“When I returned, Marcella’s body had already been laid to rest. There is no way a wife’s funeral would take place without the permission of her husband. So I searched for the undertaker who handled the funeral, but he had already passed away.”
“Back to square one, huh?”
“That’s why I found the assistant of the undertaker through questioning. That’s how I was able to discover who gave the orders for the funeral.”
“And who was that?”
“Hamilton Aethel. The royal executioner.”
I quickly bit my tongue to erase the expression that was about to twist.
“The assistant revealed one more thing. There were bruises on Marcella’s neck. It’s natural to have bruises all over the body from tumbling down the stairs, but it’s difficult to leave marks that resemble a person’s hand.”
“So it means someone strangled her.”
“I investigated every single one of the palace employees without exception. However, after that incident, they were all dismissed and scattered.”
“So?”
“It took a long time, but eventually I was able to uncover the truth. It turns out, right before Marcella went to the sponsorship, there was only one person who left the banquet hall.”
“So that person…”
“That person called Marcella as a sponsor, left bruises on her neck, and then proceeded with the funeral through a proxy.”
The culprit called Marcella as a sponsor.
And for some reason, they attempted something, possibly harassment, but when Marcella fiercely resisted, they became enraged and strangled her.
To make it look like an accident, they disguised it as if Marcella had fallen down the stairs.
And taking advantage of the absence of Duke Luteous, they successfully carried out the complete crime.
“So the Emperor was the culprit after all!”
“That person was known for being just and righteous, wasn’t he?”
An Emperor who seemed more like a knight than an actual knight.
The people of the empire loved the Emperor.
Even without any great achievements, they firmly believed that the Emperor would protect them in times of crisis.
Who would believe that he would attempt to harass and murder the woman he married?
“He’s quite good at maintaining his image.”
I looked at Duke Luteous again.
It was natural to mix in some assumptions that anyone could make, but he spoke only the facts.
“He left bruises on her neck instead of strangling her….”
He didn’t even refer to the culprit as the murderer or reveal their identity.
He seemed to be discussing someone else’s story, completely devoid of emotions.
It was as if he meant that he wouldn’t appeal to emotions, as he had said before.
“So my mother was taken away by someone else’s hands. And you knew about it, Duke.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? Why did you abandon me in the annex?”
“I was determined to seek revenge, even if it meant abandoning the family.”
“….You were willing to commit treason?”
“Strictly speaking, it would be the crime of executing a noble. I intend to deal with it after he steps down from the throne.”
Duke Luteous closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them again.
“My lineage and the family cannot be separated. The head of the family is the family. The same goes for Alex, the successor. But you… Even though I am a flawed human, I couldn’t involve you in my revenge. Even if it meant abandoning you.”
Duke Luteous stopped speaking and let out a bitter laugh.
“I was planning to send you abroad in a few days…. To become a hunter. I really don’t know the fate of a person.”
“….!”
So, he abandoned me to save Astel?
Suddenly, I recalled Duke Luteous’ peculiar behavior.
His gaze when he looked at me after we defeated the monster for the first time.
The momentary anger when I injured my hand with Haret’s wife.
PThe expression of surprise when he found out that the ingredients in the annex were not properly allocated.
The offer to accompany me to the funeral.
The question of whether the burden of being a hunter was too much for my body.
The immediate action to call for a healer when he heard that I had a nosebleed.
‘Was that all just a façade or was it genuine?’
I couldn’t tell whether I should laugh or cry.
“…About the Duke’s plan. Do you know about Alex?”
“Yes.”
“Alex was the one who told me about the incident 21 years ago. Was that also part of the Duke’s plan?”
“He instructed me to mention it briefly if you asked.”
He pretended to suddenly remember and tell me. Was it a prearranged agreement?
“No wonder something felt off.”
I think I understand why Alex disliked Astel so much.
He must have been angry and jealous because Duke Luteous was only trying to save Astel, even though he himself had no choice but to die.
His nonsensical words about sacrificing himself for Astel finally made sense.
‘He really was sacrificing himself.’
There was also a strange undercurrent between Duke Luteous and Alex…
‘They had their own secret.’
“Couldn’t you have consulted with me? Have you ever thought that I would want to be with my family even if it meant dying?”
“Astel…”
“While you were making one-sided decisions, I’ve been living my life blaming myself for killing my mother! I’ve lived with the guilt, unable to even lift my head!”
“I won’t make excuses. I didn’t tell you this to seek forgiveness. I thought you should know the purpose of my investment in you, for the sake of fairness.”
