The Queen Who Shares Love
Chapter 20 The Sudden Attack

Leticia knelt in the temple to pray. He closed his eyes and offered his request. He just wanted a peaceful life for himself and his daughter. He hopes the plan he has made is successful.

Leticia stood up, opening her eyes. He finished praying. The pope approached him.

"May the Lord be with you, Empress," greetings the Pope.

"Thank you, Pope." Leticia lowered her head. He will expose the rottenness of the person in front of him.

Leticia. The Pope withdrew to greet everyone who came to the temple. With his fake smile, he was able to make everyone trust him. 

Leticia left the prayer room. Leticia's main goal isn't actually to the temple. He is investigating the abduction of children in a village near the temple. However, if he went straight to the village the people he brought would suspect him. Braun and Charlotte must have put some bodyguards to spy on Leticia. Leticia doesn't want her plan to be discovered. He can quibble after the temple he intends to the nearest village to rest.

He had originally intended to investigate the temple, but the Pope must have removed the evidence from it. There was nothing important information that Leticia would get. He will go straight to the village.

Leticia met one of the people she knew standing at the entrance of the prayer hall. Grand Duke Faust came to pray. No more precisely, Leticia asked him to make a noise at the temple. With the arrival of the cruel Grand Duke will make the temple wary. Gerald was also able to investigate the temple through the fear he spread. Perhaps the Pope will show his weakness unintentionally. If his plan fails, Gerald can still make a profit. A cruel Grand Duke visiting a temple can mean he is trying to repent.

Previously Leticia had sent a letter to Grand Duke Faust through Judith. Of course Judith did not give it directly to Grand Duke Faust. He delivers the letter to Isabella, and Isabella delivers it to Gerald, just as Gerald had given Leticia an invitation.

"Greetings to the First Empress." Gerald bowed slightly to greet.

Leticia received the greeting then said, "Unlike you usually come to pray, Grand Duke."

"There is no harm in praying, Empress," replied Gerald.

They play to be heard by those around them. After the sight of the passersby was not fixed on them, Leticia and immediately moved before anyone came to their senses. They were looking for a quiet place so that no one would hear their conversation. Leticia's bodyguards waited at the temple's main door. He didn't want them to suspect his encounter with Gerald or to hear the two of them talk. 

"I will investigate the village near the temple. I heard there was a child missing there," Leticia said firmly.

"What does this have to do with the forbidden acts the temple committed?" ask Gerald.

"I think there is. Previously Visclunt Gremaroft donated to the temple in large numbers. The village was included in Viscount Gremaroft's territory. It seems like the Pope and Viscount Gremaroft are working together" Leticia explained.

"All right, so what should I do?" Gerald looked at Leticia.

Leticia returned Gerald's gaze. Grand Duke Faust wasn't as scary as he thought. Previously Leticia was a little carried away by the bad rumors about the person in front of her. Now he is no longer afraid.

"Just like the letter I sent to you, Grand Duke. You just need to pray, make the Pope confused. If necessary you can bring up the donations of Count Blaire, Marquis Lodrey, and Viscount Gremaroft in large quantities. I'm sure they have something to do with the forbidden magic that the temple does."

"All right, I'll do it, Empress."

"Thank you for trusting me, Grand Duke."

Leticia resigned to go home. Gerald heads to the prayer room to execute Leticia's plan.

Leticia heard people whispering to each other about Grand Duke Faust's arrival to the temple. They were talking about the possibility of Grand Duke Faust trying to change or those who were frightened seeing the Grand Duke being cruel. 

Leticia got on her horse-drawn carriage to the palace. He would pretend to feel tired in the middle of the journey and ask the coachman to go to the nearest village.

***

Leticia noticed the scene outside the window. He estimated the distance between the village with his horse carriage was close or not. It is still in the middle. Soon Leticia's going on a show.

The horse carriage stopped. Leticia jerks.

'What's going on outside?'

One of her bodyguards shouted, "Protect the Empress!"

The sound of swords clashing against each other sounded. A missed arrow stuck in the ground. Most likely Leticia's entourage was attacked by robbers. The coffers of money they will get by kidnapping or killing the people in the horse-drawn carriage. 

Or it could be that the one who fought with Leticia's bodyguards outside was the assassin who was asked to kill her.

Leticia came to the window. His guards fought the man who wore a cloth to cover his mouth. No one knows the identity of the attacker Leticia's entourage. Suddenly an arrow stuck next to his window. He fell, his legs shaking. There are people who are after his life. And this terrible event he went through was not in his plan.

Leticia strengthened her heart. He has to survive. The robber or murderer was still busy fighting his bodyguard. This is a good time to escape. Leticia opened the door of the horse carriage, looking for the perfect moment to run. After feeling that no one was watching him he ran towards the forest. He doesn't care about anything else. He must save himself. 

Leticia's feet continued to step away from her carriage. Sometimes he looks back. He felt someone was watching him. However, no one was chasing him. Perhaps one of the robbers or assassins was hiding behind the trees to wait for a golden opportunity to kidnap or kill Leticia.

Leticia's steps are getting longer and longer. He regretted his decision to stop learning the sword. Since Isabella was angry with him, she never held a sword. If he was reckless to continue learning the sword secretly from his father, maybe he would not be exhausted like this.

Leticia stopped her steps. His feet are no longer strong. He took a breath to recover his strength. The eyes watching him still felt. Leticia spread her gaze around. There's no one.

He calms his heart and mind to think. This should have been a chance to kidnap or kill Leticia. But why is that person still silent? 

Leticia felt that this was very strange. What is the purpose of that man? Is he an enemy or a friend? Who is that guy? Only one person whose actions Leticia could not predict.

"Come out, Dale," said Leticia half-calling.

As Leticia guessed, Dale appeared suddenly. His hand attitude seemed to have let go of his hood. He smiled until he looked like a wicked grin. Leticia looked at him sharply. What exactly is Dale planning?