RCHR 28

Chapter 28

Originally, Leo had his own groomer, but since she had gone on leave for her wedding, Croa ended up trimming Leo’s fur.
And that’s when disaster struck. While Croa looked away for just a moment, he made a terrible mistake.

He accidentally shaved off a patch of fur on Leo’s head about two fingers wide. And before he knew it, he had also created a bald spot on Julian’s head.

Leo was forgiving, chalking it up to play, and let Croa off the hook. But Julian was not so lenient.
He made a huge fuss about finding the culprit until Leo barely managed to calm him down.

Recalling Julian’s crazed expression at the time, Croa shuddered.

“P-please, not that!”
“Then hurry up and tell me. Who is this mysterious master?”

Croa wanted to cry.
But then he reconsidered.

If Tanisha already knew about his mistake, it was only a matter of time before she uncovered Rebecca’s true identity as well.
It might be better to reveal it now and avoid worse trouble later.

“Fine, listen carefully…”

Tanisha retied her loose light-brown hair and leaned in to hear him.

“So the emperor himself summoned me?”
“Yes, he said the count’s discerning eye is absolutely necessary…”

At Elwin Devonshire’s words, Zeppelin pressed his forehead in frustration.

“Can’t you handle this on your end?”
“He said it was a matter far too important for me alone.”

“Damn it.” Zeppelin let out a cold breath.

Elwin clasped his hands together tightly, gauging his master’s mood.

Elwin managed the Devonshire family’s main business—art distribution.
If Zeppelin named a piece, Elwin’s job was to obtain it no matter what.

Zeppelin’s eye for art was something Elwin respected. Never once had a client been dissatisfied with the pieces he procured.

But this request felt strange.
They had dealt with the imperial family before, and Elwin had always handled those matters.

The emperor surely knew that. And yet, this time, he insisted Zeppelin personally obtain the work and remain until it was finished.

“I don’t even have to create it—just commission it. And still I must go in person? And stay until it’s complete?”
“He emphasized again and again that the artist’s identity must not leak. He also said that, in such matters, you have unmatched expertise…”

“Damn it! You should have found some way to refuse! How dare you let things reach this point?”

Zeppelin hurled a paperweight at Elwin. The solid emerald weight struck Elwin square on the forehead.

He staggered back, clutching his bleeding brow, then rose again. He didn’t even tend to the wound, too fearful of Zeppelin’s wrath.

“Rebecca is sick right now! What if something happens while I’m away?” Zeppelin roared, unable to contain himself.

“S-sorry…” Elwin bowed, wiping the blood away.

Seeing the red smeared across Elwin’s hand, Zeppelin scowled.

“Before you bleed on the carpet—get out.”
“Then… this matter…”
“I said I’ll handle it. Now get out!”

Elwin bowed repeatedly, then left the room.
The maids rushed to tend his wound—not out of concern for him, but to keep even a drop of blood from staining the mansion, as if the place itself were more precious than its people.

Elwin trembled with fury.

Strictly speaking, Elwin was Zeppelin’s uncle. But he couldn’t protest even after such humiliation.
Because Zeppelin had kidnapped his daughter, Charlotte.

Don’t meddle unnecessarily. I’ll raise Charlotte well. Don’t worry. As long as you do your job, nothing will happen to her.

Elwin sighed heavily.

Whenever he achieved results, Zeppelin would reward him with censored letters and photographs of Charlotte. Thankfully, she looked well in the photos.
But that didn’t stop him from burning with anxiety every night.

Charlotte… where are you…?

Weighed down, he walked on, fearing this new mission might put his daughter in danger.

“Uncle, hello?”

A clear voice greeted him in the lobby. He froze when he saw the speaker.

“Rebecca?”
“Oh my, your forehead… Ah, you must have seen him.”

Elwin looked at her seated in a wheelchair and suddenly understood why Zeppelin’s temper had been so foul lately.

“I’d heard you were hurt, but I didn’t realize it was this bad…”
“It’s fine, it’s not some incurable disease. But you, coming here like this—something urgent, I suppose?”

“Ah, well…”

Her gentle tone loosened his tongue, but the sharp eyes watching from every corner made him clamp it shut again.

