Abby gave birth to a beautiful daughter. The news was, of course, delivered to Madame Monte and Diego.
"Congratulations."
Diego smiled broadly and expressed his gratitude for Cecilia's greeting. Considering that his face was usually expressionless, he seemed quite happy.
“But I feel sorry because I can’t just ask about your happy news.”
“It’s okay. That suits our business today.”
Diego's expression softened as if he had expected what Cecilia said. His indifferent attitude, that he was not interested in anything that did not concern his wife and children, was very typical of Diego.
“How did the investigation go?”
Diego raised and lowered his eyebrows at Cecilia's question. It seemed as if something was weighing on his mind.
“To be honest, Marquis Calibre’s behavior was strange.”
However, Diego did not hesitate to say that he was suspicious of Marquis Calibre, even though he knew that Calibre was close to Eden and Cecilia.
“I heard about it too, and if you hadn’t guessed, I would have kicked you.”
“...Is that so?”
“How did you guess?”
Cecilia also responded honestly.
“After the investigation team’s interrogation, I followed the guards. Then, I heard in the restaurant that Marquis Calibre’s behavior was strange that day.”
Diego wasn't even fazed by Cecilia's words that she had tried to kick him.
“They said that his attitude that day, which was completely flustered and his way of following His Majesty the Emperor, was suspicious.”
Cecilia nodded at Diego's answer.
“So, while I was trying to investigate Marquis Calibre, Abby started going into labor...”
Diego looked at Cecilia's expression, his words trailing off uncommonly. He couldn't make excuses for neglecting responsibility. He was prepared to accept Cecilia's accusations.
“You can’t help it. Yes.”
But Cecilia simply answered calmly. It seemed as if she wasn't particularly interested in the life that was going to be thrown away anyway.
“Does Your Majesty the Emperor think so too?”
"No."
Cecilia simply gave a negative answer to Diego's question.
“But there are things that can’t be helped.”
There wasn't a shred of sympathy there. It was just so cold it was creepy.
“Has My father ever acted strangely or met anyone suspicious?”
“I’ve been watching him all along, but that hasn’t happened.”
“Keep an eye on it. The extreme profits will be managed by the Benia Trust Bank without being detected. And I have one more favor to ask.”
Even if it was something that his lover cherished, she was indifferent to things that she had no interest in. It was hard to guess whether the Emperor would have liked such an attitude.
The Marquis of Calibre pleaded guilty to all charges. The court allowed him to commit suicide, considering it to be an accident and not an intentional act.
There was no word from the Marquis Calibre. It was just said that his townhouse was shrouded in an eerie silence.
“...”
Cecilia, who was lying on the bed thinking of the Marquis of Calibre turned around. Eden was lying there looking at the ceiling. Although they were in the same bed, he didn't hug Cecilia like he usually did. He looked a bit dazed.
His people were dying every day. In his increasingly narrow territory, it would not have been easy to choose to turn his back on two people.
“Eden.”
Eden turned his head at Cecilia's call.
“Are you thinking of Marquis Calibre?”
Eden smiled faintly.
“I thought about him and Sienna, and the baby that was to be born.”
Eden quietly explained the complicated feelings he had been feeling. Then he pulled Cecilia into his arms. It was a distance where he could clearly feel her lukewarm heartbeat.
“Even if it makes me feel betrayed, I think it would be better if he did it out of bad intentions.”
Eden muttered, burying his face in Cecilia's slender neck. He was clingy as usual.
“Let’s go horseback riding together.”
Cecilia suggested, stroking his soft hair. Eden blinked, a ticklish sensation tickling the back of his neck.
“Because you said you’d teach me in person. I’ll learn it to change your mood.”
"Is it so."
Eden answered kindly.
“I should tell you to prepare the saddle and riding clothes you will use. And someday...”
“I will tell my child.”
Cecilia took the lead in what Eden was about to say. Eden's eyes widened in surprise. But soon he smiled gently.
“...Yes. That would be great.”
This love that he had barely obtained was too precious to him.
