Chapter 66: Artificial Objects and Imposters
Charlotte and her cousin huddled together under a quilt, whispering secrets late into the night.
When they set off the next day, Count Philip, perhaps to make amends for Charlotte being robbed on his land, presented her with numerous parting gifts. Among them, besides some money, the one that captured Charlotte's interest the most was a small, fluffy creature.
It was about the size of her palm, with short legs and covered in snow-white fur. Uniquely, it possessed five fluffy tails, each larger than its body, and three sapphire-blue eyes, giving it a beautiful and utterly adorable appearance.
Charlotte didn't recognize the species of this little animal. This wasn't due to her lack of knowledge; rather, the creature didn't belong to any known species at all.
Upon closer inspection, one could see that its body, tails, and eyes belonged to three distinct animals. These disparate parts were seamlessly combined, appearing as if they had been naturally formed that way. Had Charlotte not been informed beforehand that it was an artificial creation, she likely wouldn't have suspected anything amiss.
Indeed, this was an artificially created creature, known as a "chimera" within noble circles. Chimeras came in many forms. Besides the five-tailed little mouse in front of Charlotte, there were also things like small snakes with wings, and kittens with goat horns and fox tails.
Despite their perfect appearance, these chimeras were actually quite fragile and possessed almost no ability to survive in the wild. They were prone to illness and death, and their lifespans were very short. However, these drawbacks weren't significant, as chimeras were created for a singular purpose: to serve as playthings for noble children.
Beautiful, cute, or particularly unique chimeras could fetch prices comparable to gold and jewelry. Noble children would occasionally bring out their rare and interesting chimeras to show off during social gatherings.
However, Charlotte's interest in chimeras themselves was limited. What truly fascinated her were the people and techniques involved in their creation. In her opinion, combining two unrelated animals, much like grafting plants, was no less miraculous than necromancers commanding armies of the undead.
Charlotte inquired with Countess Simona, but the Countess didn't know the chimera's creator. She only knew it was a gift from a minor noble from the Kingdom of Cato.
This wasn't particularly surprising. The creators of chimeras were merely artisans who specialized in serving the nobility. Their social standing was far below that of the Countess, and they weren't worthy of her attention.
The closer they got to Riverside Castle, the better the road conditions in the Green Plains Duchy became. However, carriages were not cars, and the journey remained tedious and long.
It wasn't until three or four days later that a weary Charlotte finally arrived at the heavily guarded Riverside Castle.
Renee's father, Wolf Von Derlen, the one-eared steward of Riverside Castle, was slightly surprised to see Charlotte's return, though he didn't show excessive astonishment.
Charlotte alighted from the carriage, curtsied, and then got straight to the point, saying, "Mr. Wolf, I heard my father is ill?"
Wolf Von Derlen respectfully returned Charlotte's bow and replied, "That is indeed the case. Duke Green Plains is still recuperating."
"Then may I see my father?" Charlotte asked again.
Wolf Von Derlen nodded, then hesitated and said, "Of course, but now might not be the best time..."
"Why?" Charlotte asked, a hint of confusion in her voice.
"Because the Duke is currently meeting with guests," Wolf Von Derlen replied.
"Oh."
The fact that her father was well enough to receive guests meant that Jose Mellerfield's condition wasn't critical, which brought Charlotte a measure of relief.
"Which guests have arrived?" Charlotte inquired.
"Bishop Allen Ferenbach and Count Albert Mellerfield," Wolf Von Derlen answered.
Allen Ferenbach was the bishop of the secondary diocese of the Green Plains Duchy, considered the second most important figure in the duchy after the Grand Duke himself.
Count Albert Mellerfield, in terms of lineage, could be considered a distant relative of Charlotte. His great-grandfather and Jose Mellerfield's great-grandfather were brothers. However, Albert, having spent decades at Jose Mellerfield's side through thick and thin, was also regarded as a confidant by the Duke of Green Plains and currently controlled the Sean Barracks, which Jose Mellerfield had recently established.
Charlotte nodded slightly and then asked, "What exactly is wrong with my father?"
Upon hearing this question, hesitation flickered across Wolf Von Derlen's face. In the end, he still didn't give a direct answer: "Perhaps it's best if Duke Green Plains tells you himself."
Although she didn't receive a straightforward answer, Charlotte was already seventy to eighty percent certain that Jose Mellerfield wasn't seriously ill at all.
