“So they say he got caught. They say the punishment could be even stronger because he tried to destroy evidence.”
Diego spoke blandly. Cecilia looked unimpressed. Didn't she want to get rid of the arrogant woman in front of her and punish her? Diego was a little puzzled.
“Aren’t you happy?”
“Happy.”
But to anyone who looked at her face, she didn't look like a happy person.
“I knew it would happen, so I wasn’t surprised.”
Cecilia quietly explained why she wasn't particularly pleased.
“There were things that interested me more than that.”
She was no longer interested in the Count Nova, who had set foot deep in the swamp and could not retreat. If she pushed them even a little bit, they would flounder and fall forward.
“What do you think interests you more?”
Diego asked. Cecilia was silent for a moment as if trying to recall a memory, then met Diego's gaze.
“Driton Mine.”
Diego narrowed his eyes at Cecilia's words. The Driton mine was obviously a topic he was familiar with.
“A friend of mine is looking for an investment opportunity to make some money.”
Cecilia spoke softly as if trying not to harbor any selfish motives.
“He got into a lot of debt because of gambling.”
"Aha..."
Diego let out a sound that was either an exclamation or a sigh. It seemed like he had figured out what Cecilia was talking about.
“It’s a shame to watch any longer. How embarrassing it would be to ask Your Majesty for help again.”
It was a pity, but her face didn't show any sign of regret. She was so expressionless that it almost looked like she was smiling.
“The Driton mine seems like a pretty promising investment, so I’d like you to help me out.”
Diego nodded at Cecilia's words. It was an easy task, beyond comparison, to catch the wind and move the boastful humans in the direction she wanted.
“Do you have a preferred method?”
“There’s no need to tell them directly. I don’t want it to sound like I gave them special treatment.”
Cecilia spoke, lifting her teacup. Her soft voice betrayed any malice, despite her real intentions.
“As you wish.”
But that was none of Diego's business. He just had to keep his promise to Cecilia and get what he wanted.
“And there’s one thing I’m curious about.”
“Please speak.”
“My Father, is there a woman that Duke Lane is seeing?”
Diego blinked slowly at Cecilia's question.
“I haven’t heard anything about it yet. Would you like to find out?”
He's not particularly interested in the private lives of individuals, but he's never heard or seen anything about Duke Lane's love life.
“If we’re going to do it...”
“Your Highness, it’s Abby.”
Cecilia was about to speak when Abby knocked hurriedly, cutting off her conversation with Diego.
“Come in.”
At Cecilia's command, Abby opened the door and poked her head in.
“What's going on?”
Diego, who had only raised his head and then discovered Abby slowly moving her body inside, lifted one corner of his mouth slightly. Cecilia, who had noticed this, played with her earrings and observed the situation between the two. It was a subtle atmosphere.
“Abby?”
“Yes! His Highness the Grand Duke’s carriage is almost here.”
Abby glared at Diego as if to give him a hint, then came to her senses and jumped at Cecilia's call.
“Oh, already?”
There was no mention of him coming back so early. Cecilia hurriedly finished getting ready and went down to the first floor. Just then, a carriage was passing through the gate.
“Cecilia.”
Eden got out of the carriage, found Cecilia, and called out to her softly.
“You came back early.”
“I heard a story about Count Nova. I thought it would be news you would want to hear as soon as possible.”
That's something she already knew. But Cecilia looked up at Eden with a bright face.
“Did you hear the news this quickly?”
“I have my own men who are separate from those sent by the Crown Prince.”
Eden put his arm around Cecilia's waist and led her inside. Of course, it was a natural contact, but it wasn't enough to make her sense of his intentions. However, Cecilia pretended not to know and followed Eden.
“The trial will be held within a month.”
In return, Eden whispered the date of the trial in advance.
“How did you find the evidence?”
Even though she had already heard everything from Diego, Cecilia pretended not to know anything and hung on to Eden to ask questions.
“They said she hid it under the maid’s skirt.”
Eden replied kindly. In normal circumstances, it would have been a good move to avoid danger. It is not common to search under a woman's skirt. If Eden had not asked Aster to dispatch the palace guards and court investigators, it would have been the same.
“...Cecilia?”
As her thoughts reached that point, she realized once again that the man in front of her could be extremely cruel. In her previous life, wasn't she also like a mouse that was kicked by a cat's paw?
“Thank you for letting me know. Are you going to the court later?”
Cecilia turned her body halfway and pressed herself against Eden. Eden flinched reflexively at the small hand on his chest and the breath tickling the back of his neck.
“...I have to go.”
Eden's voice lowered a little. Even though Cecilia was his wife, he still felt unfamiliar with this delicate body. It was something he had never held before.
“I want to go too. Can you take me with you?”
Cecilia's sparkling eyes dazzled Eden. Eden looked down at his wife, who was in his arms, acting cute. In fact, it was ridiculous to call it cuteness, but he knew that it was the best his wife could do.
“It will be difficult to see a good sight.”
"It's okay."
Eden tightened his grip on her slender waist. Cecilia did not avoid his gaze. She had something to accomplish.
