Chapter 137: The Delayed Dispatch.

Chapter 137

Three days had elapsed since the northern blizzard had trapped Marquess Caspian Warwick within the stone walls of the fortress, leaving merely two days before the royal house was mandated to issue its formal, public apology to Sigrid.

Inside her private chambers, the quiet rustle of heavy silk filled the room as Sigrid stood before her vanity mirror, her movements slow and agonizingly precise. Her slender fingers carefully adjusted the shimmering jewels resting against her collarbone before picking up her engagement ring—a striking crimson jem with glistening streaks across— and slipping it onto her left hand.

Across the chamber, Lilith stood with a freshly printed edition of the capital’s central tabloid, her voice clear and measured as she recited the morning’s leading reports. She detailed the continuing house arrest of Crown Princess Maria, the countdown to the Crown’s impending public humilation and the official apology to the Duchess of Aethermor, and the steady, violent advance of the northern forces deep within the Engrosian borders.

Lilith paused slightly, her eyes scanning down the densely inked column before reading the commentary regarding her mistress aloud. "Again, Sigrid Aethermor, Duchess of the North, dominates the discourse of the capital. Though not the first noblewoman to seek influence within the royal parliament, her bid remains an extraordinarily precarious endeavor. Her public standing, despite her vindication as the victim in the recent royal debacle, remains profoundly tarnished in the eyes of the high court. From her unprecedented public proposal to man and non other than the monstrous Duke of the North, to her tragic almost abduction by human traffickers, and her long-standing status as the discarded daughter of House Beaufort, she stands as the sole candidate attempting to claim an office as supreme as the Supreme Ministry of State with a reputation so thoroughly fractured. The realm watches with bated breath, wondering from whence her absolute confidence originates. Though she demonstrated remarkable intellect during her years at the Royal Academy, she was known then as a reclusive, unassuming creature—a stark contrast to the ruthless political figure who has dominated the tabloids these past two months. We await her next maneuver with great anticipation."

Sigrid let out a short, quiet scoff, her crimson eyes gleaming with cold disdain as her mirror reflection met Lilith’s gaze. "So, you are telling me this colorful piece of theater has already saturated every corner of the capital’s high society?" Sigrid inquired dryly, smoothing down the folds of her deep velvet gown.

Lilith lowered the paper with a respectful bow. "Indeed, Your Grace. The entire court is consumed by speculation. The nobles debate fiercely whether your bid for the Supreme Ministry is a masterclass in political maneuvering or merely a grand, arrogant delusion meant to provoke the Crown or garner attention—possibly both."

Sigrid hummed softly, entirely unbothered by the court’s doubt. Lilith set the tabloid aside and retrieved a second, far more formal parchment bearing the golden royal stamp. "Furthermore, a dispatch arrived from the King’s chief aide. As an official elector casting your ducal vote for the Lord Chancellorship in favor of Marquess Caspian, your presence is required at the royal palace today for the preliminary candidate registry."

Sigrid’s brow arched in sharp displeasure as she turned away from her vanity. "Today? Pray tell, Lilith, why am I only receiving a royal summons on the very morning I am expected to attend court? The travel alone requires hours."

Lilith’s face darkened with visible confusion. "I cannot say, my lady. Maude delivered it to my hands only a moment ago."

Before Sigrid could question the delay further, a heavy knock rattled the chamber door. Upon Sigrid’s permission, Chester and Maude stepped into the room, hauling a battered, blood-stained man wearing the official crest of the royal courier service between them. The messenger’s clothes were torn, his face bruised and pale from exhaustion and blood loss, barely clinging to consciousness as he clutched a leather dispatch pouch.

Sigrid’s eyes narrowed as she absorbed the sight. "What is the meaning of this, Chester?"

Chester bowed his head deeply, maintaining a firm grip on the trembling messenger. "Forgive the intrusion, Your Grace, but I discovered this royal courier collapsed at the outer gates of the fortress perimeter, near death’s door. He was desperately clinging to the aide’s missive. It appears he was ambushed along the mountain pass to ensure the summons never reached your hands in time."

Sigrid placed a thoughtful finger to her chin, her crimson eyes flashing with instant realization. "A predictable sabotage. Marquess Caspian’s rivals for the Lord Chancellorship undoubtedly hired bandits to intercept the courier, attempting to force my absence from today’s session and invalidate House Aethermor’s vote." She turned her gaze to her knight. "Chester, deliver the courier to the fortress physician immediately and ensure he is treated with utmost care. He shall serve as an indispensable witness."

"At once, Your Grace," Chester replied, carefully hoisting the injured man back into the corridor.

Sigrid turned to her second guard with sharp authority. "Maude, take a squad of riders and thoroughly inspect the perimeter where the courier was struck down. Secure any discarded weapons, tracks, or evidence that might link these bandits to the capital’s noble houses."

Maude bowed crisply, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. "It shall be done, Your Grace."

Sigrid then swept toward her wardrobe, her mind already calculating the timing of their departure. "We have no time to squander. We ought to have departed half an hour ago if we are to arrive before the council closes the morning session."

Turning to her head maid, Sigrid issued her final commands. "Lilith, pray inform the stables to have my fastest ducal carriage prepared without a moment’s delay." Lilith curtsied deeply, turning on her heel to hurry toward the door, but Sigrid called out to her once more, her tone smooth and calculated. "Wait, Lilith. Before you reach the stables, descend to the lower wine cellar and select a bottle of the North’s finest vintage. We cannot possibly grace the royal court empty-handed after such an eventful morning."

A knowing, subtle smile touched Lilith’s lips as she bowed a second time. "A brilliant gesture, my lady. I shall fetch it at once."

Left alone in the quiet grandeur of her room, Sigrid pulled on her leather traveling gloves, her expression setting into a mask of unyielding resolve as she prepared to step directly into the viper’s nest of the capital.