“It’s been a while.”
Diego nodded at Cecilia's words.
“How's Abby?”
“Now that she's really full, I’m trying to minimize her movements. I think she’ll be giving birth soon.”
When Cecilia brought up his wife, a faint joy crossed his expressionless face. It was a face that looked like it could die of joy.
“I want to be a great husband and a great father.”
Diego was about to reflexively answer yes to Cecilia's words, but then stopped. It seemed like it wasn't just a random comment.
“Don’t be alarmed. I just found an opportunity to keep our promise.”
Cecilia said leisurely.
“I have asked His Majesty to grant you the title and lands I have taken back from the Count Nova.”
Diego's eyes widened. Of course, he had talked to Cecilia about the terms of the deal before, but this was the first time that what he wanted was so close at hand.
“With one condition.”
“What is that?”
Diego asked hurriedly. He felt embarrassed because he seemed overly happy. However, Cecilia already knew that he wanted a title. His vulgarity was not something to be embarrassed about.
“You’ve probably already heard that an organization will be formed to investigate the truth behind the recent string of deaths in the royal family.”
“I heard.”
What could be more interesting than the oath the Emperor made while hanging the crown he wore on his head? The promise Eden made at his coronation was already one of the stories that had spread widely in Wyatt.
“His Majesty seems to want to leave everything to their autonomy, but I disagree.”
Cecilia opened her mouth decisively.
“You take charge of the investigation separately from them.”
“Some investigation...”
“Background investigation of those involved.”
The subject that looks the most elegant in the world, but what it utters and proposes is not the same. Diego blinked and thought as a moment of silence passed.
“Because a clean investigation won’t reveal anything.”
The biggest suspicion was the death of the former Emperor. However, after the former Emperor died, Eden had not been indifferent. The gunshot wound was what triggered the death of the Emperor, so it was clear that the person holding the gun was the culprit.
Half of the Emperor's guards were dead, and two were right next to him. It was not an environment where they could aim their rifles at him. All that was left were Eden, Marquis Calibre, and the two guardsmen who had been trying to surround the bear.
However, the culprit has not been identified yet, as no one had a reason to kill the former Emperor.
“Nothing will change if you do it the same way. You’ll just be more suspicious.”
Eden may be praised for temporarily stepping down from his authority. However, if the result is that the culprit cannot be identified again, the evaluation that everything was for show will continue.
“So you take on the investigations that the official investigation team won’t do. Anywhere you can reach.”
Diego nodded at Cecilia's command.
“By the way, I would like you to watch over mt father secretly.”
The Emperor was already dead, so there was no problem in their relationship. However, Curtis was a good catalyst for conflict between Eden and Cecilia.
"All right."
Of course, she thought Curtis would do something stupid again. But then she thought about Cecilia herself, who was blinded by love and made the same choices as in her past life. It wasn't impossible.
“Go out. Madame Monte will be outside, so take what I prepared as a gift for Abby.”
“I will come to you as soon as I hear any news.”
As Cecilia nodded, Diego quietly left the living room.
"...Your Majesty."
As she was staring blankly at the delicately blooming flowers, the maid came into the reception room, despite being rude, because Cecilia did not answer no matter how many times she knocked on the door.
“No matter how many times I call you, it seems like you don’t hear me.”
“Ah. I’m sorry, Sienna.”
Sienna smiled and shook her head at Cecilia's apology. She had become a maid shortly after Cecilia became Empress. She was full and had little time left, but she insisted that she wanted to help Cecilia as a maid, so there was nothing she could do.
“They said His Majesty would be coming soon.”
“Thanks for letting me know.”
“May I order the maid to come in and clear the table?”
“Do that.”
Cecilia readily accepted Sienna's request.
“But that guy earlier...”
“He is the one who was specifically assigned to investigate the assassination of the former Emperor.”
Sienna, who had been ordering the maid to clear the glasses from the table, opened her eyes wide at Cecilia's words.
