Who is your dad?

Whether the original female lead continues her story with the original male lead Karl or not, why worry about who she meets or doesn’t meet? They are each the protagonist in their own worlds, so they will surely find their own ways to live well.

With such thoughts in mind, something suddenly popped up.

“Wait. The original female lead?”

Thinking this far, I realized that I had met all the important characters from the original work, except for one – the original female lead. I had encountered the original male lead, supporting roles, and most of the characters, so isn’t it strange that I hadn’t met the female lead yet?

…I thought, but…

“Well, it doesn’t matter.”

Considering Celeste’s actions, who had been following her to torment the female lead, I had no intention of bothering her now, so it was only natural that I had no reason to meet the female lead. Yeah, that’s how it is.

***

The carriage that had turned back to its starting point after skidding in front of the Marquis’s house was where Stilikov, who had descended alone from the carriage, entered the reception room with a apologetic expression on his face, frozen in fear of Franz’s face that had been constantly grinning.

“You weren’t at home, it seems?”

It was Franz who had been waiting for Celeste’s arrival while listening to the pattering rain outside, tapping on the window. If he called, she had to come. That was the nature of their relationship. If he said one word, the Countess Louisette had to play dead. That’s how it had been, how it would be in the future, and how it had to be now.

“It seems you were in the mansion.”

“But then why aren’t you in my carriage now?”

His tone was lethargic, almost whispering, but there was a chill in his questioning expression. Stilikov’s stern face, familiar to his close knights, was a sight known only to the young maid, who was accustomed to the Count’s smiling demeanor.

The maid, who had entered the reception room to attend to her duties, was only trying to do her job when she was abruptly told to leave by the Count. Shaken by the Count’s terrifying air of dismissal, she ran out of the reception room with a look that could have easily turned into tears.

Without a care for the pitiful maid receding into the distance, Stilikov absentmindedly knelt down. He had done nothing wrong, but Stilikov felt it was his fault that Celeste was not accompanying him. Failing to comply with the Count’s orders would always be considered a sin, regardless of the reason.

“The Countess Louisette seems not to be coming.”

“What?”

Franz’s brow furrowed mercilessly. Look here. The face that refuses to acknowledge when the master calls, a face that exudes insolence.

“You disappear for over a year, then return as if you can move as you please. And now, you come back empty-handed?”

“I apologize, Your Highness.”

“You do this back and forth without knowing your place? Cute Cele… no, are you just foolish?”

There was a touch of disgust in his raspy voice.

“You thought I’d just watch you climb up without knowing your place, calling you cute and all.”

With a cold thud, a few pecans were ruthlessly crushed in his hand. The shells broke, and the powder fell down.

“Still, I was preparing snacks for welcoming guests.”

It was a sarcastic remark. On his table, there were half-smoked cigars, a penknife, a broken snack bowl, and a few crushed pecan pieces.

To him, who considered such things as ‘snacks for welcoming guests,’ guests were merely of that level. He could show anything and speak casually.

“Did you hit your head? Maybe you lost your mind after the injury.”

“Thud, Franz brushed his hand. Then dust scattered.

“Me, Your Highness. And I have something more to say.”

“What is it?”

“You didn’t just say that for today. The Count not only for today but also in the future, has decided not to ride on the carriages you send.”

“Not ride on the carriages I send… Should I perceive it as cutting off our relationship?”

Stilikov bowed deeply.

Huh. This is really an unexpected development. Franz’s lips stretched out long.

***

“The young emperor passed away suddenly.

The news, which came without any warning, spread rapidly throughout the entire empire as a special decree, causing a great shock to the people. The emperor, who had only reigned for a little over two years, was a mere 14 years old, at a tender age. The discovery of the healthy young emperor’s lifeless body for no apparent reason overnight stunned the populace.

It was a matter that shook the very foundation of the empire. Being of such a young age and not yet of legal majority, the issue of succession seemed impossible. There was no explanation, no successor, and no plan in place.

