117. Surprise
Enria Leichnen has been one of the busiest people in Nowak in recent days.
As it was not only her daughter's engagement party but also her son-in-law's birthday party, there were more than a few things to take care of.
From decorating the ballroom and banquet hall to preparing the food, to writing the list of main guests and sending out the invitations, she felt as if God was testing her abilities as a hostess.
“Oops, I almost missed the reporters, Atkins, call the paper right now.”
Enria, who had instructed the butler, adjusted her glasses and looked at the list again. Then, for a moment, she frowned.
“No, the Marquis of Stinger is best kept as far away from the Duke of Hailston as possible. They were quite openly squabbling in Parliament over the carriage bill, weren’t they?”
She, who was muttering to herself, couldn't help but stop in front of her daughter, who seemed to have lost her mind.
“Bianca?”
"...yes?"
Bianca, who had been resting her chin on her hand with a blank expression, raised her head and blinked.
“Where does it hurt?”
“Oh, no.”
Bianca quickly smiled.
“How far did you get?”
Bianca muttered in a deliberately calm tone in front of her mother and pulled the list towards her.
Selecting the list was not simply a matter of selecting people by rank or preference. It required a wealth of information about personal connections and a keen political sense.
Bianca has shown great ability in that field.
“I think it would be a good idea to invite someone like Edelia Noye to the main hall dinner. And Frederick, too.”
“Really? But it seems a bit low-level?”
“Instead, he is a great talker and witty. From what I’ve seen, when you have someone like that, dinner parties don’t feel awkward. It may seem a bit unconventional, but... what if you seat him between Marquis Stinger and Duke Hailston?”
Enria, who had been thinking quietly, nodded.
“Yeah, that’s a good idea. Kids these days are different, after all. They’re different from us old folks who are obsessed with rank and hierarchy.”
Enria smiled happily and muttered to the butler standing next to her.
“I wonder if Hardius knows how lucky he has become.”
Bianca had to fight hard not to contort her face.
No one knew it, but she was on the verge of boiling over.
She couldn't stand herself playing chess, having tea with friends, and preparing for her engagement ceremony as if nothing had happened.
“Vicky?”
Enria tilted her head as she noticed her daughter's face becoming blurry again.
Bianca looked at her mother.
Hardy has a girlfriend. It seems to be her.
What would happen if she told the truth?
Her parents will be furious. They may even threaten to call Hardius and call off the engagement.
Then what about me? Do I want to break off the engagement?
Bianca asked herself.
No, that's not it.
Sadly, the answer came so clearly and immediately.
Her husband's mistress or lover is a big mountain that she will have to overcome someday. It is something she will have to accept even if she marries a man other than Hardius Meyer.
So then what the heck is the problem?
Bianca bit her lip.
That person's feelings.
Is it simple lust, or is it deeply entangled in irreversible emotions?
If the other person was really that woman, the conclusion was extremely hopeless.
Because he likes it so deeply that he has to hide it in his secret and deceive everyone.
“Bianca, why are you like that?”
Enria asked again, and Bianca managed to smile.
“It’s nothing. I’m just a little tired. I think it’s because I’m nervous about the engagement ceremony.”
She pretended to stretch for no reason.
“Oh, I should change and get ready. It’s almost time for the gentleman who will have great luck to arrive.”
Enria's eyes turned to the clock.
“Oh my, it’s already like that.”
The two people stood up from their seats, laughing.
“I don’t think he’ll open up easily. He admits that he was investigating William Richard, but denies everything else. I’m sorry.”
Hutton lowered his head, and Grojean tried not to look at the man tied to the chair far over his shoulder.
“Fortunately, Mondio’s assassins seem to be opening their mouths one by one. This is something I personally confirmed at the Inspectorate yesterday.”
All of the hitmen who carried out the carriage robbery were arrested by the royal inspectorate.
The reason he could do this before any solid evidence was available was that his master had made a deal with His Majesty the King. Joseph had specifically allowed Hardius to use his own investigators.
