126. Bright as the spring sun
The snow flurries that had been falling dizzily filled the entire day before they gradually subsided.
Under a dark sky covered with ash-colored clouds, dozens of journalists who had been summoned by His Majesty the King left the Palazzo Riccardi in shock.
They frantically headed to their respective newspaper offices, wading through ankle-deep snow to deliver the breaking news.
The rotary press rotated and printed the type.
The newspapers, completed overnight, were loaded onto wagons and transported to Nowak and other locations across the country. Leichnen's Tobaro, the day before his engagement, was no exception.
The butler, who had accepted the newspaper from the deliveryman, turned pale within seconds. His trembling body frantically turned to his master.
“...Your Highness!”
William Richards was found murdered in a vacant lot near Nowak!
Duchess Meyer was identified as a prime suspect
The Meyer family's empress is under arrest on suspicion of instigating murder
The future of the tripartite alliance: a labyrinth of shock and confusion
Just skimming the headlines in the newspaper was enough.
Bianca had to check and recheck the large letters several times to make sure she wasn't seeing things wrong.
“Father, what is this... what the heck is this....”
Bianca clutched the newspaper, her whole body trembling. Then she clenched her fists and shook her head.
“No, that’s not it. Something is wrong. The Senator was murdered... and by Duchess Meyer at that...”
“Yeah, that’s ridiculous. It can’t be.”
Enria looked back at her husband as if asking for his consent.
Hannes, his eyes wide open, looked as if he might collapse at any moment. For a moment, Enria felt a twinge of fear. He had recently received a warning from his doctor that his heart was too weak.
"Honey..."
The worried voice couldn't continue any longer, because a thunderous roar burst from Hannes's throat.
“Call Hardius! Now!”
The butler, under Hannes's orders, immediately headed to Basilion House. However, he was forced to turn back without even being able to enter the main gate, let alone meet Hardius Meyer. The entrance had already been blocked by investigators, and a gold sign had been erected.
"What?! Even Prince Meyer... is under investigation? So you're just going to come back?!"
Hannes got angry at the butler who returned empty-handed.
"The investigator was too stubborn. Even if it was the Grand Duke's order, it was useless. He said it was His Majesty the King's direct order..."
Despite the butler's explanation, Hannes's rage remained unabated. The flames of his anger naturally spread to the King.
As befitting a family that had stood shoulder to shoulder with the royal family for centuries, Hannes headed to the Palazzo Riccardi without hesitation. Even without formalities, the King readily opened the door to him.
"Your Majesty, how can you do this when the charges aren't even certain? Not only have you detained the Duke's mistress and heir, you're even preventing them from holding their engagement ceremony!"
Hannes was being extremely rude, which was unusual for him, but anyone present in the audience room could not help but understand the Duke's behavior.
Even putting aside the shock of the internal strife within the Tripartite Alliance, it was truly shocking to see his precious daughter's engagement ceremony completely ruined.
“Yes, I understand. I feel very sorry, too.”
Joseph continued speaking with a look of apparent annoyance.
"But it's none other than William Richard, isn't it? Your longtime friend and top royalist councilor has been murdered. I hope you understand the gravity of the situation."
Hannes didn't back down easily. The King sighed before the Grand Duke, who demanded that Prince Meyer be released so they could at least hold the engagement ceremony.
"But the evidence is too strong. Who else could have done such a thing besides Duchess Meyer and Prince Meyer?"
The King suggested to the still-unconvinced Grand Duke that he examine Richard's body and the evidence he had collected so far. He believed that afterward, he would understand why he was going to such lengths.
Hannes readily accepted, and the investigator led him to the Inspector General's Office.
This may be because the Grand Duke of Leichnen only heard about all these events through newspaper print.
He examined Richard's corpse, his head pierced, gruesome, and the Meyer family's pistol, and the assassin's note, one by one. He stared blankly into space for a moment, his eyes lost in thought. Finally, he collapsed on the spot.
"The Grand Duke has reportedly withdrawn without any significant suspicion. Of course, it's still too early to completely relax. Rumors are circulating in several clubhouses, including Billinaire, that the Grand Duke will soon launch a campaign to rescue the young master and Duchess Meyer."
“I guess so.”
Hardius answered calmly. Outside the window, his back turned, the winter sky stretched out, cold and dry.
“What about the aftermath of the Zelkova forest?”
