The identity of the person was even more surprising.
The Marquess of Barrington has no ties to House Illeston and has no reason to come here.
It's something to be wary of that kind of person suddenly coming, but when he heard that he was rumored to attend an occult society, Simone naturally came to mind.
He wonders if he knows something and is coming to find her.
“Master, are you worried about something?”
At Kelle's words, Duke Illeston gathered his thoughts and shook his head.
“There’s nothing to worry about.”
Yeah, there's no point in thinking about Barrington's intentions before they even meet.
He just needs to meet him, have a conversation, and find out what his purpose is.
Soon the Duke of Ileston arrived at the reception room, and as he opened the door, the Marquis of Barrington greeted him briefly with a polite smile.
“Your Highness the Grand Duke.”
“Come in.”
Duke Illeston let go of his guard and sat down opposite Marquis Barrington with a similar smile.
Soon, tea was prepared in front of the two, and Grand Duke Illestone sent out all the servants in the reception room, including Kelle.
Only when the Grand Duke of Illeston was alone with the Marquis of Barrington did he erase his smile and get to the point.
“What brings you here?”
The Marquis of Barrington seemed a little surprised by the direct question, let out a small 'Oh' and laughed.
Grand Duke Illeston didn't care about that reaction, which didn't really hide its true feelings.
A family that is ignored by the royal family anyway. Just because he came from the capital and is a nobleman, he doesn't plan on smiling and creating a friendly atmosphere.
If Marquis Barrington had come here without properly stating his purpose, he too would have anticipated the Grand Duke of Illeston's vigilance from the beginning.
And, as expected, the Marquis of Barrington only smiled and showed no sign of embarrassment.
“I heard that the monster in the mansion disappeared. I wondered if it was true.”
The Marquis of Barrington looked at the front door of the mansion.
“It seems it was real.”
“Yes, the curse on the mansion is slowly fading away.”
“I’m so glad that this day has come.”
Grand Duke Illeston observed Marquis Barrington's expression without letting his guard down.
He was a man with an unexpected impression.
Even if he look at it with caution, there is no trace of pretense in that expression that says it is fortunate that the curse has been lifted.
A man who came without any connection and had all sorts of suspicious rumors.
Despite this, he seemed genuinely happy that the curse had been lifted.
What on earth do you want from coming here?
“...Ah, I’m sorry, Your Highness.”
Marquis Barrington, sensing the gaze of the Grand Duke of Illeston, quickly turned his gaze and looked at him.
“Actually, I came to carry out His Majesty the Emperor’s orders.”
“His Majesty’s orders?”
At the unexpected answer, the emotion in the eyes of the Grand Duke of Illeston changed from caution to surprise.
"Yes."
The Marquis of Barrington took an envelope out of his possession and handed it to the Grand Duke of Illeston.
“Rumors have spread throughout the city that the curse on this mansion has been lifted, so he told us to stop by to check and take action accordingly.”
Grand Duke Illeston glanced at the envelope expressionlessly, then nodded and said.
“The curse has been lifted. It took 300 years for it to be lifted. That’s all.”
Of course, it is not yet fully resolved, but there is no need to tell him about the noble who came to carry out the Emperor's orders.
Rather, it would be easier to receive investment in village reconstruction later if they didn't say anything.
After hearing the Grand Duke of Illeston's answer, Marquis Barrington was silent for a moment. He hesitated for a while as if he was thinking about something, then spoke carefully.
“...How did it work out?”
“What do you mean, Marquis Barrington?”
The calm tone of voice and the sharp gaze that was not. The silence that was quickly building up as if asking something that should not be asked made Marquis Barrington shake his head.
“No, I’m sorry. I couldn’t control my curiosity and made a slip of the tongue.”
“Don’t make that mistake again. It would bring shame to our family.”
“I apologize again.”
It's strange. There's nothing suspicious about him at all. But there's definitely a curiosity about the curse.
Grand Duke Illeston sipped his tea and sat deep in thought.
If he really is from the Occult Society, then Simone's existence must not be discovered.
'She said it was because she didn't want to be sold to the Occult Society.'
Grand Duke Illeston recalled the report about Simone that Kelle had given him in the past.
It was clear that the Marquis had come looking for something.
But for something like that, he had an oddly serious look in his eyes.
Marquis Barrington seemed completely unaware of the Duke of Illeston's thoughts and simply continued speaking.
