Chapter 26
Stefan despised deceiving people above all else. Moreover, deceiving someone bound by family ties was, in his view, the most despicable crime in the world. However, he believed that this was the only way to break the curse on the Edmond family. He didn’t want to create another unfortunate victim just to satisfy someone’s greed.
‘I acted perfectly…….’
Rachel was definitely a virgin. Although she had pretended to be an experienced woman, Stefan was certain as he watched her crumble helplessly beneath him. Even a light kiss made her shiver all over, and every place Stefan’s hand touched sent shivers down her spine. The deep, intense kisses seemed to make her lose her senses, to the point where it was concerning.
Of course, Stefan was also in a precarious position. Rachel’s soaking wet state made him easily aroused. He had to pinch his own thigh to control his urge, almost losing control several times.
‘She must be a virgin……. Then it’s impossible for her to know…….’
He thought that deceiving her, who was unaware of being deceived, would alleviate his guilt. Moreover, since the bride his mother had brought had no connection or acquaintance with him, he was confident it would be easy to deceive her. But he couldn’t ignore the way Rachel looked at him as if she saw through him. Her eyes, which were unusually violet, made him feel not only guilt but also shame.
‘Why do her eyes keep appearing violet…….’
In the pitch darkness with no lamp lit, it was unlikely that Rachel’s eye color would appear differently. He had even lowered the canopy’s mesh curtains to block out the faint moonlight, considering the bashful bride.
‘I didn’t plan to extend the bedding period to three days…….’
Feeling this unsettled even on the first night, he couldn’t guarantee that he would get through the remaining two days unscathed. Stefan regretted accepting Rachel’s proposal so boldly. No, he wasn’t sure how long he could continue this deceit. As he swallowed nervously, the coachman announced their arrival at the shop. Hastily, Stefan rushed into the shop, forgetting to call for the pin, and dashed to his office.
“It seems your impatience has flared up again.”
Finn shook his head as he headed toward the office. Stefan was reclining deeply on the office sofa, his arm draped over his eyes. Seeing this, Finn muttered in frustration.
“Your Grace, it has only been two days since you gave the order.”
“How difficult can it be to investigate just two people…”
He knew he was being unreasonable. But Stefan pushed Finn, thinking that pressing him might ease his anxiety.
“Report on what you’ve found so far, Finn.”
“Rachel, no, the Duchess—everything I’ve told you last time is all there is.”
Finn, who could manage the entire Beyton Guild while sitting in the shop all day, was nicknamed “Sharp Ear.” He could overhear everything said by those who came and went and distinguish lies from truth, knowing the details of noble families inside and out.
Of course, investigating the Viscount Burke family, a provincial noble house, required some legwork. For that, Finn had a few reliable subordinates under his command. But for this to be all he had found? Stefan couldn’t believe it and sat up straight on the sofa, staring at Finn with a skeptical look.
“That can’t be right. Rachel wasn’t some naive country girl. The way she dealt with my mother and Susan was too skilled—almost ruthless.”
“Ruthless, you say?”
Stefan recounted how Rachel had handled Rita’s plan to humiliate the bride, as well as her act of donating all the wedding gifts to the High Priest. Hearing this, Finn’s expression grew increasingly thoughtful.
“Didn’t Bell notice? He must have seen it clearly.”
“Not at all.”
“You live in the same house, yet it seems like you don’t talk at all.”
“We’re identical twins; we don’t need to speak to understand each other.”
“Even so, for you two to play the role of one person and fool everyone, your skills must be extraordinary.”
Stefan’s tone was so sharp it was hard to tell if he was complimenting or criticizing the twin brothers. Seeing this, Finn decided to change his approach. Unlike Bell, who would pretend to die at Stefan’s word, Finn had the skill to soothe and manipulate him. He also had a talent for stirring Stefan’s feelings, making him aware of emotions even he didn’t realize.
“Your Grace, what exactly do you want to know about the Duchess?”
“I need to know everything.”
“I’ll ask again. What do you feel about the Duchess?”
“…”
“Are you angry?”
“No.”
“Do you feel sorry for her?”
“I’m not sure…”
“Then, are you perhaps curious?”