“Is there anything you’d like to talk about when you meet?”
“I want to see the traitor’s words.”
Cecilia answered honestly. She wanted to see the Count of Nova fall.
“...And there are things I’m curious about. What was lacking, and what were you planning to do next?”
Of course, that wasn't all. She also wanted to know a little bit about their inner thoughts, which she couldn't know in her previous life or this life. That's because even Diego's background investigation couldn't find out.
But more than anything, she was worried that his father might come forward in court and demand leniency.
“Then I’ll let you meet him first before the trial begins.”
Cecilia smiled at Eden with a blush on her face.
“If you want.”
Eden faced her face and smiled quietly like a kind and affectionate husband. His attitude was gentle as if he would grant her anything she wanted.
“ ..”
It was then. The corner of the smile that Eden had been making cracked subtly. Cecilia’s gaze quietly followed his gaze. The place where he cast his gaze was near the empty window.
At first glance, he thought he saw blonde hair...
"Your Highness?"
When Cecilia called Eden in a questioning voice, his gaze returned.
“Is there anything outside the window?”
At Cecilia's question, Eden moved his lips as if he was going to ask something. Cecilia waited for him to speak, her eyes fixed on Eden's lips.
“It’s nothing.”
But what came back was a dull answer. As always, it was hard to guess the smiling face.
Diego spoke blandly. Cecilia looked unimpressed. Didn't she want to get rid of the arrogant woman in front of her and punish her? Diego was a little puzzled.
“Aren’t you happy?”
“Happy.”
But to anyone who looked at her face, she didn't look like a happy person.
“I knew it would happen, so I wasn’t surprised.”
Cecilia quietly explained why she wasn't particularly pleased.
“There were things that interested me more than that.”
She was no longer interested in the Count Nova, who had set foot deep in the swamp and could not retreat. If she pushed them even a little bit, they would flounder and fall forward.
“What do you think interests you more?”
Diego asked. Cecilia was silent for a moment as if trying to recall a memory, then met Diego's gaze.
“Driton Mine.”
Diego narrowed his eyes at Cecilia's words. The Driton mine was obviously a topic he was familiar with.
“A friend of mine is looking for an investment opportunity to make some money.”
Cecilia spoke softly as if trying not to harbor any selfish motives.
“He got into a lot of debt because of gambling.”
"Aha..."
Diego let out a sound that was either an exclamation or a sigh. It seemed like he had figured out what Cecilia was talking about.
“It’s a shame to watch any longer. How embarrassing it would be to ask Your Majesty for help again.”
It was a pity, but her face didn't show any sign of regret. She was so expressionless that it almost looked like she was smiling.
“The Driton mine seems like a pretty promising investment, so I’d like you to help me out.”
Diego nodded at Cecilia's words. It was an easy task, beyond comparison, to catch the wind and move the boastful humans in the direction she wanted.
“Do you have a preferred method?”
“There’s no need to tell them directly. I don’t want it to sound like I gave them special treatment.”
Cecilia spoke, lifting her teacup. Her soft voice betrayed any malice, despite her real intentions.
“As you wish.”
But that was none of Diego's business. He just had to keep his promise to Cecilia and get what he wanted.
“And there’s one thing I’m curious about.”
“Please speak.”
“My Father, is there a woman that Duke Lane is seeing?”
Diego blinked slowly at Cecilia's question.
“I haven’t heard anything about it yet. Would you like to find out?”
He's not particularly interested in the private lives of individuals, but he's never heard or seen anything about Duke Lane's love life.
“If we’re going to do it...”
“Your Highness, it’s Abby.”
Cecilia was about to speak when Abby knocked hurriedly, cutting off her conversation with Diego.
“Come in.”
At Cecilia's command, Abby opened the door and poked her head in.
“What's going on?”
Diego, who had only raised his head and then discovered Abby slowly moving her body inside, lifted one corner of his mouth slightly. Cecilia, who had noticed this, played with her earrings and observed the situation between the two. It was a subtle atmosphere.
“Abby?”
“Yes! His Highness the Grand Duke’s carriage is almost here.”
Abby glared at Diego as if to give him a hint, then came to her senses and jumped at Cecilia's call.
“Oh, already?”
There was no mention of him coming back so early. Cecilia hurriedly finished getting ready and went down to the first floor. Just then, a carriage was passing through the gate.
“Cecilia.”
Eden got out of the carriage, found Cecilia, and called out to her softly.
“You came back early.”
“I heard a story about Count Nova. I thought it would be news you would want to hear as soon as possible.”
That's something she already knew. But Cecilia looked up at Eden with a bright face.
“Did you hear the news this quickly?”
“I have my own men who are separate from those sent by the Crown Prince.”
Eden put his arm around Cecilia's waist and led her inside. Of course, it was a natural contact, but it wasn't enough to make her sense of his intentions. However, Cecilia pretended not to know and followed Eden.
“The trial will be held within a month.”
In return, Eden whispered the date of the trial in advance.
“How did you find the evidence?”
Even though she had already heard everything from Diego, Cecilia pretended not to know anything and hung on to Eden to ask questions.
“They said she hid it under the maid’s skirt.”
