In the end, after Erin went out, Aiden returned to his study.
“Sir, you really need to start your schedule now,” Felix’s voice was heard next to Aiden. But Aiden, resting his chin on the desk, was lost in thought without responding.
In the morning, he suddenly felt that he was missing Erin too much.
There was an instinct that he couldn’t be without her right now, which led him to be the first to approach her. So, when he saw Erin getting ready to go out, he felt as if his mind had turned cold for a moment.
However, he didn’t show any sign of it.
“But there’s always tomorrow,” Aiden collected himself and turned away with a vacant expression.
“That’s right,” Aiden replied casually. Before Erin returned, he immediately went out to finish everything. His destination was the Charte estate.
Externally, it seemed that there was no connection between Aiden and the Count Charte, but beneath the surface, things were different. The Count Charte’s main stage was in the trading business.
Lienster’s trading business was managed by the Diarn family, so there were limits to Aiden’s involvement.
Therefore, for several years, Aiden and Count Charte had maintained a friendly relationship due to their mutually beneficial understanding.
Furthermore, they had recently discovered another link. Lady Quiness and Countess Charte had a strong bond, as they were close friends before Lady Quiness’ marriage, when she lived in the palace.
This connection had endured despite their living far apart. As a result, Countess Charte was aware of Lady Quiness’ divorce issue, known only to a very few.
This was also the reason for today’s visit. Upon arriving at the Count’s estate, Aiden was immediately escorted to the Count’s study. The Count had discretely sent a letter to Aiden expressing his willingness to assist with Lady Quiness’ divorce.
“We are also aware of the news about Princess Arinasta. Count Charte desires to offer support in any way he can,” the letter read.
The content was about how he felt like meeting up to have a conversation whenever.
The reason Aiden sought out Count Charte today was precisely to have a conversation about that.
As soon as they met, Aiden got to the point.
“I want to disguise an official letter as a personal inquiry about the well-being of Countess Charte when sending a correspondence.”
“They’ve been in contact through letters the whole time. There should be no suspicion.”
“That’s fortunate.”
Count Charte’s main role was his network of contacts. They didn’t think they would refuse, but it was necessary to meet them in person to sound out their intentions.
“I’ll do anything else that could be of help. I too owe my acquaintance with Her Highness the Princess to the Countess.”
In fact, because of his deep friendship with Lady Quiness, in some respects Count Charte was even more proactive than Aiden.
“Then, I’ll ask for you to help shape public opinion. With a personal bond, it shouldn’t be difficult to naturally create sympathy for Lady Quiness and her unhappy marriage.”
“Don’t worry.” Count Charte replied without hesitation.
The conversation flowed smoothly, and the important discussion quickly came to an end. After a moment of contemplation, Aiden brought up a new topic.
“Recently, there seems to be a growing connection within our families. It appears that my wife has developed quite a close relationship with the Charte Countess.”
“Haha. I heard she has been very attentive to our daughter. I don’t know how to express my gratitude.”
As soon as the name Julia was mentioned, the Count Charte seemed to have been waiting and said, “This time, it is because the Duchess has also invested in our business.”
Aiden’s expression changed as he heard this. His eyes narrowed, and one of his eyebrows twitched as if he was pondering something.
Not noticing Aiden’s change of expression, the Count Charte smiled kindly and continued, “It seems rather awkward to only receive favors. If there is anything we can do in return, please let us know.”
Count Charte expressed his gratitude, gesturing to Erin.
However, Aiden could not help but question the story he had just heard.
“…My wife invested?”
“Yes. You didn’t know?”
The Count Charte asked, looking puzzled.
“I don’t involve myself in personal investments.”
Aiden erased the slightly surprised expression he had shown earlier and replied calmly with a faint smile.
“Indeed, the two of you don’t have much time. By the way, please let us know when you have a good day. We really want to treat you.”
“That’s right.”
Aiden replied after a moment of contemplation.
Aiden had no idea that Erin had invested in the Charte business.
There was a high possibility that she judged that the business was objectively worth investing in.
But no matter what, he was confident that Julia Charte and the investment were not related at all.
If he had wanted to know, he could have found out, but Aiden did not try to delve into the private matters.
It was a matter of respecting Erin, and also because Erin always told him first.