“Maybe…”
At Stefan’s response, Finn flashed a sly grin.
“Well, at least we’ve avoided the worst.”
“What?”
“The Duchess has at least piqued your curiosity.”
“What are you talking about…”
“Do you know what your biggest flaw is, out of all your flaws?”
Stefan’s eyebrows twitched at Finn’s cheeky remark. But Finn didn’t hesitate to continue speaking his mind.
“You don’t recognize the very existence of people.”
“Speak plainly.”
“You utterly disregard all the people who hover around you. Lady Hazel, whom you broke off your engagement with, and even Princess Isabel—they both got tired of your indifference and walked away.”
“That’s because they were useless…”
“It’s sad to think someone has to prove their worth just to earn the right to be liked.”
“Finn, what exactly are you trying to say?”
“If Bell hadn’t almost died back then, we probably wouldn’t have earned your trust either.”
Stefan suddenly stood up. He glared at Finn as if he would kill him for bringing up that old, dusty story.
“We agreed never to mention that again…”
“Calm down. I’m not blaming you, Your Grace.”
“Then what is it?”
“I’m suggesting you give the Duchess a chance.”
“A chance?”
“If the Duchess is being targeted by the Dowager Duchess or Susan, doesn’t that mean she’s not on their side?”
“…”
“So, observe her a little more patiently.”
Stefan growled like a beast, displeased with Finn’s relaxed smile.
“Just make sure your investigation is thorough.”
“My investigations are always thorough.”
“If that’s all you have on Rachel, then investigate Hazel more thoroughly.”
“Don’t worry, Your Grace.”
Seeing that Finn wasn’t backing down at all made Stefan feel the absence of Bell even more strongly.
“Where’s Bell?”
“He’s in Courtney.”
“Why is he in Courtney?”
“Didn’t you ask him to investigate the sinking of the Burke merchant ship in detail?”
“The sinking happened in the Beyton Guild. There’s no need to go all the way to Courtney.”
In response to Stefan’s question, Finn gave an unexpected answer.
“It seems Bell has taken a liking to Viscount Burke.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“He wants to mentor him.”
“Who wants to mentor whom?”
“While investigating the Burke merchant fleet, he’s become curious about Leopold Burke.”
“…”
“He said that with a bit of guidance, he might even be able to prevent the collapse of the Burke fleet.”
“That fool can barely manage his own affairs, and now he wants to help someone else…”
“Let him be for now. It’s not like he has much to do in the capital.”
“Fine…”
Checking the time on his pocket watch, Stefan sat down at his desk. It wasn’t even noon yet, so he needed to find some excuse to stay in the office.
“Finn, bring me the ledgers for this shop.”
“You already reviewed them last time.”
“Did I? Then bring me the Beyton Guild’s ledgers.”
“You’ve checked those as well.”
“…”
“Aren’t you planning to return to the manor today?”
“I’ll return in the evening.”
“I’ll find something suitable to bring you, then.”
“…”
With a remark that made it seem like he was doing Stefan a great favor, Finn left the office. His comment about bringing something to pass the time irritated Stefan.
‘It seems there’s been a significant event during the year I was absent from the Merwin Empire.’
Rachel, Susan, and now even Finn. Three seemingly unrelated people were beginning to form a connection in Stefan’s mind.
***
“They say the late Viscountess Burke appeared in a dream and told her to cut her hair.”
“My goodness, does that mean the Duchess can have prophetic dreams?”
“Seems like it.”
On the night of the Duke’s wedding, as Bell was leaving the manor late at night, he overheard the servants gossiping.
‘It seems like this family has many secrets. I’ll have to go to Courtney myself to confirm.’
Having followed Stefan around from place to place, Bell had met all sorts of people. But he had never seen or heard of anyone who claimed to have prophetic dreams.
‘They say birds of a feather flock together. I wonder if it’s true for them.’
Rachel and Leopold were fraternal twins. Even though they were different in gender and appearance, twins surely had some sort of connection. With this in mind, Bell headed to Courtney to uncover the secrets of the Burke family, hoping to also find the cause of the merchant ship’s sinking there.
