Chapter 451: Following the Clues

While the Langley family bustled with wedding preparations, Oliver tirelessly investigated the assassination attempt on Harrison. Isolde grew restless, but without official orders, she couldn't interfere with the Southern Watch's affairs. She could only discreetly send people to gather information. Fortunately, Oliver had already uncovered several leads, giving Isolde a clear direction.

Between her inquiries, Isolde made sure to pay respects to Allan and Heidi, though mostly to Heidi, as Allan remained occupied. The King strictly supervised the princes’ studies, and Allan, known for his severity, had received an imperial decree to rigorously oversee the Crown Prince’s education. He often stayed late at the palace, sometimes even overnight in the study. Thus, whenever Isolde visited, she usually only saw Heidi.

Heidi always brightened at Isolde’s arrival, preparing snacks, sweet soups, and even little treats for her. One evening, Isolde returned after dark and went straight to Heidi’s quarters to pay her respects. As Isolde entered, she asked, “Has Agnes been bothering you today?”

Heidi smiled. “Not anymore.”

A maid served Isolde coffee and chimed in, “Surely you must have reprimanded her. Did she dare argue back?”

Isolde took a sip of coffee. “I didn’t scold her, just warned her against being so arrogant.”

The maid chuckled. “Miss Valen isn’t usually so easily deterred.”

“Who cares? I said my piece and left. Who has time to listen to her nonsense?” Isolde waved a hand dismissively, looking rather pleased with herself.

The maid and Heidi exchanged a glance, as if quietly relieved. Isolde pretended not to notice, focusing on her coffee.

“Why aren’t you wearing the hairpin I gave you today?” Heidi studied Isolde’s updo with a faint smile. “Though, of course, what I gifted you is hardly fine enough. A lady of your standing must have far more exquisite jewelry. It’s only natural you’d disregard mine.”

Isolde quickly protested, “Oh! I went up the mountain today and didn’t want to risk breaking it, so I wore a gilt one instead.”

“Oh, I thought you disliked my gift!” Heidi said with a smile.

“How could I?” Isolde popped a piece of date cake into her mouth, devouring it in a few bites. “Delicious!”

“Have more, then. By the way, why did you go up the mountain?” Heidi refilled her cup.

“No particular reason. Since the attempt on Harrison’s life, the Southern Watch has been handling the case. I had nothing better to do, so I thought I’d help Oliver.”

“Were the assassins on the mountain?” Heidi watched Isolde closely.

Isolde laughed. “How would I know? I was just bored and needed an excuse to get out. It’s better than being accused of lazing around instead of helping with William’s wedding preparations. Who could criticize me for helping Oliver?”

Heidi joined in her laughter. “You clever little imp.”

Isolde stuck out her tongue. “I’d rather not meddle in household affairs anyway. Besides, William was once my fiancé. Arranging his wedding now? How absurd. I wouldn’t want Oliver to feel uncomfortable either.”

Heidi frowned. “Oliver… must be very busy lately. Has he found any leads? Oh, why would assassins appear at all? How is Harrison now? Such a worry. He’s a hero of the Eryndral Empire.”

Munching on another cake, Isolde replied, “There must be some leads. Everyone’s heading up the mountain. Maybe the assassins’ hideout is there. As for Harrison, he’s recovering well. Rumor says he’ll return to Fragoland soon.”

“So soon? With such severe injuries?” Heidi stiffened.

Isolde swallowed her cake and took a sip of coffee. “You know about his injuries?”

Heidi forced a laugh. “Just from servants’ chatter. I overheard a few things. After all, I’ve always admired Harrison.”

“True.” Isolde met Heidi’s gaze. “Though his injuries are serious, the Queen Mother is a master healer. As long as there’s breath left, she can save him.”

Distractedly, Heidi murmured, “Yes, her skills are renowned.”

The maid added more coffee and asked, “Which mountain did you mention earlier, young mistress? Would assassins really hide there? In this freezing weather, wouldn’t they freeze to death?”

Playing equally naive, Isolde answered, “Deer Mountain. As for freezing, who knows? Maybe they have caves.”

Heidi responded absently, her expression tense. Isolde had her confirmation. In her past life, as a military officer, she hadn’t known much about spies until one was exposed. Only then had she learned their methods. She remembered the spies had a contact point on the mountain. Their leader stationed there, with operatives reporting back at scheduled intervals. Urgent messages were also delivered there before being relayed further. She couldn’t recall the exact mountain, only a vague impression of Deer Mountain. Seeing Heidi’s unease, she knew she’d guessed right.

“Well, I should go. Oliver will be back soon,” Isolde said, rising.

Heidi managed a strained smile. “Of course.”

Isolde curtsied and left.

Oliver returned close to midnight. Not seeing Isolde, he asked Britney, “Where’s Princess Isolde?”

“In the study!” Britney replied.

Oliver grinned. “She’s reading? Since when did she develop the patience for books? Why aren’t you attending her?”

Britney covered a giggle. “She’s not reading, just flipping through books and maps, sketching something. Noelle’s with her. She sent me back to wait for you.”

“Sketching?” Oliver’s interest piqued. “Let’s see what she’s drawing.”

The Ningser Pavilion housed a small study and a large training hall. Though compact, the study was packed with books, mostly military treatises and maps. Oliver and Isolde occasionally browsed them together.

Entering, Oliver found the floor littered with crumpled paper balls. Noelle was grinding ink while Isolde bent over the desk, absorbed in her drawing. She didn’t even glance up when he walked in.

Oliver leaned over her shoulder. “Noelle told me you were painting, and I was like, ‘No way.’ So is this a landscape painting?”

Isolde set down her brush and smiled at him. “No, a terrain map.”

“Of which place?” He studied it closely. This was a soldier’s instinct. Terrain maps meant potential battle plans.

“Deer Mountain. Look…” She turned the sketch toward him, gesturing at a stack of reference books. “I cross-referenced Argentum’s maps with nearby mountain charts.”

As a Southern Watch officer thoroughly familiar with the surrounding mountains, Oliver had scaled Deer Mountain several times. He nodded approvingly. “Mostly accurate. But Deer Mountain has no trees, just ash and soil past the midpoint.”

“No trees?”

“Right. It’s a volcanic cone. Barren above the halfway point.”

Isolde paused. “Then this is wrong.”