🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 26
Edwin’s face was filled with satisfaction all day long after completing the marriage registration.
He was happy—so much so that it was overwhelming.
Time and again, through Dana’s own lips, he confirmed that the two of them were husband and wife.
The dreamlike day shattered in an instant.
It was when he took Dana back home.
As Dana entered the estate, Edwin was endlessly worried.
The count’s family members who had exploited and tormented her were repulsive.
He wanted to bring Dana away and be together with her as soon as possible.
After returning to the Imperial Palace, Edwin immediately gave an order to a servant.
“How did the investigation go?”
The quick-witted servant summoned the aide who had been waiting.
Peter entered Edwin’s room as if he had been expecting the call.
“I pay my respects to His Highness the Third Prince. Aide Peter Milo—”
“That’s enough with the greetings.”
Unlike their first meeting, Edwin’s face was cold.
Confronted with his intimidating expression, Peter cautiously handed over the documents.
“This is the list of loans the Hartwin Count’s family has taken out so far. They borrowed money not only from banks but also through illegal channels.”
“Do they have the ability to repay it?”
“No. However, it appears they used the status of the Imperial Palace administrator’s daughter.”
“Is an administrator’s salary really that generous?”
“Rather than that… it seems they leveraged her verified identity to attract investments here and there. They used that money to pay off debts, then took on new investments elsewhere….”
The more he heard, the more absurd it became.
To them, Dana was nothing more than a tool for money.
Peter pointed to the last page of the documents.
“The final matter is serious.”
“Count Hembern? Did they borrow money from him?”
“Yes. The eldest son, Jamie Hartwin, received a fairly large investment. In exchange, what he was supposed to provide was—”
“…….”
Edwin’s reddened eyes looked as if they might burst into flames as he reviewed the document.
His eyes, brimming with rage, gleamed fiercely.
“Handing over Dana Hartwin to Count Hembern….”
“It seems he intends to take her in as his third wife. This was information obtained through a covert investigation at an illegal gambling den operated by the count.”
Edwin’s face gradually became expressionless.
That emotionless face was even more chilling than before.
“Should I just burn them all to the ground…?”
At the icy tone, Peter flinched.
What was contained in that quiet voice was unmistakably murderous intent.
Edwin remained lost in thought for a while.
As his long fingers tapped on the desk, Peter could not say a word.
To Peter, who was even careful with his breathing, a low voice finally reached him.
“Find an estate. Near the Imperial Palace.”
What did that mean?
At the sudden instruction, Peter looked at Edwin with a bewildered expression.
“It’s where newlyweds will live, so the interior needs attention as well.”
Separating Dana from them was the top priority.
It seemed best to secure a residence before revealing his true identity.
Edwin continued.
“And it would be nice if it were full of flowers.”
“So… you’re saying to purchase an estate?”
“Yes. Is that difficult?”
There was not the slightest hesitation on Edwin’s face as he said it.
The moment Peter showed any sign of reluctance, it felt as though he might be replaced with another aide.
“No! I can do it!”
Peter answered with a resolute expression.
“Coincidentally, my parents run a real estate business.”
“Good. I’d like it to be a white estate.”
“Understood. If you give me a week—”
“One day should be enough, shouldn’t it?”
“…….”
“Somewhere luxurious, clean, cozy, and classical.”
“……I see. You mean the budget doesn’t matter.”
The sharp-minded Peter immediately understood.
No matter how much money it took, he was to produce the best possible result.
First, I’ll have to purchase a suitable estate. Flowers can always be planted later… furniture will have to be bought ready-made, though.
Peter’s mind worked rapidly.
“If necessary, you may move items from the prince’s palace.”
“Understood. I’ll do my utmost.”
“Before that, stop by the Imperial physicians and take some stamina potions.”
“Are you unwell, Your Highness?”
At that, Edwin looked at Peter as if he were pathetic.
“They’re for you.”
Peter’s eyes widened.
Stamina potions consumed by royalty were on a completely different level from ordinary ones.
To give such high-grade potions to him…
“Thank you!”
“Share them with your family.”
