The Diabolical

Errands

Gisele’s PoV

“Your majesty.” Gisele bowed her head to Rose. Rose looks up at me with a smile. If only I could wipe off the smile from her face.

“Oh- you’re back already? So- what did you find out?” I told the empress about my find and how the Western Kingdom planned something sinister.

“I see- thank you for your hard work. Is that all?” I nodded.

“Alright. Now- what happened to you? You look like someone in trouble. Are you in trouble? Or are you worried about something?” I- the empress is too observant.

“Calypso is now at the hospital. I’m worried that she might be in trouble because of me. My mother is currently with her to make sure of it.” The empress seems surprised.

“I see. Are you worried Calypso might carry your child? Yes- I heard what happened between the two of you. I can’t say that I am happy to know that you might knock up one of my trusted vassals, though.” I understand. If Calypso is pregnant, she can’t continue being the empress’s spy.

I don’t wish for the bad, but I hope she’s not pregnant. Please- it would be difficult for her to be pregnant since I am-

“Gisele- you should be with Calypso. You need to be there once the doctor knows the result. Whatever the result is, you should make a good choice for you and Calypso.” The empress is right. I shouldn’t be worrying about anything.

“Excuse me.” I bowed before leaving the empress and went to the hospital inside the palace.

“Gisele! You’re finally here. I’ve been waiting for the doctor to be done.” Rona seems overly excited for no reason.

“Seeing how you’re here with the witch- you want to make sure that Calypso is pregnant or not.” Rona nodded.

“She was vomiting and complaining about headaches. I remember when I was pregnant with you- I suffered the same symptoms.” I sighed.

“Please don’t get your hopes up. I doubt she’s-,” the doctor walks out from the room with a smile on her face.

“You may enter the room.” I smiled at the doctor before my mother grabbed the doctor by the shoulder.

“How is Calypso?” The doctor seems surprised.

“Lady Calypso needs a lot of rest. After all, the pregnant mother needs to take care of themselves and the baby in their belly. But don’t worry, I’ve made sure that everything is taken care of.” Rona let go of the doctor’s shoulder before laughing out loud.

“See! I told you!” Rona made way towards the room where Calypso was while I stayed outside, pondering what I should do now. After gathering enough energy to face Calypso, I entered the room and watched as Roma explained some things to her.

“We won’t take much of your time. Take care of yourself. If you need me, call my name. I should appear as soon as I can. Take care of my grandchild.” Rona smiled before leaving the room together with the witch.

I stood by the door, staring at Calypso, who only smiled at me.

“Well- aren’t you going to say anything?” I asked. Calypso shakes her head no.

“What should I say? I’m not mad. So don’t worry about it, okay?” Calypso ushered for me to come closer.

“You need to help me.” Huh?

“Anything- I’ll do anything.” Calypso smiled.

“Go to the guild and handle the urgent affairs that need my attention. As you can see- I was given the order to rest, and since I am carrying your child, you need to follow whatever I said. Do you understand?” I- I nodded my head.

“Good- after you’re done, you need to go to the House of Beauty and inform my secretaries of my situation. They will know what to do next.” Again I nodded. I am simply out of words. It’s not because I’m scared of Calypso or anything. It’s just- I feel it’s my obligation to do whatever she asks me to do.

“It’s great that you’re someone who listens to orders. I was worried that I might have to teach you.” I- I apologized without any valid reason.

“How are you feeling?” Calypso shrugged.

“I feel nothing in particular. I do feel tired, but that’s normal. That woman who came with Rona said it would be a journey for me since I am a human. She also offers to get rid of it if it’s too much for me.“ I see.

“What did you say?” Calypso shrugged her shoulder.

“Why should I get rid of my child? A mother should endure it. Besides, how bad could it be?” That sounds like a red flag.

“If it’s too much for you, you may decide what’s best for you. I-,” Calypso raised her hand.

“I will choose what’s best for both of us. Also, Gisele- what are you waiting for? I thought I told you to go and deal with my affairs. It’s the least you could do since you made me this way.” I- I smiled at Calypso.

“I’m sorry. I will deal with your affairs now.” Calypso smiled back.

“I’ll be waiting for you here.” I nodded before excusing myself.

“Ah- I almost forgot. You may do whatever you want with anyone who tries to get your way. I don’t mind. As long as you clean up the mess after your done, alright?” I nodded before walking out of the room.

In other words, Calypso wants me to get off everything nuisance that might take advantage of her absence. I won’t let that happen. Not on my watch.

