"Madam, saying things like that, anyone who hears you might think you're planning to seize the throne," he cautioned, his tone serious and concerned, his eyes filled with worry.
"Oh, should they?" I replied with a sly smile, leaning back in my chair, the faint aroma of coffee lingering in the air.
"As I said, I'm not joking," he stated firmly, his voice laced with a sense of urgency.
"I'm not joking either, Duke. If my suspicions are correct, then the Emperor himself may be the main culprit," I declared, my tone growing serious once more, my fingers tracing patterns on the contract papers before me.
"You're well aware of the Emperor's vast authority. He can eliminate anyone without a trace. He can make someone vanish without a trace. So, think about it. I'm confident I can uncover the truth," I stated calmly, taking another sip of my coffee, its warmth contrasting with the chill in the room.
