By Some Unbelievable Twist, I Became the Villainess’s Older Brother - Chapter 13.2
“That… may indeed be true.”
Apparently finding the Duke’s words reasonable, the Duchess finally relaxed. She nodded and was about to resume her meal when she turned to her husband as though suddenly remembering something.
“Come to think of it, I heard that the commander of the Second Battalion abruptly resigned not long ago.”
“Where did you hear that?”
“Goodness, have you forgotten? The commander’s wife attends our social gatherings.”
“Ah.”
“She pestered me terribly over it. She poured out all her grievances, saying she did not even know why her husband had resigned. She wept so much, saying their children were not yet grown… Ah, I felt dreadful for her.”
When she finished, she studied her husband’s expression. Curious about the reason, Enoch also stopped eating and looked at the Duke.
Enoch briefly recalled the face of the Second Battalion’s commander. He was a good warrior, powerfully built, honest and hearty in nature, and devoted to his subordinates.
“Judging by your expression, you appear to know something. Why would a man who had been serving without issue suddenly resign?”
Pressed by his wife, Duke Laochenes cleared his throat and looked away.
“Hmm. What makes you think I know anything? I have heard nothing in particular either.”
“Oh, honestly, are you going to be like this? Did he perhaps do something wrong before His Majesty the Emperor?”
“How would I know? My dear, have you forgotten where I serve? I am merely an official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ordinarily, it is more difficult for me to meet His Majesty than it is for the members of the Imperial Guard.”
“Well. That is true.”
The Duke nodded and fell into thought for a moment. In truth, the Second Battalion’s commander he knew was diligent and steadfast, never the sort of man who would commit a foolish act.
At that moment, something suddenly crossed his mind, and Duke Laochenes looked at Enoch.
But only briefly. He soon turned his gaze away naturally.
Meanwhile, Enoch thought the Second Battalion commander’s resignation only natural. There had, after all, been an attempted assassination of the Crown Prince.
The culprit had been caught quickly and was already dead, bringing the case to a close within a short time. But the matter was so grave that someone needed to take responsibility.
In short, the commander had been unlucky. The Imperial Guard battalions regularly took turns protecting the Imperial Family during the Imperial hunting competition, and the Second Battalion had been assigned to this one. That itself was not unusual, but the incident happened on their watch.
The Emperor hadn’t held anyone responsible. Publicly, the reason was that the Crown Prince had escaped injury and the culprit was caught quickly. But if Adelio was correct, it was probably an attempt by the Imperial Family to contain the incident swiftly and blur the matter into obscurity.
That, however, was speculation only those with knowledge of the circumstances could make. The Second Battalion’s commander must have felt uneasy when the investigation ended much faster than usual. He had undoubtedly chosen to resign in order to protect the subordinates beneath him from any repercussions.
‘Having a superior like that is a blessing.’
But that was a separate matter. Enoch suddenly began to worry about the future.
His rank was vice commander of the Imperial Guard’s Fifth Battalion. There must be no small number of people serving beneath him… and he doubted whether he could bear such a heavy responsibility.
That burden was enough on its own, but thinking of the Second Battalion’s commander made him sigh as well.
The clatter Zyla made beside him broke Enoch’s long reverie. She stared down at her plate with a sullen expression.
Enoch glanced at Zyla and exhaled softly. He had remembered what happened several days ago.
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