The Deal

I personally want to investigate my case, however, I am a detainee and I am not allowed to go out. Looks like I will just need to trust them. But still, the Emperor is quite thoughtful. He didn't send me to prison but he even made me stay at a luxurious room outside the palace. I don't feel like a prisoner at all!

I was in the middle of reading some books when I heard an uproar. Who could it be? It's already late!

"Detective Sun, we apologize, but visiting the empress is strictly prohibited. Without the emperor's permission, no one is allowed to go inside. Please show us your proof of the emperor's approval. We are only doing our work, so I hope you'll be kind to abide to His Majesty's order."

What? Did I hear it right? Detective Sun? As far as I can remember, he's a close friend of the Emperor. And he's a very great detective! Why is he here?

"Huh? Is that so? But--"

"We can't let you in, Detective."

Given that the knights are forbidding him to go inside, means that the Emperor did not order him to come also! What could possibly be the reason he's here?

I neared our distance and made my appearance, "Let him in."

"Our apologies, Your Imperial Majesty, but it's the emperor's--"

Their loyalty is great, but I need to know why Detective Sun is here. Maybe it won't be too bad to use force for once? "Didn't you hear me? I said let him in! Won't you listen?!" I yelled in an authoritative voice.

In fear, they allowed him to enter. God, this is making me guilty. They could be punished if the emperor found out! I don't really want to abuse my power, but I need it so much this time! I need Detective Sun's help, and I know that he can help me be free.

"What could possibly be the reason you are here without the Emperor's orders?" I asked without showing any sign of anxiety.

"Greetings, Your Majesty. I apologize for causing a ruckus. I was there at the palace and I heard everything," he answered vaguely and smiled.

"Then?"

"I am curious. Honestly, I wasn't that interested, but upon hearing your statement, I was intrigued. Did you really not do it?" He asked.

He's incredibly honest. He sure has the guts to tell the empress that he doesn't care about her. "You are the detective, why don't you ask yourself that?" I firedback which left him stunned for a minute.

He shrugged and laugh it off, "The Empress is far from the rumours. Well, personally, I think, you did not do it."

"That's a good hunch," I smiled before sipping to my tea.

"Then, I guess I'm right?" He paused, "I can help you solve this case."

"His Majesty is already working on it."

"I can assure you that I am much more capable than his men. I am a so called great detective too, you know. I can solve that case faster than them, believe me."

"The fact that His Majesty did not chose you to investigate my case means he doesn't want you to get involved. Besides, what would you benefit from it?" I asked firmly.

"I don't think that's the case, Your Majesty. I know something you do not for I have been to His Majesty's side for a long time." He knows something I do not? What does he mean by it? "So let me help you. In return..."

"In return? What do you want?" What is his true motive? He's unexpectedly hard to read!

"In return," he whispered his wish which made my eyes wide. "Easy, isn't it? It's quite embarrassing so I whispered it just in case someone is eavesdropping." He chuckled.

Is he serious?

"Don't stare at me like that. You're hurting me. Pure distrust is evident in your face, my lady." He acted as if he's hurt, "Then, is it a deal?"

"Deal."

"What is this deal you are talking about?"

My eyes literally grew wide after hearing the cold voice of the emperor from behind. When did he come? I did not hear anything! Was I too preoccupied with Detective Sun? Even him was caught off guard!

"Your Majesty!"

He stared at us with the coldest eyes one could ever see, "Tell me, Sun, empress. What's about this deal?" He asked seriously.

Sun swallowed hard before speaking, "It's nothing! I only told her that if she gets dethroned and proven guilty, life would be so hard and rough for her. Especially that a lot of ladies in the harem hold grudge and hatred to her. Our deal was about that if ever the situation turns to worst, I'd see to it that her last will would be carried out." He showed off an awkward laugh, "Y-Your M-Majesty," he immediately added after he realized that he did not show any respect.

