Bianca's letter was not long.
The Duchess of Taranto simply stated that Lucrezia's wet nurse, whom she had originally been pursuing at Ariadne's direction, was no longer useful as a lead, but that new witnesses had appeared, proving Lucrezia's infidelity and that Ippolito was not the Cardinal's biological son.
The last line of the letter was also neatly concluded.
"When my sister returns to San Carlo, I will send you the new witnesses and the evidence I have obtained, so please contact me anytime!"
Ariadne smiled slightly.
'You're doing well, aren't you?'
It was a nobleman's business letter that would look good anywhere.
On her return to Taranto, Bianca was advised by Ariadne to take charge of some of the administration of the estate herself. The young Princess followed this advice faithfully.
Bianca took over some of the management of the estates that had been left entirely to Viscount Gennarosso, and it seems that her performance was not bad.
The Princess of Taranto's letter, which had seemed like a child's private note, now took on the appearance of a proper official letter to anyone who saw it.
But Ariadne was only briefly delighted with Bianca's rapid progress before turning her attention to the contents of the letter.
'At las!'
Revealing Ippolito's birth to the Cardinal was something Ariadne had been looking forward to ever since Lucrezia's death.
She was finally able to get those annoying leeches out of her house.
She tried to gauge how long it would take until then.
If they send the fastest courier to Taranto right now, it will take about a week to arrive and another week to come back.
It was based on the time spent on the road, changing horses day and night. But Bianca clearly said, 'witness.'
'There's a witness? The nanny is dead?'
Perhaps it was someone around the nanny, Ariadne thought.
To know this story, you must have been someone close to Lucrezia when she was young. If so, it would most likely be a woman, and a woman of considerable age.
Since a middle-aged woman or an old man cannot ride a horse all day and night, it is reasonable to take a little longer than the shortest time.
After thinking this far, Ariadne wrote down a reply to Bianca in one stroke.
"Please do it as soon as possible."
And Ariadne paused for a moment and pondered. She wanted to tell Bianca about her marriage. But she was not sure whether the letter would reach the recipient safely.
Of course, since it was a letter sent directly to a trustworthy person, it was difficult to see the risk of it being lost or stolen as a real danger, but somehow she felt uneasy.
The devastation caused by the Lariesa incident was devastating for the entire San Carlo region.
She ended up writing simply.
[...I also have some news to tell Bianca. It's a bit difficult to write in a letter, so please send me a trustworthy messenger. I'll convey it verbally.
I am glad that you are becoming a great monarch. I hope you always stay healthy and well.]
Ariadne wrote a letter, sealed it with wax, and gave it to her servant.
With all that she had to do, Ariadne was left to wait, lost in thought as her mind filled with curiosity.
'Who on earth is Ippolito's father?'
The next step was an interview with Julia.
Raphael promised to return to the capital before the opening of the Council of San Carlo, but he had to stop at the Abbey of Aberruche before that.
For that reason, Ariadne met Julia alone first, carrying the letter written by Raphael.
Julia, who had greeted Ariadne happily, opened her brother's letter with open arms, but as she read the lines, her face became increasingly distorted.
“Did my brother... tell you my story?”
From Julia's point of view, she trusted Raphael and told him her secret story.
The reason she couldn't tell Ariadne was that it wasn't just a simple love affair.
At first, it was simply because it wasn't a relationship worth telling her parents about, but as she got to know more about the other person's circumstances, she felt that she couldn't let the information leak out for his safety and well-being.
But, without even consulting the couple Ariadne and Alfonso, he blew it all away...
Moreover, Raphael's letter was not very friendly. It was not because of concerns about safety or secrecy, since it was Alfonso and Ariadne who were carrying it.
To begin with, Raphael had no interest in others. The 'atmosphere of San Carlo' was as meaningless as the idea of ghosts.
Raphael's letters were short simply because he was annoyed.
“You shouldn’t think that you can keep your story a secret forever.
Tell Miss Ariadne everything, and explain to her that you can and should tell your lover and Prince Alfonso the truth."
