On the day that Ilya's divorce announcement was spreading, Malone Jackson received a letter of advice. It was about a man who had been forced into a marriage that was too risky for his family, only to have his reputation tarnished, and he was giving advice.
“Hmm...”
The caller said that there was only one reason why Ilya, who had been lying flat until then, was acting like this.
Because Count Nova's forced labor will soon be over, and all that remains is to restore the family.
In just over a year, Count Nova and his son will be free. But they will need money to rebuild their family. Malone, who was lost in thought, clicked his tongue briefly.
“Well, even if I gave her money, she would still act like a beggar.”
He thought he knew where Ilya got the money and secretly poured it into her family.
“I don’t think that’s the money I gave her.”
It was the amount of money assigned to her to live up to the reputation of being a member of the Jackinson family, and it was money for running the family. It wasn't money he was given to give to her parents.
“No matter how much I think about it, I’ve been too kind to you.”
A wife who did not suit his tastes, was not gentle, did not have a good family background, and did not produce an heir to the family line. A woman he would not have met if it were not to hide his wicked tastes.
Malone Jackson made a displeased face as he thought of Ilya, who he had not liked at all since the beginning of their marriage and until now when it was almost over.
“...”
You dare to dream of running away, don't you? I saved you from floundering on the floor. You're not even doing your job, you're screwing me and trying to run away.
Malone's fingertips hovered over the letter, over the same sentence, and then stopped.
“They said you worked in a quarry.”
There was nothing more to worry about. There was no need to reveal his and his family’s incompetence. Besides, he was sick of his father-in-law’s belated appearance and his overstepping his authority.
“I think it needs some organizing.”
“Enough with the family disgrace,” Malone muttered, sighing as he collected his thoughts.
With a short, heavy sound of “thud,” a white cloud of dust settled over the quarry. Up until just now, they had been fighting over whether they should get out of the way or not on the narrow road facing each other.
“What is it? What is happening?”
The supervisor came running in a hurry. Everyone, including commoners, slaves, and those who had committed crimes and been sentenced to hard labor, looked at him with bewildered faces.
“That, that...”
The supervisor gazed blankly down at the sight slowly revealing itself beneath the hazy dust.
“...”
A heavy stone had fallen to the ground. If only that had been the case, it would have been fortunate for everyone.
“Is that a person?”
But, from under a stone as big as a person, blood flowed out that could not be hidden, and the pungent smell of iron stung their nose.
When the supervisor asked hesitantly, everyone kept their mouths shut, looking around. They were afraid that someone might suspect that they had pushed him away while arguing.
"...Father."
It was then. Someone who had been standing there blankly the whole time called the person who had fallen to the floor, “Father,” and walked down the stairs. At some point, he was running. The manager, who would normally be angry and ask why he was acting like that, couldn’t open his mouth easily.
"Father!!"
Underneath the large rock was Oliver Nova. Jason Nova, who had been struggling to remove the rock from above, his body twisted like a skewer from toil and mental anguish, collapsed on the ground in failure.
His father's hand, who had just become a corpse, was still warm, but he wasn't breathing. Jason trembled with the hand that had been holding his father and let out a beastly cry.
“What did we do so wrong?”
It was the worst tragedy that had ever befallen him. He believed that if he just held out for another year, it would all be over. Of course, it would be difficult, but Ilya had told him that they should use the money they had saved to rebuild their family.
“...What are you guys doing! Get back to your seats and get to work!”
But sadly, the tragedy was his own. The supervisor, who had been staring blankly for a moment, soon coldly ordered everyone to resume work.
“Bring out the Count’s son too!”
And he yelled for Jason to be dragged out, too.
“Let go of it! Let it go! Father!”
Jason howled harshly. It was a sound like his throat was being torn and bleeding, and it smelled like acrid metal.
“Didn’t you hear me telling you to get started quickly?”
The manager finally lost his temper. Everyone reluctantly moved forward, even the man who had been watching the tragedy of Count Nova’s family with trembling eyes.
