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Chapter 79
The Duke of Pavillon’s face, red with fury, had now gone completely pale.
Alexander had expected this reaction perfectly.
With an uncaring expression, Alexander slammed his hand on the podium.
“Announcements are finished. Take part in the investigation sincerely. And if you’re interested in the position of Empress, make it known.”
He repeated the main points of the meeting once more, then left the hall.
“…Phew.”
Only long after Alexander had departed did people finally exhale one by one.
“……”
The conference room was deathly silent except for those sighs. No one dared to speak.
Distrust hung thick in the air. Each noble and official quietly left without a word.
18. Another Alliance
The one angriest in that moment was Edward.
‘That bastard Tiago.’
The more influence Tiago gained within the imperial palace, the less room Edward had to maneuver.
He wanted to curse him to death right then.
After Alexander left, Edward was the very first to storm out of the chamber. He needed to act—immediately.
Once Tiago began his investigation, the first person suspected and harmed would be him.
‘I’ll need to talk to someone first.’
Edward leaned against a pillar by the entrance, catching his breath as he waited. He scanned each passerby until finally—
‘There he is.’
When Leo came out, Edward grabbed his arm roughly and pulled him aside.
“What the…?”
Leo stumbled in surprise, but Edward immediately began talking.
“We need to talk.”
“Edward. I was hoping for a chance to speak with you too.”
Edward gave a short nod. Leo stretched out his hand.
“Let’s go to my room.”
Edward agreed with a faint nod, curious.
‘Let’s see what this brat has prepared. Hopefully something useful for once.’
But his expectations were quickly shattered.
Inside Leo’s chamber, Leo proudly produced a ledger.
“What’s this?” Edward asked, unimpressed.
“A ledger. The record of all transactions between our Marbo family and Tiago.”
“……”
Edward stared, waiting for more.
Seeing Edward’s lack of reaction, Leo felt oddly disappointed. He had expected Edward to be excited, even impressed by his effort. Instead, Edward looked at the ledger like it was worthless.
‘If my family weren’t involved, I’d never ally myself with this man… he’s insufferable,’ Leo thought bitterly.
Still, he explained.
“This ledger records every deal between Tiago and House Marbo. My father hid it away, but I managed to…”
Edward cut him off, slamming the book shut.
—Thud.
Leo looked up, startled.
“What are you doing?”
“You’re not very clever, are you, Leonard Marbo.”
The blunt insult left Leo speechless.
Edward continued coolly.
“You think you can fight Tiago with a ledger? What exactly do you plan to do with this?”
“With… with this, I thought…”
Leo stammered. In his mind, exposing Tiago’s curse orb trafficking had seemed enough. But now, faced with Edward’s question, he realized the flaw.
‘If I use this ledger, my family will be implicated too. So I thought I’d forge a new one, swapping our name for another family’s…’
But Edward anticipated the thought and scoffed.
“Don’t tell me you thought a forged ledger would be enough?”
“……”
Leo turned his head, hand on his hip, too proud to admit it.
Edward sighed heavily, frustrated.
“Ha… really.”
He ran long fingers through his golden hair.
“Think for once. Our opponent is Tiago—the most infamous black mage in the Pignon Empire. And you think a fake ledger will bring him down?”
“……”
Leo stayed silent, deflated.
Edward tapped the ledger with his finger.
“Tiago could make a hundred fake ledgers like this in an instant.”
“Then what’s your brilliant plan? Let’s hear it, genius. If you’re so smart, why were you humiliated in front of all the nobles today?”
Leo couldn’t resist sneering, bringing up how Alexander had shamed Edward earlier.
Edward’s eyes flashed dangerously. Rage rose in him like fire, his whole body prickling with anger.
‘This brat dares bite back?’
He wanted to crush Leo right there. But no—Leo was still useful. First Tiago, then Leo.
Edward forced a smile instead, catching Leo off guard.
“My apologies. My temper’s been short since the meeting.”
He extended his hand. Leo accepted reluctantly, still wary.
Edward squeezed his grip tightly and said,
“I have another way.”
“What is it?” Leo asked, still sulky.
Edward forced his voice into something patient and pleasant.
“Going head-to-head with Tiago—with ledgers, with magic—will only end in defeat. That much is certain.”
“So what, cozy up to him and stab him later?” Leo asked with irritation.
Edward shook his head with a faint smile.
“No. Something better.”
“What?”
“We go for his weakness.”
Leo frowned. “And what’s Tiago’s weakness?”
Edward’s lips curled into a triumphant grin. His eyes gleamed with something dark.
“Delphine.”
“Delphine?”
“Yes. Delphine Plerion.”
Edward’s smile widened.
Leo blinked in confusion. “Delphine Plerion? Why would she be Tiago’s weakness?”
Edward sighed theatrically, as if explaining to a child.
“Must I really spell everything out for you?”
Leo ground his teeth, silently seething.
Edward continued.
“Tiago, known for his cruelty, only ever protects one person—Delphine. If someone is that precious to him, what else could be his greatest weakness?”
Leo suddenly remembered Delphine’s birthday banquet—when Tiago had stepped in and interfered with his proposal.
‘So it was him. No wonder he looked familiar.’
Now it clicked.
‘Delphine? Why would he like her? If it were me, I’d prefer Charlier.’
Suspicion flickered across Leo’s face. Edward immediately pressed.
“What are you thinking?”
“Oh, nothing,” Leo said, scratching the back of his head. “Just wondering why he likes Delphine. She’s nothing special, not particularly attractive.”
“Tell me everything you know about her.”
Leo gave him a look. “Don’t you know her too?”
“I went to the Academy with her, but we haven’t spoken since. You tell me more.”
Leo thought for a moment, staring off.
“Well… her looks aren’t bad. Quite decent, actually. Same with her figure and her family background. But compared to Charlier, she falls short in everything.”
Edward gave him a strange look, but Leo didn’t notice and kept going.
“Charlier is refined, sometimes picky—that’s what a noble lady should be. But Delphine? Always whining, no backbone, low self-esteem.”
Edward signaled for him to continue.
“When I was with Charlier, every day was thrilling. She had this charm that drove you crazy. Some days you couldn’t bear not to see her, like you’d die if you didn’t.…”
Leo smacked his lips.
“But Delphine doesn’t have that. She’s dull. Always gloomy, low self-worth. Who could love someone who doesn’t even love herself?”
He clapped his hands suddenly, as if understanding at last.
“Exactly. Charlier radiates self-love, confidence. With Delphine, you feel no such thing. Makes you not want to treat her well. In comparison, she falls far short.”
Edward shook his head.
“Then why date her at all?”
“I was pushed into it by my family,” Leo admitted flatly. “As the Marbo heir, I had to.”