The letter he wrote to his sister was quite old-fashioned.
Ariadne waved her hand as she watched Julia's expression distort in real time.
“Raphael just said, ‘You should talk to Julia’s boyfriend.’ I don’t know any of the details.”
Although she pretended to be innocent, Ariadne was barely able to suppress her surging curiosity.
Who on earth is your boyfriend? Was there a nobleman from Gallico in the capital? Why is it that I have never heard of Julia's love story? How could you not tell me?
If Julia's expression hadn't been so grave, Ariadne would have grabbed her by the throat and ripped her clean. Who the hell are you? Who are you to keep a secret from me?
“Yes, Julia.”
But now was the time to build rapport with Julia. Ariadne decided to start by confessing her recent situation.
“I got married.”
At this bombshell announcement, Julia opened her eyes wide and looked at Ariadne, forgetting all her worries for a moment. She opened her mouth wide and then asked a moment later.
“With Prince Alfonso?”
Ariadne nodded silently. Julia remained silent for a moment, then laughed loudly.
“That’s so great! Congratulations!”
During that moment of silence, Ariadne, who had been trembling alone, let out a sigh of relief.
“Where did you get married? No, can you tell me about your marriage?”
Julia was completely amused and completely cooperative.
For a moment, she felt a chill down her spine at the thought that Julia might be displeased with her next love life because of her brother Raphael's failure, or that she might be jealous of her friend who was having a hard time in a relationship and ended up getting married. However, her heart melted after receiving Julia's sincere congratulations.
Julia smiled and shook Ariadne's hand.
“I knew you would be fine.”
She recalled when Ariadne first appeared in San Carlo society.
A teenage girl, looking like a half-plucked chicken, sat uncomfortably next to the de Mare government and de Mare's golden jubilee, with an attitude that seemed unbecoming of a calm person.
Ariadne's outfit, which was designed to blend in as unobtrusively as possible in the luxurious de Mare mansion with little money, actually stood out.
Julia, who had grown up surrounded by only good things since birth, saw that strange incongruity right away.
There will definitely be people who look down on her and dislike her.
But Julia was amazed at the creativity with which she could combine different things to create something similar to the very items that were popular in the social world. This thing could be anything.
But little did she know that not only would she become the richest person in San Carlo, she would also become the wife of Prince Alfonso.
Ariadne asked with a smile.
“Really? Is this okay?”
Marriage was not the end. Although she had confirmed that she and Alfonso would never be apart from each other, there were still obstacles piled up in front of Ariadne.
The King's permission, the announcement of the secret marriage, the crowning of the Princess... Some might consider the other case, where they just got married with everyone's blessing, as a better marriage. And Julia...
“You were part of Count Cesare’s faction.”
Julia laughed out loud once more as she remembered the debate between Prince Alfonso and Count Cesare that had once taken place at Ariadne's words.
She protested, waving both hands.
“No, no! It’s just that Duke Cesare is handsome, but Prince Alfonso is a much better person to marry.”
“Oh.”
But Ariadne was persistent.
“His face looks better?”
Julia straightened up.
“Let’s not do this.”
But that stiff expression didn't last long. Julia's expression collapsed again, and she burst into laughter.
“Congratulations! Prince Alfonso has the most handsome face. I will give you a wedding present. What do you want?”
Ariadne received.
“Then I’ll give you a present to celebrate the start of your relationship. How long have you been dating?”
“That’s... At what point did it become like that? Like flowing water... From today on, we’re officially dating; there was no such thing.”
Julia couldn't get her parents' permission to date her boyfriend, and her lover was completely alone, without parents or siblings, so it made sense. Julia laughed.
“I was absorbed.”
After five years of chasing after a man she hated and sitting awkwardly next to him, Julia has now become his indispensable other half.
Ariadne asked Julia, who smiled contentedly.
“But who the hell is this boyfriend?”
Julia didn't like this man; she didn't like that man; she was busy kicking out any prospective husbands who came into her house.
Ariadne couldn't remember seeing the man Julia said was okay. Then she remembered someone she had pushed to the back of her memory because he was not like that at all.