“I think we might be able to see things we can’t see.”
"...Yes."
Sienna muttered her answer, her voice so small it seemed as if it would be drowned out by the slight breeze blowing.
The carriage Sienna was riding in stopped in front of the townhouse.
“You are here, madam.”
The servants recognized their master and greeted him. Sienna, who got out of the carriage with her belly full, greeted them and stepped into the mansion.
“His Excellency?”
“He is in the bedroom.”
The butler answered cautiously. It was no secret within the townhouse that Marquis Calibre had been a drunkard for some time.
But Sienna was so reluctant to let the truth come out that she was even cautious about telling the truth about the situation.
"Honey."
Sienna, holding onto the railing and climbing the stairs one by one, knocked on the door of the Marquis’ bedroom. There was no response from inside. It seemed that he had fallen asleep again, drunk.
"Ha..."
The bedroom was a mess. There was a pungent, musty smell, and the smell of alcohol from a roughly opened bottle of liquor was overwhelming.
Sienna slowly walked into the bedroom, her head spinning. She saw a man leaning against the edge of the bed, not the bed itself.
“If you’re sleepy, you should go to bed and sleep. Why are you here like this?”
Marquis Calibre raised his head at Sienna's question. His eyes were completely red.
“Sienna.”
He put down the glass he was holding and clung to Sienna, even though he could only press his face against her chest because of his swollen belly.
“I can’t sleep, I can’t sleep.”
But he needed body heat. Sienna knew that better than anyone. She knew that she was his only comfort when he was on the verge of going crazy from a momentary mistake.
'Sienna.'
Sienna vividly remembered the day her husband called her like a child who had lost his parents. At that time, the Marquis of Calibre was drunk, just like today, and he cried while holding Sienna, unable to control his body.
'I, I...'
Marquis Calibre looked down at his clean hands and sobbed as if there was dirty blood on them.
'I killed His Majesty the Emperor.'
And he told a shocking story. Immediately after Eden's shot pierced the bear's heart, his own shot derailed and pierced the Emperor's chest.
The surroundings were noisy, and the Emperor's death was so disturbing that no one knew about it, but he said that it was his own doing. What should we do?
'What did you do?'
Sienna's heart sank. It was a confession that he had killed a member of the royal family and the most noble person in the empire. She couldn't help but be shocked.
'His Majesty, I, I His Majesty....'
I felt like I was going to die without being able to move. I thought I had to do something to protect the baby in my belly, but even after several days, no one came running to the townhouse.
The real culprit has not been found.
'I will become Her Majesty the Empress's maid of honor.'
'Sienna, I appreciate your kind words, but you're feeling heavy right now.'
She was nervous because she didn't know when or how the story would come up. So, Sienna stayed by Cecilia's side as a maid and tried to get the news first.
“Maybe I’ll get caught this time.”
Thanks to that, she learned today that Cecilia will be forming a new investigation team.
“Let us tell the truth to His Majesty and beg him.”
Sienna held onto her husband and whispered to him. It was also a plea. She had been blinded by love and had ignored him for a while, but Sienna herself was born with imperial blood. She had to bring her husband, who had harmed the late Emperor, to court and make him pay the price.
“His Majesty also cares for you.”
She knows that's right. But if Marquis Calibre had to pay the price properly, he couldn't be safe.
So, rather than getting caught, it would be better to first admit that it was a mistake and beg for help. So you should ask for forgiveness first, Sienna said earnestly.
“Then, would you like me to pretend this never happened?”
“I will do that for you.”
Sienna whispered as she gently stroked the head of Marquis Calibre in her arms.
'Sienna, I hope you are always happy.'
Sienna thought of Eden, who had always wished her happiness. Eden had always been such a kind and gentle person.
So all she had to do was beg and plead. Please, don't take away the father of an unborn child because of a mistake.
'I will not lie or conceal the truth. I pledge this to you.'
Anyway, if a secret isn't discovered, then no one knows about it.