“My family as well…!”
With tears welling in his eyes, Peter repeatedly expressed his gratitude.
Edwin dismissed him as if annoyed.
Giving him the potions was purely to make him move quickly and secure the estate.
Late at night, coarse laughter echoed from a men’s tailor shop.
“Is the wedding ceremonial attire coming along well?”
Count Hembern asked the designer.
“Yes, of course. Just as you instructed—extremely flashy! It’s finished.”
“Good. That’s how it should be.”
The designer’s obsequious attitude was very satisfying.
Soon after, the shop staff brought out the count’s ceremonial attire.
Jewels embedded in the deep blue fabric glittered excessively.
Vivid primary colors and golden embroidery asserted their presence to an overwhelming degree.
It looked like an outfit meant solely to flaunt wealth, having completely abandoned any sense of aesthetics.
“Not bad.”
As the count smiled in satisfaction, the flesh beneath his chin folded.
When he tilted his head to the side, an attendant presented a heavy pouch of money.
It was the payment for the completed attire.
The designer accepted it with a grin.
Then, after cautiously gauging the mood, he spoke.
“Have you decided on the bride’s wedding dress? As it happens, my wife makes dresses at the shop next door—”
A deep crease formed between the count’s brows.
“The bride’s dress will be something off the rack, prepared roughly. A woman shouldn’t be extravagant.”
“……A most reasonable statement!”
Despite covering his own outfit in gold thread and jewels, he was extremely strict with the bride.
With an unhappy expression, the designer twirled his mustache behind the count.
A considerable amount of fabric had already been used due to the count’s physique.
The count wanted to hide his sagging belly.
To disguise his short stature, the heels of his shoes also had to be newly made higher.
Even so, whenever extra charges were mentioned, he would fly into a rage.
Suppressing his irritation, the designer forced a smile.
“My lord, shall you try on the completed attire now?”
“Very well.”
“I’ll have the staff bring your shoes as well.”
Ignoring the request to wait a moment, the count entered the fitting room.
True to a shop that catered to nobles, the fitting room was extremely spacious.
He wanted to put on the glittering attire as soon as possible.
In his impatience, the count hastily stripped off his clothes.
And just as he reached out toward the attire hanging behind him—
“How ostentatious.”
An extremely low voice echoed.
The count frowned and turned around.
“…Who are you?”
A blond, handsome man stood there holding his ceremonial attire.
The man’s dazzling looks and imposing presence made even the count hesitate.
“Have you never considered that if you wear something like this, the bride will be so embarrassed she’ll run away?”
“Are you a staff member here? How rude!”
The count raised his arm to strike him.
The man—no, Edwin—caught his arm and twisted it in one motion.
“Aaaargh!”
The count’s arm bent at an unnatural angle.
“You’re loud.”
Edwin ripped off the count’s wig and stuffed it into his mouth.
Then he raised his other hand.
Flames soon appeared above Edwin’s palm.
The count’s eyes went wide.
What… what just happened…?
“Mm—mmph!”
“I tried to endure it for my wife’s sake…”
“Mmph!”
“But I just can’t control it. I need to vent my anger.”
A muffled cry of shock burst from the count’s mouth, blocked by the wig.
The flames grew larger and larger.
Sweat ran down the count’s body from the intense heat.
Perhaps it was cold sweat.
Without any hesitation, Edwin reached for the ceremonial attire.
In an instant, flames spread across the garment.
The burning clothes began to lose their shape and twist.
The blackened fabric was left in tatters.
It was in such a state that it couldn’t even be used as a rag.
Looking at the completely ruined attire, Edwin withdrew the flames.
All of this happened in an instant.
Very quietly.
The count couldn’t say a word.
That fire might consume him next.
Edwin leisurely looked over the naked Count Hembern.
The count was wearing only his undergarments, having been in the middle of changing.
“You look cold, Count Hembern.”
Edwin slowly approached him,
a crooked smile on his lips.
The count shook his head violently without realizing it.
He staggered backward.
“I’ll warm you up.”
At those words, flames surged once more from Edwin’s hand.