Now, if they can just confirm the connection between them and the Jetsons, who are being held here, things will be easy.
Investigators will soon storm the Kramwitz villa, and Duchess Meyer will be identified as a suspect and questioned.
Additionally, the results of the investigation will be leaked to the press from time to time.
Duchess Meyer's image will suffer greatly from the mere fact that she is linked to the criminal underworld. And there will be a flood of articles questioning the sudden illness of the Duke of Meyer at the right time.
The investigation will expand to include all of the employees of the Kramwitz villa, and crucial evidence will be discovered.
That's enough. If Jetson testifies, things will be easier, but if not, there are other ways.
“What should we do?”
Grojean rubbed his chin for a while and then opened his mouth with difficulty.
“Do as you wish. The Master said that it is up to you to decide what to do with that man.”
A look of satisfaction crossed Hutton's face. Grojean smiled bitterly without realizing it. The owner, Hardius Meyer, felt cunning all over again.
He was using Hutton's vengeance to catch Jetson and make all sorts of messes for him.
The noble Meyer wants to blow his nose without using his hands.
“But you must not kill him. Don’t forget that everything will be easier if he is there.”
“...I know.”
It was the moment when Grojean was about to turn around.
“Oh, by the way, I found out something a little strange while interrogating him earlier.”
His steps stopped at Hutton's words.
“What?”
“It seems that William Richard has summoned Harel’s messenger.”
“Harel?”
Grojean's eyes narrowed at the name of the criminal organization.
“Is that true?”
“Oh, that’s not exact. That’s...”
Hutton answered, scratching the back of his head.
“Even though he was unconscious, he kept talking about Harel. He said he had to tell Mrs. Meyer about it, like he was sleeping...”
Hutton kept talking, but Grojean couldn't hear a thing.
What if it's true?
What if William Richards really did contact Harel?
Grojean, who was staring into space, felt his heart sink.
Just then, he noticed a footman crossing the garden.
“Cyril! Master... Where is the Master?”
The footman answered quickly, his face looking puzzled.
“He went to Tobaro.”
“Tobaro?”
Grojean's head, which had been muttering as if talking to himself, suddenly rose.
“Carriage... no, horse! Get the horse ready!”
As soon as he heard that his prospective son-in-law had arrived, Hannes ran straight to the reception room to welcome him.
“It’s really amazing how you’ve resolved the Eringer situation so cleanly. I’m truly touched.”
Hannes couldn't hide his pleased expression as he patted Hardius on the shoulder.
“Everyone is talking about you. They say you took complete control of Meyer Steel before you even graduated.”
"Thank you."
“Your mother and I were secretly worried that you were not able to establish yourself as a representative.”
Hannes looked back at Bianca.
“Now everyone will be jealous of me. They say I have the best son-in-law.”
“You are too kind.”
Hannes held Hardius' hand tightly and patted the back of his hand.
“The engagement is finally in three days. You’ll be busy going to various events, so today is a rare chance to relax and rest at my house. You can also spend some quality time with Bianca.”
“Yes, I think so.”
Hardius smiled gently and approached Bianca.
Bianca was quietly staring at the man.
Her eyes were clearly fixed on his face, but all that filled her vision was the image of him leaning the woman against the wall and showering her with greedy kisses.
“Want to play a game of chess?”
Bianca swallowed the many things that were boiling up in her as she watched the man ask the question so casually.
"Yes."
She smiled proudly and led him to the study.
While the servants prepared the chessboard, tea, and refreshments, Bianca prepared herself mentally.
For the past few days, she's done everything she could on her own. Amid her emotional outbursts, she's come to one conclusion.
She was tired of tormenting herself with miserable fantasies and fantasies. She didn't want to dig around in any more petty ways or use her fox-like brain.
This is not me.
I wasn't such a coward.
I shouldn't avoid it.
I have to be honest and ask him directly.
That was the only solution.
“Ready.”
The chessboard was laid out.