So, he was somewhat surprised, but it wasn’t anything unusual. He only felt a momentary slight discomfort about hearing about something related to Erin from someone other than Erin.
It was purely Erin’s personal investment.
So there was really no need to say it.
It was just the desire to know every little detail about Erin that had caused that feeling.
Aiden quickly dismissed even that slight discomfort.
As they were talking, a piece on the side table next to Count Charte caught Aiden’s eye.
“What’s that?”
“Oh, this? Our daughter made it herself as a gift. She’s been doing some carving recently.”
“Charte’s daughter?”
“Yes. She did a great job, didn’t she? She hasn’t done anything for her father, but she made this for me. It’s my recent delight to see this.”
“It’s well-made.”
Aiden replied, gazing at the artwork as he listened to Count Charte’s pride.
“My wife is skilled in embroidery, so I suppose her dexterity has been inherited.”
Count Charte couldn’t hide his sense of satisfaction.
“It looks nice.”
Aiden said, drawing a smile on his face as he watched the scene.
“Haha, yes, doesn’t it?”
Count Charte laughed brightly as if his lips were about to split.
Certainly, Count Charte seemed more lively after Julia’s departure.
“Erin seems to be quite enjoying herself too.”
Aiden recalled Erin’s recent cheerful demeanor, having spent a lot of time with Julia lately.
But soon he returned with an impassive face and continued the conversation with Count Charte.
Aiden diverted the conversation to discussing Lady Quiness before smoothly circling back.
***
Aiden’s next destination was the Prince’s Palace.
As Aiden was heading toward the Prince’s Palace, someone happened to be coming out of it.
It was someone who exuded grace and formality in a natural, effortless manner, yet with a subtle hint of casual freedom.
“Huh?”
She recognized Aiden first and stopped in her tracks.
“Lord Lienster, isn’t it?”
“…”
“It’s been a while.”
She was different from others who greeted Aiden with a sense of dread. Despite his sullen face, she greeted him warmly, seemingly unfazed.
“That’s right.”
“You’re still the same. You came to see His Highness, didn’t you? Well, let’s catch up later.”
She hastened to say what she wanted and departed alone.
Aiden nonchalantly watched her retreating figure for a moment before entering the Prince’s Palace, thinking that today might not be the right time for important conversations.
And as expected, Prince Frederick was busily pacing back and forth in the garden as if he had lost his mind.
“Aiden Lienster requests an audience with His Highness the Prince.”
“…”
Only then did Frederick stop moving and slowly turned around.
“Have you had a pleasant conversation with Lady Hestia?”
“It was quite a remarkable conversation.”
Frederick complained with annoyance, displaying an unusual lack of composure and agitation.
Aiden quietly took a seat at the table where the two had been facing each other just moments ago.
The servant promptly brought in the tea.
“If you’re busy, shall I come back another time?”
Aiden asked quietly while sipping his tea.
At this, Frederick abruptly turned his head and glared at Aiden with a fierce look in his eyes.
“You’re just going to leave after seeing me like this?”
“Shouldn’t I avoid showing such a side to others?”
“So you’re using that as an excuse to leave.”
“Should I really say it out loud?”
“Then who can I vent my frustrations to?”
“…”
Aiden silently took another sip of his tea. As if this was a sign, Frederick began to express his grievances.
“I’ve known her for over 10 years, but I still don’t understand her. Why is she suddenly acting this way?”
The reason for his frustration was Claire Hestia, his childhood friend and the prospective princess. She was charming, intelligent, and poised, but had an unpredictable nature.
She was also Frederick’s first love and his fiancée, and he often felt manipulated by her.
“Some people have waited desperately for 3 years!”
Even now, Frederick couldn’t contain his anger and muttered as if he was talking to himself, his mind consumed by thoughts of Claire.
“I thought Claire would be the one to rush into marriage first.”
Suddenly, Frederick turned to Aiden, venting his frustration.
“But now that she’s only just returned, let’s take it slow.”
He blinked in disbelief, unable to comprehend the situation even on second thought.
“Sigh…”
In the end, Frederick let out a bitter laugh, looking stunned.
“…”
“I don’t know! Figure it out on your own!”
“…”
“Aiden. What should I do now?”