Duke Luteous, who had been slightly lowering his gaze, stared at me.
His expression remained cool and composed, but his irises trembled ever so slightly.
“You have every right to hate me just as you are now. You have more than enough justification.”
“Stop it!”
Thunk!
I slammed my fist on the table. The sturdy wood creaked under the force.
“What good does it do to say such things now? Your daughter is already dead!”
I could understand Duke Luteous’ torment. I could also sympathize with how difficult it must have been for Alex.
‘But what about Astel?’
While Astel endured 21 years of suffering, thinking that he was paying the price, who will compensate him?
My anger towards Duke Luteous lost its way and swirled in turmoil.
Now, who should I seek revenge against? Someone must be held accountable for Astel’s tragic life.
“…I can only exact my revenge on that damn emperor!”
One person ruined an entire family. I will do whatever it takes to make him pay the price of agony.
I tensed my body, straightening my back with determination.
“Alright, I’ll accept your proposal.”
“…What are you thinking?”
“Don’t misunderstand. It’s a fact that Duke Luteous abandoned me for whatever reason, right?”
Everyone around me, including myself, was an orphan in our past lives.
If you were a child abandoned by your parents, it was sickening. Parents who abandon their children were objects of hatred.
That’s why I couldn’t forgive Duke Luteous for abandoning Astel, even if it was an effort to save him.
“So don’t expect any forgiveness from me.”
“…I don’t expect it.”
“From now on, Duke Luteous and I will temporarily form an alliance for a common enemy.”
“I hope for the same.”
“However, please refrain from interfering in guild affairs.”
“I don’t have the time or energy for that. Your guild is your responsibility.”
“I can’t guarantee when we’ll see any profits. It could continue to be a situation where money is poured in. Do you agree?”
“I was planning to give you that money when I sent you abroad anyway. I don’t expect any profits.”
…700 billion?
“Hmm, well, maybe going abroad isn’t such a bad idea…”
I struggled to suppress the instinct of a beggar suddenly popping out.
“You… You’re an ideal investor. But you’re not going to change your mind later, right? By the way, do you take care of your walnuts? They say prevention is important for dementia.”
“…”
Duke Luteous’ brow furrowed and then quickly smoothed out, as if he was restraining his anger. He slowly brushed his perfectly groomed hair.
“…Include it in the contract. If I develop dementia, I will donate the entire investment amount to the guild.”
“That’s good. It’s much more reassuring.”
“It’s me who should be concerned. Since Your Majesty is determined to appoint the Second Prince as the guild leader.”
“What does that have to do with me?”
“The ‘Jang Blanc’s Royal Dessert Hall Cake Voucher’ you used was a gift exclusively given to the Second Prince by Jang Parties. The fact that you used it means you received it from him. When did you two become so close?”
“…I could only use it because it was meant for the Second Prince? Is that it?”
“The capital is buzzing with rumors about it. It’s a bigger topic than the story of you causing a commotion at the café.”
“…”
“If you’re thinking of severing the alliance for the sake of the Second Prince later on, at least give me a heads up. I should be prepared too.”
Damn it! That voucher was only meant for Dante?
I suppressed my soaring blood pressure.
“…Include it in the contract. If I unilaterally sever the alliance with the Duke because of a man, I will transfer all authority related to the guild to the Duke.”
“That’s reassuring. However, it would be wise to cultivate a discerning eye for men. Looks aren’t everything for men.”
“It’s surprising to hear that from someone who got married thanks to their looks.”
“…”
“…”
My gaze clashed with Duke Luteous’ in the air, creating sparks.
This time, I was the one who backed down first.
The fact that rumors about Dante had spread throughout the capital was slightly shocking.
“I will return the 180 million Ruan you gave as a deposit.”
“What are you going to do with that pocket change? Use it as your allowance.”
“S-sorry! I-I heard wrong. Um, I guess we’ll have to rewrite the contract. Not as an investment agreement, but as an alliance treaty.”
“Fine, do as you wish.”
After a while, I organized the alliance treaty with the new addition of the special clause and extended my hand to him.
“…What’s this?”
“It’s a handshake to commemorate the ceasefire. I don’t know how long the alliance will continue, but please take care of me.”
“A ceasefire, you say. Were we at war?”
“…Just take it.”
Duke Luteous chuckled and took my hand. The warmth in his hand was softer than I expected, but then it quickly disappeared.
“Let’s finish our meal.”
“…Yes.”
And so, the first dining-out experience between a lady and a duke came to an end.