"I created a rumor circulating around the village where Miss Bern lived. It was said that a sudden forest fire had burned down their home, leaving them homeless. I made it seem like they were going to the New World with the help of the factory owner where Kalia Bern worked."
To spread the word naturally, Grojean had to visit the owner of the mill, the building closest to the forest, the nearby tavern, and even the factory where Kalia Bern worked.
“How long did you estimate the investigation period to be?”
"It'll be a week at the shortest, or ten days at the longest. For the time being, you can visit Kunt with peace of mind."
As soon as he finished speaking, Tobias and Pip knocked and came in, carrying coats and suitcases.
“I am ready, my lord.”
Tobias put a coat on his master.
“I left the back door of the garden open so you can escape secretly.”
While the false investigation unfolded, Hardius was stationed in Kunt, where he planned to inspect the steel production and lay the groundwork for building a railway.
“I think you’d better hurry.”
Hardius turned to his desk to collect his watch. His gaze, which had been drifting absentmindedly, paused again on the statue on the desk.
He doesn't know how many times this has happened.
Grojean had known for some time that his master had been glancing at the statue whenever he had the chance.
Every time the indifferent gray eyes touched the bronze statue and shattered, Grojean felt as if his heart was breaking along with them.
“Have you tried contacting the mayor of Reno?”
The sudden question made me snap out of his thoughts.
“Ah... yes.”
Grojean answered with a slightly trembling feeling.
Reno was the capital of the Tran Confederacy in the New World.
Recently, large-scale economic stimulus measures have been implemented across the federal government, and Reno's mayor has shown a keen interest in the steel industry. He has consistently been courting Meyer, one of the continent's leading steel companies.
The decisive factor that made the young master, who had always refused with various excuses, change so actively was probably his woman and the child that was to be born in the future.
"I received a reply from Mayor Lewis that I can visit at any time. Once matters here are settled, I will visit in person at an appropriate time."
Hardius nodded.
“Yes, take your time thinking about that. It’s not urgent.”
"Yes."
Hardius turned around.
As he gazed at his master's sturdy shoulders, a picture of the small face of a woman struggling to hold back tears suddenly appeared in Grojean's mind. Pure white as snow, it looked as if it would crumble at the touch...
“Excuse me, young master.”
Hardius turned his head.
“Miss Bern...”
His steady pace halted. The agonizing emotions emanating from the young man's back overwhelmed Grojean.
"She said she'd be waiting for you in good health. She was thrilled when I told her she could continue working at Latang. She said she'd work very leisurely so as not to burden the child. She told you not to worry."
Emilia Bern smiled as she spoke. It was a smile as bright as spring sunshine, yet at the same time painfully stinging the eyes.
"Captain Maesen also asked me to convey that this time, all members of the squad will risk their lives to protect her perfectly."
He remained motionless for a few seconds,
"Yes."
He left the room, leaving a short answer as if it were a lingering thought.
Hardius Meyer had no intention of ever seeking his woman again. He wouldn't even allow anyone to speak to her or exchange letters with her.
This arson incident made him realize that even a small connection can lead to a big disaster.
The only time Maesen can contact the master is when the safety of the family, including Miss Bern, is threatened or when something unusual occurs.
From today onwards, no one, including Bianca Leichnen, will ever be able to find the 'commoner's fiancée of the Meyer family.'
There's no Emilia Bern anywhere on the continent. There's only Elaine Mob, a young widow who's newly settled in Hethel.
“Oh my.”
A sigh from somewhere brought Grojean out of his thoughts. It was Pip.
"I still don't understand. Could she really be that good? Well, now that they have a child, I'm trying to accept it..."
Watching Pip shake his head, Grojean realized once again why his master was so interested in the New World.
Hardius Meyer would never be able to bear to hear his wife referred to as "that woman." Above all, it was considered a land of freedom and opportunity for women. He would want to give that opportunity to the woman who would become his wife.
But even so, it is surprising that the one who will become the 12th Duke of Meyer will end up living in such a harsh place...
Grojean also couldn't help but sigh.
Pip's grumbling continued, whether he knew or not.
"I'm just asking you, Sir Grojean, but sometimes... He acts like a child. Do you know that even when he comes to Sitmer, he always looks for Moria?"
Pip pouted, then lifted his suitcase to follow his master. A thought flashed through Grojean's mind.
"For a moment."
He hurried to the desk and picked something up. It was a bronze statue. Pip's eyes widened as he watched him put it in his bag.
“What is it?”
