends on me." Now he's begging for mercy?

It's too late for that! Even if the young minister managed to cry tears of blood, it wouldn't change the fact that he betrayed his country.

"You were caught bribing my servant. If you even have an ounce of love for your family, you wouldn't even think of robbing the royal palace. Do you think I have no idea what is going on inside the weaponry vault? The missing weapons have something to do with you, am I right?" He kept his head low.

"Your action can be considered as treason because you're giving away the secret of our military forces to the black market buyer. If you love your wife and son, you won't betray this country. And as a minister, you're a disgrace to your family! Dragged him to the dungeon! He shall stay there until his fair trial in front of the whole court of justice!" Grace suddenly placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Guards, wait!" What is she trying to do here?

"Sister, I think we can gain something from this. Please hear me out." I wonder how Grace would like to turn this around.

"Instead of punishing the 'pawn,' why not we reuse him and set a trap for the 'king.' I have a feeling that the trader sister Bella told us about is not the big fish. I am sure a bigger fish is working in the shadows." For Grace to used the reference of a chess piece to make a statement, she must've thought of something.

If we want to make sure that this matter will not happen in the future, we need to pierce our sword into the belly of the beast itself.

"Do you have any plan on how to proceed?" I asked the noble consort who only smiles at the young minister.

"Oh, I have a few. But if the 'pawn' decides to betray us, it'll ruin everything." The young minister kowtows in front of us.

"I'll do anything! I just want my family to be safe." He is obedient.

"Do you have any information about the trader's buyer?" Grace asked. The young minister raised his head.

"Not much, but there is a viscount who always sends his servant to get something from the trader. Sometimes he would purchase a huge amount of herbs, weapons, and even women. But recently, he's been interested in rare jewels and treasures. And because of that, he wants me to infiltrate Galatea Palace." I see.

"Why would the trader ask you to infiltrate our palace? What kind of rumors has he heard about Galatea?" I asked.

"Rumour has it that Galatea Palace has a secret vault which contents the rarest of rare jewels and treasures from all over the world. For years now, the black market merchants tried to enter the forbidden palace by bribing maids or guards that directly work for her majesty. They failed each time. That is why this time, the trader asked me, who works for the court to try my luck." And he was caught before even get to bribe anyone.

What a loser.

"I wonder who spread rumors like that. Did the servants betray us? No one should know about that vault except for those who live and worked at Galatea." Elpis was right all along. It was smart of her to change the lock every week.

At first, I was against it, but now I see why. Cockroaches are everywhere.

"We can't trust anyone now, even our loyal servants. Some of the things inside the vault might even bring disaster to the Empire. Elpis has always been an avid dreamer when it comes to collecting rare things." I turned to the young minister.