“That won’t work.”
And the voice that was different from what he had expected made Count Nova flinch.
“There’s a chin, so come in carefully, Cecilia.”
A tall, handsome man with brown hair and blue eyes. At first glance, he is dressed in royal attire and is accompanied by Cecilia Burnett.
“Meet the second star of the empire.”
How could he not be the second Prince? Count Nova hurriedly bowed his head and greeted Eden. Count Nova's son also hurriedly bowed.
“Duke Lane’s kindness...”
“...”
“That is only possible if he can master it at his level.”
Eden did not react to Count Nova's greeting. He simply smiled faintly and criticized his mental state.
“What you have violated is your duty to protect the citizens of the Wyatt Empire, your duty to collect taxes, and your duty to maintain transparent accounting.”
Then, Eden listed Count Nova's crimes with cold eyes. There were many reasons to criticize him, so there was no need to worry about coming up with reasons to criticize him.
“And that is what the royal family of Wyatt, who has difficulty in governing all the lands of the empire, has ordered the nobles to do. It is a responsibility that comes with the title.”
“...”
“And as a direct descendant of the royal family, I intend to insist that you be punished.”
Although he is now simply known as the Grand Duke Burnett, Eden's roots lie in the royal family. To Eden, Count Nova's flight was more than just a flight.
“I support His Highness. Even if my father, no, the Duke of Lane, were to forgive you, I would not stand by and let him.”
“...”
“As the second Prince, a member of the imperial family.”
Cecilia haughtily added her own will to Eden’s words. Count Nova’s face, who had been relieved and confident of his safety, turned pale.
In the past, he had believed in Curtis's warm attitude and indifference toward the spirit world. And that belief was somewhat justified.
Until Cecilia married the Second Prince and became a member of the royal family. And until he learned that Cecilia had no intention of agreeing with his father's opinions.
“Your Highness. Your Highness.”
Count Nova, who realized this, moved half-asleep to Eden's feet. Since his misconduct was known to the imperial family, it was not Curtis but the Grand Duke and his wife who should beg for leniency, and he realized this too late.
“Please forgive me. I was too immature to follow the royal order!”
Count Nova's actions became more violent. He repeatedly asked for forgiveness, hitting his forehead against the floor so loudly that it made a sound. Cecilia did not respond. Her gaze, looking down at Count Nova's forehead, which seemed to be bleeding, was lukewarm the whole time.
Cecilia just turned her head slightly and looked at Eden. Eden, who had once tolerated the man's evil deeds for Ilya's sake, was just watching everything as if he were an observer.
“I can guess your arrogant intentions since you don’t even say that you will atone for your sins with death, even out of courtesy.”
Cecilia smiled gently, indicating that she would not easily forgive the crime that Count Nova had committed twice. It was a mockery directed at him, but at the same time, it was also a satisfaction.
“You probably thought that the Duke of Lane’s estate was yours. As you said, you managed the estate on his behalf for nearly 20 years.”
“...”
“Perhaps you thought of yourself as a Duke rather than a Count.”
It was a funny story, but other than that, it was hard to guess why Count Nova would dare do such a crazy thing.
“Therefore, I have no intention of being lenient on your sins.”
“Your Highness the Grand Duchess...”
“I think my father feels the same way as I do. Right, father?”
Cecilia looked back. Curtis stepped through the threshold and came into the room with a soft sigh.
“What else can I dare say?”
Even Curtis couldn't bring himself to forgive Count Nova for hitting him in the back of the head. And since Eden, a member of the royal family, couldn't forgive Count Nova, there was no way he could offer leniency.
"Your Excellency..."
Count Nova stared at Curtis with a blank expression as if he had lost the world. Curtis quietly turned his head away, avoiding Count Nova's gaze. That was his answer.
“There is just one issue that concerns my father’s honor.”
At that moment, Cecilia threw a rope over the heads of the Count and his son. Count Nova's eyes, which had been like those of a dead fish, briefly flashed with life.
“You saved my father’s life a long time ago, and made him promise to grant you any wish you wished for?”