"Don't be a prude, just put it away. As soon as you arrive in Kunt, put it where your master will see it most. If you want your master to catch his breath, even for a moment."
After a while, a carriage carrying Hardius and Pip secretly left Basilion House.
Hardius looked out the window.
Every time the snow-covered trees brushed past the carriage window, a hot wave rippled through his chest like a wave.
The image of her standing on a field of pure white snow, holding a small snowman, is dizzying.
The sparkle in her eyes shone as dazzlingly as jewels, like snowflakes reflecting the brilliant sunlight.
A cold wind blew, shaking the withered branches. The accumulated snow crumbled away, and the vivid image of the woman vanished with it.
Beneath the man's clenched fist, much was erased and suppressed.
For the next few days, Nowak was in a state of constant shock.
At first, most people reacted with disbelief.
It was shocking enough that Richard had been murdered, but it was none other than his ally, Kaitlyn Meyer, who orchestrated it.
The overwhelming opinion was that Meyer had been falsely accused after falling into someone's trap.
But the evidence pouring out endlessly, like the layers of an onion, began to change those thoughts one by one.
Rumors of a feud between Kaitlyn Meyer and William Richards began to spread on Clubhouse early this year, fueled by daily reports of new investigations.
It was the rumor about Kramwitz's feet that gave water and nutrients to the budding suspicions.
The fact that Kaitlyn Meyer had been connected to the hitmen for a very long time through her servant Jetson, that only Jetson had nursed Duke Meyer after his sudden illness, and that suspicious vials had been found throughout the villa were enough to change the image of the 'Empress of Meyer Steel' in people's minds into a 'dirty criminal'.
Amidst all the speculation and rumors swirling around the world, Hardius Meyer was finally cleared of all charges. This happened exactly ten days after the incident, and the investigation began.
People expected that the successor, now released from custody, would first and foremost strive to save his mother, and that soon all this chaos and crisis would be overcome and the alliance with the Leichnen would be maintained.
But he didn't show up anywhere: not in the detention center where his mother was being held, not in the Tobaro of the Leichnen family, not in the offices of Meyer Steel.
The first place the heir to the Meyer family went to upon regaining his freedom was, ironically, a shabby bar in a back alley in Nowak.
A signal flare was fired for Meyer's downfall.
The snow flurries that had been falling dizzily filled the entire day before they gradually subsided.
Under a dark sky covered with ash-colored clouds, dozens of journalists who had been summoned by His Majesty the King left the Palazzo Riccardi in shock.
They frantically headed to their respective newspaper offices, wading through ankle-deep snow to deliver the breaking news.
The rotary press rotated and printed the type.
The newspapers, completed overnight, were loaded onto wagons and transported to Nowak and other locations across the country. Leichnen's Tobaro, the day before his engagement, was no exception.
The butler, who had accepted the newspaper from the deliveryman, turned pale within seconds. His trembling body frantically turned to his master.
“...Your Highness!”
***
William Richards was found murdered in a vacant lot near Nowak!
Duchess Meyer was identified as a prime suspect
The Meyer family's empress is under arrest on suspicion of instigating murder
The future of the tripartite alliance: a labyrinth of shock and confusion
Just skimming the headlines in the newspaper was enough.
Bianca had to check and recheck the large letters several times to make sure she wasn't seeing things wrong.
“Father, what is this... what the heck is this....”
Bianca clutched the newspaper, her whole body trembling. Then she clenched her fists and shook her head.
“No, that’s not it. Something is wrong. The Senator was murdered... and by Duchess Meyer at that...”
“Yeah, that’s ridiculous. It can’t be.”
Enria looked back at her husband as if asking for his consent.
Hannes, his eyes wide open, looked as if he might collapse at any moment. For a moment, Enria felt a twinge of fear. He had recently received a warning from his doctor that his heart was too weak.
"Honey..."
The worried voice couldn't continue any longer, because a thunderous roar burst from Hannes's throat.
“Call Hardius! Now!”
The butler, under Hannes's orders, immediately headed to Basilion House. However, he was forced to turn back without even being able to enter the main gate, let alone meet Hardius Meyer. The entrance had already been blocked by investigators, and a gold sign had been erected.
"What?! Even Prince Meyer... is under investigation? So you're just going to come back?!"
Hannes got angry at the butler who returned empty-handed.
"The investigator was too stubborn. Even if it was the Grand Duke's order, it was useless. He said it was His Majesty the King's direct order..."
