Chapter 340 340-The Murder
Slamming her hand down on the office desk, Anna's voice resonated through the room.nove(l)bi(n.)com
Her hand, a striking contrast of pallor against the dark wood, was adorned with slender, aesthetically pleasing fingers.
Howard, gazing at her hand, drifted into a trance as Anna spoke, "Howard, being the good guy just doesn't cut it. When your enemies are ruthless in their pursuits against you, you're only diminishing your own strength."
Anna showed a lack of understanding, but upon Howard's insistence, she agreed to take action.
After she left, Howard turned to Golan and asked, "Do you understand me?"
Golan's face twitched slightly on the left side before returning to normal, replying, "Your Majesty, the land is yours to command."
Howard sighed, his mind wandering to Margaret, envying her carefree spirit.
Half a month later, all the transfer formalities were completed.
Margaret's father, leveraging his daughter's departure, had acquired land over ten times the size of his own, ascending to the rank of a duke.
Standing atop the castle walls, the newly appointed duke was filled with a sense of triumph, unaware of the conspiracy brewing against him.
Howard was indeed a kind-hearted person, reluctant to stray from the knowledge found in books or to neglect the obligations laid down by the nobility.
In this matter, he fulfilled his noble duties with utmost responsibility.
In his everyday dealings, however, Howard consciously tried to delegate power to the people, a practice not typically favored by the nobility.
Discussing how Howard's vassals perceived him would reveal a different story; indeed, Howard was a noble who often found himself at a disadvantage, seldom reaping the benefits of his status.
However, Howard couldn't possibly be aware of or control every thought and action of his subordinates.
Military Minister Resarite and Duke Anna, driven by their respective ambitions and ideologies, conspired together to orchestrate the assassination of Margaret's father.
This act, ignoble and treacherous, once again brought the independent duchy under Howard's dominion.
The deed committed by Resarite and Anna was utterly disgraceful, something that would utterly tarnish their reputations if ever brought to light.
Yet, they proceeded with their plan.
The assassin they dispatched was of a caliber befitting a duchy, a meticulously selected ace in the art of murder.
The assassination was executed with a chilling precision; a blend of deception, disturbance, and escape.
Under the watchful eyes of many, Margaret's father met his end in a manner akin to a drunken man tumbling from the castle walls, a scene that left onlookers baffled and without explanation.
However, the members of the study group, adhering to their tradition, were inclined to investigate such malevolent deeds.
These scholars, enthusiasts of learning and proponents of positivity, had a deep aversion to all things evil.
Thus, one night, a group of teachers robed in red approached the gates of Howard's palace.
He was at a loss.
Catherine, awakened by the noise outside, rose to find Howard missing from her side.
Following the sound, she stumbled upon the gathering of teachers confronting Howard.
Initially, Catherine thought they had come to discuss educational matters, but she quickly sensed something was amiss.
Gently embracing Howard's head, Catherine conversed with the teachers.
After a brief exchange, they mutually agreed to rest within the palace for the night and resume their discussion the next day.
The next day, Howard, somewhat revitalized yet harboring a deep-seated pessimism, concluded his discussion with the teachers.
Without any notable resolution, he firmly instructed, "Go and find Resarite and Anna. Let them face the punishment for the crimes they have committed."
Catherine, in a rush of concern, urged the teachers not to take Howard's words to heart, suggesting he spoke in the heat of the moment.
On the fifth day, a decree from the empire arrived, astonishingly announcing that the Emperor had pardoned both Resarite and Howard for their involvement.
The proclamation was met with a chorus of hisses from the teachers, revealing their disapproval.
It turned out that Catherine had secretly contacted Nora's people, enlisting Nora's help to extricate Howard from this predicament.
Subsequently, Catherine presented the teachers with a substantial sum of money.
After some deliberation, they decided to let the matter rest and departed from Howard's palace.
Howard, for his part, remained mostly silent, displaying a hint of dissatisfaction or perhaps sarcasm.
It appeared to him that the study group, which he had regarded with respect, was swayed by money.
Moreover, Catherine and Nora, seemingly at odds, had unexpectedly established a secretive channel of communication unbeknownst to him.
Later, Howard sought out Resarite and Anna in person.
He confronted them, and then told them: Even though the study group has chosen not to pursue your accountability, be aware that I know of the sins you have committed.
I do not insist on your deaths, but from this day forward, I never want to see either of you again.
On a rainy night, Howard, cloaked in a gray mantle, knocked on Resarite's door.
Upon hearing Howard's words, Resarite set aside his historical tome and said, "Howard, aren't you meddling too much? Let's speak plainly. Yes, I admit, I did hire someone to commit murder. But what concern is that of yours?"
Howard gazed coldly at Resarite, politely refusing the roasted flatbread offered by Resarite's wife.
Seated opposite Resarite, under the terrified gaze of Resarite's son Cotler, Howard shook his head wearily and waved his hand dismissively.
"Resarite, spare me those words. I know, the affairs among vassals aren't for a lord to meddle in. I, too, have been reading history these past days, about the war between Fran Kingdom and Ing Empire, the tales of factional assassinations. But what does that prove? Others' wrongdoings are their own, our integrity is ours."