“By any chance...? No way...?”
Julia smiled faintly.
Soon, the door to the Baldessar family's drawing room opened, and Francois came in, pulling a trolley loaded with tea.
It was a servant of the Baldessar family who had just received Ariadne's cloak and escorted her to the drawing room.
“Francois.”
Julia called the servant. But the tone was a little, no, a lot different from the tone she used when calling a servant. It was dripping with affection and respect.
“You should talk to Ariadne yourself.”
Ariadne looked at the handsome servant of the Baldessar family with her mouth open.
Francois turned his head with an elegant gesture and looked at Julia, demanding an explanation. As a mere servant, he could never have done so to the daughter of the household.
“As you may have guessed, the Allemand amnesty was indeed proposed by Philip IV in connection with the question of Gallico’s succession.”
Julia explained slowly.
“I think we’ll soon have a decision on whether or not to grant amnesty under the Allemand Act.”
Julia turned her head and looked at Ariadne.
“These ladies, um.... Should I say Your Highness, the Princess?”
The Duchess of Taranto simply stated that Lucrezia's wet nurse, whom she had originally been pursuing at Ariadne's direction, was no longer useful as a lead, but that new witnesses had appeared, proving Lucrezia's infidelity and that Ippolito was not the Cardinal's biological son.
The last line of the letter was also neatly concluded.
"When my sister returns to San Carlo, I will send you the new witnesses and the evidence I have obtained, so please contact me anytime!"
Ariadne smiled slightly.
'You're doing well, aren't you?'
It was a nobleman's business letter that would look good anywhere.
On her return to Taranto, Bianca was advised by Ariadne to take charge of some of the administration of the estate herself. The young Princess followed this advice faithfully.
Bianca took over some of the management of the estates that had been left entirely to Viscount Gennarosso, and it seems that her performance was not bad.
The Princess of Taranto's letter, which had seemed like a child's private note, now took on the appearance of a proper official letter to anyone who saw it.
But Ariadne was only briefly delighted with Bianca's rapid progress before turning her attention to the contents of the letter.
'At las!'
Revealing Ippolito's birth to the Cardinal was something Ariadne had been looking forward to ever since Lucrezia's death.
She was finally able to get those annoying leeches out of her house.
She tried to gauge how long it would take until then.
If they send the fastest courier to Taranto right now, it will take about a week to arrive and another week to come back.
It was based on the time spent on the road, changing horses day and night. But Bianca clearly said, 'witness.'
'There's a witness? The nanny is dead?'
Perhaps it was someone around the nanny, Ariadne thought.
To know this story, you must have been someone close to Lucrezia when she was young. If so, it would most likely be a woman, and a woman of considerable age.
Since a middle-aged woman or an old man cannot ride a horse all day and night, it is reasonable to take a little longer than the shortest time.
After thinking this far, Ariadne wrote down a reply to Bianca in one stroke.
"Please do it as soon as possible."
And Ariadne paused for a moment and pondered. She wanted to tell Bianca about her marriage. But she was not sure whether the letter would reach the recipient safely.
Of course, since it was a letter sent directly to a trustworthy person, it was difficult to see the risk of it being lost or stolen as a real danger, but somehow she felt uneasy.
The devastation caused by the Lariesa incident was devastating for the entire San Carlo region.
She ended up writing simply.
[...I also have some news to tell Bianca. It's a bit difficult to write in a letter, so please send me a trustworthy messenger. I'll convey it verbally.
I am glad that you are becoming a great monarch. I hope you always stay healthy and well.]
Ariadne wrote a letter, sealed it with wax, and gave it to her servant.
With all that she had to do, Ariadne was left to wait, lost in thought as her mind filled with curiosity.
'Who on earth is Ippolito's father?'
***
The next step was an interview with Julia.
Raphael promised to return to the capital before the opening of the Council of San Carlo, but he had to stop at the Abbey of Aberruche before that.
For that reason, Ariadne met Julia alone first, carrying the letter written by Raphael.
Julia, who had greeted Ariadne happily, opened her brother's letter with open arms, but as she read the lines, her face became increasingly distorted.
