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~Chapter 15~
“The young lady is here, my lord.”
“Let her in.”
The door opened. Inside were the Marquess and Marchioness of Ingrave, along with an envoy whose face Rachel vaguely recognized.
‘That’s the Duke’s aide, I think.’
The aide—Geeks—rose from his seat and bowed.
“Greetings, Lady Ingrave. I am Geeks Emelora, aide to the Duke of Valencia.”
“Hello, Sir Emelora.”
“Please, just call me Geeks.”
Rachel glanced at her parents, then took a seat on the single sofa beside them. Outwardly, her parents looked annoyed, but—
Having been their daughter for so long, Rachel could tell: they were actually pleased by what they’d just heard.
“We should inform the young lady as well. This is the compensation Valencia will pay Ingrave for the broken engagement. And here are the dissolution documents.”
Rachel checked the documents Geeks handed her. The Duke had been generous—reimbursing every expense for the engagement and wedding, plus offering a ruby mine as compensation.
There were also various rights and business deals beneficial to House Ingrave.
‘So this was it.’
Valencia had managed to save face with such a grand gesture. Geeks opened to the final page of the dissolution contract.
“Look these over, and if you sign here, that will be all.”
“All right.”
As Rachel read through the documents, her father’s dissatisfied voice broke in.
“Compensation is all well and good, but I didn’t expect the Duke to handle this matter so remotely. I thought he’d at least come in person.”
Geeks bowed respectfully.
“The Duke is extremely busy at the moment, as you can imagine. Once this business is fully concluded, he will arrange a meeting with you in person.”
“Hm, I suppose there’s no helping it. But do let the Duke know—it would be a shame to end all ties with Valencia here, especially when our Rachel did so much to bring this affair to light.”
“……”
Rachel paid no mind and carefully checked the dissolution documents. Everything was in order. All she had to do was sign and submit them to the imperial registry.
Paris Valencia
Right next to his familiar signature—
Rachel wrote her own name and stamped her seal. She slid the completed documents to the aide.
“All done.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
The aide checked the papers and gathered them up, then stood.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave. The Duke has ordered that all engagement matters be settled today.”
The Marquess nodded.
“Yes, the sooner the better in these affairs. Thank you for your trouble, Sir Geeks.”
“My pleasure.”
Just as the aide bowed, Rachel stood as well.
“I think I’ll go now too. I woke up early today and I’m not feeling well.”
The Marquess, watching her quietly, nodded.
“Yes, go on.”
Rachel dipped her head politely, then turned away. Becky and the aide, Geeks Emelora, followed her out of the drawing room.
Once outside, with the butler closing the door, Rachel turned to the aide.
“Since we’re out, Sir Emelora, may I escort you to the door?”
“It would be an honor, my lady.”
Rachel didn’t avoid his offered hand. Valencia still made her uneasy, but…
After meeting with the duke, the mercenary king, and even her own parents, perhaps she was just a little more accustomed now. Being this close to someone, though her stomach churned a bit, was at least tolerable.
With his escort, Rachel walked slowly across the estate. Looking back, she noticed that, aside from Becky, the knights and Valencia’s men were following from a respectful distance.
“You’re sharp, my lady. To be honest, I thought there was a good chance I wouldn’t see you today.”
Rachel glanced up at him, then looked forward again.
“It’s basic etiquette for a noble who’s debuted in society. Besides, the Duke mentioned he’d be sending his aide.”
“Of course. And this is what the Duke instructed me to deliver to you.”
He handed her a thick envelope. Rachel naturally let go of his hand and opened it.
Deed of a residence
Deed of a diamond mine
Diamond trade contract
The aide explained in a low voice:
“The Valencia trading company currently handles all distribution and sales from the diamond mine. You’re free to use any other trading firm, of course, but if you ever need assistance, our company can discreetly manage distribution, sales, and payment for you. You can collect your share from the company at any time. Here is the contract.”
Rachel checked the papers as he spoke. The diamond mine was even larger than the ruby mine from earlier.
The trading company was Cheshire, one of the most reputable in the empire.
The contract was flawless. Not even a commission fee was deducted—it was unilaterally favorable to her.
But—
“…What’s this?”
Rachel lifted the unfamiliar property deed.
It was a two-story house in the far southeast corner of the empire, with an attached illustration showing a beautiful building perched on a seaside cliff.
The aide lowered his voice further.
“It’s a message from the Duke, in case you ever need a place to hide. If you ever do, just notify the trading company.”
“…!”
“Of course, if you don’t need it, you can just use it as a villa—or sell it. The house is on a seaside cliff, with a magnificent view, my lady.”
For a moment, Rachel recalled the look on the Duke’s face whenever she’d made secret requests—when she’d insisted on compensation her parents didn’t know about, when she’d wanted to keep her distance from Valencia even after being helped.
Had he thought she was planning to run away?
“….”
…It might be helpful, but if I ever have to run far enough to abandon my noble life, I wouldn’t want the Duke’s help. Not then.
“Perhaps the Duke misunderstood my intentions. That wasn’t what I meant.”
“Very well, I’ll tell him so.”
“Just let him know I’ll make good use of the villa.”
They had reached the entrance hall. Rachel handed the documents to Becky. Outside, the servants were preparing Valencia’s carriage.
An easy silence fell between them. The knights resumed their usual distance. Rachel didn’t bother to step outside.
“Shall we say goodbye here?”
“A fine idea.”
The aide bowed deeply.
“Lady Ingrave, you are a great benefactor to Valencia. I hope someday I can repay this debt.”
“It would be better for me if you never have to.”
“Haha, that’s true. Then I wish you peace, always.”
As the aide turned away, Rachel called softly,
“Before that man is sent to the imperial palace, please let me know. I’d prefer to meet him at the duke’s residence.”
“…Of course, my lady.”
After a moment’s pause, he bowed again and left. Rachel lingered there for a while, watching as her family’s carriage pulled in to replace those departing.
Today, of all days, she had no desire to see her younger sister.
“Let’s go.”
“You must be hungry, my lady. I’ve already told the kitchen to have a meal ready the moment you get home.”
“Really? Becky, you’re the best.”
Rachel smiled as she headed upstairs. As she disappeared from view, Illya Ingrave—just stepping out of the carriage—watched her with wavering eyes.
While Rachel enjoyed a warm, freshly prepared lunch in her room…
…the imperial palace of Olcia was frozen under an icy tension. The Duke of Sabarnio, summoned at dawn, had been forced to kneel in the throne room for hours.