"Miss, you're back!"
As she entered the castle, the little maid Linda excitedly ran over to greet Charlotte.
"I'm back. Did you miss me, little girl?" Charlotte said with a smile, gently pinching Linda's cheek.
"Mmm," Linda nodded vigorously.
Charlotte's fingers, kneading Linda's hand, paused almost imperceptibly.
"What are you doing here?"
A sharp voice cut through the warm moment between Charlotte and her little maid.
Charlotte released Linda and turned her head, only to find that the speaker was her stepmother, the Duchess of Green Plains, Rosie Mellerfield.
Charlotte immediately stepped forward and took Rosie's right arm, saying with a smile, "This is my home. Is there a problem with me being in my own home, Mother?"
Rosie felt a chill run down her spine at Charlotte's address of "Mother." Having witnessed Harvey Shelwin's lifeless eyes, Rosie couldn't shake the feeling that the hand gripping her arm wasn't that of a young girl, but a venomous snake.
"I'm asking you, shouldn't you be in the Viscountcy of Lanwan? Why have you returned?" Rosie suppressed the turmoil in her heart and asked in as calm a tone as she could manage.
"Uncle Stanley informed me that Father was ill and urged me to return quickly to see him." Without hesitation, Charlotte shifted the responsibility onto Stanley.
In any case, given the terrible relationship between Jose Mellerfield and Perode Mellerfield, Rosie couldn't possibly verify this with Stanley.
"That man..." Rosie secretly gritted her teeth at the mention of Stanley. Her disdain for Perode and his sons was no less than her dislike for Charlotte.
"Your father doesn't have any serious problems. He simply needs some rest. There was no need for you to rush back like this," Rosie said.
"My father is ill. As his daughter, it is my duty to return and visit him," Charlotte replied with a smile.
Rosie had no choice but to concede, "Your father is in the study. If you wish to see him, go ahead."
"Huh?" Charlotte blinked in feigned confusion. "Mr. Wolf said Father was receiving guests and asked me to wait."
"He has already concluded his important discussions with the guests. If you go now, you shouldn't disturb them," Rosie stated.
"Alright."
Charlotte nodded and made her way towards the study.
The moment Charlotte released her hand, Rosie inexplicably felt a wave of relief wash over her.
Arriving at the familiar door, Charlotte indeed encountered an elderly man in bishop's robes and a tall, bearded man of middle age.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Bishop Ferenbach, Count Albert," Charlotte said, offering a curtsy to the two men.
Upon seeing Charlotte, Albert displayed a fleeting look of surprise before bowing and saying, "The pleasure is mine, Miss Charlotte."
"Good day to you, dear Miss Charlotte," Allen Ferenbach said, his eyes lingering on Charlotte with a smile.
Having lived in this world for nearly seventeen years since her rebirth, Charlotte had never encountered a second person with eyes as unsettling as Allen Ferenbach's. Even Henry Holovin, the notorious spoiled brat, didn't possess such a repulsive gaze as this wrinkled old man. Being scrutinized by Allen Ferenbach felt like being licked all over by a toad's slimy tongue.
I must find an opportunity to gouge out this old fellow's eyes...
Charlotte secretly vowed, her expression remaining perfectly composed. "Are you both here to visit my father as well? Thank you for your concern."
"Miss Charlotte, there's no need for such politeness. This is merely our duty," Bishop Allen Ferenbach said with a smile.
The bearded Count Albert nodded his agreement from the side, remaining characteristically silent. He was always a man of few words.
Charlotte feigned great concern for her father's condition. After exchanging a few polite pleasantries with the two men, she made a hasty departure.
Entering Jose Mellerfield's study, Charlotte immediately saw the Duke of Green Plains lying half-reclined on the couch, with Sean playing nearby.
"Sister!"
Seeing Charlotte, Sean jumped up in surprise and shouted.
"Sean." Charlotte smiled and ruffled her younger brother's hair. Her gaze involuntarily drifted to the brooch on Sean's chest and the sapphire embedded within it. After a moment, Charlotte couldn't help but frown. She had a nagging feeling that the sapphire, which held such miraculous power, seemed to have lost some of its luster.
"Charlotte, you're back."
Jose Mellerfield didn't appear overly surprised to see his daughter.
"Father, I heard you were ill?" Charlotte squatted down in front of Jose Mellerfield's couch, her voice laced with concern.