“I told you not to come in!”
The janitor kicked Jason roughly. The man was hit hard in the chest and slammed into the wall, making a loud noise. However, the one who ordered him to swing his fist just looked down at him without any sense of guilt.
“I told you not to come in or out, didn’t I?”
“I told you I’ll get the money and give it to you!”
“There must be a lot of money to be made.”
The owner of the casino, who was straightening the red vest he was wearing, mocked the beggar.
“My family is ruined, I have no title, my father died working hard. My younger sister, who was the only one who gave me money, died trying to kill a member of the royal family.”
“...”
“How can a kid who blew all that money here and has nothing but debt get money?”
Jason Nova had no choice but to grit his teeth at the biting taunt.
“If you have money to pour liquor down your throat, pay off your debt. Then I’ll let you in.”
As he said, his life was completely tattered. There were only two pleasures to be found in such a life: alcohol, and the vague hope that he might make a lot of money, gambling.
“Get out of here. If the customers get upset at you and we ruin our business today, you’ll take responsibility for it.”
To be exact, it was an escape from the pain of life. He wanted to forget everything with a short-term pleasure. That's why Jason had been visiting this casino with what little money he had until recently.
“I’m sorry I doubted you and made a fuss last time. But I told you I definitely won the first time! Double the amount of money I had...!”
"Hey."
Apparently, he had already made a fortune at first. At this level, he was expected to be able to buy the title of a fallen nobleman who had become a beggar.
“No matter what I do, I can’t get rid of a leech-like you, so I’m telling you a trade secret.”
The man crouched down in front of Jason. A rough hand tapped Jason's chin indifferently.
“Originally, they all came first.”
"...What?"
“Beginner’s luck. There’s a saying like that, but that’s just nonsense.”
And he said with a big laugh.
“Until the third time, even a guy without wrists can make money here. Do you know what I mean?”
The moths that flew in, believing in the beginner's luck, were their prey. The owner of the casino told everything very honestly.
“After that, you can’t get a single one. You just keep going down to the floor.”
It was only natural. From then on, a well-organized organization would come and take your soul and all your money.
“No matter how great a noble you are, it’s the same, so don’t feel too wronged.”
That was the only consolation they could give. They did not prey on those who were at the bottom. On the contrary, those who were at the top were more likely to become their prey. This was especially true for the stupid nobles.
“Ah. It’s even more frustrating because it applies to both. I’m sorry about that.”
The casino owner, who had been tilting his head for a moment, stood up and smiled.
“Anyway. Now you have nothing left to suck. This is no fun at all. We have a mountain of debt to settle amongst ourselves. Right?”
But soon the smile completely disappeared from his face. Jason involuntarily stopped and flinched.
“Come to think of it, the due date for paying the money was this week?”
The man asked ominously. Jason couldn't answer and just swallowed.
“Anyway, a kid like you wouldn’t be that scared of death.”
“...”
“I guess the best thing to do is to scrape by until I die and get some value out of it.”
The man who had been looking at Jason as if calculating his worth clicked his tongue briefly.
“Wh, what are you talking about?”
“Male slaves are quite useful, too. You were once a noble, so you know that, don’t you?”
And he smiled. Jason had heard many stories, even if he had never experienced it himself.
“Until then, enjoy your freedom.”
A chill ran down his spine. Jason hesitated and hunched over. The man who had been laughing at him finally turned around, leaving Jason alone in the shabby alley.
“Fuck.”
Jason cursed. He was not the kind of person to be treated like this. He was a member of Count Nova, and he was the heir to the family line. He also had considerable wealth.
But now it's all a thing of the past. He was a beggar who looked like he was going to pick up trash on the street and was kicked out of the gambling tables.
“You fucking bastards!”
Eden Lobana Wyatt, and Cecilia Lane Wyatt. Those two were the names that made Jason grit his teeth just hearing them.
“Who? The Emperor and the Empress?”
Jason jumped in surprise at the sudden voice from the end of the alley.
“Who, who are you?”