“Yes!”
Count Nova answered hastily. It seemed as if he had a feeling that there might be a way out.
“But since the imperial family knows about this, it is impossible to let you off without punishment even if you insist on that promise. That is more than the oath between you and my father.”
I just didn't want to kill you easily. How stupid of you.
Cecilia, with a smiling face, snipped off the rope that had been hanging over Count Nova's head. It was quite enjoyable to watch him fall from hope to despair.
“The judge will probably have three options. You can ask him to consider one of them.”
“Wh, what is it?”
“One is to lose your noble title and be forever dishonored in the Nobles’ Hall of Fame. Of course, you must also return all your property.”
Count Nova's face turned pale. It was funny that he thought he would not receive such a punishment for daring to mock both the dukedom and the imperial family.
“The second is that, instead of keeping the title, you return the property of your family and serve as a laborer for three years.”
“Me, the other one...”
Count Nova barely managed to ask a question. It seemed as if he was pinning his hopes on the last one.
“Atone for your sins with the lives of those who participated.”
But for Count Nova, that wasn't the best option, it was the worst option.
“What do you want?”
Cecilia laughed heartily at the despair that was flashing across Count Nova's face as hope completely disappeared.
“Cecilia.”
Cecilia, who had been leaning against the cushions on the back of the bed and lost in thought, raised her head. Eden, who had come through the passage between the bedrooms into Cecilia's bedroom, was getting closer.
"Your Highness?"
Cecilia sat up straight, her upper body relaxed and leaning forward.
“Anything...”
Unless something special came up, it wasn't often that Eden would come over to Cecilia's bedroom at this hour.
“Nothing happened.”
Then why? Cecilia blinked slowly.
“...”
Eden looked down into those beautiful eyes.
“I thought you might feel uncomfortable.”
A low voice expressed concern for Cecilia. Cecilia shook her head quietly.
“I am fine, Your Highness.”
The soft voice was feminine. There was no trace of discomfort in Cecilia.
“I guess I knew this would happen.”
But instead of backing down, Eden sat down on the edge of Cecilia's bed.
Cecilia's voice, speaking softly while staring at him, sounded proud at first glance.
“Did I help you?”
"Sure."
Cecilia readily answered. She found undeniable evidence and immediately handed it over to the Imperial Court. She also blocked any pretext for Curtis to demand leniency. It was all thanks to Eden's presence.
“So. What do you plan to do?”
Cecilia laughed briefly at Eden's question.
“We must do as Count Nova chooses.”
Count Nova naturally chose the second option. It was natural since he was afraid of dying and losing his family name.
“Because my father’s honor is at stake.”
“The dead have no voice.”
Eden spoke softly. His voice was so gentle that it was hard to guess how cold his true feelings were. However, Cecilia was not surprised by Eden’s other side. Cecilia had already seen a man more cruel than him.
Moreover, his attitude was nothing short of cruel, considering that the punishment he desired was worse than the clean death that Eden could inflict on Count Nova.
“If we kill Count Nova, we won’t be able to find out everything we already know. I think helping the affected people is the priority.”
Cecilia wished that they would feel the same despair and anger that she had felt. They would feel resentful as they were taken away one by one, and one day they would return to the earth as a handful of dirt, alone.
“If it goes my way.”
Of course, even such enemies could not ignore the imperial family's gaze. The power that Cecilia possessed as a member of the imperial family came from Eden. To the Emperor, Cecilia was nothing more than a sidekick.
“Above all, I will only follow His Majesty the Emperor’s will.”
If the Emperor insisted on beheading those involved with Count Nova, citing the honor of the Imperial Family, the Duke of Lane could not object.
“His Majesty already knows your intentions, Cecilia.”
“His Majesty gave it to me?”
It was a time when a proper expression of gratitude was needed. Cecilia moved her hand cautiously. As if expressing shy gratitude, her round fingertips cautiously tapped Eden’s fingertips.
It was a light touch. Just enough to touch her smooth skin and smell the oil she had applied to her body. However, Eden’s body flinched reflexively at the unexpected touch of a woman.