Diego nodded at Cecilia's words.
“How's Abby?”
“Now that she's really full, I’m trying to minimize her movements. I think she’ll be giving birth soon.”
When Cecilia brought up his wife, a faint joy crossed his expressionless face. It was a face that looked like it could die of joy.
“I want to be a great husband and a great father.”
Diego was about to reflexively answer yes to Cecilia's words, but then stopped. It seemed like it wasn't just a random comment.
“Don’t be alarmed. I just found an opportunity to keep our promise.”
Cecilia said leisurely.
“I have asked His Majesty to grant you the title and lands I have taken back from the Count Nova.”
Diego's eyes widened. Of course, he had talked to Cecilia about the terms of the deal before, but this was the first time that what he wanted was so close at hand.
“With one condition.”
“What is that?”
Diego asked hurriedly. He felt embarrassed because he seemed overly happy. However, Cecilia already knew that he wanted a title. His vulgarity was not something to be embarrassed about.
“You’ve probably already heard that an organization will be formed to investigate the truth behind the recent string of deaths in the royal family.”
“I heard.”
What could be more interesting than the oath the Emperor made while hanging the crown he wore on his head? The promise Eden made at his coronation was already one of the stories that had spread widely in Wyatt.
“His Majesty seems to want to leave everything to their autonomy, but I disagree.”
Cecilia opened her mouth decisively.
“You take charge of the investigation separately from them.”
“Some investigation...”
“Background investigation of those involved.”
The subject that looks the most elegant in the world, but what it utters and proposes is not the same. Diego blinked and thought as a moment of silence passed.
“Because a clean investigation won’t reveal anything.”
The biggest suspicion was the death of the former Emperor. However, after the former Emperor died, Eden had not been indifferent. The gunshot wound was what triggered the death of the Emperor, so it was clear that the person holding the gun was the culprit.
Half of the Emperor's guards were dead, and two were right next to him. It was not an environment where they could aim their rifles at him. All that was left were Eden, Marquis Calibre, and the two guardsmen who had been trying to surround the bear.
However, the culprit has not been identified yet, as no one had a reason to kill the former Emperor.
“Nothing will change if you do it the same way. You’ll just be more suspicious.”
Eden may be praised for temporarily stepping down from his authority. However, if the result is that the culprit cannot be identified again, the evaluation that everything was for show will continue.
“So you take on the investigations that the official investigation team won’t do. Anywhere you can reach.”
Diego nodded at Cecilia's command.
“By the way, I would like you to watch over mt father secretly.”
The Emperor was already dead, so there was no problem in their relationship. However, Curtis was a good catalyst for conflict between Eden and Cecilia.
"All right."
Of course, she thought Curtis would do something stupid again. But then she thought about Cecilia herself, who was blinded by love and made the same choices as in her past life. It wasn't impossible.
“Go out. Madame Monte will be outside, so take what I prepared as a gift for Abby.”
“I will come to you as soon as I hear any news.”
As Cecilia nodded, Diego quietly left the living room.
"...Your Majesty."
As she was staring blankly at the delicately blooming flowers, the maid came into the reception room, despite being rude, because Cecilia did not answer no matter how many times she knocked on the door.
“No matter how many times I call you, it seems like you don’t hear me.”
“Ah. I’m sorry, Sienna.”
Sienna smiled and shook her head at Cecilia's apology. She had become a maid shortly after Cecilia became Empress. She was full and had little time left, but she insisted that she wanted to help Cecilia as a maid, so there was nothing she could do.
“They said His Majesty would be coming soon.”
“Thanks for letting me know.”
“May I order the maid to come in and clear the table?”
“Do that.”
Cecilia readily accepted Sienna's request.
“But that guy earlier...”
“He is the one who was specifically assigned to investigate the assassination of the former Emperor.”
Sienna, who had been ordering the maid to clear the glasses from the table, opened her eyes wide at Cecilia's words.
