After My Dead Ending

33.

Look at this guy. I’ve been back for a while now, and he sends me just one letter without even showing his face? Has he lost his mind?

‘I doubt he’d be unaware that I burn his letters without reading them.’

I didn’t read Philip Morfolk’s letters. I had a way of communication through my servants, making it unnecessary.

I didn’t have much interest in Philip Morfolk’s messages, and he knew it well. Therefore, he also sent regular letters, which were more about appearances than me actually reading them. He knew I didn’t read them; he was aware that I didn’t even open them.

Normally, it would have just been sent to the incinerator, but strangely, I felt a strange urge to look at it this time.

In fact, I didn’t need any urge because for some reason, Philip sent me a letter enclosed in an envelope with our family colors. It was an official message.

Anyway, I had a keen intuition. After reading it, I had a strong feeling that I would be extremely angry.

“Ha!”

Without hesitation, I quickly tore open the letter, and eventually, I burst into a dry chuckle. It was one of the reactions that came out when I was very angry, and Erica, who was sorting through documents, was taken aback, looking at me.

“Shall I kill him?”

“Lord?”

“Hohohor? Is he out of his mind?”

“Yes? Is Morfolk requesting a break-up?”

I sharpened the words and looked at the letter again. Of course, rereading it didn’t change its ridiculous content.

“He wants a break-up? Does he think he has multiple lives to spare…?”

For a moment, Erica’s thoughts were filled with Philip Morfolk’s basic statistics, with courage significantly increased.

That can’t happen. Only a man with a courage score of zero from the start could be a potential fiancé of the McFoy family.

When rumors spread that the marriage could be canceled due to a failed investigation, Erica expected some noise. She thought that until the noise died down, Morfolk’s side could request a postponement of the marriage. Morfolk, who relied on McFoy due to the lack of economic power in his once-renowned family, still maintained a pretense of honor and reputation.

Therefore, she never thought that Philip would dare to demand a breakup from Lady McFoy. That scenario was unimaginable, especially considering his cowardly nature. In the past, Erica herself had strongly recommended Philip to Lady McFoy.

Erica cautiously glanced at me.

“A breakup, really? A breakup.”

I muttered sardonically, drumming my index finger against the armrest of the chair. Philip Morfolk had ruined the perfect timing to discuss with Nicholas’s offspring about what he wanted. Somehow, it wasn’t Isa McFoy who would be the one to resolve the situation.

“You can’t break it off right now. Respond to Philip Morfolk. Do you want to tarnish the prestigious family name, which you have been soiling, while cohabitating with that beautiful actress and getting caught up in an investigation? She might be able to endure one day in the investigation whirlwind.”

The Morfolk family was an ancient one, and they attached great importance to honor and dignity. However, when financial issues threatened the maintenance of their dignity, they compromised and agreed to the engagement. It was truly contradictory.

Living in a pre-arranged relationship was quite an honorable subject in the empire’s nobility.

“Add that there’s an unbreakable covenant between us. Have you written all of it?”

Apart from the engagement vows, Philip Morfolk and I had made a separate covenant. Naturally, it was written mostly in my favor.

One of the significant clauses in this contract was “freedom to meet anyone.” However, in the case of a dispute arising from the birth of a child or adultery, Philip had to put his life at stake.

To be honest, this clause was inserted as a joke, implying, “How much can a coward like Philip meet anyone?” But surprisingly, he, despite being a coward, a member of a well-known noble family, agreed to it quietly.

If there was one regrettable aspect of the covenant written in my favor, it was that this contract was based on the premise of our engagement. If the engagement was broken, the covenant would become void. I didn’t worry about this part since I assumed I would be the one breaking it.

“Wait a moment. Yes, I’ve written all of it, my lord.”

“Alright, that’s done. Now, try to sort this out yourself. No matter how much of a coward you are, this is something you should be able to handle. You’ll probably have turned bald from stress in two weeks. Oh no, make it one week, and show up with a solution.”

“Why do you think he demanded a breakup?”

“I don’t know, that scumbag. What do I care about his reasons?”

“Just in case, you should be prepared.”

While saying this, Erica picked up Philip’s letter that I had thrown to the ground and unfolded it. Soon, Erica made a displeased face. I know, I know. She gets annoyed as soon as she reads it. Is it only annoyance, or does it trigger an impulse to kill him?

“…Ridiculous. Did Philip Morfolk really write this? This guy couldn’t even harm a fly. Does he dare to take an oath of chastity and endanger the investigation around you, my lord?”

Cursed empire. Cursed Mehera.

Chastity froze, and now it’s becoming a problem? Did I not know that this obscure imperial law could trip me up? Going against Mehera’s words, because of a minor infraction, really?

Such things had been just ceremonial phrases for hundreds of years.

“Is he truly chaste that he sent me this? He’s just exploiting the weaknesses in the shoddy imperial law and Mehera’s words.”

This was Philip’s purpose.

I am a faithful son of Mehera, a devout believer who follows Mehera’s ancient words. As Mehera has said, those who form the bond of marriage must trust each other and dedicate themselves to chastity. I am a faithful believer, so I cannot marry you, who has not kept the engagement vow!

