Chapter 68
“Yes, and what’s more, the amount embezzled is quite significant. But the bigger issue is that it’s hard to trace where the embezzled funds have disappeared to.”
I listened to Daytum’s words in a daze, urgently flipping through the report.
Though it was thick enough to have a summary, it didn’t contain one.
It was packed with dense financial data.
In the end, I decided to put off reading it and closed the cover, leaning back in my chair.
“Please continue.”
“The embezzlement from the thirty-two companies related to Brilloxen has been happening very gradually and persistently over the past ten years. What’s more, it’s not just limited to Brilloxen but is connected to other regions as well. Rippleton is among them.”
“Rippleton? Are you talking about the Rippleton in Harmonia that I know?”
“Yes, that’s right. I don’t know if Duke Rippleton is aware of it, but funds were definitely flowing to Rippleton.”
That didn’t make sense.
How could Brilloxen’s funds be flowing to Rippleton?
I was taken aback by the mention of an unexpected name, but Daytum continued.
“I thought you might find it hard to believe, so I’ve prepared evidence.”
Daytum opened the documents in front of him and pulled out a report stamped with Aden’s seal.
The report contained details of a secret transaction with the auditor who was overseeing the accounts of the thirty-two companies related to Brilloxen.
The handwriting on the signature was Aden’s, and the seal was definitely his too.
It was a relatively clear seal, freshly pressed.
“I haven’t reported the tax results to the Count yet. I thought I should tell you first since it’s related to Rippleton.”
“…When will you report this to my father? Or did you even mention that the tax investigation results are out?”
“Not yet.”
“Well done.”
I stood up, closing the report immediately.
I glared at the fluttering contract as I frowned.
“Make sure to silence anyone who knows about this, and investigate the authenticity of this contract right away. Also, send a letter to Duke Rippleton.”
“What should I say?”
While putting on my coat and tidying up the desk, I hesitated for a moment.
What should I say?
After a brief pause, I met Daytum’s gaze and spoke.
“Tell him I’m coming, so he should stay put and wait for me. Just wait!”
Daytum’s complexion turned pale in an instant.
As I passed by him, I fastened the buttons on my coat.
I tilted my head slightly as if asking Jin outside the door where he was going.
“Follow me, Jin. We’re going to catch Aden.”
“…Huh?”
Ignoring Jin’s confused voice, I turned to open the gate.
* * *
“What’s going on?”
Aden asked with a cold expression, as if he had just heard a bad joke.
Before the peaceful morning could pass, Baran had come to the training ground and immediately started talking about tax evasion and embezzlement.
And it was embezzlement related to Brilloxen.
Aden stared silently at the serious-looking Baran.
Since he was in the middle of swinging his sword, he was shirtless.
“Say that again.”
“As you heard, it’s about Rippleton’s embezzlement and tax evasion.”
Aden’s expression hardened at the same words echoing in his ears.
It was nonsense.
Rippleton committing embezzlement?
Tax evasion?
Aden muttered under his breath, shaking his head.
“Can Rippleton even commit tax evasion and embezzlement?”
Rippleton managed its finances and taxes through five different entities.
If embezzlement occurred in one place, it would definitely be caught by one of the other four.
“And I’m in charge of one of those.”
“Exactly. That’s why I came rushing here to report this. It’s absurd.”
“Are you sure?”
“Do I look like someone who would make a mistake or misinterpret things?”
Baran kicked his feet in frustration and shouted.
Aden quietly observed Baran’s rare display of temper, wearing a heavy expression.
“It seems we can’t overlook this.”
“Yes, it’s real embezzlement. The total amount is comparable to Rippleton’s budget for four years.”
Four years?
Aden turned his head to look at Baran.
His delicate brow creased with worry.
“How much?”
“Four years’ worth, four years’ worth. Duke, it’s not just any place; it’s Brilloxen’s money. Brilloxen is a fierce player when it comes to financial matters, even the Emperor would be in tears over it. Sierra might be friendly with them, but getting involved with their money is like taking candy from a baby—it’ll end up causing a huge mess.”
“…”
“So, you need to act quickly to come up with a plan for this…”
“Lord Baran! Duke!!”
Just as Baran was passionately persuading Aden about the issue, a knight rushed in, looking very anxious.
The knight entered with a flustered face and hurriedly spoke.
