Chapter 028
“It seems there’s no reason for you to worry anymore.”
At those words, there was no room for denial. He led me to the innermost room.
The door with a ruby in it opened.
“Inside here are the heirlooms and treasures of Isteria. Some of the royal treasures my mother brought with her before Kangas fell are also here.”
“…So, there are keepsakes as well.”
Cassius stepped inside. His gaze, reflected in the lantern light, was dark and heavy. Was he thinking of his parents?
He turned to look at me, his gaze unwavering.
“The nanny said you stole my mother’s keepsakes from this room.”
“What?”
This wicked woman!
When did I ever do such a thing?
A chill ran through my veins. What grudge does she hold against me to make such claims?
“I don’t believe her,” Cassius said calmly.
“Because you, I know wouldn’t steal from others, no matter how much you wanted something. You’d just ask for it or throw a tantrum.”
“Cassius…”
Should I be moved by this? Or should I be glad he sees me for who I am?
I laughed awkwardly.
Cassius turned his head back toward me, his gaze steady.
“The nanny must be lying. She’s been acting strangely, not you.”
Hearing his words brought a mix of relief and complicated feelings. The nanny had raised not just Theo but also Cassius.
This situation couldn’t be pleasant for him.
“So, I checked whether the keepsakes were really gone—and they were.”
Cassius lifted a scepter placed at the center. It looked undeniably valuable.
He then smashed it against the floor.
“Cassius? What are you—”
The moment it hit, the keepsake shattered with a clinking sound.
“It’s a fake, crafted from cheap metal. The real one’s gone,” Cassius said coldly.
“They stole the heritage of Kangas. They didn’t intend to sell it. If they just bring the stolen goods, it will reach my ears.”
“Then why…?”
Why would they do something so dangerous? I couldn’t understand. The nurse could have just lived comfortably in luxury. Lorencia would come for her, and even if she served Theo, he wouldn’t forget her.
“I’m going to find out from now on. If you see the nanny acting suspiciously, let me know.”
“Yes, Cassius.”
This time, when he extended his hand again, I took it without hesitation.
Cassius trusted me over the nanny. That meant he was rational.
As long as I didn’t make a mistake, he’d continue to trust me. That thought was comforting.
As long as I didn’t betray him, I wouldn’t be driven out of this place.
I’ve spent more than half my life in the duke’s household.
Being called “nanny” had become more familiar than being called by my own name.
“Janice!”
The nanny turned her head sharply. In the North, only one person would call her by her name.
That man.
“Keep your voice down. Do you want the whole world to know I’m here?”
“Of course not,” Baron Redfield said with a sly smile.
“Why so sharp, Janice Spellman?”
Janice glared at Baron Redfield and walked inside. He followed and sat across from her.
They were childhood friends. Their families were close, so they spent a lot of time together. It was also thanks to Baron Redfield that Janice became the nurse of the Duke’s family. He had helped their family from collapsing. And thanks to that, Janice was able to support the Tepes family with the money she earned working as a nurse.
By complaining a few times to the previous Duchess, they could extort a fortune.
‘Maybe because she was a knight, she was so naive.’
But all that glory ended with the death of the Duchess.
There was no one left to complain to. Cassius was too busy to meet, and Theo was too young to hold any authority. Janice couldn’t get any money by manipulating the strict housekeeper or butler.
So, Janice had no choice but to reach out to Baron Redfield.
“You shouldn’t treat me like this.”
“What did I do?”
“You promised to make my sister the Duchess of Isteria, but you’ve done nothing so far.”
“…Are you blaming me? The Emperor gave his orders!”
Baron Redfield snapped coldly.
“So you’re just going to lie low and accept it? That’s not why my father invested in you.”
“I told you to wait. That woman can’t have children anymore.”
It had taken so much effort to feed her a drug that would ruin her womb.
“Are you saying that wasn’t my doing?”
“Why are you getting upset, Janice? I’m just a little disappointed.”
Janice sighed.
“Don’t worry. They won’t keep a barren Duchess for long. All your sister needs to do is bear the duke’s heir.”
“Well, that’s the main issue,” Baron Redfield shrugged.
“…And what about Theo Isteria? Wasn’t he supposed to be dead?”
Janice froze.
By their calculations, Theo should’ve died already.
They planned to pin his death on Charlotte Isteria. Charlotte hated Theo and often said she wanted to kill him. It would have been easy to frame her since everyone knew she said such things. Blaming her would’ve been easy.
Moreover, Charlotte spent five out of seven days a week drunk, so any outrageous act wouldn’t seem surprising.
“…Something’s gone wrong.”
“What?”
“Charlotte Isteria has become normal. She’s not the same woman. And I heard that Theo’s condition is worsening,” Janice frowned. Somehow, Theo had started getting healthier.
If Theo were to die suddenly now, it would look suspicious.
Recently, she’d even heard he went swimming.
“Hmph. Whether that brat lives or dies doesn’t matter, as long as he doesn’t interfere later.”
“…Don’t worry. I think this might actually work out better.”
“What?”
“…She doesn’t need to become Duchess right away. As long as she bears a child of the duke’s bloodline, she’ll secure her place one way or another.”
Baron Redfield’s eyebrows twitched.
“What are you talking about? Speak clearly.”
“Send your sister to Isteria.”
“What are you scheming now?”
“Theo has grown healthy. From now on, he needs proper education. Since I’m in charge of running the household, hiring a tutor falls under my responsibilities.” Janice smirked coldly. This would also serve to drive a wedge between Theo and Charlotte as well. She wasn’t sure how Charlotte had won over Theo’s heart, but as quickly as they had grown close, they could be torn apart just as swiftly.
“A tutor…?”
“Yes. He needs to learn essential subjects like etiquette, history, politics, and economics—things a direct descendant of the duke’s family must know.”
“And you want my sister to teach him?” Baron Redfield asked, looking skeptical.
“Do you think a baron’s daughter would have received such advanced education?”
“I told you not to worry,” Janice snapped irritably. “Theo isn’t at that level yet. He can barely read. Your sister just needs to teach him basic arithmetic and the common language.”
“If that’s the case, it’s possible,” he said, finally understanding.
“While living at the estate as his tutor, she’ll have plenty of opportunities to cross paths with the duke. What happens after that is out of my hands.”
“Ah, I see,” Baron Redfield chuckled.
“Don’t worry, Janice. The moment the duke sees her, he won’t be able to resist falling in love. She’s not called the flower of the capital’s social society for nothing.” Baron Redfield’s lips curled into a grin. If they hadn’t set their sights on the duke’s family, he would have married her off to someone offering a hefty dowry already.
“Send her as soon as possible,” Janice urged.
Baron Redfield nodded.