“Then, Your Highness, now that the curse has been lifted, how about you visit the capital?”
“I intend to do so. Now that the curse has been lifted, there is no need to live in isolation any longer. Of course, that is only possible if His Majesty calls.”
“Don’t worry. His Majesty is very positive about this matter. He knows that the rumors of the curse being lifted are true, so you will hear news soon.”
“Marquis, then I will need your help in reporting to His Majesty. Thank you for your consideration.”
“Yes, I will. If there is anything else I can help with, I will help. Are there any matters that need to be handled separately in the capital or that you would like to request support from the royal family?”
The Marquis of Barrington had been visiting the village of Hertin, the Grand Duke's domain, frequently recently, and was well aware of the dire state of affairs there.
Competent healers and workers, well-educated servants, and even tutors to educate the next generation of the family.
These are the people that other noble families would naturally employ, but it would be different for the Grand Duke of Illeston.
From the Grand Duke's perspective, there must have been things he was unable to bring in unlike other nobles because the main gate was blocked.
“The Marquis of Barrington.”
Before the Grand Duke of Illeston could even answer, Marquis Barrington, who had been calmly organizing the things he would need in his head, looked at him at the sudden call.
Grand Duke Illeston was looking at him quietly with his usual expressionless face.
Grand Duke Illeston, who had been slowly observing him or questioning him, soon put down his teacup and shook his head.
“I don’t need your help with that.”
"Is that so."
The Marquis of Barrington did not hide his expression of surprise.
“You just need to report to His Majesty that the curse on the Illestons family has been lifted, just as you saw today.”
Although the Grand Duke's power has disappeared, if Marquis Barrington is willing to help the Grand Duke of Illeston, the Grand Duke himself can certainly do so.
This family is cursed, not a poor family that needs help from any noble other than the Emperor.
Marquis Barrington paused and nodded after seeing the Grand Duke's expression.
“I’m sorry. I was a little excited when I heard that I was the first guest to visit the mansion in 300 years.”
“Okay. So what do you really want to say?”
“...”
The Marquis of Barrington raised his head. The Marquis, who was now forty, soon realized that the eyes of the Grand Duke of Illeston, whom he had thought to be alert, were not those of an alert man but of one who had seen through everything.
The Grand Duke of Illestone said.
“I heard that you were visiting the village of Hertin.”
"...Yes."
“I also heard rumors about you being associated with the Occult Society.”
Barrington's eyes, which had been filled with the look of a passionate nobleman who seemed ready to help with anything, trembled.
Grand Duke Illeston noticed the change and chuckled.
“Do you really think I lived in seclusion in this mansion without any information? If so, then I am disappointed.”
“That’s... impossible.”
When the Grand Duke of Ileston heard that a stranger was coming, he conducted an investigation through Louis.
The information that the Marquis of Barrington had contacted an informant in the village of Hertin was brought to Simone's staff inspector Wren, and the rumor about the Occult Society was brought to Kelle.
“By the way, I hate nobles who stop by Hertin Village.”
“...”
“If you stop by that town, it means something fishy is going on.”
“Your Highness, I cannot do such a thing-”
“What is the purpose of your visit here?”
Grand Duke Illeston lifted the envelope from the table.
It was the envelope that Marquis Barrington had shown him earlier, saying it was the Emperor's order.
“You even prepared fake envelopes like this.”
“...Did you know?”
“If you came on the Emperor’s orders, I should have received a letter from His Majesty informing me that you would be coming.”
... The Marquis thought he wouldn’t know since he hadn’t been summoned by the Emperor for 300 years.
Haa. Marquis Barrington sighed under his breath.
This wasn't it. This wasn't the original plan.
Originally, he had tried to win the favor of the Grand Duke of Illeston by showing his willingness to help in any way he could, and slowly infiltrate them to find out their secrets.
However, it seems that the Illeston family's vigilance was much more severe than expected.
“Okay, let me tell you why I came.”
The Marquis of Barrington's expression changed. Unlike the panic he had shown just a moment ago, his eyes looked as if he had decided to tell everything honestly.
“I am a man of His Majesty the Emperor.”
"I can not believe it."
“... Whether you believe it or not, I will continue to talk. Please listen to everything and make your own judgment.”
Grand Duke Illeston nodded as if to tell him to continue.
Barrington said.
“I’ll get straight to the point. The girl who lives in this mansion, a girl named Simone, we need her help.”
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