Hardius was usually the one who had no interest in competition. But now, Bianca was no different.
Who is that woman?
Is she your ex-fiancée?
Did you sleep with that woman? Do you love her?
Bianca had to chew painfully on her cheek to keep herself from asking the questions that were boiling in her head.
You broke your promise.
That's a breach of contract.
How can that be?
Of course, she couldn't act so childishly and meanly.
Bianca wanted to resolve the situation without losing her dignity.
“Hardy, you know...”
She lifted her head from her horse's movements. Her pulse was racing like crazy.
"...No."
Bianca answered and grabbed a random word that appeared in front of her. In an instant, the servant next to her widened.
"Miss."
Only then did Bianca realize that she had caught the wrong person.
"Sorry."
Hardius laughed lightly.
Bianca, who missed the timing, became tongue-tied and couldn't say anything for a long time. She was just absorbed in the game. Of course, it was a messy game that surprised the servant repeatedly.
The moment Bianca lost her bishop so absurdly, she couldn't stand it anymore.
“That woman.”
Silence came over the words she had struggled to utter.
“That woman?”
“Your ex-fiancee.”
Bianca hid her trembling hands by clutching the chess pieces.
“I think I’ll go see that woman.”
The silver-gray pupils were instantly sucked into the fog.
Hardius stared at Bianca quietly, his sharp gaze hidden in his calm eyes.
“Duchess Meyer said this a few days ago. She said that she was even more cruel to that woman because of me.”
“...”
“I feel sorry for that woman. I want to apologize and make amends in some way. I think that’s the right thing to do.”
After finishing speaking, Bianca waited with bated breath.
“If you want.”
Hardius answered in a voice without any rhythm or rhythm and moved the chess piece forward.
Bianca was momentarily confused by the indifferent reaction.
Weird.
Could it be that I was mistaken?
It might not be that woman, right?
Who on earth could it be if it were another woman?
Maybe I should have done some background checks?
The pieces on the chessboard began to become more tangled.
No, that might just be a poker face.
She's sure they'll be talking about 'that woman' again sometime later.
But contrary to Bianca's expectations, he didn't say a single word about women until the end of the game.
This time again, it was she who was frustrated.
“I... met Congressman Richard a while ago. I can’t get that woman out of my head.”
“...”
“You even tried to create a scandal? To get that woman away from you. To be honest, I’m a bit... shocked. I wonder what happened between you two that would make you do something so despicable...”
Hardius tapped the armrest of his chair without taking his eyes off the chessboard, then stretched out his arm and grabbed Bianca's piece.
Even as she watched her horse die, Bianca's mind was completely unconscious. She felt as if someone was choking her.
“Hardy...”
The man raised his head.
“What on earth are you trying to say?”
Bianca flinched at the cold, hard voice.
At that moment, four masked men arrived at the zelkova forest. They were all on horseback, and two of them had bows on their shoulders and were carrying oil cans in a row.
'Choose a dry and windy day.'
Not only the weather, but also the fallen leaves were piled up in large quantities.
'I hate being stuffy. I don't care about the lives of those filthy things. Let's start by setting fire to the area near the farm. Let the fire spread naturally.'
After a while, the fire really started.
The fire, which started from a dead tree, quickly spread to the farm on the dry wind.
'Whoever those farmhands are, they won't let us burn down their house and workplace. While they're busy putting out the fire, the other two should ride around and distract any potential troublemakers.'
As the leader gave a hand signal, the two assassins rode away on horseback.
'If what you say is true, the farm workers will be busy chasing away strangers. That's the chance we can take advantage of.'
The last remaining leader and the other one rode slowly along the forest path.
'If the situation allows, kidnap the woman and bring her here. If the situation does not allow, don't worry too much. Just set fire to her. There will be no repercussions.'
William Richards gave instructions that the entire forest could be burned down if necessary, and that no one would be held responsible if anyone died in the process.
Flames broke out wherever they passed.
The ultimate goal, of course, was a small shack where a woman lived.