And the voice that was different from what he had expected made Count Nova flinch.
“There’s a chin, so come in carefully, Cecilia.”
A tall, handsome man with brown hair and blue eyes. At first glance, he is dressed in royal attire and is accompanied by Cecilia Burnett.
“Meet the second star of the empire.”
How could he not be the second Prince? Count Nova hurriedly bowed his head and greeted Eden. Count Nova's son also hurriedly bowed.
“Duke Lane’s kindness...”
“...”
“That is only possible if he can master it at his level.”
Eden did not react to Count Nova's greeting. He simply smiled faintly and criticized his mental state.
“What you have violated is your duty to protect the citizens of the Wyatt Empire, your duty to collect taxes, and your duty to maintain transparent accounting.”
Then, Eden listed Count Nova's crimes with cold eyes. There were many reasons to criticize him, so there was no need to worry about coming up with reasons to criticize him.
“And that is what the royal family of Wyatt, who has difficulty in governing all the lands of the empire, has ordered the nobles to do. It is a responsibility that comes with the title.”
“...”
“And as a direct descendant of the royal family, I intend to insist that you be punished.”
Although he is now simply known as the Grand Duke Burnett, Eden's roots lie in the royal family. To Eden, Count Nova's flight was more than just a flight.
“I support His Highness. Even if my father, no, the Duke of Lane, were to forgive you, I would not stand by and let him.”
“...”
“As the second Prince, a member of the imperial family.”
Cecilia haughtily added her own will to Eden’s words. Count Nova’s face, who had been relieved and confident of his safety, turned pale.
In the past, he had believed in Curtis's warm attitude and indifference toward the spirit world. And that belief was somewhat justified.
Until Cecilia married the Second Prince and became a member of the royal family. And until he learned that Cecilia had no intention of agreeing with his father's opinions.
“Your Highness. Your Highness.”
Count Nova, who realized this, moved half-asleep to Eden's feet. Since his misconduct was known to the imperial family, it was not Curtis but the Grand Duke and his wife who should beg for leniency, and he realized this too late.
“Please forgive me. I was too immature to follow the royal order!”
Count Nova's actions became more violent. He repeatedly asked for forgiveness, hitting his forehead against the floor so loudly that it made a sound. Cecilia did not respond. Her gaze, looking down at Count Nova's forehead, which seemed to be bleeding, was lukewarm the whole time.
Cecilia just turned her head slightly and looked at Eden. Eden, who had once tolerated the man's evil deeds for Ilya's sake, was just watching everything as if he were an observer.
“I can guess your arrogant intentions since you don’t even say that you will atone for your sins with death, even out of courtesy.”
Cecilia smiled gently, indicating that she would not easily forgive the crime that Count Nova had committed twice. It was a mockery directed at him, but at the same time, it was also a satisfaction.
“You probably thought that the Duke of Lane’s estate was yours. As you said, you managed the estate on his behalf for nearly 20 years.”
“...”
“Perhaps you thought of yourself as a Duke rather than a Count.”
It was a funny story, but other than that, it was hard to guess why Count Nova would dare do such a crazy thing.
“Therefore, I have no intention of being lenient on your sins.”
“Your Highness the Grand Duchess...”
“I think my father feels the same way as I do. Right, father?”
Cecilia looked back. Curtis stepped through the threshold and came into the room with a soft sigh.
“What else can I dare say?”
Even Curtis couldn't bring himself to forgive Count Nova for hitting him in the back of the head. And since Eden, a member of the royal family, couldn't forgive Count Nova, there was no way he could offer leniency.
"Your Excellency..."
Count Nova stared at Curtis with a blank expression as if he had lost the world. Curtis quietly turned his head away, avoiding Count Nova's gaze. That was his answer.
“There is just one issue that concerns my father’s honor.”
At that moment, Cecilia threw a rope over the heads of the Count and his son. Count Nova's eyes, which had been like those of a dead fish, briefly flashed with life.
“You saved my father’s life a long time ago, and made him promise to grant you any wish you wished for?”