Despite the butler's explanation, Hannes's rage remained unabated. The flames of his anger naturally spread to the King.
As befitting a family that had stood shoulder to shoulder with the royal family for centuries, Hannes headed to the Palazzo Riccardi without hesitation. Even without formalities, the King readily opened the door to him.
"Your Majesty, how can you do this when the charges aren't even certain? Not only have you detained the Duke's mistress and heir, you're even preventing them from holding their engagement ceremony!"
Hannes was being extremely rude, which was unusual for him, but anyone present in the audience room could not help but understand the Duke's behavior.
Even putting aside the shock of the internal strife within the Tripartite Alliance, it was truly shocking to see his precious daughter's engagement ceremony completely ruined.
“Yes, I understand. I feel very sorry, too.”
Joseph continued speaking with a look of apparent annoyance.
"But it's none other than William Richard, isn't it? Your longtime friend and top royalist councilor has been murdered. I hope you understand the gravity of the situation."
Hannes didn't back down easily. The King sighed before the Grand Duke, who demanded that Prince Meyer be released so they could at least hold the engagement ceremony.
"But the evidence is too strong. Who else could have done such a thing besides Duchess Meyer and Prince Meyer?"
The King suggested to the still-unconvinced Grand Duke that he examine Richard's body and the evidence he had collected so far. He believed that afterward, he would understand why he was going to such lengths.
Hannes readily accepted, and the investigator led him to the Inspector General's Office.
This may be because the Grand Duke of Leichnen only heard about all these events through newspaper print.
He examined Richard's corpse, his head pierced, gruesome, and the Meyer family's pistol, and the assassin's note, one by one. He stared blankly into space for a moment, his eyes lost in thought. Finally, he collapsed on the spot.
***
"The Grand Duke has reportedly withdrawn without any significant suspicion. Of course, it's still too early to completely relax. Rumors are circulating in several clubhouses, including Billinaire, that the Grand Duke will soon launch a campaign to rescue the young master and Duchess Meyer."
“I guess so.”
Hardius answered calmly. Outside the window, his back turned, the winter sky stretched out, cold and dry.
“What about the aftermath of the Zelkova forest?”
"I created a rumor circulating around the village where Miss Bern lived. It was said that a sudden forest fire had burned down their home, leaving them homeless. I made it seem like they were going to the New World with the help of the factory owner where Kalia Bern worked."
To spread the word naturally, Grojean had to visit the owner of the mill, the building closest to the forest, the nearby tavern, and even the factory where Kalia Bern worked.
“How long did you estimate the investigation period to be?”
"It'll be a week at the shortest, or ten days at the longest. For the time being, you can visit Kunt with peace of mind."
As soon as he finished speaking, Tobias and Pip knocked and came in, carrying coats and suitcases.
“I am ready, my lord.”
Tobias put a coat on his master.
“I left the back door of the garden open so you can escape secretly.”
While the false investigation unfolded, Hardius was stationed in Kunt, where he planned to inspect the steel production and lay the groundwork for building a railway.
“I think you’d better hurry.”
Hardius turned to his desk to collect his watch. His gaze, which had been drifting absentmindedly, paused again on the statue on the desk.
He doesn't know how many times this has happened.
Grojean had known for some time that his master had been glancing at the statue whenever he had the chance.
Every time the indifferent gray eyes touched the bronze statue and shattered, Grojean felt as if his heart was breaking along with them.
“Have you tried contacting the mayor of Reno?”
The sudden question made me snap out of his thoughts.
“Ah... yes.”
Grojean answered with a slightly trembling feeling.
Reno was the capital of the Tran Confederacy in the New World.
Recently, large-scale economic stimulus measures have been implemented across the federal government, and Reno's mayor has shown a keen interest in the steel industry. He has consistently been courting Meyer, one of the continent's leading steel companies.
The decisive factor that made the young master, who had always refused with various excuses, change so actively was probably his woman and the child that was to be born in the future.
"I received a reply from Mayor Lewis that I can visit at any time. Once matters here are settled, I will visit in person at an appropriate time."
Hardius nodded.
“Yes, take your time thinking about that. It’s not urgent.”
"Yes."
Hardius turned around.
As he gazed at his master's sturdy shoulders, a picture of the small face of a woman struggling to hold back tears suddenly appeared in Grojean's mind. Pure white as snow, it looked as if it would crumble at the touch...
“Excuse me, young master.”
Hardius turned his head.
“Miss Bern...”
