Ariadne told Sancha about the broken bridle. She asked her to look it over carefully, as she was not sure it was Ippolito.
“What the heck!”
Sancha was so angry that her face turned the same red as her hair.
“There are only a few people in this household who don’t live off of the girl. How dare you!”
“I’ve already told Giuseppe to keep an eye on the stables.”
The bridle was worn, so it was likely the work of one of the stablehands. However, since she hadn't caught it yet, she asked Sancha to do the same.
“Sancha, take a good look at the kitchen.”
“Is it just the kitchen? The wardrobe staff, the cleaning staff, etc. I’ll light a fire under my eyes and watch everything that touches your body!”
"Thank you."
But no matter what, the person Ariadne was most suspicious of at this point was Ippolito.
She has already told Giuseppe to keep a special eye on Master Ippolito.
Ippolito was the one who would benefit most from Ariadne's disappearance.
Cardinal de Mare seemed to be considering a somewhat moderate plan, in which Ariadne would not marry and would maintain the family line but would have Ippolito's children continue the line.
But from Ippolito's point of view, it was no different from maritozzi without cream.
What good is it for his son to become a Count if he has to live his whole life as a vagabond without any title?
If only Ariadne died, wouldn't the countship go to him, her only remaining brother? Isabella had already been driven out of the family and was an outsider, so she was out of the question.
'Ah. Isabella.'
Ariadne was almost certain that Isabella was at Count Contarini's residence.
When she checked with the Convent of Saint Angelo, they said that Isabella had been taken away by someone who was supposed to take her as a conscript just a few days ago.
Isabella was living in a convent because she was a dispossessed lady with no place to go, so she could leave if anyone came to take her.
The man who took her was said to be the man she was going to marry. She heard that the carriage left for San Carlo.
'...I wonder if Father knows too.'
What would the Cardinal say if he found out that Isabella had bitten Ottavio of the Contarini family and escaped from the convent?
Would he be angry that his daughter had escaped his control? Or would he feel sorry, proud, and sorry for his child?
The fact that she was curious about this was proof that Ariadne missed her father's affection, but Ariadne didn't notice.
She didn't really want to ask. She was curious, but she didn't want to hear the answer.
Her thoughts wandered back to Ippolito again.
If they follow Ippolito, they will be able to know for sure whether Isabella is in the Contarini family or not.
Ippolito was never a great man who would refuse to accept praise after doing something for Isabella. He would ask his brother for his share.
'It's time for this family to say goodbye to Brother Ippolito.'
If Ippolito were driven out of the family, there would be no point in pursuing Ariadne any longer.
He may be able to target her out of spite, but if he is kicked out of the house, he will be cut off from any chance of causing trouble inside the house. Ariadne will be relatively safe.
Relations with Cardinal de Mare will also be reestablished.
Because Ariadne would be the Cardinal's only remaining successor, ousting Ippolito would be killing three birds with one stone, or more.
Ariadne asked Sancha.
“No progress has been made in Taranto?”
Ariadne had already sent men to Taranto to investigate Lucrezia's past. Sancha's face darkened.
“Ah, that’s... I’ve identified a person who can testify.”
“Who is that?”
“I am the nanny of the dead 'Miss Rossi'.”
“He must be a little old. Why would he testify something that could harm Lucrezia, whom he raised?”
“The Rossi family treated her terribly.”
It was a story about a nanny who had devoted her entire life to her, who became old and weak and told her to leave without looking back.
“Besides... the nanny’s child contracted the Black Death last winter and asked the Rossi family for help... but instead of being let in, they kicked him out of the gate. Even if they can’t take in the plague patients, they can at least help them with medicine or money.”
“What happened to her child?”
“He died.”
Ariadne clicked her tongue and nodded.
“She’s worthy of testifying. She’s someone who knows the inside story. So what’s the problem?”
“The nanny was placed in the care of the court of Taranto.”
"What?”
“To be exact, she is working for the Duke of Taranto and receiving wages. I think she is staying at their summer villa.”
“What’s the problem? Why don’t you send someone in and deliver the message? If we can just communicate, we can immediately cooperate.”
“They said they couldn’t find it. There’s no way to know if it’s in the kitchen or the bedroom. We can’t just search the summer villa of the Duke of Taranto, can we? I tried asking around through the people who work there, but no one knows exactly what it is.”
“Taranto....”
