Amanda wasn’t the only one that noticed the fire and activity around the Blood Assassins headquarters. Luke was the first person to receive the report that Oliver’s army had managed to sneak into Edel and launch an attack in the middle of the night, and the Grand Duke was able to reasonably infer that their goal was to save Amanda. There would be no reason to attack the Blood Assassin headquarters otherwise. If anyone wanted to inflict damage on Luke before the war, it would be most effective to attack the castle or a military location, not the Blood Assassins.
‘…How surprising.’
It was an unexpected move by Oliver. Luke had prepared for this situation of course, but he never thought it was much of a probability. When he stayed at the Imperial Palace, he witnessed and heard rumors about Oliver’s and Amanda’s relationship. It was why he had not yet killed Amanda; as a hostage, she was far more valuable. But Luke didn’t realize Oliver’s attachment to her would be to this degree.
‘I thought politics would be mixed in their relationship…but perhaps he really does care about the Empress.’
It was already clear that the Keith Empire and the state of Edel would soon go to war. Oliver moved quickly to save Amanda before a full-scale battle broke out, which meant that she was an extraordinarily precious person to him. A smug, satisfied smile spread across Luke’s mouth.
‘Did I catch a bigger fish than I realized?’
In fact, when his assassination attempt on Oliver failed, he was so furious that he intended to kill Amanda. Once Luke saw her determined red eyes glaring at him, however, he became intrigued and eventually changed his mind. No one had shown such a commanding presence in front of him. Even the proudest, most arrogant noble would grovel for their lives, such as Madelyn and Leon did. But Amanda…she was different. It was providence that he decided to keep her alive.
Men tended to think highly of themselves. For Luke, women were merely tools to support stronger men, and he had believed that Oliver thought the same as well. There were other men who were humiliated at the thought of being lesser than a woman. Luke wasn’t sure what category Oliver fell in, but…
A funny idea flashed across his mind.
‘If Oliver were to choose between the Keith Empire or the woman Amanda…what would he choose?’
Oliver couldn’t be foolish enough to choose Amanda, but Luke wondered how the emperor would react when the moment came. Luke spoke to a servant.
“Update on the Empress?”
“Yes. I sent the men as you ordered, and they will cut off one of the Empress’ arms and bring it back.”
“Good. I’m looking to see how Oliver will respond.”
Oliver had invaded his territory, and Luke intended to repay him generously. Luke ordered Amanda to be moved to a secret place where she could not be found, and ordered his men to cut off one of her arms. Then he’ll send Oliver a little present…
He smirked and stroked his bard as he imagined Oliver’s reaction.
Beolkeog!
A soldier burst into the room with a harried look on his face.
“My Lord, we’re in trouble!”
“What’s going on?”
Luke’s brows furrowed at the soldier, who wheezed his report without even taking a moment to breathe.
“There’s another army coming from the border, led by Emperor Keith.”
“Wh-what?”
Luke jumped up from his seat. He knew that the enemy’s soldiers had been gathering at the border as of late, but he didn’t expect Oliver to launch a preemptive strike so quickly.
‘I can’t be…he must be launching an attack inside and outside at the same time to save the Empress.’
Luke had shown little interest in the soldiers at the border. No matter how many of Oliver’s men infiltrated Edel, it would be difficult for the Keith Empire to mount an extended campaign, and Luke could take them at any moment.
If war was imminent, however, Luke’s troops would be spread too thin. At the moment, it was more urgent to stop the large army moving through the border, rather than the smaller one that had already infiltrated Edel. Luke ground his teeth.
“…Oliver.”
Luke could not let this go any further. Oliver seemed so desperate to rescue Amanda…but Luke would never surrender her. He took a few short strides and put on his armor.
“Hurry up and bring me the Empress’ arm. I will go directly to the border.”
“Yes, My Lord!”
The soldiers around him bowed in unison.