Jose Mellerfield shook his head and, without any pretense, revealed the truth: "I wasn't sick. I was the target of an assassination attempt."
"Assassinated? How could anyone assassinate you?" Charlotte exclaimed in shock.
Jose Mellerfield briefly recounted the incident of his poisoning to Charlotte.
After listening, Charlotte was genuinely surprised. The black tea that Jose Mellerfield usually drank was kept in this very study. Riverside Castle was heavily guarded, and Jose Mellerfield's study was strictly off-limits to unauthorized individuals. Furthermore, Duke Green Plains' daily meals were all overseen by Wolf Von Derlen.
Charlotte truly couldn't imagine who could continuously poison the Duke of Green Plains under such tight security.
"Who is trying to poison Father?" Charlotte asked.
Jose Mellerfield shook his head and said, "I've been feigning illness these past few days to lure the assassin into revealing themselves, but unfortunately, they have been very cautious and haven't given me any clues."
Charlotte frowned, her mind racing, but she couldn't come up with any plausible ideas. She could only sigh and say, "Fortunately, Mr. Wolf was diligent and saved Father from a great disaster. I must thank Mr. Wolf properly later."
Charlotte's words were sincere. If Jose Mellerfield were assassinated, it would undoubtedly trigger significant turmoil within the Green Plains Duchy. Not only would her primary source of support for development in Lanwan be gone, but her foolish older brother would certainly be incapable of stabilizing the situation. In such a scenario, Charlotte wasn't even sure if she would have a home to return to.
Jose Mellerfield didn't elaborate on Charlotte's words. He closed the official letter he had finished reading and then said in a deep voice, "Now that you're back, stay home for a while. In a few days, you'll accompany me to Platinum City."
"What am I going to Platinum City for?" Charlotte asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"To attend Henry Holovin's wedding, of course," Jose Mellerfield replied.
"Why do I have to go to his wedding?" Charlotte frowned.
"I, Duke Bonan, the King of Cato, the King of Cochin, and the Marquis of Black Stone Castle will all be attending Henry Holovin's wedding. What's wrong with you, a mere viscount, going as well?" Jose Mellerfield stated.
"So many important figures are going?" Charlotte said in surprise.
Although many people respectfully addressed Henry Holovin as "Your Highness," he was, after all, just an emperor's nephew who hadn't been formally named crown prince. Logically, he shouldn't warrant the attendance of figures of the "two kings, two dukes, and one marquis" level at his wedding.
However, this time, these five most powerful individuals below the imperial emperor were actually going to collectively attend the wedding of such a junior, which could only be described as an exceptionally grand occasion.
With such a significant event, something major must be on the horizon, and Charlotte's interest was thoroughly piqued.
"Since that's the case, then I'll go as well. Speaking of which, I also received an invitation," Charlotte nodded, changing her initial reluctance.
Jose Mellerfield nodded in satisfaction.
Following this, Charlotte spent some time playing with Sean until after dinner, when she finally returned to her pink bedroom.
After bathing, Charlotte sat wearily at her dressing table, allowing Linda to dry her wet hair while her thoughts continued to revolve around the assassination attempt on Jose Mellerfield.
First herself, then Jose Mellerfield. Charlotte's vigilance was now at its peak. Had the assassin failed to eliminate her, so they then targeted her father? The short interval between the two attempts led Charlotte to this conclusion.
Feeling Linda's gentle and meticulous massage on her shoulders, Charlotte suddenly asked, "Linda, what has my brother been up to recently?"
"Mr. Andre?" Linda paused for a moment in thought and then said, "I heard that Mr. Andre seems to be contacting nobles to oppose the Duchess recently."
"Who has he contacted?" Charlotte pressed.
"Count Perode, Count Albert, Viscount Chester, Viscount Gerald..." Linda counted several names on her fingers, then frowned. "I don't know the others."
Charlotte nodded with a smile, her gaze fixed on the person behind her in the mirror. "You are not Linda. Who are you?"
A cold dagger pressed against Linda's throat. Linda's body stiffened, and tears of fear instantly welled up in her eyes. "M-Miss, what are you saying? I am Linda..."
"Linda is probably the most naive girl I've ever met. It would be impressive enough if she could remember my brother's name, let alone recall so many names of outsiders," Charlotte's smile vanished, replaced by a cold stare. She repeated, "You are not Linda. Who exactly are you?"