Enria Leichnen has been one of the busiest people in Nowak in recent days.
As it was not only her daughter's engagement party but also her son-in-law's birthday party, there were more than a few things to take care of.
From decorating the ballroom and banquet hall to preparing the food, to writing the list of main guests and sending out the invitations, she felt as if God was testing her abilities as a hostess.
“Oops, I almost missed the reporters, Atkins, call the paper right now.”
Enria, who had instructed the butler, adjusted her glasses and looked at the list again. Then, for a moment, she frowned.
“No, the Marquis of Stinger is best kept as far away from the Duke of Hailston as possible. They were quite openly squabbling in Parliament over the carriage bill, weren’t they?”
She, who was muttering to herself, couldn't help but stop in front of her daughter, who seemed to have lost her mind.
“Bianca?”
"...yes?"
Bianca, who had been resting her chin on her hand with a blank expression, raised her head and blinked.
“Where does it hurt?”
“Oh, no.”
Bianca quickly smiled.
“How far did you get?”
Bianca muttered in a deliberately calm tone in front of her mother and pulled the list towards her.
Selecting the list was not simply a matter of selecting people by rank or preference. It required a wealth of information about personal connections and a keen political sense.
Bianca has shown great ability in that field.
“I think it would be a good idea to invite someone like Edelia Noye to the main hall dinner. And Frederick, too.”
“Really? But it seems a bit low-level?”
“Instead, he is a great talker and witty. From what I’ve seen, when you have someone like that, dinner parties don’t feel awkward. It may seem a bit unconventional, but... what if you seat him between Marquis Stinger and Duke Hailston?”
Enria, who had been thinking quietly, nodded.
“Yeah, that’s a good idea. Kids these days are different, after all. They’re different from us old folks who are obsessed with rank and hierarchy.”
Enria smiled happily and muttered to the butler standing next to her.
“I wonder if Hardius knows how lucky he has become.”
Bianca had to fight hard not to contort her face.
No one knew it, but she was on the verge of boiling over.
She couldn't stand herself playing chess, having tea with friends, and preparing for her engagement ceremony as if nothing had happened.
“Vicky?”
Enria tilted her head as she noticed her daughter's face becoming blurry again.
Bianca looked at her mother.
Hardy has a girlfriend. It seems to be her.
What would happen if she told the truth?
Her parents will be furious. They may even threaten to call Hardius and call off the engagement.
Then what about me? Do I want to break off the engagement?
Bianca asked herself.
No, that's not it.
Sadly, the answer came so clearly and immediately.
Her husband's mistress or lover is a big mountain that she will have to overcome someday. It is something she will have to accept even if she marries a man other than Hardius Meyer.
So then what the heck is the problem?
Bianca bit her lip.
That person's feelings.
Is it simple lust, or is it deeply entangled in irreversible emotions?
If the other person was really that woman, the conclusion was extremely hopeless.
Because he likes it so deeply that he has to hide it in his secret and deceive everyone.
“Bianca, why are you like that?”
Enria asked again, and Bianca managed to smile.
“It’s nothing. I’m just a little tired. I think it’s because I’m nervous about the engagement ceremony.”
She pretended to stretch for no reason.
“Oh, I should change and get ready. It’s almost time for the gentleman who will have great luck to arrive.”
Enria's eyes turned to the clock.
“Oh my, it’s already like that.”
The two people stood up from their seats, laughing.
***
“I don’t think he’ll open up easily. He admits that he was investigating William Richard, but denies everything else. I’m sorry.”
Hutton lowered his head, and Grojean tried not to look at the man tied to the chair far over his shoulder.
“Fortunately, Mondio’s assassins seem to be opening their mouths one by one. This is something I personally confirmed at the Inspectorate yesterday.”
All of the hitmen who carried out the carriage robbery were arrested by the royal inspectorate.
The reason he could do this before any solid evidence was available was that his master had made a deal with His Majesty the King. Joseph had specifically allowed Hardius to use his own investigators.