BUT WHO WOULD BUY THAT EXCUSE?! HE'S WAY TO OBVIOUS, DAMN IT!

"You disobeyed my orders only to grant the last will of someone you don't even personally know? And without anything in return? Do you take me for a fool, Sun?"

"Hehe, bye!" He suddenly went on dashing really fast! Are they really that close that he's acting like this to the emperor?

"Sun," the emperor called him in a very intimidating tone.

He stopped runnibg in an instant and he gulped before facing the emperor. "Y-Yes, Y-Your Majest-ty?"

"We're gonna have a talk later." Sun nodded like a puppet and the emperor then looked at me sharply. "I don't know about this deal that you and that idiot made, but I hope that deal won't affect you negatively already. You're already involved in a big mess."

I blinked my eyes a lot of times. I did not expect him to say that! I thought he'd reprimand me and punish me for going against his orders! "Y-Yes, Your Majesty." I answered with my utmost respect, "But may this grateful lady to your generosity know why Your Majesty is came here?" I asked in a very polite manner. I don't want to anger him right now.

"I.. I was just checking if everything is f-fine here," he said before turning his back against me.

My forehead creased. What does that mean? Is he worried about me? Probably not. Instead of asking, I just thanked him for his concern.

"Anyway, I expect that nothing like this happens again. You directly disobeyed my orders to not allow anyone to meet you. You used your power and threatened the soldiers who were merely doing their work." He said. His back was still facing me, I can't see the expression he's making. I'm not sure if he's mad or disappointed. I can't seem to figure out.

"I apologize, Your Majesty. I swear to my name that this won't happen again." I bowed gently.

Ha! Respect and all... This is very tiring. I'm so glad that my country in the real world is not a monarchy or something. Formalities and honorifics are draining.

Later that evening, I saw Sun sneaking through the windows and he's holding a letter. He snuck out from all that guards?! Good thing he is not a thief! Even though I did not witness how he got in here personally, I'm still impressed by his skills! "Hurry!" He whispered and handed me the letter.

When the letter reached my hand, he immediately left. I looked at the letter before opening it.

The body of the late servant, Yeina's cause of death was a stab in the chest. That's how it was known to the public, however, when I conducted further investigation I found out that Yeina actually died from a poison.

One of your servant, Mayka who was close to Yeina, stated that Yeina became weak and dizzy after they ate their lunch. And that was 6 hours before the fire started and before she was found dead in your room.

The poison killed her, and guess what?

Since Yeina kept her food to eat it for dinner, her food was preserved, and we can use that as an evidence that someone poisoned her. The poison was identified as water hemlock, it takes effect after ingested 15 minutes to 6 hours.

The problem is, who poisoned her?

I went to the merchant who's famous for selling herbs and I found out who bought the water hemlock. There are 6 people who bought it, and through profiling, we narrowed it down to 1 since the other five have no connection to Yeina or to you.

The suspect is Jin. Who is Jin? Lady Caroline's servant. Just like what you suspected, it was Lady Caroline who framed you up. Mayka said that Yeina received an order that you called for her, and that was 2 hours before the fire started. By that time, she was vomiting and nauseous, like what Mayka stated too.

I stopped reading, yes. I remember Lucia calling for her, and the sun was already setting that time. But Lucia only called her for a bit, after a minute, she dismissed her. I remember Lucia telling Yeina not to worry about what happened after she spilled a hot tea on Lucia's bare skin.

I continued reading.

But odd enough, after you called her, you called for her again. That was when she did not come back anymore and when the fire started. They checked for you in your room but you weren't there. What they found was Yeina's dead body.

What? This is insane! I meant both the truth and how Sun investigated this fast. Well, it's because I told him who's behind all of this. I know, given the fact that I've read the novel up to this chapter.

But still, he's really good! He finished the investigation faster than those who investigated first.

Is he really diligent? He looks like a lazy ass who does nothing but sleep with every beautiful woman he meets. This is truly unexpected.