His steady pace halted. The agonizing emotions emanating from the young man's back overwhelmed Grojean.
"She said she'd be waiting for you in good health. She was thrilled when I told her she could continue working at Latang. She said she'd work very leisurely so as not to burden the child. She told you not to worry."
Emilia Bern smiled as she spoke. It was a smile as bright as spring sunshine, yet at the same time painfully stinging the eyes.
"Captain Maesen also asked me to convey that this time, all members of the squad will risk their lives to protect her perfectly."
He remained motionless for a few seconds,
"Yes."
He left the room, leaving a short answer as if it were a lingering thought.
Hardius Meyer had no intention of ever seeking his woman again. He wouldn't even allow anyone to speak to her or exchange letters with her.
This arson incident made him realize that even a small connection can lead to a big disaster.
The only time Maesen can contact the master is when the safety of the family, including Miss Bern, is threatened or when something unusual occurs.
From today onwards, no one, including Bianca Leichnen, will ever be able to find the 'commoner's fiancée of the Meyer family.'
There's no Emilia Bern anywhere on the continent. There's only Elaine Mob, a young widow who's newly settled in Hethel.
“Oh my.”
A sigh from somewhere brought Grojean out of his thoughts. It was Pip.
"I still don't understand. Could she really be that good? Well, now that they have a child, I'm trying to accept it..."
Watching Pip shake his head, Grojean realized once again why his master was so interested in the New World.
Hardius Meyer would never be able to bear to hear his wife referred to as "that woman." Above all, it was considered a land of freedom and opportunity for women. He would want to give that opportunity to the woman who would become his wife.
But even so, it is surprising that the one who will become the 12th Duke of Meyer will end up living in such a harsh place...
Grojean also couldn't help but sigh.
Pip's grumbling continued, whether he knew or not.
"I'm just asking you, Sir Grojean, but sometimes... He acts like a child. Do you know that even when he comes to Sitmer, he always looks for Moria?"
Pip pouted, then lifted his suitcase to follow his master. A thought flashed through Grojean's mind.
"For a moment."
He hurried to the desk and picked something up. It was a bronze statue. Pip's eyes widened as he watched him put it in his bag.
“What is it?”
"Don't be a prude, just put it away. As soon as you arrive in Kunt, put it where your master will see it most. If you want your master to catch his breath, even for a moment."
After a while, a carriage carrying Hardius and Pip secretly left Basilion House.
Hardius looked out the window.
Every time the snow-covered trees brushed past the carriage window, a hot wave rippled through his chest like a wave.
The image of her standing on a field of pure white snow, holding a small snowman, is dizzying.
The sparkle in her eyes shone as dazzlingly as jewels, like snowflakes reflecting the brilliant sunlight.
A cold wind blew, shaking the withered branches. The accumulated snow crumbled away, and the vivid image of the woman vanished with it.
Beneath the man's clenched fist, much was erased and suppressed.
***
For the next few days, Nowak was in a state of constant shock.
At first, most people reacted with disbelief.
It was shocking enough that Richard had been murdered, but it was none other than his ally, Kaitlyn Meyer, who orchestrated it.
The overwhelming opinion was that Meyer had been falsely accused after falling into someone's trap.
But the evidence pouring out endlessly, like the layers of an onion, began to change those thoughts one by one.
Rumors of a feud between Kaitlyn Meyer and William Richards began to spread on Clubhouse early this year, fueled by daily reports of new investigations.
It was the rumor about Kramwitz's feet that gave water and nutrients to the budding suspicions.
The fact that Kaitlyn Meyer had been connected to the hitmen for a very long time through her servant Jetson, that only Jetson had nursed Duke Meyer after his sudden illness, and that suspicious vials had been found throughout the villa were enough to change the image of the 'Empress of Meyer Steel' in people's minds into a 'dirty criminal'.
Amidst all the speculation and rumors swirling around the world, Hardius Meyer was finally cleared of all charges. This happened exactly ten days after the incident, and the investigation began.
People expected that the successor, now released from custody, would first and foremost strive to save his mother, and that soon all this chaos and crisis would be overcome and the alliance with the Leichnen would be maintained.
But he didn't show up anywhere: not in the detention center where his mother was being held, not in the Tobaro of the Leichnen family, not in the offices of Meyer Steel.
The first place the heir to the Meyer family went to upon regaining his freedom was, ironically, a shabby bar in a back alley in Nowak.
A signal flare was fired for Meyer's downfall.
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