Thud, thud. With a low sound, an unknown figure approached.
"Congratulations."
Diego smiled broadly and expressed his gratitude for Cecilia's greeting. Considering that his face was usually expressionless, he seemed quite happy.
“But I feel sorry because I can’t just ask about your happy news.”
“It’s okay. That suits our business today.”
Diego's expression softened as if he had expected what Cecilia said. His indifferent attitude, that he was not interested in anything that did not concern his wife and children, was very typical of Diego.
“How did the investigation go?”
Diego raised and lowered his eyebrows at Cecilia's question. It seemed as if something was weighing on his mind.
“To be honest, Marquis Calibre’s behavior was strange.”
However, Diego did not hesitate to say that he was suspicious of Marquis Calibre, even though he knew that Calibre was close to Eden and Cecilia.
“I heard about it too, and if you hadn’t guessed, I would have kicked you.”
“...Is that so?”
“How did you guess?”
Cecilia also responded honestly.
“After the investigation team’s interrogation, I followed the guards. Then, I heard in the restaurant that Marquis Calibre’s behavior was strange that day.”
Diego wasn't even fazed by Cecilia's words that she had tried to kick him.
“They said that his attitude that day, which was completely flustered and his way of following His Majesty the Emperor, was suspicious.”
Cecilia nodded at Diego's answer.
“So, while I was trying to investigate Marquis Calibre, Abby started going into labor...”
Diego looked at Cecilia's expression, his words trailing off uncommonly. He couldn't make excuses for neglecting responsibility. He was prepared to accept Cecilia's accusations.
“You can’t help it. Yes.”
But Cecilia simply answered calmly. It seemed as if she wasn't particularly interested in the life that was going to be thrown away anyway.
“Does Your Majesty the Emperor think so too?”
"No."
Cecilia simply gave a negative answer to Diego's question.
“But there are things that can’t be helped.”
There wasn't a shred of sympathy there. It was just so cold it was creepy.
“Has My father ever acted strangely or met anyone suspicious?”
“I’ve been watching him all along, but that hasn’t happened.”
“Keep an eye on it. The extreme profits will be managed by the Benia Trust Bank without being detected. And I have one more favor to ask.”
Even if it was something that his lover cherished, she was indifferent to things that she had no interest in. It was hard to guess whether the Emperor would have liked such an attitude.
***
The Marquis of Calibre pleaded guilty to all charges. The court allowed him to commit suicide, considering it to be an accident and not an intentional act.
There was no word from the Marquis Calibre. It was just said that his townhouse was shrouded in an eerie silence.
“...”
Cecilia, who was lying on the bed thinking of the Marquis of Calibre turned around. Eden was lying there looking at the ceiling. Although they were in the same bed, he didn't hug Cecilia like he usually did. He looked a bit dazed.
His people were dying every day. In his increasingly narrow territory, it would not have been easy to choose to turn his back on two people.
“Eden.”
Eden turned his head at Cecilia's call.
“Are you thinking of Marquis Calibre?”
Eden smiled faintly.
“I thought about him and Sienna, and the baby that was to be born.”
Eden quietly explained the complicated feelings he had been feeling. Then he pulled Cecilia into his arms. It was a distance where he could clearly feel her lukewarm heartbeat.
“Even if it makes me feel betrayed, I think it would be better if he did it out of bad intentions.”
Eden muttered, burying his face in Cecilia's slender neck. He was clingy as usual.
“Let’s go horseback riding together.”
Cecilia suggested, stroking his soft hair. Eden blinked, a ticklish sensation tickling the back of his neck.
“Because you said you’d teach me in person. I’ll learn it to change your mood.”
"Is it so."
Eden answered kindly.
“I should tell you to prepare the saddle and riding clothes you will use. And someday...”
“I will tell my child.”
Cecilia took the lead in what Eden was about to say. Eden's eyes widened in surprise. But soon he smiled gently.
“...Yes. That would be great.”
This love that he had barely obtained was too precious to him.
***
“I told you not to come in!”