“Did my brother... tell you my story?”
From Julia's point of view, she trusted Raphael and told him her secret story.
The reason she couldn't tell Ariadne was that it wasn't just a simple love affair.
At first, it was simply because it wasn't a relationship worth telling her parents about, but as she got to know more about the other person's circumstances, she felt that she couldn't let the information leak out for his safety and well-being.
But, without even consulting the couple Ariadne and Alfonso, he blew it all away...
Moreover, Raphael's letter was not very friendly. It was not because of concerns about safety or secrecy, since it was Alfonso and Ariadne who were carrying it.
To begin with, Raphael had no interest in others. The 'atmosphere of San Carlo' was as meaningless as the idea of ghosts.
Raphael's letters were short simply because he was annoyed.
“You shouldn’t think that you can keep your story a secret forever.
Tell Miss Ariadne everything, and explain to her that you can and should tell your lover and Prince Alfonso the truth."
The letter he wrote to his sister was quite old-fashioned.
Ariadne waved her hand as she watched Julia's expression distort in real time.
“Raphael just said, ‘You should talk to Julia’s boyfriend.’ I don’t know any of the details.”
Although she pretended to be innocent, Ariadne was barely able to suppress her surging curiosity.
Who on earth is your boyfriend? Was there a nobleman from Gallico in the capital? Why is it that I have never heard of Julia's love story? How could you not tell me?
If Julia's expression hadn't been so grave, Ariadne would have grabbed her by the throat and ripped her clean. Who the hell are you? Who are you to keep a secret from me?
“Yes, Julia.”
But now was the time to build rapport with Julia. Ariadne decided to start by confessing her recent situation.
“I got married.”
At this bombshell announcement, Julia opened her eyes wide and looked at Ariadne, forgetting all her worries for a moment. She opened her mouth wide and then asked a moment later.
“With Prince Alfonso?”
Ariadne nodded silently. Julia remained silent for a moment, then laughed loudly.
“That’s so great! Congratulations!”
During that moment of silence, Ariadne, who had been trembling alone, let out a sigh of relief.
“Where did you get married? No, can you tell me about your marriage?”
Julia was completely amused and completely cooperative.
For a moment, she felt a chill down her spine at the thought that Julia might be displeased with her next love life because of her brother Raphael's failure, or that she might be jealous of her friend who was having a hard time in a relationship and ended up getting married. However, her heart melted after receiving Julia's sincere congratulations.
Julia smiled and shook Ariadne's hand.
“I knew you would be fine.”
She recalled when Ariadne first appeared in San Carlo society.
A teenage girl, looking like a half-plucked chicken, sat uncomfortably next to the de Mare government and de Mare's golden jubilee, with an attitude that seemed unbecoming of a calm person.
Ariadne's outfit, which was designed to blend in as unobtrusively as possible in the luxurious de Mare mansion with little money, actually stood out.
Julia, who had grown up surrounded by only good things since birth, saw that strange incongruity right away.
There will definitely be people who look down on her and dislike her.
But Julia was amazed at the creativity with which she could combine different things to create something similar to the very items that were popular in the social world. This thing could be anything.
But little did she know that not only would she become the richest person in San Carlo, she would also become the wife of Prince Alfonso.
Ariadne asked with a smile.
“Really? Is this okay?”
Marriage was not the end. Although she had confirmed that she and Alfonso would never be apart from each other, there were still obstacles piled up in front of Ariadne.
The King's permission, the announcement of the secret marriage, the crowning of the Princess... Some might consider the other case, where they just got married with everyone's blessing, as a better marriage. And Julia...
“You were part of Count Cesare’s faction.”
Julia laughed out loud once more as she remembered the debate between Prince Alfonso and Count Cesare that had once taken place at Ariadne's words.
She protested, waving both hands.
“No, no! It’s just that Duke Cesare is handsome, but Prince Alfonso is a much better person to marry.”
“Oh.”
But Ariadne was persistent.
“His face looks better?”
Julia straightened up.