“I think we might be able to see things we can’t see.”
"...Yes."
Sienna muttered her answer, her voice so small it seemed as if it would be drowned out by the slight breeze blowing.
***
The carriage Sienna was riding in stopped in front of the townhouse.
“You are here, madam.”
The servants recognized their master and greeted him. Sienna, who got out of the carriage with her belly full, greeted them and stepped into the mansion.
“His Excellency?”
“He is in the bedroom.”
The butler answered cautiously. It was no secret within the townhouse that Marquis Calibre had been a drunkard for some time.
But Sienna was so reluctant to let the truth come out that she was even cautious about telling the truth about the situation.
"Honey."
Sienna, holding onto the railing and climbing the stairs one by one, knocked on the door of the Marquis’ bedroom. There was no response from inside. It seemed that he had fallen asleep again, drunk.
"Ha..."
The bedroom was a mess. There was a pungent, musty smell, and the smell of alcohol from a roughly opened bottle of liquor was overwhelming.
Sienna slowly walked into the bedroom, her head spinning. She saw a man leaning against the edge of the bed, not the bed itself.
“If you’re sleepy, you should go to bed and sleep. Why are you here like this?”
Marquis Calibre raised his head at Sienna's question. His eyes were completely red.
“Sienna.”
He put down the glass he was holding and clung to Sienna, even though he could only press his face against her chest because of his swollen belly.
“I can’t sleep, I can’t sleep.”
But he needed body heat. Sienna knew that better than anyone. She knew that she was his only comfort when he was on the verge of going crazy from a momentary mistake.
'Sienna.'
Sienna vividly remembered the day her husband called her like a child who had lost his parents. At that time, the Marquis of Calibre was drunk, just like today, and he cried while holding Sienna, unable to control his body.
'I, I...'
Marquis Calibre looked down at his clean hands and sobbed as if there was dirty blood on them.
'I killed His Majesty the Emperor.'
And he told a shocking story. Immediately after Eden's shot pierced the bear's heart, his own shot derailed and pierced the Emperor's chest.
The surroundings were noisy, and the Emperor's death was so disturbing that no one knew about it, but he said that it was his own doing. What should we do?
'What did you do?'
Sienna's heart sank. It was a confession that he had killed a member of the royal family and the most noble person in the empire. She couldn't help but be shocked.
'His Majesty, I, I His Majesty....'
I felt like I was going to die without being able to move. I thought I had to do something to protect the baby in my belly, but even after several days, no one came running to the townhouse.
The real culprit has not been found.
'I will become Her Majesty the Empress's maid of honor.'
'Sienna, I appreciate your kind words, but you're feeling heavy right now.'
She was nervous because she didn't know when or how the story would come up. So, Sienna stayed by Cecilia's side as a maid and tried to get the news first.
“Maybe I’ll get caught this time.”
Thanks to that, she learned today that Cecilia will be forming a new investigation team.
“Let us tell the truth to His Majesty and beg him.”
Sienna held onto her husband and whispered to him. It was also a plea. She had been blinded by love and had ignored him for a while, but Sienna herself was born with imperial blood. She had to bring her husband, who had harmed the late Emperor, to court and make him pay the price.
“His Majesty also cares for you.”
She knows that's right. But if Marquis Calibre had to pay the price properly, he couldn't be safe.
So, rather than getting caught, it would be better to first admit that it was a mistake and beg for help. So you should ask for forgiveness first, Sienna said earnestly.
“Then, would you like me to pretend this never happened?”
“I will do that for you.”
Sienna whispered as she gently stroked the head of Marquis Calibre in her arms.
'Sienna, I hope you are always happy.'
Sienna thought of Eden, who had always wished her happiness. Eden had always been such a kind and gentle person.
So all she had to do was beg and plead. Please, don't take away the father of an unborn child because of a mistake.
'I will not lie or conceal the truth. I pledge this to you.'
Anyway, if a secret isn't discovered, then no one knows about it.
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