Eden replied kindly. In normal circumstances, it would have been a good move to avoid danger. It is not common to search under a woman's skirt. If Eden had not asked Aster to dispatch the palace guards and court investigators, it would have been the same.
“...Cecilia?”
As her thoughts reached that point, she realized once again that the man in front of her could be extremely cruel. In her previous life, wasn't she also like a mouse that was kicked by a cat's paw?
“Thank you for letting me know. Are you going to the court later?”
Cecilia turned her body halfway and pressed herself against Eden. Eden flinched reflexively at the small hand on his chest and the breath tickling the back of his neck.
“...I have to go.”
Eden's voice lowered a little. Even though Cecilia was his wife, he still felt unfamiliar with this delicate body. It was something he had never held before.
“I want to go too. Can you take me with you?”
Cecilia's sparkling eyes dazzled Eden. Eden looked down at his wife, who was in his arms, acting cute. In fact, it was ridiculous to call it cuteness, but he knew that it was the best his wife could do.
“It will be difficult to see a good sight.”
"It's okay."
Eden tightened his grip on her slender waist. Cecilia did not avoid his gaze. She had something to accomplish.
“Is there anything you’d like to talk about when you meet?”
“I want to see the traitor’s words.”
Cecilia answered honestly. She wanted to see the Count of Nova fall.
“...And there are things I’m curious about. What was lacking, and what were you planning to do next?”
Of course, that wasn't all. She also wanted to know a little bit about their inner thoughts, which she couldn't know in her previous life or this life. That's because even Diego's background investigation couldn't find out.
But more than anything, she was worried that his father might come forward in court and demand leniency.
“Then I’ll let you meet him first before the trial begins.”
Cecilia smiled at Eden with a blush on her face.
“If you want.”
Eden faced her face and smiled quietly like a kind and affectionate husband. His attitude was gentle as if he would grant her anything she wanted.
“ ..”
It was then. The corner of the smile that Eden had been making cracked subtly. Cecilia’s gaze quietly followed his gaze. The place where he cast his gaze was near the empty window.
At first glance, he thought he saw blonde hair...
"Your Highness?"
When Cecilia called Eden in a questioning voice, his gaze returned.
“Is there anything outside the window?”
At Cecilia's question, Eden moved his lips as if he was going to ask something. Cecilia waited for him to speak, her eyes fixed on Eden's lips.
“It’s nothing.”
But what came back was a dull answer. As always, it was hard to guess the smiling face.
***
Count Nova and his son were brought to the island late at night by the imperial army. Up until now, only the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the person concerned knew about this fact. It was all done so suddenly.
“Father, what do we do now?”
Count Nova's eldest son asked with an anxious expression.
"Father!"
But Count Nova wasn't thinking about his own punishment right now. He believed that this kind of thing would be easily resolved. After all, Curtis couldn't abandon him anyway.
“My head hurts already, so please be quiet!”
What he was worried about were the servants of the mansion. After the trial was over and they were found guilty, they would all run away. In fact, they were not that great, so it wouldn't be a big problem if they disappeared.
“Don’t worry. Duke Lane won’t be able to abandon us.”
But he couldn't stand the thought that all that was his property. At the very least, he should be responsible for what he ate, and in that case, he would have to sell them to raise money.
“Will Duke Lane leave our family alone?”
Count Nova's eldest son chewed his lips with an anxious expression.
“It’ll be okay. Since this kind of thing is handled by customary law anyway, all we need is Duke Lane’s leniency.”
Count Nova answered, pacing the cramped room. He still believed that Curtis would save the Count.
“It’s already been 20 years since I looked into Vester’s business. If we say we’ll pay back the embezzled money and reflect deeply, he won’t abandon me for something that happened only a year or so ago.”
It was then. With a squeak, the old door opened and light poured in. Count Nova and his son’s eyes naturally turned to the door.
“Father, what do we do now?”
Count Nova's eldest son asked with an anxious expression.
"Father!"
But Count Nova wasn't thinking about his own punishment right now. He believed that this kind of thing would be easily resolved. After all, Curtis couldn't abandon him anyway.
“My head hurts already, so please be quiet!”
What he was worried about were the servants of the mansion. After the trial was over and they were found guilty, they would all run away. In fact, they were not that great, so it wouldn't be a big problem if they disappeared.
“Don’t worry. Duke Lane won’t be able to abandon us.”
But he couldn't stand the thought that all that was his property. At the very least, he should be responsible for what he ate, and in that case, he would have to sell them to raise money.
“Will Duke Lane leave our family alone?”
Count Nova's eldest son chewed his lips with an anxious expression.
“It’ll be okay. Since this kind of thing is handled by customary law anyway, all we need is Duke Lane’s leniency.”
Count Nova answered, pacing the cramped room. He still believed that Curtis would save the Count.
“It’s already been 20 years since I looked into Vester’s business. If we say we’ll pay back the embezzled money and reflect deeply, he won’t abandon me for something that happened only a year or so ago.”
It was then. With a squeak, the old door opened and light poured in. Count Nova and his son’s eyes naturally turned to the door.
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