“Let’s not do this.”
But that stiff expression didn't last long. Julia's expression collapsed again, and she burst into laughter.
“Congratulations! Prince Alfonso has the most handsome face. I will give you a wedding present. What do you want?”
Ariadne received.
“Then I’ll give you a present to celebrate the start of your relationship. How long have you been dating?”
“That’s... At what point did it become like that? Like flowing water... From today on, we’re officially dating; there was no such thing.”
Julia couldn't get her parents' permission to date her boyfriend, and her lover was completely alone, without parents or siblings, so it made sense. Julia laughed.
“I was absorbed.”
After five years of chasing after a man she hated and sitting awkwardly next to him, Julia has now become his indispensable other half.
Ariadne asked Julia, who smiled contentedly.
“But who the hell is this boyfriend?”
Julia didn't like this man; she didn't like that man; she was busy kicking out any prospective husbands who came into her house.
Ariadne couldn't remember seeing the man Julia said was okay. Then she remembered someone she had pushed to the back of her memory because he was not like that at all.
“By any chance...? No way...?”
Julia smiled faintly.
Soon, the door to the Baldessar family's drawing room opened, and Francois came in, pulling a trolley loaded with tea.
It was a servant of the Baldessar family who had just received Ariadne's cloak and escorted her to the drawing room.
“Francois.”
Julia called the servant. But the tone was a little, no, a lot different from the tone she used when calling a servant. It was dripping with affection and respect.
“You should talk to Ariadne yourself.”
Ariadne looked at the handsome servant of the Baldessar family with her mouth open.
Francois turned his head with an elegant gesture and looked at Julia, demanding an explanation. As a mere servant, he could never have done so to the daughter of the household.
“As you may have guessed, the Allemand amnesty was indeed proposed by Philip IV in connection with the question of Gallico’s succession.”
Julia explained slowly.
“I think we’ll soon have a decision on whether or not to grant amnesty under the Allemand Act.”
Julia turned her head and looked at Ariadne.
“These ladies, um.... Should I say Your Highness, the Princess?”
Ariadne's face turned red for a moment. It wasn't because Julia had told an unexpected man about her marriage to Alfonso.
The word 'Princess' had pressed some emotional button on her. Ariadne waved her hand.
“No. No. There’s no such thing as an official position.”
The marriage of Ariadne and Alfonso was a union to be honored before the gods, not a union to be recognized by men. At least she thought so.
“Just... I guess it would be more correct to say that she is the daughter of the person who presides over the Council of San Carlo.”
“Um. Well, that’s it.”
Julia tilted her head, but didn't bother to argue with her friend. If you're married, isn't that enough?
“Anyway, if you want to exert influence over the Allemand Law amnesty, I think it would be best to reveal everything today, Franvois.”
The handsome man with delicate features looked straight at Ariadne. His eyes were a mixture of disbelief, joy, and excitement. Ariadne asked.
“What is your real name?”
***
News of the Council of San Carlo spread throughout the Central Continent. Notables from all over the continent began to arrive in the beautiful capital of the Etruscan kingdom.
“Hahaha! My father tends to fart a bit in Holy See!”
Ippolito burst into laughter. He was holding a glass of good wine in his right hand and a cigarette with a tiny amount of pawak powder in his left.
The noble men in front of him found Ippolito's description disgustingly vulgar, but for some reason, they kept smiling.
Some of them did so because they did not want to become enemies with the son of Cardinal de Mare, the most powerful man among the powerful men who had even been appointed as the Director of the Office of the Holy See; some were already so drunk on the smoke of Pawak that they could not maintain their right mind; and the rest could not go against Ippolito, the sole supplier of Pawak tobacco.
The last group actively agreed with his words.
“Congratulations! Those with ability can shine regardless of their sect.”
The first group also moistened their lips with flattery.
“Greetings to His Eminence the Cardinal. Please convey my regards.”
“That’s great!”
“This is the red vestment of the Parish of San Carlo.”
Then someone sitting in the corner asked curiously.
“Mr. de Mare, are you in contact with the Cardinal these days?”
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