It was a place she had to visit at least once. Ariadne leaned back on the sofa, tapping her fingernails on the armrests as she became lost in thought.
It seemed necessary to do some social activity. Someone must have connections with Bianca of Taranto.
Raphael was already in a bad mood as soon as he set foot in Palagio Carlo. Something felt terribly awkward.
This may not be only because, instead of the rough cotton clothes worn as everyday clothes these days, he wore smooth silk robes befitting the successor to a noble family.
He had to send a letter to the Prince's palace requesting an 'audience' when he came to see Alfonso today.
The old Raphael saw Alfonso almost every day anyway, so he could just tell him directly on what day in what month he would go and that would be the end of it.
'An audience between Alfonso and me.'
Raphael laughed in vain.
It took much longer than he expected for his request for an audience to be granted.
'Why on earth did it take two and a half weeks?'
Apart from the affairs between Alfonso and Ariadne, Alfonso and Raphael had been close friends since childhood.
Even while Alfonso was away, Raphael did everything he could for Alfonso.
For the first time since he was born, he left the Central Continent and crossed the sea, and even though he could not see the sunlight, he crossed the desert wearing a turban.
That wasn't all. Raphael had been by Ariadne de Mare's side for the past four years, yet he never crossed the line.
He had a burning desire to confess. There were many moments when he could confess. If he said that he endured it every time for Alfonso, it would be a lie.
It was because there was clearly a fear of not wanting to lose even a friendship.
But at the very least, one of the biggest reasons Raphael didn't cross the line was because Ariadne the first love of his close friend, left in Alfonso's care.
Given all these circumstances, Alfonso should not have treated Raphael like this. Besides, Raphael had come today in place of Ari.
Alfonso shouldn't have treated Ariadne like this either.
Even if their love had ended for some reason, Alfonso had a duty to confront Ariadne face-to-face and be honest with her.
It is a duty to admit that 'I love you power.'
'Surely Alfonso couldn't have turned into such a bad guy.'
Raphael tried to pretend that it had taken time for his request for an audience to reach Alfonso.
If Alfonso had seen Raphael's letter, it would not have taken this long.
Yes, it just took a long time because the Prince's palace attendants were still reorganizing to serve their lord who had returned after a long time.
But the feeling of unease in his heart did not go away. How much had his old friend changed?
'It may have changed to some extent. It's natural for things to change.'
He tried hard to suppress his feelings of regret.
Alfonso's return changed the atmosphere in San Carlo. Those who had been dissatisfied with the reign of Leo III saw the return of Prince Alfonso as a new opportunity.
Although Raphael himself has not heard of it, there must be some who are already moving.
Alfonso was no longer the boy Prince who had been his friend.
It could be the eye of a hurricane that could catch you in the middle of a political whirlwind, or drag you into a storm that would engulf everyone in the San Carlo court.
As one's position changes, one's attitude must also change. Raphael could understand that much.
“You have arrived, Marquis Baldessar.”
Before he knew it, he was in front of Alfonso. The servant who had guided Raphael slowly opened the thick mahogany door leading to Alfonso's reception room.
Squeak.
Through the open door, Raphael went inside to see Alfonso, whom he had not seen in a long time.
There were familiar cream-colored curtains and furniture that had been passed down through generations, the place where Raphael and Alfonso had rolled around and played as children.
Raphael suddenly felt his heart pounding. He understood everything. That was what old friends were like.
But what happened next was beyond his understanding.
Raphael greeted Alfonso with joy as soon as he saw him sitting on a chair in comfortable clothing.
“Alfonso!”
But it was not Prince Alfonso who answered the greeting, but Sir Elko who interrupted before Alfonso could even reply.
“Baldessar! How dare you call the Prince’s name without permission!”
Raphael looked more twisted than when he last met Sir Elko. His speech, his posture, and his clothes were all the same.
Sir Elko was wearing a blue armband with a black helmet, proof that he was a member of the Prince's military staff, and was dressed in court-style attire that would not be out of place for a court servant.
“Elko.”
Raphael looked at Sir Elko from top to bottom, then answered him without saying a word. It was customary to respond to an omitted honorific with an omitted honorific.
“Since when have you become so brazen?”
Raphael smiled and said one more thing.
“Huh? Elko. Tell me.”
*Maritozzi: Bread made with yeast, cut in half, and filled with cream.