“T-The Brilloxen lady is here.”
Baran’s face*, which had been engrossed in the matter, turned dark.
With a face as pale as a corpse just risen from the grave, Baran quickly turned to Aden.
Aden narrowed his eyes, muttering to himself, “She’s quick to act…”
But that wasn’t important to Baran.
“Y-Your Grace.”
“Bring the lady in. It’s better that I speak to her directly. Baran, you should leave.”
“Where do you think you’re going? If we don’t solve this issue right away…”
“Don’t stand around looking as pale as a prisoner who’s been on bread and water for three days. Step aside; I’ll handle it.”
Baran, who could barely moisten his dry lips, looked at Aden with distrust.
Aden waved his hand as if telling Baran to go.
Baran sighed, leaving with a parting request: “Please, handle this well.”
Left alone in the training ground, Aden lifted his head as the door opened, pulling himself together from his tangled thoughts.
Sierra walked in wearing a thin dress that didn’t quite match the weather and paused when she spotted Aden.
For a moment, the fierce energy radiating from Sierra faded, but she quickly shifted her mood back to her usual self.
As always, Sierra greeted Aden with a brief, polite nod.
“I was wondering why you wanted me to come here. Were you hoping to show me this?”
Aden tilted his head, confused about what Sierra was talking about.
His gaze dropped, and he realized his bare skin was exposed.
“Sorry about that.”
Aden quickly grabbed his shirt and put it on.
However, he didn’t fasten it properly, so his upper body was still partially visible.
Sierra flinched slightly.
“Take a seat.”
Sierra refused Aden’s offer to pull out a chair and instead looked around the training room.
Following her slow movements, Aden’s gaze wandered around too.
“Shall we take a little walk?”
Aden thought it might be tiring for Sierra since she had come here early in the morning, but she didn’t seem to need that consideration.
He moved to follow her as she started walking.
The sound of their footsteps echoed softly in the quiet training hall.
Sierra took her time exploring the unfamiliar space.
Soft sunlight streamed through the windows high up on the walls, and even though it was a bit dim, it wasn’t dark at all.
Instead of the usual smell of oil, a familiar scent lingered in the air.
“Is this the perfume you wear, Aden?”
“If I wore perfume, it would carry all the way to the other side of the mountain. Beasts have a highly developed sense of smell.”
“Then what’s this scent?”
“I’m not sure. I never really thought about what kind of scent I might have.”
Can’t you smell this?
Sierra sniffed the air, chasing the pleasant scent, and turned her body around.
As she moved, her gaze landed on Aden right in front of her.
Sierra took a step closer to Aden, sniffing at the strong scent emanating from him.
“It’s so strong!”
“What… are you doing?”
Sierra’s eyes widened in surprise at Aden’s voice as she realized how close she had gotten and calmly stepped back.
It wasn’t anything shocking, and she figured Aden was overreacting, so she turned away.
Aden continued to follow her, watching her with a mix of suspicion and curiosity.
“I’m really sorry that things have come to this. I just heard the report a little while ago. I sent Baran to gather more information. If you could just wait a bit…”
“What will waiting tell us? Transparency in accounting? Tax payments? Financial indicators including carryover funds? Or maybe problems and their causes? Which one is it?”
Aden, who was about to answer quickly, slowly closed his mouth at Sierra’s follow-up question.
These weren’t things he could easily understand or respond to.
Moreover, Aden wasn’t exactly knowledgeable about accounting and finance.
The biggest virtues demanded of heirs in Rippleton were strategy, tactics, military strength, and leadership.
Sierra watched Aden silently as he struggled to answer.
Then she let out a small chuckle and shook her head.
Misinterpreting Sierra’s smile, Aden opened his mouth to clarify.
“Whatever it is, I’ll find a way to explain it. So…”
“Enough.”
With a calm expression but urgency in her voice, Sierra shook her head and resumed walking.
Aden stared at her in confusion.
As they walked, Sierra suddenly dropped her voice.
“A person who can’t even answer these simple questions couldn’t possibly commit embezzlement. That doesn’t make any sense.”
“…”
Should I feel good or bad about this?
While he felt relieved that his doubts had been cleared, Aden couldn’t shake the oddly uncomfortable feeling that settled in him. His expression turned a bit sour.