As far as I knew, Philip wasn’t born with virility like me and wasn’t a devoted believer either. Therefore, what he was saying was extremely absurd, but according to imperial law, it could be considered grounds for a breakup.

The empire worshiped Mehera as the sole deity, and religious authority was high. Astonishingly, what was specified in the imperial law was “Mehera’s words,” which was barely visible even with a magnifying glass and located above the imperial law.

This reasoning was from hundreds of years ago, but no one had considered revising it. Revision would be seen as blasphemy and, at the same time, everyone interpreted Mehera’s words as they pleased, leaning toward their own convenience.

This era’s people didn’t strictly adhere to this ancient doctrine. Perhaps they would have broken it first? Even when I searched extensively, those who might adhere to these words were probably limited to the direct heirs of Diaxi, who had no flexibility.

In other words, among the empire’s citizens living in this era, there wasn’t a single person who judged trust between married couples based on chastity. Since no one followed these words, there would be more people who didn’t know of the existence of these words and died in ignorance.

Of course, this doctrine had an impact on society as a “chastity-avoiding society.” But these days, many people were unaware that avoiding chastity was a sentiment formed based on this ancient doctrine.

“It seems like Philip Morfolk didn’t come up with this idea himself. I put so much thought into choosing your fiance, my lord.”

Erica was confident that Philip Morfolk was foolish and lacked courage. It was not something anyone could do to exploit the loopholes in imperial law while chanting the doctrine to trouble the McFoy family.

I couldn’t contain my rising anger and eventually stood up from my seat. I clenched my fist and stared into the empty air for a while before I finally realized.

Ah, that woman.

“…An actress.”

“Are you referring to Philip Morfolk’s lover?”

“Yes, that Patra Langdrai or something.”

“It’s Patricia Landry, my lord.”

Patricia Landry.

She was one of the fairly popular actresses in the capital, and she was in her early twenties, if I recall correctly. In any case, she had roots in various people and relationships, and she moved into an elegant mansion in the capital about six months ago with Philip.

“Patra Landry, was she a noble lady in the past, despite being a commoner now?”

“It seems like the trouble is over there.”

“It appears that he has a strong desire for social advancement. There’s a good chance he pushed the doctrines and imperial law in that direction. He’s also quite popular in the capital’s social circles, often attending all the grand parties, so his connections and information network are probably better than Philip Morfolk’s.”

“Hmm… Alright. Give me a moment. Let me calm down a bit.”

“Yes, please take your time and take deep breaths.”

Erica was one of the few who could skillfully handle me when I was often agitated. I closed my eyes and thought slowly.

“I’ve been keeping this guy too comfortable due to my busy schedule.”

He dared to have a lover and set up a household, knowing well that I had allowed the clause that permitted a lover since I didn’t really want to be with him. My plan was to enjoy my life with handsome men after gaining peace of mind and body.

But now, a breakup? Trying to make a breach in the McFoy family, where we are living together? Is he out of his mind?

I opened my eyes suddenly.

“Use this opportunity to stomp on Philip to the point of no recovery. He won’t be able to lift his head for the rest of his life. Bring in a suitable person for Landry. We should check if she really has a head on her shoulders.”

“Of course, I’ll find the right person.”

“It’s likely that the Kiso case is resolved. Let’s not leave the matter to time, as his temper may get worse. Start arranging the accusations before Archie comes. We should bury it somewhat before he arrives.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Ha, thinking about it again, Philip… Chastity? He’s talking about chastity? Only those who gave up chastity in the past are talking about it. …Should I just kill him?”

“If you kill him right away, it might appear as if you’re acknowledging the breakup. It might be better to wait until after the wedding. Philip Morfolk would be even more terrified.”

Erica, always level-headed, was an ideal aide for me, especially when I was agitated.

“To hide a scandal, one must create another scandal. How strong would you like it to be?”

Once a scandal erupted, it was difficult to settle. People wanted to believe in stimulating stories, and eventually, covering it up with another scandal was the best option.

“It should be more shocking than my scandal. It should be enough to make people unable to lift their heads in society. Find the most popular person in the capital nowadays and use them as the primary instigator.”

Gathering the ‘real’ scandals of the nobles was essential for me.

The work of an intelligence organization wasn’t about creating nonexistent stories; it was about gathering as much information as possible and using it strategically.

It was when I was reviewing the extraordinary scandals that Erica had brought me in my current state of extreme annoyance. The sound of footsteps and bustling commotion grew nearer.

I raised my left eyebrow and glared at Erica, and Erica, in turn, looked at her secretary, the secretary stared at the knight who guarded the door. That knight was about to move his hand to check what was happening outside.

At that moment, the study door suddenly swung open with a loud noise, revealing a surprise on both sides.

“Did these people keep opening the room where the Lord was? I feel like this has happened recently.”

I was about to yell at the intruder, but my anger quickly subsided because an unexpected figure stood there. A boy who trembled all over, with violet eyes like mine, looked at me with fear, standing between the wide-open door.

My mouth gradually opened with astonishment.

‘Why is he here?’

I gaped, and Erica turned to me, her expression showing a hint of confusion. She seemed innocent, as if she didn’t know why he was here.

My nephew.

My only true blood relative.

There stood Archie McFoy.