'Kill Count Nova.'
'...'
'Then my master will pay you what you deserve.'
It was he who tripped on the leg of Count Nova, who was staggering while arguing over whether to give way or not. Count Nova was unable to overcome the weight of the stone he was carrying and fell down.
'Oh, how much do you give me?'
'Pay off all your debts and live comfortably.'
The man swallowed hard as he recalled the memory. He would be lying if he said he didn't feel uneasy and scared.
However, Count Nova fell to the ground with a thud and died without even letting out a final scream. And no one knew that it was something he had induced.
“Move!”
The man began to move again, following the people moving lazily.
In places where they were forced to work, the loss of life was commonplace. Death was not a special thing, and it was not far from them.
That's what it's like to live a life without respect.
News of Count Nova's death soon spread throughout the island. Everyone was looking at the Jackinson family due to the divorce issue, and Ilya cried out in despair.
But the news was soon buried, as the results of Eden and Damon's first competition were out.
“I knew Your Highness would win!”
Enon straightened his shoulders and laughed heartily as if he had won. Eden glanced at Enon with an indifferent expression and sat down.
“What did you ask?”
Where is Cecilia? What is my wife doing? What did you ask him to investigate?
Lately, all Eden has been talking about is Cecilia. It's almost neurotic. Enon looked a bit tired.
“It’s only been two days. How could you have figured it out already?”
However, it was impossible to even joke that Cecilia would really get sick of him. Eden was more sensitive and nervous than usual. Enon knew very well that he must not displease his superior.
“More than that, His Highness the Third Prince seems to be moving.”
“I’d rather be the Empress than Damon.”
“I guess it’s okay to look at it that way.”
Since the winner of each match had to be decided by a majority vote, it was advantageous to have at least one more judge on your side.
“Shouldn’t we also come forward? It seems like His Majesty the Emperor deliberately mixed the factions...”
Enon gave advice with a worried voice. It was advice that Eden should take to heart if he had any intention of becoming Crown Prince.
“The person who is fit for the position will become the Crown Prince.”
But Eden was indifferent.
“Previously, everyone except for Count Oberon was on His Highness’s side, but now that His Highness Aster has passed away, things are bound to change. It won’t work out if you just sit back and do nothing.”
Enon spoke as if he was hanging on. As an assistant to Eden, Enon had a mission to make Eden the Crown Prince.
“Your Highness, Your Royal Highness, the Grand Duchess has here.”
It was then that the servant announced that Cecilia had come to Eden's office. Eden, who had been listening to Enon's words absentmindedly, stood up from his seat in delight.
“Cecilia.”
"Your Highness."
“...Where are you going?”
She was dressed up in a dress as if she was going out.
“I’m going to meet the Marchioness for a moment.”
“Sienna?”
Eden asked with a curious voice.
“I thought it would be good to hear from someone with a wide range of backgrounds like Siena when it comes to competition.”
Enon, who was behind Eden, was noticeably delighted at Cecilia's words. Even if Eden, the person concerned, acted as if he was not interested, his wife Cecilia would have spoken out, and things would have changed. Besides, Eden had been following Cecilia's words as if a screw was missing recently.
“You don’t have to go that far.”
But as if to break Enon's emotion, Eden stopped Cecilia. Enon glared at Eden from behind.
“I already made an appointment anyway. I’ll go.”
“Yes. If anything happens before you get back, send someone right away.”
“I will do that.”
Eden kissed Cecilia on the forehead as he saw her off. Cecilia patted his shoulder a couple of times and turned around.
“Oh, Mr. Carlton.”
Then, as if a thought suddenly occurred to her, Cecilia turned around. Both Eden and Enon were looking at Cecilia with bewildered expressions.
“Don’t worry too much.”
Enon's face brightened in an instant at Cecilia's words. It was because everything meant the same thing, from Cecilia meeting Siena at this time to telling him not to worry.
