Was getting back into Heinrich’s good graces enough to kill for? Liane looked closer at Lord Sommerfeld. He had a round soft face and hands and appeared far and away from a killer. But appearances could be deceiving, and he was back at court…
“Perhaps he’s back to make amends with Heinrich…?” Liane prompted.
“Doubtful, Heinrich doesn’t forgive and forget easily.”
“But what if Heinrich asked him to do something? Wouldn’t he forgive him then?”
“What have you heard?” Ludwig asked.
Liane chewed on her bottom lip and avoided his gaze. Anything she said would be a blatant lie or exposing what she knew. But she could trust Ludwig; they’d fought side by side all this time. Liane couldn’t do this alone, not balancing her fake engagement and keeping Heinrich unawares at the same time. Captain Rosen had told her to keep it secret, but she could trust Ludwig; she should have told him long ago.And looking at Lord Sommerfeld, she was starting to have doubts she could find this assassin without his help. Heinrich might have hired anyone, some servant perhaps. If that were the case, there were hundreds of them in the palace. She couldn’t possibly investigate them all in the next couple of days.
“I thought you promised to stay out of trouble,” Ludwig said when she didn’t answer.
“It finds me!” Liane said, forcing a laugh when curious glances were cast their way. “Love, that is. I figured it was time,” she said, using her fake engagement as bait to distract the courtiers.
“I heard about the engagement. Should I be congratulating or consoling you?” Ludwig asked.
They couldn’t talk there, not with so many listening ears. Liane stood up and gestured for Ludwig to follow, and they headed down a winding path deeper into the garden, away from the crowds. Ludwig’s limp slowed their progress.
When she found a secluded spot facing the Midnight Tower, Ludwig sank down beside her, groaning and rubbing his injured right leg. He’d gotten it because of her, while trying to protect her. If she told him the truth, he’d rush back to work too soon, and if he was permanently crippled as a result, she’d never forgive herself. But he wouldn’t walk away without answers. He’d already suspected she was hunting a new lead.
“What have you been up to since you went on leave?” she asked, trying to make small talk.
“Changing the subject, I see? You’re on to something. Don’t try and hide it.”
She tugged at a loose thread from her sleeve, avoiding his questioning gaze. “If I tell you, promise me you won’t intervene.”
“What’s going on?”
“I think Heinrich is plotting treason.”
Ludwig scoffed. “The man is a cheater and arrogant scum, but he’s not foolish enough to try and take on your mother, not with Cyra and the church backing her rule.”
“What if he had someone powerful backing him?” Liane asked.
“Whose more powerful than Cyra?”
Liane swallowed hard past a lump in her throat.
“The elves?” she practically whispered the word.
Ludwig was quiet for a long moment, not moving and not speaking. Liane stood up and paced in front of him.
“Someone powerful is funding the stardust smugglers, getting them out of jail. Selling it to the nobles!” Liane said, the words spilling from her mouth filling the silence.
“Clearly, someone with influence is connected to the elves and the stardust. But Heinrich, what does he have to gain?”
“The crown, the empire. Isn’t it obvious?” Liane threw out her arms to make her point.
Ludwig stood and put his hands on her shoulders. “Listen, I know you hate him for what he did to Aristea. But you can’t accuse a man of treason for the sins of his father.”
Liane clenched her hand into a fist, and a gap widened between them. Of all people, she thought Ludwig would believe her. And if he doubted her, maybe she was wrong. What if she had been blinded by her own anger and resentment and missed some vital clue?
“You’re right. Forget I said anything. It was a silly notion.” She shook her head.
“Look, I know I said some things I regret, and I don’t want you to feel obligated to solve this alone… We’ll eradicate stardust together, even if it takes years. We’re in this together.” His eyes flicked past her as he spoke.
“Something wrong?” Liane asked. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Captain Rosen headed in their direction.
