QBSLB 20

Chapter 20. The Prince Searching for Cinderella

I smiled slyly to myself, but outwardly I blinked innocently and replied in a demure tone.

“Yes, Mother.”

“Hehe… how very well-mannered our daughter-in-law is…”

Sofia spoke as she tried to conceal her irritation.

“Our precious daughter-in-law should ride in the carriage. I’ll share Lady Raily’s carriage instead.”

She was clearly managing her image to make up for what had just happened.

Of course, the goodwill of the young noblewomen around me had already been lost long ago.

For me, it was an offer with no reason to refuse.

Smiling brightly, I answered,

“Yes, Mother! Then please enjoy your time with your friends!”

Late. Very late.

…Late enough for me to finish everything I needed to do.

“Please be sure to visit our estate next time, Countess!”

Leaving behind the pile of tea party invitations, I boarded the carriage and said,

“Please take me to More Boutique.”

“…You’re not returning directly to the estate?”

The coachman asked with a doubtful look.

For a mere coachman to question a noble’s command was unthinkable.

Wow. I’m even being looked down on by the coachman now.

Suppressing the surge of anger, I gave a blank expression and said,

“Mother instructed me to retrieve the dress she left there last time on the way back.”

At the mention of Sofia’s name, the coachman finally clicked his tongue and urged the horses forward.

‘Even trying to act independently just a little isn’t easy.’

At this point, something felt off.

Why did the Morgans family restrict their daughter-in-law’s outings to this extent?

This went beyond simple in-law harassment.

No matter how much I searched through the memories of the past ten years, they had always prevented Aileen from going out alone or contacting others.

‘As if they’re hiding something…’

…Am I overthinking this?

Still, if I wanted to act freely in the future, some measures would be necessary.

With that resolve, I headed toward More Boutique in the swaying carriage.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

At the curt command, the door to the Roderick family’s office opened.

The man who entered was Andreas, his light brown hair tied and swept to one side.

He walked straight up to the desk and handed a document to Taeyon.

“This is the investigation report you requested.”

Taeyon accepted the file with his usual impassive expression and opened it.

The woman who had visited the new product development division that day.

Taeyon had been searching persistently for the woman he secretly referred to as “Coffee Cinderella.”

However, even for Archduke Roderick, finding a woman hidden beneath a cloak was no easy task.

“Unless there are surveillance recording magic tools on every street corner, finding an unnamed woman is nearly impossible. Haha! Not that such a country exists.”

Andreas joked lightly, then added with curious eyes,

“But why did you suddenly ask me to investigate the wife of Viscount Morgan?”

During the Cinderella investigation, Taeyon had also ordered an inquiry into Aileen Morgans.

“…No particular reason.”

Taeyon answered lightly as he flipped through the report.

Andreas, ever smooth despite his flippant manner, summarized the contents neatly.

“Name: Aileen Morgans. Married Duffel Morgans ten years ago. They weren’t even engaged—apparently, the sudden marriage was due to a premarital pregnancy.”

For the first time, Taeyon’s otherwise indifferent expression twitched.

It was so subtle that even Andreas, standing right in front of him, failed to notice.

“…Premarital pregnancy?”

“Yes. As you know, the Empire doesn’t look kindly on such matters. There was quite a bit of gossip in high society back then.”

Andreas continued calmly.

“It seems people believe that’s the reason she’s still absent from social activities and keeps herself secluded.”

In other words, she was refraining from public outings to preserve her dignity and her family’s reputation.

‘…She didn’t seem like that.’

That day, she had walked the streets lively and radiant.

Her plain skirt fluttered as she moved.

She smiled as though all the brilliant afternoon sunlight was poured solely upon her.

At times, it even seemed like she was humming softly—I found myself wanting to step closer to hear her voice—

‘What am I thinking.’

Startled, Taeyon cut off the train of thought.

She was a married woman who had sworn a sacred oath before the gods.

According to the report, she even had a child.

Taeyon recalled the pure profile of the woman he had seen that day.

Why was it?

The image of her smiling calmly as she watched her adulterous husband through a glass window refused to leave his mind.

…This must be sympathy.

‘Sympathy, huh… I didn’t know I had such a soft side.’

Otherwise, there was no explanation.

There was no way he could feel anything else for someone he’d met only once—someone he hadn’t even spoken to.

He swallowed a bitter smile.

“There’s nothing else noteworthy. She’s lived very quietly…”

“Then what about the Morgans count’s household?”

“Well, as you know, they have close ties with Empress Carlota.”

Andreas replied immediately.

“Ten years ago, they rose from an obscure baron family to a count’s house overnight, thanks to the Empress’s support.”

“Yes… that’s right.”

Taeyon murmured, narrowing his violet eyes.

It had been a special measure that stirred much controversy.

Why would Empress Carlota, already burdened with many political enemies, go so far as to provoke the nobility?

A married woman.

With a child.

Belonging to a family that supported the Empress and the Second Prince…

Lost in thought, Taeyon suddenly spoke.

“…Just in case, let me ask.”

He deliberately used a blunt tone to avoid arousing Andreas’s suspicion.

“Is there any chance that Viscountess Morgans is knowledgeable about coffee?”

“What?”

Startled, Andreas quickly shook his head.

“None at all.”

“…None?”

“Yes. Her maiden family, House Ketel, has no connection to coffee, and after marriage she remained inside the estate.”

He added, shaking his head,

“She barely attended parties or social gatherings—she hardly even went out for simple errands.”

It had been less than two days since the investigation began, yet the information was thorough.

Still, this was only the tip of the iceberg.

Sensing Taeyon’s interest, Andreas asked perceptively,

“Is something bothering you?”

“….”

“Should I investigate further?”

If Taeyon wished, there was nothing in the Empire that couldn’t be uncovered with his name and power.

However—

“…No. Digging further into a lady’s past without her consent would be distasteful.”

Investigating her further would not be gentlemanly, so Taeyon restrained himself.

Besides, the possibility that she was Coffee Cinderella had all but disappeared.

‘Yes. It was nothing more than an unfounded hunch from the start.’

…Then why did he feel this lingering sense of regret?

Leaning back in his fine leather chair, Taeyon closed his tired eyes.

“We’ve arrived.”

I stepped down from the family carriage.

A long paved road stretched out from the fountain in the central plaza of the capital.

Atelier Street was lined with luxury boutiques and jewelers.

Shops selling treasures worth a commoner’s annual income stood shoulder to shoulder—what one might call a “luxury district.”

And among them, the most extravagant and expensive dress boutique of all—

More Boutique.

“Excuse me—wait a moment!”

Just as I was about to enter, a staff member in the boutique’s uniform stopped me.

Before I could even step over the threshold, I was pushed back, and I asked in confusion,

“Yes? …What seems to be the problem?”

The staff member stood like a gatekeeper, blocking the entrance, and looked me up and down.

Her gaze fixed on the tea stain still visible on my dress.

A scoff escaped her lips.

“…I’m sorry, but I think you’ve come to the wrong shop.”