The janitor kicked Jason roughly. The man was hit hard in the chest and slammed into the wall, making a loud noise. However, the one who ordered him to swing his fist just looked down at him without any sense of guilt.
“I told you not to come in or out, didn’t I?”
“I told you I’ll get the money and give it to you!”
“There must be a lot of money to be made.”
The owner of the casino, who was straightening the red vest he was wearing, mocked the beggar.
“My family is ruined, I have no title, my father died working hard. My younger sister, who was the only one who gave me money, died trying to kill a member of the royal family.”
“...”
“How can a kid who blew all that money here and has nothing but debt get money?”
Jason Nova had no choice but to grit his teeth at the biting taunt.
“If you have money to pour liquor down your throat, pay off your debt. Then I’ll let you in.”
As he said, his life was completely tattered. There were only two pleasures to be found in such a life: alcohol, and the vague hope that he might make a lot of money, gambling.
“Get out of here. If the customers get upset at you and we ruin our business today, you’ll take responsibility for it.”
To be exact, it was an escape from the pain of life. He wanted to forget everything with a short-term pleasure. That's why Jason had been visiting this casino with what little money he had until recently.
“I’m sorry I doubted you and made a fuss last time. But I told you I definitely won the first time! Double the amount of money I had...!”
"Hey."
Apparently, he had already made a fortune at first. At this level, he was expected to be able to buy the title of a fallen nobleman who had become a beggar.
“No matter what I do, I can’t get rid of a leech-like you, so I’m telling you a trade secret.”
The man crouched down in front of Jason. A rough hand tapped Jason's chin indifferently.
“Originally, they all came first.”
"...What?"
“Beginner’s luck. There’s a saying like that, but that’s just nonsense.”
And he said with a big laugh.
“Until the third time, even a guy without wrists can make money here. Do you know what I mean?”
The moths that flew in, believing in the beginner's luck, were their prey. The owner of the casino told everything very honestly.
“After that, you can’t get a single one. You just keep going down to the floor.”
It was only natural. From then on, a well-organized organization would come and take your soul and all your money.
“No matter how great a noble you are, it’s the same, so don’t feel too wronged.”
That was the only consolation they could give. They did not prey on those who were at the bottom. On the contrary, those who were at the top were more likely to become their prey. This was especially true for the stupid nobles.
“Ah. It’s even more frustrating because it applies to both. I’m sorry about that.”
The casino owner, who had been tilting his head for a moment, stood up and smiled.
“Anyway. Now you have nothing left to suck. This is no fun at all. We have a mountain of debt to settle amongst ourselves. Right?”
But soon the smile completely disappeared from his face. Jason involuntarily stopped and flinched.
“Come to think of it, the due date for paying the money was this week?”
The man asked ominously. Jason couldn't answer and just swallowed.
“Anyway, a kid like you wouldn’t be that scared of death.”
“...”
“I guess the best thing to do is to scrape by until I die and get some value out of it.”
The man who had been looking at Jason as if calculating his worth clicked his tongue briefly.
“Wh, what are you talking about?”
“Male slaves are quite useful, too. You were once a noble, so you know that, don’t you?”
And he smiled. Jason had heard many stories, even if he had never experienced it himself.
“Until then, enjoy your freedom.”
A chill ran down his spine. Jason hesitated and hunched over. The man who had been laughing at him finally turned around, leaving Jason alone in the shabby alley.
“Fuck.”
Jason cursed. He was not the kind of person to be treated like this. He was a member of Count Nova, and he was the heir to the family line. He also had considerable wealth.
But now it's all a thing of the past. He was a beggar who looked like he was going to pick up trash on the street and was kicked out of the gambling tables.
“You fucking bastards!”
Eden Lobana Wyatt, and Cecilia Lane Wyatt. Those two were the names that made Jason grit his teeth just hearing them.
“Who? The Emperor and the Empress?”
Jason jumped in surprise at the sudden voice from the end of the alley.
“Who, who are you?”
Thud, thud. With a low sound, an unknown figure approached.
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