The capital city of Lahart was thrown into turmoil by the emperor’s death. People were puzzled – was it an assassination? The emperor, who had no known illnesses, was in good health, and yet at a young age, there seemed to be no reason for his sudden passing.

Various conspiracy theories began to surface, fueling unrest in the capital until the early morning news was published and just half a day had passed.

By noon, a three-day national mourning period was declared. Contrary to the usual period of about five days observed for such occasions, the funeral began almost immediately when there were talks about the mourning period being too short.

As time passed, the confusion among the people deepened, prompting the imperial court to expedite proceedings as much as possible. It seemed as if they were hiding something important or pressing.

The first to be officially summoned to participate in the mourning were the high nobles of the capital. Clad in black attire with black veils, noblewomen revealed somber expressions.

Their black gloves contrasted sharply with the white handkerchiefs that covered their mouths, making it impossible to tell whether they were shedding tears or smiling.

Given the rarity of all the nobles assembling in the capital, it seemed as if they were genuinely grieving the emperor’s death outwardly, but their true interests were apparent. Even amid the sorrowful atmosphere, they observed each other and had endless private conversations.

Their greatest interest was undeniably directed towards Celeste Aisha Louisette, the countess with her neatly tied purple hair, who exuded wealth and beauty, becoming the object of envy among noblewomen and admiration among noble men.

Envy and jealousy are closely intertwined, so when people looked at Celeste Aisha Louisette, they held a mixture of awe and disdain in their eyes.

“My word, she truly has arrived. I heard she concealed herself in the mansion to tend to her health.”

“The Emperor has passed away. She must attend. What other choice does she have?”

“That’s true.”

I can hear everything. Can you hear me, too?

Trying my best not to attract attention and stay out of people’s conversations, I hurriedly made my way to the imperial palace upon hearing the sudden news of the emperor’s chief minister’s passing at dawn. Despite rushing, when I arrived at the funeral, many nobles were already present.

With each step I took, whispers followed me. After completing the formal condolences and taking my seat, waiting for my turn for about thirty minutes, it seemed like the nobles attending the funeral were more interested in me than the emperor.

I folded and placed my fan on the table with a snap.

“Count, why did you fold the fan? Quickly unfold it again.”

“What’s the use? Even if I cover my face, people will still recognize me.”

“But still…”

Leev gasped and tried to unfold the fan towards my face, but everyone here already knew who I was.

“It was said that the sudden passing of His Imperial Majesty is a top-secret matter.”

It was what Karl said when he came to arrest me in Urentum. I can’t keep it hidden for long, but for now, I am keeping the fact of the emperor’s passing a secret.

But no matter what, this is unexpected. To announce the chief minister’s passing like this. Not only is the investigation into Duke Schwaben’s death unresolved, but the issue with Valerie hasn’t been settled either. He was puzzled by the fact that he did not even glimpse the man who never showed his face, busy with preparing for the chief minister’s funeral.

“My word, who is this? It’s been a long time, Lady.”

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t think it could possibly be a voice calling me, but not even for a moment did I think it could be the sound of someone summoning me. I thought it was just passing noise, so I sat there absentmindedly. Then, a slightly flushed-faced woman suddenly leaned forward and revealed her presence.

“Still, you should at least greet me. It’s unsettling to ignore people.”

“Oh, were you talking to me? I didn’t realize.”

The woman, with brown hair styled in waves cascading down alluringly, introduced herself as Tecla.

“Who is she?”

I gestured to Hannah, who immediately whispered the answer to me: She is the sole lady of Viscount Tecla.

And who exactly is Tecla?

“It’s been a while. No one has seen the lady in the capital.”

Her voice was somewhat annoying. It was like she had something she really wanted to say but pretended otherwise, with a fake tone.

“No, I am Viscount Louisa. Not a lady.”

Since I had no information about her, Hannah stepped in to respond in my place.

“Ah, I see. I apologize, Viscount Louisa. Your title wasn’t familiar to me.”

Her tone was strangely distant. It seemed she disliked this woman, Celeste. I could sense it all over her. Well, among the noble ladies gathered here, how many actually liked Celeste, I wondered.