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Chapter – 28
“…Such kindness is unnecessary.”
“No, I just hope you’re not unwell.”
It was unilateral—almost overwhelmingly so.
“So, Laviel. Did today’s outing yield any results? Did you discover the answer you were seeking?”
“Somewhat. Thanks to the ring Your Majesty gave me, I was able to hear quite a lot from that man.”
“Even without the ring, you alone would have sufficed. That sort of thing is merely a spice—a little something to whet the appetite. So have confidence. With your pretty face and your wit, you’ve solved everything.”
“…Are you being sincere?”
“Not knowing your own strengths is a sin.”
“…I don’t think I’m that pretty.”
“I didn’t even say that to the Empress. So accept this as a genuine compliment. As I said before, I never lie.”
Before I knew it, the carriage had stopped in front of the mercenary office where we were standing.
“Shall we go?”
“We must. Why, does the night feel lonely?”
“No! It’s just… I was curious if Your Majesty knew everything.”
“Well, perhaps. But don’t try to get anything from me. This mission is to test your abilities. No hints will be given. Now, let’s go.”
With no choice, I stepped back as the Emperor climbed into the carriage and opened the window.
“When I’m with you… I feel I wouldn’t be able to act fairly.”
“Fairly?”
“Yes. Seeing your sullen expression, like a bird caught in the rain, I feel like I’d want to tell you everything.”
What on earth is this man thinking? Is he telling me to support Baron Taylor, or to persuade him to divorce? I cannot tell at all.
“Then, have a good night.”
And just like that, the Emperor left. I watched him for a moment before quickly entering the mercenary office.
It was only a brief outing, but it left me drained. I thought only of going upstairs to rest, when Khan approached me while there were no other visitors.
“Welcome back.”
“I told you not to worry, didn’t I?”
“…I suppose.”
Khan looked me over with concern, checking for any injuries. His gaze naturally fell on the overly large ring on my finger. His mouth opened and closed a few times, as if he wanted to ask about it.
“More importantly, Khan.”
I diverted the conversation to pull his gaze away.
“Yes?”
“Can you verify something for me?”
“What kind of verification? I’ve already done more research on that Chesper fellow.”
That could only be good news.
“Really?”
“Yes. It seems he did have a woman, though I couldn’t find out who…”
“A widow ten years older than Chesper—she must be a countess.”
“So you’ve already obtained the information.”
“She vowed her chastity…”
At that, Khan let out a quiet exclamation of realization.
“Why? Someone comes to mind?”
“Yes. The Countess Asper. Six years ago, after Count Asper passed away, she vowed chastity and met no one.”
“Ah.”
“Now the puzzle finally fits.”
Khan furrowed his brow and nodded.
“Why?”
“Recently, the Countess Asper suffered from some scandal, which led to her being expelled.”
“What…?”
“She was Count Asper’s second wife. The Count had two children with his first wife. It was said that if the second wife remained chaste after his death, she could live out her life as a countess, using the family estate.”
Of course, for information, Khan was invaluable. I nodded appreciatively.
“However, recently, traces of a man were discovered at her home. There had been suspicious circumstances before, but this time the evidence was clear. She was expelled and eventually entered a convent.”
Now the timeline all made sense.
Chesper did not come to Roseni out of love. He had lived off the widow Countess until the money dried up, then turned his attention to Roseni.
“The timing more or less fits.”
“And one more thing: Chesper had a massive debt.”
“Debt…?”
“Yes. He was obsessed with gambling. I heard that even five years ago, when he went on a mission to hunt monsters, it was because of his gambling debts.”
‘If Roseni divorces, she’ll be abandoned by him again. What he seeks isn’t love or a woman—it’s money.’
She would lose the person who loved her all her life and be abandoned by the man she once swore eternal love to.
“This is enough. Thank you.”
“Really? You don’t need more information?”
“No. Thanks to you, it’s no longer necessary.”
“I see.”
Khan looked a little disappointed, but there was no need to dig further about Chesper. Now, all that remained was persuasion.
All information obtained, my next task was to visit Baron Taylor. A week after the previous visit, I went alone.
“Have you come?”
Only a few days had passed, but his cheeks looked hollow.
“Did something happen?”
“No.”
It seemed otherwise, but he didn’t look like he wanted to speak, so I didn’t press.
“I shall have tea brought.”
As if he felt the need to offer hospitality, he called a servant who soon returned with tea. Still, neither of us spoke. The servant left after pouring, and we waited silently as our cups filled.
“You’ve come because you wish to speak with me, I assume, Lawyer?”
“Yes, Baron Taylor.”
Where should I start? After a long pause, I summoned the courage.
“Yes?”
“Do you still have no intention of divorcing?”
“…….”
He was different from before. Back then, he had resolutely refused divorce. Now, there was a slightly sorrowful look on his face. His hollow cheeks in a week were probably because of Roseni.
‘Maybe this will work.’
I quickly drank my tea, bowed my head, and addressed the trembling tea in front of him.
“Baron.”
“As for divorce…”
“No. I have a question.”
“…What is it?”
“Has there been any major accident in the past six months to a year?”
“Accident?”
“Yes.”
He gave me a look as if to ask why I would ask that, then thought seriously and nodded.
“Oh. There was a small one.”
“A small one?”
“Yes. The wheels of a carriage I was riding came off—four of them—suddenly.”
“…Ah?”
“Fortunately, all four wheels came off at once, so the carriage just settled without anyone being hurt.”
Even so, that wasn’t normal. If the wheels had come off sequentially, the carriage would have toppled.
“There was also a near-accident where I could have been crushed by the carriage.”
“…I see.”
“Also, I recall inviting acquaintances to a fish dinner. There was a pufferfish, but the poison wasn’t properly removed, and some guests died.”
“…But you were fine?”
“Yes. I had an upset stomach from the previous day’s meal, so I just ate soup while the guests had the main course.”
I could only laugh.
They say some people are lucky, but was this the kind of luck they meant?
“Also, a young, foolish servant once drank my wine and died. I happened to abstain from alcohol that day.”
“You’ve had more than a few near-death experiences…?”
“Yes. I never counted, but now that I think about it, probably a dozen times.”
Listening to him, I couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry—my expression became awkward.
The baron, who had always chatted like a child, seemed to notice my expression and suddenly stiffened.
“Surely… these incidents I’ve endured… aren’t related to my wife, are they…?”
He had noticed.
“…Well…”
“Please tell me.”