The cream is made from whipped cream and flavored with lemon and orange peel, candied fruit, and nuts.
“What the heck!”
Sancha was so angry that her face turned the same red as her hair.
“There are only a few people in this household who don’t live off of the girl. How dare you!”
“I’ve already told Giuseppe to keep an eye on the stables.”
The bridle was worn, so it was likely the work of one of the stablehands. However, since she hadn't caught it yet, she asked Sancha to do the same.
“Sancha, take a good look at the kitchen.”
“Is it just the kitchen? The wardrobe staff, the cleaning staff, etc. I’ll light a fire under my eyes and watch everything that touches your body!”
"Thank you."
But no matter what, the person Ariadne was most suspicious of at this point was Ippolito.
She has already told Giuseppe to keep a special eye on Master Ippolito.
Ippolito was the one who would benefit most from Ariadne's disappearance.
Cardinal de Mare seemed to be considering a somewhat moderate plan, in which Ariadne would not marry and would maintain the family line but would have Ippolito's children continue the line.
But from Ippolito's point of view, it was no different from maritozzi without cream.
What good is it for his son to become a Count if he has to live his whole life as a vagabond without any title?
If only Ariadne died, wouldn't the countship go to him, her only remaining brother? Isabella had already been driven out of the family and was an outsider, so she was out of the question.
'Ah. Isabella.'
Ariadne was almost certain that Isabella was at Count Contarini's residence.
When she checked with the Convent of Saint Angelo, they said that Isabella had been taken away by someone who was supposed to take her as a conscript just a few days ago.
Isabella was living in a convent because she was a dispossessed lady with no place to go, so she could leave if anyone came to take her.
The man who took her was said to be the man she was going to marry. She heard that the carriage left for San Carlo.
'...I wonder if Father knows too.'
What would the Cardinal say if he found out that Isabella had bitten Ottavio of the Contarini family and escaped from the convent?
Would he be angry that his daughter had escaped his control? Or would he feel sorry, proud, and sorry for his child?
The fact that she was curious about this was proof that Ariadne missed her father's affection, but Ariadne didn't notice.
She didn't really want to ask. She was curious, but she didn't want to hear the answer.
Her thoughts wandered back to Ippolito again.
If they follow Ippolito, they will be able to know for sure whether Isabella is in the Contarini family or not.
Ippolito was never a great man who would refuse to accept praise after doing something for Isabella. He would ask his brother for his share.
'It's time for this family to say goodbye to Brother Ippolito.'
If Ippolito were driven out of the family, there would be no point in pursuing Ariadne any longer.
He may be able to target her out of spite, but if he is kicked out of the house, he will be cut off from any chance of causing trouble inside the house. Ariadne will be relatively safe.
Relations with Cardinal de Mare will also be reestablished.
Because Ariadne would be the Cardinal's only remaining successor, ousting Ippolito would be killing three birds with one stone, or more.
Ariadne asked Sancha.
“No progress has been made in Taranto?”
Ariadne had already sent men to Taranto to investigate Lucrezia's past. Sancha's face darkened.
“Ah, that’s... I’ve identified a person who can testify.”
“Who is that?”
“I am the nanny of the dead 'Miss Rossi'.”
“He must be a little old. Why would he testify something that could harm Lucrezia, whom he raised?”
“The Rossi family treated her terribly.”
It was a story about a nanny who had devoted her entire life to her, who became old and weak and told her to leave without looking back.
“Besides... the nanny’s child contracted the Black Death last winter and asked the Rossi family for help... but instead of being let in, they kicked him out of the gate. Even if they can’t take in the plague patients, they can at least help them with medicine or money.”
“What happened to her child?”
“He died.”
Ariadne clicked her tongue and nodded.
“She’s worthy of testifying. She’s someone who knows the inside story. So what’s the problem?”
“The nanny was placed in the care of the court of Taranto.”
"What?”
“To be exact, she is working for the Duke of Taranto and receiving wages. I think she is staying at their summer villa.”
“What’s the problem? Why don’t you send someone in and deliver the message? If we can just communicate, we can immediately cooperate.”
“They said they couldn’t find it. There’s no way to know if it’s in the kitchen or the bedroom. We can’t just search the summer villa of the Duke of Taranto, can we? I tried asking around through the people who work there, but no one knows exactly what it is.”
“Taranto....”
It was a place she had to visit at least once. Ariadne leaned back on the sofa, tapping her fingernails on the armrests as she became lost in thought.
