Alastor watched Trojan's estate. Trojan was a smart man, perhaps too smart. The Royal Family was wary of him as any major action from someone like Trojan may very well bring about the downfall of the Royal Family. Alastor himself was wary of Trojan, for Trojan held much influence, and it was Alastor's job to protect the Royal Family.
The Royal Family was unaware and was simply waiting for a day where they could safely assassinate Trojan. Alastor, however, was much more cautious. He knew that Trojan was a smart man, he knew that Trojan would figure out the Royal Family's attempt to assassinate him, so Alastor set up a trap.
Initially, not knowing what Trojan was planning to do, Alastor was unsure of what exactly to prepare in order to counter Trojan. However, after about a day of observation, seeing Emilia enter, seeing the meeting take place, Alastor quickly got the idea.
A method which could be carried out in the relative safety of Trojan's estate, a method which was obscure and would not reach the ears of the Royal Family. Actually, Alastor reconsidered the latter part of the plan. It might very well be a scheme where should the Royal Family find out, it would benefit Trojan.
That was just the kind of man Trojan was, an intelligent, witty man.
Alastor, overnight, kept watch of the estate from a distance, hanging in the air, invisible. He looked through the windows, seeing Trojan hurriedly write things down in pen.
Everything seemed to click for Alastor, and he figured out Trojan's plan.
Overnight, Alastor called up mercenaries. They were to surround Trojan's estate in a large radius, so large that the messengers would be out of Trojan's sight. Alastor had intended to just steal the letters Trojan planned to send, but he changed his mind.
If the messengers were left alive, or even captured, they could tell the events that happened. If they were to die, it was much easier to clean up the mess and pin the blame onto another person.
As expected, messengers on horses dashed from the estate stables, all of them with a sealed letter in their hands. Alastor had placed an orange light above them that only he and the mercenaries could see.
Alastor would not allow the Royal Family to be threatened, and anyone who even came remotely close was to be suppressed. That was why there were only two Dukes in Ether, because those that became Dukes with the intent to overthrow the Royal Family were killed.
Duke Phoenix and Duke Trojan, the only Dukes on Ether. Duke Phoenix was a more reserved man who although had enough influence to compete the Royal Family, was not popular with the peasants. Furthermore, Duke Phoenix was obsessed over his own work, and had no interest in pursuing the throne. That left Trojan, the bee Duke promoted just a few days prior.
Trojan was seen as a wild card by the Royal Family. Someone who was riding so fast that they were unable to estimate what his actions would be. Unlike most of the other high ranking nobles, Trojan did things mostly by himself and was able to make quick, accurate decisions to matter. Alastor had seen it first hand when he tried to eavesdrop on Trojan and the Princess under the King's command.
Alastor had even spied on them using magic, but unfortunately, when he tried to spy on Trojan, no matter where he looked from, he was unable to see what Trojan showed to the Princess. Trojan was a sly man, and the Royal Family viewed him as a threat. He was a man capable of tricking, even potentially bringing about the downfall of the Royal Family.
Alastor looked up and saw birds fly high into the sky. Initially, Alastor had thought it was a coincidence, but after looking at where those birds came from, Alastor started thinking. Those birds had come from Trojan's estate, and even from a distance, Alastor could see the note taped to their legs.
He pointed his staff at the birds, attempting to cast a spell before they went out of reach, but he noticed something else that stopped him. On the roof, was Trojan, looking up at the birds as they left.
If Alastor shot the birds down, especially with magic, Trojan was most definitely going to see it. If Alastor waited for Trojan to be out of sight of the birds before he killed them, the birds would be far too spread out for Alastor to be able to get them all.
Alastor, wrecking his brain for a solution, managed to come up with one. He waved his staff, and all birds in sight were casted with magic. The magic did not have any immediate effect, and it was a delayed spell that made the birds die after about three minutes, which was the approximate time for them to completely leave Trojan's sight.
Alastor was a skilled mage, and an intelligent one at that. He could play the game with Trojan, of wits and schemes, but Alastor had a natural advantage of being able to perform magic.
By sending out messengers through horse as a distraction, then sending messenger birds into the air almost simultaneously, Trojan had almost outwitted Alastor.
Alastor remained in the sky, performing his task of observing Trojan. Eventually, Trojan was going to speak with the Royal Family.
All the cards seemed against Trojan, but he still had a plan. Alastor was aware that Trojan would be meeting with Emilia in person that day. Alastor, in order to hide any ill-intent of the Royal Family, needed to find a way to be discreet. Trojan and Emilia was not to meet, but how could he end up doing it?
Alastor waved his staff to send a message to the Royal Family. There was an urgent matter, and it was for the Royal Family to invite Letha L. Emilia to have a talk. Alastor simply sent the message to the King, suggesting it. It was either Emila or Trojan, whatever happened, they were not allowed to meet in person. Alastor knew that the King would find a way, and it needed to be done quick.