“Commander? Where are you going?” Elfie asked when I mounted my horse.

“Elfie, you’re in charge while I’m away. If you need me, find me at the guild or the House of Beauty. But if it’s urgent, go to the prince. He will know what to do.” Elfie nodded.

“I understand, commander. Be safe. I will take care of things at this end.” It’s nice to have someone reliable.

“Thanks, Elfie.”

THE NEXT DAY,

Who would have thought that Calypso was in control of the empire’s information hub? A country will be shaken if its secrets are known to the public. And Calypso was smart enough to make it her weapon of choice. Even the empress knows how important Calypso's influence is to the crown. With the guild under her control, it’s easier for the empress to gather information about the enemies and those who work for her.

“Lady Gisele, may I ask when the master will be back?” Even I don’t know that answer.

“It depends on how fast she will recover. For now, I will handle the guild’s matter.” The manager nodded her head.

“I understand. If the master trusted the lady, I would do the same. Putting aside our introduction, I have some matters to discuss. It’s about a group of rogue adventurers who thinks they could outlaw the system. The master would normally tell us to let them be but-“ but?

“Why don’t you see for yourself.” Huh? I followed the manager towards the lobby and noticed a group of adventurers seemed to be in a heated argument.

“Calypso would just let them fight?” The manager shook her head.

“No- but everyone here is afraid of the master. After all, it’s easy for the master to show who is in control of their life. Information is important, and it’s safe to say that the world revolves around it too. Everyone knows that once the master put her mind into something, someone's life is about to end.” The manager explained.

So- Calypso is the type to do things behind closed doors.

“Those adventures will ruin the lobby of this continues. I will find the guards.” I raised my hand before walking towards the adventurer and grabbed the man about to start a fight with the others.

“If you want to fight, go outside. This place is not an arena for you to show your brute strength.” I easily tower most of the adventurers while glaring at them.

“And why would someone from the imperial knights be here of all places? You have no authority to do this to us! And it’s our choice to fight anywhere. Even a knight like you doesn’t have the power to stop us!” The adventurer tried to pry himself off my hold, but it deems a little too hard for him to do so.

Calypso did say I could do whatever I wanted as long as I cleaned up the mess I made. But-

“Guards! Bring them outside!” I pushed the adventurer on the floor. The man seems a bit pissed as the guards drag him and his friends out from the guild.

“You will never get away with this! You’re just a knight! Someone who licks the empress's foot for a better life! You will never understand what we go through to continue living out there!” Oh- is that a challenge?

“I used to be a mercenary. Tell me again if your life is harder than mine.” The man didn’t get to say anything when I used the back of my hand to show him who runs this establishment.

“You almost cause a lot of damage to the establishment that the masterwork hard to build. Do you think I’m the type to let people like you go free?” I continue to hit him while the guards hold the others in place.

“I was given the authority to take charge of this place. And you decided to be a big shot while I’m around? You never met or heard of me before.” I unsheathed just my sword and aimed the tip of my blade under his chin.

“Tell me if I should spare your life, adventurer.” I watched as the adventurer peed his pants. That’s just a low blow.

“Luckily, we’re outside, or else it would be hard for the servants to clean up your mess.” I kept my sword away and smiled at the others.

“An an adventurer, you should strive for your goal. But if your goal is to show others how annoying and mean you are, it’s best to stop tarnishing the great name of other adventurers. You’re making others look bad because of your attitude and action. The people need to know that not all adventurers are bad people.” I sighed. It’s been a while since I expressed my thoughts like so.

I turned to the ring leader and stared at him.

“What’s the reason for you all to act like a barbarian? Even barbarians show some respect to the crown.” I waited for the answer, but the adventurer didn’t seem ready to talk yet. I sighed.

I have to go to the House of Beauty soon. What should I do with these troublemakers? Ah-

“Send these adventurers to the palace and let Elfie know that I send them. Perhaps after Elfie dealt with them, they would be someone who could bring the empire to its glory. After all, the palace needs brave soldiers to win the war.” I smiled when the adventurer shook their head, refusing to be soldiers.

“Why? Why don’t you want to be a soldier? It’s one of the greatest honors to bring victory to the empire. Don’t you want to die as a hero?” I chuckled when their expression changed.

“Let that be your punishment. Send these people away.” The guards nodded before dragging them away from my sight. At least I manage to find a group of people for the army. From the looks of things- it won’t be long until the war happens.

With the current situation, the neighboring kingdom is like a ticking bomb. It’s only a matter of time for the king to fall for the bait.