His palms sweated. Whenever he came here, it felt like the walls themselves were watching.
This mansion was a devil’s lair, and Rebecca was the devil’s most treasured jewel.

“I-I misspoke. Don’t worry about it, just rest,” he stammered, then fled.

Behind him, Rebecca called out cheerfully:
“Please send my regards to Auntie!”

He turned back to see her smiling brightly, waving.

Was she always that radiant…?

After Elwin left, Rebecca summoned Kanna and gestured toward the door.

“Find out what that was about.”
Kanna nodded silently.

“The emperor made the request?”
“Yes. I don’t know the details, only that the count will be gone quite a while.”
“If it was Uncle, then it must be about art. But what could possibly require Zeppelin himself?”

As Rebecca pondered, Kanna asked cautiously:
“Don’t you think the timing is… too perfect?”
“Exactly. It makes me want to cheer.”
“Shall I look into any suspicious movements?”
“No. I already have a guess who’s behind it.”

Rebecca recalled her recent meeting with Julian.

Really? Then just find something to keep Zeppelin so busy he can’t set foot in the mansion. Then I’ll be free to move about as I please.

She remembered Julian falling into thought at her words… and the determined expression that followed.

She hadn’t expected him to rope in the emperor himself.
But still, Julian was impressively resourceful for his age.

Rebecca smiled faintly and told Kanna:
“Zeppelin’s going to be very busy for a while, isn’t he?”
“Most likely, yes.”
“Perfect. It’ll be easier to slip out.”

“By the way, I received this note on the way back. They insisted I deliver it to you.”
“To me?”

Rebecca unfolded the slip Kanna handed her.

<This is the proxy president. The merchant guild office is ready, please visit at your convenience.>

An address was written below.

“How did they know you, Kanna?”
“That’s what I don’t understand. Only Robert knows I serve as your right hand.”
“Then either it’s a trap, or someone very skilled.”
“Will you… go?”

Rebecca tapped the note lightly.
“Hmm, yes. I have other business there too.”

“….”
“Why that face?”
“I’m afraid, my lady.”
“Of what?”
“That one day, acting so recklessly, you might not come back.”

Rebecca gazed gently at Kanna’s downcast brows.
She must be remembering the day Rebecca had thrown herself down the stairs.

Rebecca cupped Kanna’s cheeks in her hands. Her skin flushed rosy under the touch.

“Kanna, don’t worry. I have no intention of dying. In fact, I want to live more than ever.”

She paused, then added firmly:
“Even if I do die one day, it won’t be now.”

Kanna’s lips curved faintly, somewhat reassured, though unease lingered.
She couldn’t shake the fear that Rebecca might one day leave her behind in death.
Still, her premonitions rarely came true. So she carefully savored Rebecca’s warmth.

At lunch, silence reigned. Even Alicia, usually so chatty, kept her mouth shut and focused only on her food.

The bold woman who once clashed with Fabiola was gone, replaced by a meek and proper wife.

Rebecca stared in shock.
Zeppelin had been “educating” Alicia for less than a month.

What in the Hall of Light could terrify the hounds so much, and turn arrogant Alicia into this docile creature?

Finishing his meal, Zeppelin dabbed his lips with a napkin.

“Rebecca, I’ll be away for a while. If anything happens, tell the head maid. And Alicia, if you’re planning mischief, give up.”

Alicia smiled sweetly, stroking her slightly swollen belly.
“Yes, my lord. I’ve decided to become a virtuous wife for the sake of my child.”

“Good. Seems my efforts paid off. Even beasts can be made useful with proper training. Rebecca, you’ll behave while I’m gone, won’t you?”

At the word “beast,” Alicia’s brows twitched faintly. But she quickly hid it, popping a dainty dessert into her mouth.

Rebecca glanced at her refined gesture, then reluctantly nodded.

“Excellent. While I earn money outside, what will my lovely wives do for fun?”

Though he must be seething inside over the emperor’s summons, Zeppelin appeared calm.

Rebecca longed to laugh in his face but instead kept her composure.

With the loveliest of smiles, she replied—watching his expression soften:

“The sun isn’t too strong today. I thought I’d try painting in the garden. You can look forward to seeing the result.”