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Enon answered bravely, like a loyal subject. After all, being loyal to the Grand Duke who is blinded by the Grand Duchess is the same as being loyal to the Grand Duchess herself. With that thought in mind.
“Hmm...”
The caller said that there was only one reason why Ilya, who had been lying flat until then, was acting like this.
Because Count Nova's forced labor will soon be over, and all that remains is to restore the family.
In just over a year, Count Nova and his son will be free. But they will need money to rebuild their family. Malone, who was lost in thought, clicked his tongue briefly.
“Well, even if I gave her money, she would still act like a beggar.”
He thought he knew where Ilya got the money and secretly poured it into her family.
“I don’t think that’s the money I gave her.”
It was the amount of money assigned to her to live up to the reputation of being a member of the Jackinson family, and it was money for running the family. It wasn't money he was given to give to her parents.
“No matter how much I think about it, I’ve been too kind to you.”
A wife who did not suit his tastes, was not gentle, did not have a good family background, and did not produce an heir to the family line. A woman he would not have met if it were not to hide his wicked tastes.
Malone Jackson made a displeased face as he thought of Ilya, who he had not liked at all since the beginning of their marriage and until now when it was almost over.
“...”
You dare to dream of running away, don't you? I saved you from floundering on the floor. You're not even doing your job, you're screwing me and trying to run away.
Malone's fingertips hovered over the letter, over the same sentence, and then stopped.
“They said you worked in a quarry.”
There was nothing more to worry about. There was no need to reveal his and his family’s incompetence. Besides, he was sick of his father-in-law’s belated appearance and his overstepping his authority.
“I think it needs some organizing.”
“Enough with the family disgrace,” Malone muttered, sighing as he collected his thoughts.
***
With a short, heavy sound of “thud,” a white cloud of dust settled over the quarry. Up until just now, they had been fighting over whether they should get out of the way or not on the narrow road facing each other.
“What is it? What is happening?”
The supervisor came running in a hurry. Everyone, including commoners, slaves, and those who had committed crimes and been sentenced to hard labor, looked at him with bewildered faces.
“That, that...”
The supervisor gazed blankly down at the sight slowly revealing itself beneath the hazy dust.
“...”
A heavy stone had fallen to the ground. If only that had been the case, it would have been fortunate for everyone.
“Is that a person?”
But, from under a stone as big as a person, blood flowed out that could not be hidden, and the pungent smell of iron stung their nose.
When the supervisor asked hesitantly, everyone kept their mouths shut, looking around. They were afraid that someone might suspect that they had pushed him away while arguing.
"...Father."
It was then. Someone who had been standing there blankly the whole time called the person who had fallen to the floor, “Father,” and walked down the stairs. At some point, he was running. The manager, who would normally be angry and ask why he was acting like that, couldn’t open his mouth easily.
"Father!!"
Underneath the large rock was Oliver Nova. Jason Nova, who had been struggling to remove the rock from above, his body twisted like a skewer from toil and mental anguish, collapsed on the ground in failure.
His father's hand, who had just become a corpse, was still warm, but he wasn't breathing. Jason trembled with the hand that had been holding his father and let out a beastly cry.
“What did we do so wrong?”
It was the worst tragedy that had ever befallen him. He believed that if he just held out for another year, it would all be over. Of course, it would be difficult, but Ilya had told him that they should use the money they had saved to rebuild their family.
“...What are you guys doing! Get back to your seats and get to work!”
But sadly, the tragedy was his own. The supervisor, who had been staring blankly for a moment, soon coldly ordered everyone to resume work.
“Bring out the Count’s son too!”
And he yelled for Jason to be dragged out, too.
“Let go of it! Let it go! Father!”
Jason howled harshly. It was a sound like his throat was being torn and bleeding, and it smelled like acrid metal.
“Didn’t you hear me telling you to get started quickly?”
The manager finally lost his temper. Everyone reluctantly moved forward, even the man who had been watching the tragedy of Count Nova’s family with trembling eyes.
'Kill Count Nova.'
'...'
'Then my master will pay you what you deserve.'