Now, if they can just confirm the connection between them and the Jetsons, who are being held here, things will be easy.
Investigators will soon storm the Kramwitz villa, and Duchess Meyer will be identified as a suspect and questioned.
Additionally, the results of the investigation will be leaked to the press from time to time.
Duchess Meyer's image will suffer greatly from the mere fact that she is linked to the criminal underworld. And there will be a flood of articles questioning the sudden illness of the Duke of Meyer at the right time.
The investigation will expand to include all of the employees of the Kramwitz villa, and crucial evidence will be discovered.
That's enough. If Jetson testifies, things will be easier, but if not, there are other ways.
“What should we do?”
Grojean rubbed his chin for a while and then opened his mouth with difficulty.
“Do as you wish. The Master said that it is up to you to decide what to do with that man.”
A look of satisfaction crossed Hutton's face. Grojean smiled bitterly without realizing it. The owner, Hardius Meyer, felt cunning all over again.
He was using Hutton's vengeance to catch Jetson and make all sorts of messes for him.
The noble Meyer wants to blow his nose without using his hands.
“But you must not kill him. Don’t forget that everything will be easier if he is there.”
“...I know.”
It was the moment when Grojean was about to turn around.
“Oh, by the way, I found out something a little strange while interrogating him earlier.”
His steps stopped at Hutton's words.
“What?”
“It seems that William Richard has summoned Harel’s messenger.”
“Harel?”
Grojean's eyes narrowed at the name of the criminal organization.
“Is that true?”
“Oh, that’s not exact. That’s...”
Hutton answered, scratching the back of his head.
“Even though he was unconscious, he kept talking about Harel. He said he had to tell Mrs. Meyer about it, like he was sleeping...”
Hutton kept talking, but Grojean couldn't hear a thing.
What if it's true?
What if William Richards really did contact Harel?
Grojean, who was staring into space, felt his heart sink.
Just then, he noticed a footman crossing the garden.
“Cyril! Master... Where is the Master?”
The footman answered quickly, his face looking puzzled.
“He went to Tobaro.”
“Tobaro?”
Grojean's head, which had been muttering as if talking to himself, suddenly rose.
“Carriage... no, horse! Get the horse ready!”
***
As soon as he heard that his prospective son-in-law had arrived, Hannes ran straight to the reception room to welcome him.
“It’s really amazing how you’ve resolved the Eringer situation so cleanly. I’m truly touched.”
Hannes couldn't hide his pleased expression as he patted Hardius on the shoulder.
“Everyone is talking about you. They say you took complete control of Meyer Steel before you even graduated.”
"Thank you."
“Your mother and I were secretly worried that you were not able to establish yourself as a representative.”
Hannes looked back at Bianca.
“Now everyone will be jealous of me. They say I have the best son-in-law.”
“You are too kind.”
Hannes held Hardius' hand tightly and patted the back of his hand.
“The engagement is finally in three days. You’ll be busy going to various events, so today is a rare chance to relax and rest at my house. You can also spend some quality time with Bianca.”
“Yes, I think so.”
Hardius smiled gently and approached Bianca.
Bianca was quietly staring at the man.
Her eyes were clearly fixed on his face, but all that filled her vision was the image of him leaning the woman against the wall and showering her with greedy kisses.
“Want to play a game of chess?”
Bianca swallowed the many things that were boiling up in her as she watched the man ask the question so casually.
"Yes."
She smiled proudly and led him to the study.
While the servants prepared the chessboard, tea, and refreshments, Bianca prepared herself mentally.
For the past few days, she's done everything she could on her own. Amid her emotional outbursts, she's come to one conclusion.
She was tired of tormenting herself with miserable fantasies and fantasies. She didn't want to dig around in any more petty ways or use her fox-like brain.
This is not me.
I wasn't such a coward.
I shouldn't avoid it.
I have to be honest and ask him directly.
That was the only solution.
“Ready.”
The chessboard was laid out.
