Episode 77
It was nothing but genuine sincerity.
If I had known earlier about the connection between the Count of Biers family and their past incidents, I wouldn’t have let things escalate like this.
However, the message I sent to Sionel through Anne, stating that something seemed off about the Biers Merchant Guild, was relayed before I even knew the children’s circumstances. Unfortunately, Sionel quickly judged there was a problem and immediately ordered an investigation, leaving me no room to overturn the situation.
The crimes committed by the Biers Merchant Guild, from a certain perspective, were simple:
Long ago, they had inflated prices to the extent of ruining people’s livelihoods.
They had also demanded unjust distribution fees from the Rudion Duchy, which had stepped in to mediate.
The real issue, however, was that the children’s father and the late Euclid’s brother had deceived everyone and accepted the Count’s demands to harm the Duchy—all for the sake of his lover.
This was a grave betrayal, especially to the vassals and the people of the territory.
Thus, if the truth of this were revealed, Euclid’s brother, the perpetrator, would face harsh criticism, and the innocent children might hear things they shouldn’t.
‘Moreover, the status of the late young Duchess could also become a problem.’
I didn’t want such a situation to unfold.
It would undoubtedly cause pain to the children and to Euclid.
Therefore, I resolved to ensure the Count of Biers received a fitting punishment while quietly wrapping up the incident without causing harm to the children or Euclid.
A rough blueprint of the plan had already formed in my mind.
Just like in the world I originally came from, silencing people is easy when you have money and power in this one too.
‘The Count of Biers won’t go down alone. He’ll surely drag the late Euclid’s brother into it somehow.’
So, I planned to eliminate any opportunity for the Count to speak in court or public venues. Any statements made during interrogations would be internally erased, thanks to Sionel’s help, ensuring nothing leaked externally.
‘If necessary, I even considered asking the Duke of Basilean for assistance.’
But after seeing Sionel’s subordinates in action, it seemed things could be handled properly without going that far.
Relieved, I suddenly felt a strange sensation, realizing I was naturally planning with the mindset of a villain or a schemer.
However, such feelings vanished instantly when I thought of the pure, innocent eyes looking up at me, holding my hand tightly.
Instead, I escorted the children to the library since they wanted to read, left Anne and Gressel to watch over them, and headed alone to the parlor, lost in other thoughts.
I pondered whether I should feel fortunate or disheartened by this country’s state, where concealing the truth seemed like a trivial matter.
‘Of course, thinking of the immediate situation, I suppose I should feel fortunate.’
Still, when I thought about Marianne, Dior, and our future child growing up in such a place, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
“Oh dear, have I gone mad?”
I hadn’t even seen the sky yet, and here I was already thinking about plucking stars!
While seriously contemplating whether it was okay to leave this empire as it was, I felt embarrassed by my earlier frivolous thoughts.
‘But really, how could I not be swayed after seeing that face?’
At that moment, I saw Euclid conversing with Sionel’s subordinates in the distance and stopped in my tracks.
The Count of Biers was nowhere to be seen, presumably already taken away by the soldiers.
Only Euclid remained, exuding a slightly different aura, a new and captivating charm.
‘Am I losing my mind? How could a blank expression be this lethal?’
Of course, I’d seen Euclid’s expressionless face before—when he was frustrated by absurd misunderstandings or overwhelmed with embarrassment.
But this cold, stoic demeanor was entirely new to me.
‘Well, it is a serious situation.’
After receiving a shocking confession from his nephews, witnessing the Count of Biers—the source of their troubles—be detained following an investigation initiated by someone aligned with the imperial family, it was only natural.
As I realized this, I chastised myself for being captivated by his unfamiliar expression and appearance at such a critical moment.
After all, I had recklessly contacted the capital, escalated the situation, and caused Euclid distress.
Even though I intended to resolve things smoothly, I couldn’t ignore my mistakes. Facing him filled me with unease and guilt.
It was then that Euclid turned his head and looked directly at me standing at the end of the hallway.
Until now, I had never avoided his gaze, even if I pretended not to notice it.
But fearing he might harden his expression at the sight of me, I unknowingly lowered my head slightly.
Still, I reminded myself that avoiding this wasn’t the answer. I needed to apologize sincerely and assure him that everything would be taken care of.
With my heart pounding nervously, I forced myself to walk toward him.
Finally, I stopped before him and raised my head just as—
“My Wife…”
“Ah, Duchess! You’re here! I was just about to report to you!”
Sionel’s subordinate interrupted Euclid with an enthusiastic shout.
‘Do you really think I’m your superior?’
I shot him an incredulous look, but he eagerly began reporting instead.
“The investigation into the Biers Merchant Guild is mostly complete. We’re now about to move on to the Count’s residence. We considered splitting our forces due to concerns that the Count might escape, but fortunately, Duke Rudion has allowed us to temporarily use the dungeon in the duchy’s estate until he can be transported to the capital. It’s a great relief.”
The duchy’s dungeon?
I was momentarily surprised but quickly realized it wasn’t odd.
After all, in a large territory like this, there would naturally be criminals, and as its lord, Euclid would sometimes need to personally deal with serious offenders.
So it wasn’t strange for the duchy to have a dungeon.
Though today’s complications arose from the Count unexpectedly visiting the duchy, the situation now seemed easier to manage with him confined here.
“Thanks to the Duchess’s tip and the Duke’s cooperation, the matter has progressed swiftly and smoothly. We sincerely thank you!”
“It’s nothing.”
Feeling a twinge of guilt at the mention of my “tip,” I glanced at Euclid, then added nonchalantly:
“As the Rudion Duchy is also a victim of the Count’s crimes, our cooperation is only natural.”
We had no connection to the Count’s wrongdoings? If anything, we were exploited like fools, losing money to unjust distribution fees!
Though this was already known publicly, I subtly laid the groundwork in case the Count later claimed injustice.
I felt Euclid’s gaze linger on my cheek, but I ignored it and continued:
“Oh, speaking of which, the Count tried to deceive me earlier.”
“Deceive the Duchess?”
“Yes, he brought a replica of a Diego Bergen painting from my dowry, presenting it as a gift—or maybe he intended to sell it?”
I blinked, feigning realization, then sighed dramatically.
“My father and brother were very meticulous about my dowry. They’d be furious if they knew this.”
When I mentioned the cheat codes of Duke Basilian and Sionel, Sionel’s subordinate, already full of zeal, grew even more incensed.
“What an audacious scoundrel! I will investigate thoroughly to ensure he pays for his crimes.”
“I’m counting on you. I’ll be sure to inform my brother of your efforts.”
“Ah! That won’t be necessary…”
Despite his words, his face lit up with eager anticipation.
I stifled a laugh as I watched him march off with determination, ready to raid the Count’s residence after the Merchant Guild.
And finally—
“My wife.”
Euclid called out to me once again.
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •
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