It was he who tripped on the leg of Count Nova, who was staggering while arguing over whether to give way or not. Count Nova was unable to overcome the weight of the stone he was carrying and fell down.
'Oh, how much do you give me?'
'Pay off all your debts and live comfortably.'
The man swallowed hard as he recalled the memory. He would be lying if he said he didn't feel uneasy and scared.
However, Count Nova fell to the ground with a thud and died without even letting out a final scream. And no one knew that it was something he had induced.
“Move!”
The man began to move again, following the people moving lazily.
In places where they were forced to work, the loss of life was commonplace. Death was not a special thing, and it was not far from them.
That's what it's like to live a life without respect.
***
News of Count Nova's death soon spread throughout the island. Everyone was looking at the Jackinson family due to the divorce issue, and Ilya cried out in despair.
But the news was soon buried, as the results of Eden and Damon's first competition were out.
“I knew Your Highness would win!”
Enon straightened his shoulders and laughed heartily as if he had won. Eden glanced at Enon with an indifferent expression and sat down.
“What did you ask?”
Where is Cecilia? What is my wife doing? What did you ask him to investigate?
Lately, all Eden has been talking about is Cecilia. It's almost neurotic. Enon looked a bit tired.
“It’s only been two days. How could you have figured it out already?”
However, it was impossible to even joke that Cecilia would really get sick of him. Eden was more sensitive and nervous than usual. Enon knew very well that he must not displease his superior.
“More than that, His Highness the Third Prince seems to be moving.”
“I’d rather be the Empress than Damon.”
“I guess it’s okay to look at it that way.”
Since the winner of each match had to be decided by a majority vote, it was advantageous to have at least one more judge on your side.
“Shouldn’t we also come forward? It seems like His Majesty the Emperor deliberately mixed the factions...”
Enon gave advice with a worried voice. It was advice that Eden should take to heart if he had any intention of becoming Crown Prince.
“The person who is fit for the position will become the Crown Prince.”
But Eden was indifferent.
“Previously, everyone except for Count Oberon was on His Highness’s side, but now that His Highness Aster has passed away, things are bound to change. It won’t work out if you just sit back and do nothing.”
Enon spoke as if he was hanging on. As an assistant to Eden, Enon had a mission to make Eden the Crown Prince.
“Your Highness, Your Royal Highness, the Grand Duchess has here.”
It was then that the servant announced that Cecilia had come to Eden's office. Eden, who had been listening to Enon's words absentmindedly, stood up from his seat in delight.
“Cecilia.”
"Your Highness."
“...Where are you going?”
She was dressed up in a dress as if she was going out.
“I’m going to meet the Marchioness for a moment.”
“Sienna?”
Eden asked with a curious voice.
“I thought it would be good to hear from someone with a wide range of backgrounds like Siena when it comes to competition.”
Enon, who was behind Eden, was noticeably delighted at Cecilia's words. Even if Eden, the person concerned, acted as if he was not interested, his wife Cecilia would have spoken out, and things would have changed. Besides, Eden had been following Cecilia's words as if a screw was missing recently.
“You don’t have to go that far.”
But as if to break Enon's emotion, Eden stopped Cecilia. Enon glared at Eden from behind.
“I already made an appointment anyway. I’ll go.”
“Yes. If anything happens before you get back, send someone right away.”
“I will do that.”
Eden kissed Cecilia on the forehead as he saw her off. Cecilia patted his shoulder a couple of times and turned around.
“Oh, Mr. Carlton.”
Then, as if a thought suddenly occurred to her, Cecilia turned around. Both Eden and Enon were looking at Cecilia with bewildered expressions.
“Don’t worry too much.”
Enon's face brightened in an instant at Cecilia's words. It was because everything meant the same thing, from Cecilia meeting Siena at this time to telling him not to worry.
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Enon answered bravely, like a loyal subject. After all, being loyal to the Grand Duke who is blinded by the Grand Duchess is the same as being loyal to the Grand Duchess herself. With that thought in mind.
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