“Yes!”
Count Nova answered hastily. It seemed as if he had a feeling that there might be a way out.
“But since the imperial family knows about this, it is impossible to let you off without punishment even if you insist on that promise. That is more than the oath between you and my father.”
I just didn't want to kill you easily. How stupid of you.
Cecilia, with a smiling face, snipped off the rope that had been hanging over Count Nova's head. It was quite enjoyable to watch him fall from hope to despair.
“The judge will probably have three options. You can ask him to consider one of them.”
“Wh, what is it?”
“One is to lose your noble title and be forever dishonored in the Nobles’ Hall of Fame. Of course, you must also return all your property.”
Count Nova's face turned pale. It was funny that he thought he would not receive such a punishment for daring to mock both the dukedom and the imperial family.
“The second is that, instead of keeping the title, you return the property of your family and serve as a laborer for three years.”
“Me, the other one...”
Count Nova barely managed to ask a question. It seemed as if he was pinning his hopes on the last one.
“Atone for your sins with the lives of those who participated.”
But for Count Nova, that wasn't the best option, it was the worst option.
“What do you want?”
Cecilia laughed heartily at the despair that was flashing across Count Nova's face as hope completely disappeared.
***
“Cecilia.”
Cecilia, who had been leaning against the cushions on the back of the bed and lost in thought, raised her head. Eden, who had come through the passage between the bedrooms into Cecilia's bedroom, was getting closer.
"Your Highness?"
Cecilia sat up straight, her upper body relaxed and leaning forward.
“Anything...”
Unless something special came up, it wasn't often that Eden would come over to Cecilia's bedroom at this hour.
“Nothing happened.”
Then why? Cecilia blinked slowly.
“...”
Eden looked down into those beautiful eyes.
“I thought you might feel uncomfortable.”
A low voice expressed concern for Cecilia. Cecilia shook her head quietly.
“I am fine, Your Highness.”
The soft voice was feminine. There was no trace of discomfort in Cecilia.
“I guess I knew this would happen.”
But instead of backing down, Eden sat down on the edge of Cecilia's bed.
“That's why I wanted to be there, to accompany you.”
“Did I help you?”
"Sure."
Cecilia readily answered. She found undeniable evidence and immediately handed it over to the Imperial Court. She also blocked any pretext for Curtis to demand leniency. It was all thanks to Eden's presence.
“So. What do you plan to do?”
Cecilia laughed briefly at Eden's question.
“We must do as Count Nova chooses.”
Count Nova naturally chose the second option. It was natural since he was afraid of dying and losing his family name.
“Because my father’s honor is at stake.”
“The dead have no voice.”
Eden spoke softly. His voice was so gentle that it was hard to guess how cold his true feelings were. However, Cecilia was not surprised by Eden’s other side. Cecilia had already seen a man more cruel than him.
Moreover, his attitude was nothing short of cruel, considering that the punishment he desired was worse than the clean death that Eden could inflict on Count Nova.
“If we kill Count Nova, we won’t be able to find out everything we already know. I think helping the affected people is the priority.”
Cecilia wished that they would feel the same despair and anger that she had felt. They would feel resentful as they were taken away one by one, and one day they would return to the earth as a handful of dirt, alone.
“If it goes my way.”
Of course, even such enemies could not ignore the imperial family's gaze. The power that Cecilia possessed as a member of the imperial family came from Eden. To the Emperor, Cecilia was nothing more than a sidekick.
“Above all, I will only follow His Majesty the Emperor’s will.”
If the Emperor insisted on beheading those involved with Count Nova, citing the honor of the Imperial Family, the Duke of Lane could not object.
“His Majesty already knows your intentions, Cecilia.”
“His Majesty gave it to me?”
It was a time when a proper expression of gratitude was needed. Cecilia moved her hand cautiously. As if expressing shy gratitude, her round fingertips cautiously tapped Eden’s fingertips.
It was a light touch. Just enough to touch her smooth skin and smell the oil she had applied to her body. However, Eden’s body flinched reflexively at the unexpected touch of a woman.
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