Hardius was usually the one who had no interest in competition. But now, Bianca was no different.
Who is that woman?
Is she your ex-fiancée?
Did you sleep with that woman? Do you love her?
Bianca had to chew painfully on her cheek to keep herself from asking the questions that were boiling in her head.
You broke your promise.
That's a breach of contract.
How can that be?
Of course, she couldn't act so childishly and meanly.
Bianca wanted to resolve the situation without losing her dignity.
“Hardy, you know...”
She lifted her head from her horse's movements. Her pulse was racing like crazy.
"...No."
Bianca answered and grabbed a random word that appeared in front of her. In an instant, the servant next to her widened.
"Miss."
Only then did Bianca realize that she had caught the wrong person.
"Sorry."
Hardius laughed lightly.
Bianca, who missed the timing, became tongue-tied and couldn't say anything for a long time. She was just absorbed in the game. Of course, it was a messy game that surprised the servant repeatedly.
The moment Bianca lost her bishop so absurdly, she couldn't stand it anymore.
“That woman.”
Silence came over the words she had struggled to utter.
“That woman?”
“Your ex-fiancee.”
Bianca hid her trembling hands by clutching the chess pieces.
“I think I’ll go see that woman.”
The silver-gray pupils were instantly sucked into the fog.
Hardius stared at Bianca quietly, his sharp gaze hidden in his calm eyes.
“Duchess Meyer said this a few days ago. She said that she was even more cruel to that woman because of me.”
“...”
“I feel sorry for that woman. I want to apologize and make amends in some way. I think that’s the right thing to do.”
After finishing speaking, Bianca waited with bated breath.
“If you want.”
Hardius answered in a voice without any rhythm or rhythm and moved the chess piece forward.
Bianca was momentarily confused by the indifferent reaction.
Weird.
Could it be that I was mistaken?
It might not be that woman, right?
Who on earth could it be if it were another woman?
Maybe I should have done some background checks?
The pieces on the chessboard began to become more tangled.
No, that might just be a poker face.
She's sure they'll be talking about 'that woman' again sometime later.
But contrary to Bianca's expectations, he didn't say a single word about women until the end of the game.
This time again, it was she who was frustrated.
“I... met Congressman Richard a while ago. I can’t get that woman out of my head.”
“...”
“You even tried to create a scandal? To get that woman away from you. To be honest, I’m a bit... shocked. I wonder what happened between you two that would make you do something so despicable...”
Hardius tapped the armrest of his chair without taking his eyes off the chessboard, then stretched out his arm and grabbed Bianca's piece.
Even as she watched her horse die, Bianca's mind was completely unconscious. She felt as if someone was choking her.
“Hardy...”
The man raised his head.
“What on earth are you trying to say?”
Bianca flinched at the cold, hard voice.
***
At that moment, four masked men arrived at the zelkova forest. They were all on horseback, and two of them had bows on their shoulders and were carrying oil cans in a row.
'Choose a dry and windy day.'
Not only the weather, but also the fallen leaves were piled up in large quantities.
'I hate being stuffy. I don't care about the lives of those filthy things. Let's start by setting fire to the area near the farm. Let the fire spread naturally.'
After a while, the fire really started.
The fire, which started from a dead tree, quickly spread to the farm on the dry wind.
'Whoever those farmhands are, they won't let us burn down their house and workplace. While they're busy putting out the fire, the other two should ride around and distract any potential troublemakers.'
As the leader gave a hand signal, the two assassins rode away on horseback.
'If what you say is true, the farm workers will be busy chasing away strangers. That's the chance we can take advantage of.'
The last remaining leader and the other one rode slowly along the forest path.
'If the situation allows, kidnap the woman and bring her here. If the situation does not allow, don't worry too much. Just set fire to her. There will be no repercussions.'
William Richards gave instructions that the entire forest could be burned down if necessary, and that no one would be held responsible if anyone died in the process.
Flames broke out wherever they passed.
The ultimate goal, of course, was a small shack where a woman lived.
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