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Chapter : 35
“I think so,” Julie said.
Edward was quiet for a moment, then opened the box and wrapped the gold chain around his finger, looking bored as he mumbled, “What makes you say that?”
When Julie saw the big sapphire on the end of the chain, she accidentally gasped. Edward frowned, so she quickly looked down at her report.
“It’s because… the marquis’s aide, Menson, has suddenly disappeared. It’s suspicious.”
Edward nodded. “Wasn’t he the one who handled all the dirty work for the marquis?”
“…Yes.”
Julie’s face tensed up—she thought her situation was similar to Menson’s. Edward rubbed his finger joints and asked, “Does Marcus know that Marquis Nomen is behind the Minister of Finance?”
“Yes. They must know by now, especially since the attacks have gotten worse lately.”
“They would, considering how much money he’s spent.”
Julie had heard that the wife and daughter of Duke Lofex, the Emperor’s right hand, were addicted to shopping and buying new things. Even though Duke Lofex was famous for being honest, his family spent a lot. Where did all that money come from?
Edward thought,
If the emperor doesn’t support Marcus, he’ll be at a disadvantage. But that’s fine with me. The emperor always hated the desert tribes anyway.
I don’t care what happens to Marcus. But…
Julie guessed that Anna was still hiding at Marcus Manor. Edward thought the same. He played with the sapphire necklace in his hand like a cat with a string, humming to himself.
“You’ve hidden long enough, Anna. It’s time for you to come out.”
Julie stared at the jewel in his hand. The sapphire necklace was surrounded by little diamonds, shining brightly with every movement. Her eyes grew dark.
Of course, this necklace isn’t for me…
She thought of the day a few days ago when she had been with Edward. Maybe that’s why she felt so foolish for dreaming about something that could never be hers.
She remembered her own eyes in the mirror: a dull blue with a bit of gray, like the sky after rain. They were nothing like Anna’s perfect blue eyes, the ones Edward loved.
Julie dug her nails hard into her other hand, not even noticing the blood. She remembered the first time she met Edward—it felt like yesterday.
The Countess of Haimel had donated a lot of money to a school for poor girls to show her generosity. One day, she came to visit the school to see how her money was being used.
Julie was chosen as the best student to show off to the countess. She was smart, logical, and calm, a perfect example for the school.
That morning, Julie was washed roughly with a stiff brush in freezing water and forced into a dress that didn’t fit. She barely had time to pull up her socks before being dragged to the school’s front gate.
Do I really have to greet some shallow noble just because she decided to be nice for once? she thought.
But even though she resented it, Julie was proud of her brain and told herself never to sell her pride for money.
Then, at that moment, she saw someone she’d never forget.
Edward was getting out of the carriage behind his mother. Everyone’s attention was on the countess, but Julie only saw Edward.
[Is it this girl?] the countess asked.
The countess looked at Julie with a flat expression. Julie quickly greeted her just as she’d been taught, then stole a glance at Edward. He looked bored and only glanced at Julie before turning to stare at the school.
[So this is the heir to the Haimel family,] Julie thought, impressed by his looks.
Even when the school headmaster praised Julie, Edward didn’t care. But his words changed Julie’s fate.
[Anyone can make a donation,] Edward said. [But if you really want to prove you have vision, take care of the person you support and help them succeed.]
[That’s not a bad idea,] the countess replied.
After that, Julie became the countess’s assistant.
[You always work so hard,] the countess would say.
Living at the Haimel mansion, Julie often made mistakes and was punished by the countess, but Edward was always kind to her. Whenever she was hurt or alone, he would comfort her with soft words.
It was only natural for Julie to fall in love with him.
But Julie knew her place, so she hid her feelings for years. Fate, however, was never kind to her. Edward soon realized that she loved him.
After that day, Edward changed.
“What are you daydreaming about?” Edward asked.
Julie jumped in surprise and quickly looked down. Edward glared at her.
He clicked his tongue. “What’s it like at Marcus Manor?”
“Ah…” Julie pushed her hair behind her ear and answered, “I haven’t been able to plant anyone inside yet.”
“Still? Why not?” Edward frowned deeply, and Julie shrank back.
“The servants are all from the same region, so they’re very close. Also, they don’t let any new people into the inner area.”
“So even if you tried, it would be useless.” Edward slammed his fist down in anger. He remembered Raiden Marcus’s reaction at the opera house—Anna must be hiding deep inside the castle.
“It’ll take time. But…” Julie started to say something but stopped.
Edward was tapping his heel on the carpet, holding back his temper. “What is it?”
“I’m not sure, but it seems like there’s another group targeting Marquis Marcus.”
Some boys from the slums had brought her news of strange activity in the capital, with people apparently aiming at Marcus Manor. She was sure they weren’t working for Marquis Nomen.
How could someone who just arrived in the capital already have so many enemies? Julie thought.
“It’s not that surprising. Rising from a commoner to that position can’t have been easy,” Edward snorted, and Julie nodded silently. She considered mentioning that the suspicious group was connected to the finance minister, but decided not to—she hadn’t been told to investigate that far.
Still, her instincts told her this was important.
Just then, there was a knock at the door and the butler called out, “Young master, the madam is waiting for you. Please hurry.”
Before the butler finished speaking, Edward’s face twisted in anger.
“Damn it.”
Julie stayed perfectly still, knowing how dangerous Edward could be when he was angry.
Edward took a deep breath to control himself. Even he knew it was a bad idea to anger his mother, who now controlled everything in the family.
But that only mattered as long as their interests matched.
“Julie, you’re smart. Do you know what this means?” he said, standing up and straightening his jacket.
Julie answered carefully, “What do you mean?”
Edward’s expression softened for some reason as he walked over to the fireplace. He looked into the mirror and fixed his hair, then muttered cheerfully,
“Sometimes it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.”
Julie was speechless. She watched as Edward whistled and left the room.
Now alone, Julie could clearly imagine the countess returning and taking out her anger on her.
Feeling weak, she gripped the back of the sofa. The report in her hand crumpled.
“…Ah.”
Finally, she remembered what she had been thinking before the butler interrupted.
The group targeting Marquis Marcus…
She hugged the report to her chest.
This is important. I’ll have to look into it myself, even if I’m alone.
