ISTL CHAPTER 41

Max froze, the second glass of rum halfway to his lips. What was that? Did he mishear? His brow furrowed deeply.

“Listen up. Apparently, the girl isn’t satisfied with ordinary men.”

“That’s why she’s head over heels for Count Josselin!”

“Even though the Count hesitated because of the age difference, how could he resist when the young lady is so bold?”

The two men cackled in unison, their voices dripping with mockery. Their claims of having “witnessed it themselves” spread like wildfire, turning the scandalous affair between the young noblewoman and the older Count into an accepted fact.

“She’s too young to be running a salon like that in the first place. Something’s off about her.”

“And isn’t she the Queen Mother’s aide? How can someone like that hold such a position? Doesn’t reflect well on the royal family.”

“If this is true, her chances of marriage are ruined!”

“Ah, but wouldn’t Count Josselin take responsibility?”

Having successfully spread their malicious gossip, the two men left the tavern, oblivious to the uneasy glances that followed them. They were too busy celebrating their “successful operation.”

But their celebration was short-lived. As they reached their hideout deep in a secluded and labyrinthine alley, a stranger suddenly appeared before them.

“Huh? Who’re you? Here to borrow money?”

“How much do you need? Even if you were referred, we can’t lower the interest.”

Max didn’t answer. Instead, he calmly rolled up his sleeves. His eyes scanned the signboard of the building behind the two men, who were a stark contrast in appearance.

**Franklin & Jeffrey.**

“Franklin.”

“Huh? You know me?”

“No. How would I know you?”

*Thud—!*

Franklin’s body flew through the air and slammed into the building before crumpling to the ground in a heap. Max turned his head.

“Jeffrey?”

“Yes?”

“You’re next.”

Max swung his fist without hesitation. The only thought dominating Franklin’s mind was the terror that if he didn’t intervene, Jeffrey would be reduced to pulp by this man’s hands.

*There are two of us. Against just one guy.*

For a moment, Franklin thought they might be able to turn the situation around. But seeing Jeffrey already knocked out cold dashed any hope. No, scratch that. Even if both of them had charged at him together, there was no way they could’ve taken down this monster.

“Ugh, ack! Why! Why are you doing this? T-talk it out! Use your words!”

Desperate to survive, Franklin dropped to his knees and prostrated himself on the ground.

“You. You were having quite the fun conversation at the tavern, weren’t you?”

“Huh? T-the tavern?”

Franklin’s eyes darted around nervously. The tavern? Surely, he couldn’t mean…

“T-the story about the Brien family’s young lady…?”

“Who told you to spread those rumors?”

“W-who are you…?”

Even as he lay battered and dazed, Franklin’s mind raced. Was this guy really going this far just because they spread some rumors about Anais Brien? Who the hell was this guy, meddling in the affairs of a young lady who was practically an orphan?

But Max wasn’t the type to patiently wait for answers.

“I asked who’s behind this.”

“There’s no one behind it! We just saw it with our own eyes and—! Aaah!”

Max grabbed Franklin’s jaw with a crushing grip. The sheer force was unbearable.

“Should I start by cutting out the tongue that spews lies, or should I gouge out the eyes that see things that aren’t there?”

As Max’s hand moved toward Franklin’s mouth, the man convulsed in panic.

*This lunatic!*

“Owowow! S-stop! Please stop!”

Franklin writhed on the ground, clutching his jaw, which felt like it was about to shatter. Max finally released him, and Franklin, still holding his aching jaw, desperately tried to speak.

“J-J-Josselin…!”

“Spit it out, or I’ll make sure you can’t.”

“Count Josselin! It was Count Josselin!”

“…”

“Count Josselin told us to spread the rumors and make people believe them. He wanted to ruin the Brien family’s young lady’s chances of marriage… We just did what we were told! I swear!”

Max yanked Franklin by the collar, pulling him close. Franklin braced himself for another blow, squeezing his eyes shut, but Max only growled, “If I catch you spreading lies again, I’ll make sure you can never see or speak for the rest of your life. Got it?”

Franklin nodded frantically, his head bobbing like a broken doll, before finally passing out from the shock.

Max dropped him unceremoniously and dusted his hands.

*So, there’s definitely something going on.*

It was clear Josselin was up to something. And Max had a sinking feeling this was just the tip of the iceberg. His neck burned with anger as he stared at the two unconscious men. After a moment, he turned and left the alley, his next destination already in mind.

* * *

The usually quiet and peaceful Brien estate was in chaos from the early hours of the morning. The commotion was due to the steady stream of extravagant items being delivered to the mansion.

Luxurious trinkets and valuables arrived one after another, leaving Anais overwhelmed as she tried to keep up with the deliveries since dawn.

When a grand piano was delivered, Anais felt a headache coming on.

And for good reason—not a single one of these lavish items had been purchased by her.

What made matters worse was the elderly gentleman who arrived at the estate around noon.

“The butler from Count Josselin’s household is here?”

“Yes, Miss. What on earth is going on? Why would he send so many gifts to the Brien estate?”

The nanny, who had been just as bewildered as Anais all morning, asked with concern. Even the nanny, who had been managing the household for years, knew nothing about any close ties between the Josselin and Brien families.

Anais had initially dismissed the series of events involving Josselin as a misunderstanding, but she could no longer do so.

The reason was the case brought by the butler from Count Josselin’s household.

The item that arrived close to noon was undoubtedly the grand finale of Josselin’s gift offensive. When Anais went down to the entrance hall upon hearing the news, the elderly gentleman confidently opened the case to reveal a dazzling necklace and matching ring set.

“Count Josselin asked me to deliver this as well.”

The elderly gentleman took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to Anais.

As Anais read the messy handwriting, her face turned pale.

—

**To my beloved Miss Brien,**

I must apologize for my many improprieties that day. If it hadn’t been for the sudden appearance of Prince Max, the situation wouldn’t have been so distorted. I hope you’ll give me a chance to explain myself.

These gifts are a token of my sincerity in apologizing for my past mistakes. I hope you’ll accept them graciously. I chose the necklace because I believe it will complement your fair neck beautifully. Wearing it at the upcoming Founding Festival would be perfect.

Please let my butler know your preferred time and place for our meeting.

***
**- The Kind Gentleman, Otto Josselin**

P.S. A quiet place where we can talk privately would be ideal.

—

“…….”

Anais carefully folded Josselin’s letter, placed it back into the envelope, and handed the necklace back to his butler.

“I can’t accept this.”

“Huh? B-but why…?”

“Please tell Count Josselin. Not just the necklace, but all the items he sent today must be taken back.”

“My lady, but…”

“These are things I have no reason to accept. If it’s difficult for you to convey this directly, I’ll write him a letter myself.”

Anais’s tone was so firm that Josselin’s butler could only nod silently, unable to argue further. However, his expression was filled with unease, likely due to the unexpected rejection.

Though the nanny seemed reluctant to part with some of the luxurious items in the otherwise modest Brien estate, Anais insisted on returning every single gift that had caused such a commotion since early morning.

In the letter she wrote, Anais stated: *‘I am unaware of any close ties between the Josselin and Brien families. It seems there has been some misunderstanding. I will consider the conversation we had that day as if it never happened.’*

After delivering the letter, Anais promptly erased the entire incident from her mind.