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~Chapter 6~
“……”
It was time for a real interrogation.
But Rachel, already prepared, opened her mouth without hesitation.
“I met your real son, Your Grace.”
“…!”
“While investigating my fiancé, I came across an interesting story. I doubt anyone noticed me on their side.”
Her pale blue eyes slowly turned toward the head of the table. The duke stared at her in silent shock.
“Your real son?”
“Yes. Do you remember Alisa Podier?”
“…!”
Twenty years ago, the Duke of Valencia’s fiancée had not been Lady Sabannio.
But when Lady Sabannio claimed to be pregnant with the duke’s child, the engagement was broken off.
Afterward, Alisa Podier disappeared, and later, through Aisha Leibling, it was revealed that she, too, had been pregnant.
But hers was the real child of the duke.
Lady Sabannio, who broke off the engagement and married him, had been running a scam. The duke’s shock was immeasurable.
He must have forgotten about interrogating Rachel further.
“…Alisa.”
With a trembling hand to his forehead, the duke asked,
“…How is she?”
In truth, considering the duke’s conduct during his engagement to Alisa Podier twenty years ago, it could be said he deserved this.
But Rachel showed no sign of it and answered calmly.
“Lady Podier settled in Bernoulli Castle. She slipped and died six years ago.”
“…!”
“Her son is working as a mercenary.”
Not just any mercenary, but an extraordinary one.
He earned the title of Mercenary King for the first time in centuries.
A man who had reached a level knights could only dream of, respected even by the emperor.
“…His name?”
“Nathan.”
Confusion flashed in the duke’s troubled eyes.
“No way…”
“Yes. Mercenary King, Nathan.”
“…”
The duke’s lips fell open in astonishment.
A long silence passed.
Rachel stood up. She had said all she needed—there was no reason to stay any longer.
“Then please contact me once you have confirmed everything, Your Grace.”
Next time, they would be discussing the price for this information.
Rachel gave a polite bow and turned to leave. The duke, still lost in shock, said nothing.
Click—
She opened the door and left the office. Out in the hall, Becky and the guards, along with the dismissed butler and Paris, were still waiting.
The butler hurried into the office, and Paris, wearing a grim expression, approached.
“Let’s talk, my lady.”
“…”
If she avoided him here, it would look suspicious.
Since they’d already met, Rachel nodded.
“I won’t be able to spare much time—I have my next appointment.”
“That’s fine. Let’s go to the garden.”
This time, Rachel took his hand without hesitation.
They would break off the engagement soon anyway.
A moment’s discomfort was nothing.
As they entered the garden, their personal attendants and knights fell back at a respectful distance.
Rachel silently looked down at the flowers blooming there. If she had to choose one good thing about this mansion, it was the flowers.
For three months before her regression,
Locked away in the northern building,
The only thing she could see were the flowers swaying outside her palm-sized window—a pastime she’d come to cherish.
“My lady.”
Lifting her gaze slowly, Rachel saw Paris looking down at her, his displeasure obvious. She blinked quietly.
“What did you talk about with my father just now?”
“That’s a secret. But I’ll tell you this—you’ll know everything soon.”
“Soon?”
Once the evidence was checked and verified, the duke would arrest the duchess and Knight Wayne and have Paris’s lineage tested. She had already turned over the evidence, the locations, and even the identity of the real son—things would proceed quickly.
It truly would be soon. Paris frowned and said bluntly,
“Still, it would be better if you told me now.”
“I can’t. Like I said, it’s confidential. But—”
“……?”
Paris looked at her with curiosity. Rachel smiled sincerely.
“When everything is revealed, I promise I’ll come see you.”
This was a lie. But since he had lied to her first, it was only fair—a little revenge.
“…”
Paris’s lips parted soundlessly. He turned away and pressed his hand to his reddening cheek.
“My lady, you seem different today.”
“I’m the same as always.”
“But somehow, you feel more mature…”
He muttered quietly, then cleared his throat, trying to recover his composure. Then, as if something came to mind, he spoke in a lower voice.
“By the way, I noticed you never replied to my letter yesterday. Did something happen?”
“Ah.”
Rachel blinked calmly, not looking the least bit surprised.
“I guess I’ve been tired from wedding preparations lately—I keep forgetting things. I saw your letter last night and meant to reply, but I fell asleep. I’m sorry.”
“Not at all. That can happen.”
Paris scratched his neck awkwardly, then spoke in a more serious tone.
“Still, I hope you realize you’ve been disappointing me quite a bit lately. The wedding is soon, and even if it’s a political marriage, wouldn’t it be best if we got along?”
“…Yes, I suppose so.”
But why did you do what you did?
Rachel agreed only in words. Even so, it was Paris who broke her trust first.
He had known the truth about his birth and never said a word.
And in the end, he abandoned a wife who knew nothing and ran away alone.
When the truth finally came out and she visited him, it would not be empty words.
Then, she would be able to ask the questions she never could before her regression.
“…”
She lowered her gaze. With a subtle signal, Becky came closer and spoke softly.
“Miss…”
“Yes. Paris, I think I have to go now—I have another engagement.”
“I see. That’s a shame, but I understand.”
With a look of regret, Paris took Rachel’s hand.
Smooch—
The moment his lips touched the back of her hand, Rachel involuntarily flinched. Paris smiled.
“We’re getting married soon, and you’re still nervous at this much contact?”
“…It’s just been a while. I’ll be going now.”
“I’ll see you to the door.”
Paris caught her hand as she tried to withdraw it, covering her hand with his. His face, so like the duchess’s in its arrogance, looked oddly cheerful today.
He escorted Rachel all the way to the carriage, waving as she boarded.
“See you next time, Rachel.”
“…”
Rachel just blinked in silence. Once Becky got in and the door closed, the carriage set off. Rachel immediately pulled out her handkerchief.
She carefully wiped the back of her hand, muttering,
“First thing I want to do when I get home is take a bath.”
“I’ll prepare it, Miss.”
Becky was no longer surprised. Instead, she pulled out a handkerchief she carried for Rachel.
“Would you like to wrap your hand in this?”
“….”
Rachel didn’t refuse. She set down the used handkerchief and wrapped her hand in the new one. Meanwhile, Becky folded up the used one to throw away when they reached the house.
“Thank you, Becky.”
“It’s nothing, Miss.”
Soon, the carriage arrived at the Ingrave estate. The butler, having heard the news, was waiting to greet them at the entrance.
“Welcome home, Miss.”
Rachel gave a brief nod and took the escort of the guard to step down. As she started up to her room, the butler spoke.
“Will you be dining in your room again today?”