It seemed necessary to do some social activity. Someone must have connections with Bianca of Taranto.
***
Raphael was already in a bad mood as soon as he set foot in Palagio Carlo. Something felt terribly awkward.
This may not be only because, instead of the rough cotton clothes worn as everyday clothes these days, he wore smooth silk robes befitting the successor to a noble family.
He had to send a letter to the Prince's palace requesting an 'audience' when he came to see Alfonso today.
The old Raphael saw Alfonso almost every day anyway, so he could just tell him directly on what day in what month he would go and that would be the end of it.
'An audience between Alfonso and me.'
Raphael laughed in vain.
It took much longer than he expected for his request for an audience to be granted.
'Why on earth did it take two and a half weeks?'
Apart from the affairs between Alfonso and Ariadne, Alfonso and Raphael had been close friends since childhood.
Even while Alfonso was away, Raphael did everything he could for Alfonso.
For the first time since he was born, he left the Central Continent and crossed the sea, and even though he could not see the sunlight, he crossed the desert wearing a turban.
That wasn't all. Raphael had been by Ariadne de Mare's side for the past four years, yet he never crossed the line.
He had a burning desire to confess. There were many moments when he could confess. If he said that he endured it every time for Alfonso, it would be a lie.
It was because there was clearly a fear of not wanting to lose even a friendship.
But at the very least, one of the biggest reasons Raphael didn't cross the line was because Ariadne the first love of his close friend, left in Alfonso's care.
Given all these circumstances, Alfonso should not have treated Raphael like this. Besides, Raphael had come today in place of Ari.
Alfonso shouldn't have treated Ariadne like this either.
Even if their love had ended for some reason, Alfonso had a duty to confront Ariadne face-to-face and be honest with her.
It is a duty to admit that 'I love you power.'
'Surely Alfonso couldn't have turned into such a bad guy.'
Raphael tried to pretend that it had taken time for his request for an audience to reach Alfonso.
If Alfonso had seen Raphael's letter, it would not have taken this long.
Yes, it just took a long time because the Prince's palace attendants were still reorganizing to serve their lord who had returned after a long time.
But the feeling of unease in his heart did not go away. How much had his old friend changed?
'It may have changed to some extent. It's natural for things to change.'
He tried hard to suppress his feelings of regret.
Alfonso's return changed the atmosphere in San Carlo. Those who had been dissatisfied with the reign of Leo III saw the return of Prince Alfonso as a new opportunity.
Although Raphael himself has not heard of it, there must be some who are already moving.
Alfonso was no longer the boy Prince who had been his friend.
It could be the eye of a hurricane that could catch you in the middle of a political whirlwind, or drag you into a storm that would engulf everyone in the San Carlo court.
As one's position changes, one's attitude must also change. Raphael could understand that much.
“You have arrived, Marquis Baldessar.”
Before he knew it, he was in front of Alfonso. The servant who had guided Raphael slowly opened the thick mahogany door leading to Alfonso's reception room.
Squeak.
Through the open door, Raphael went inside to see Alfonso, whom he had not seen in a long time.
There were familiar cream-colored curtains and furniture that had been passed down through generations, the place where Raphael and Alfonso had rolled around and played as children.
Raphael suddenly felt his heart pounding. He understood everything. That was what old friends were like.
But what happened next was beyond his understanding.
Raphael greeted Alfonso with joy as soon as he saw him sitting on a chair in comfortable clothing.
“Alfonso!”
But it was not Prince Alfonso who answered the greeting, but Sir Elko who interrupted before Alfonso could even reply.
“Baldessar! How dare you call the Prince’s name without permission!”
Raphael looked more twisted than when he last met Sir Elko. His speech, his posture, and his clothes were all the same.
Sir Elko was wearing a blue armband with a black helmet, proof that he was a member of the Prince's military staff, and was dressed in court-style attire that would not be out of place for a court servant.
“Elko.”
Raphael looked at Sir Elko from top to bottom, then answered him without saying a word. It was customary to respond to an omitted honorific with an omitted honorific.
“Since when have you become so brazen?”
Raphael smiled and said one more thing.
“Huh? Elko. Tell me.”
*Maritozzi: Bread made with yeast, cut in half, and filled with cream.
The cream is made from whipped cream and flavored with lemon and orange peel, candied fruit, and nuts.
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