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Chapter 41
“I don’t know what the laws here are like, but just how serious must their crime be for you to treat a noble—no, a person—that way? I want a proper investigation conducted.”
Even from the murmurs of the servants, it seemed unusual for a noble to be thrown into prison right away without question.
At Lucy’s earnest expression, a soft smile formed on Lucas’s lips.
“That’s much better.”
“…Sorry?”
At his sudden remark, Lucy gave him a puzzled look.
“It feels like you don’t regard me with the same harsh suspicion as before.”
Embarrassed at his words, Lucy quickly averted her gaze.
“Oh, that’s right! I’ll give you back the brooch.”
As if she had only just remembered, Lucy pulled the brooch from her bosom and held it out to him.
“It’s not time to return it yet. I gave it to you to use whenever you truly needed help. But instead of for yourself, you used it for others. So, please, keep it.”
Lucy felt his words were unreasonable.
“I’ve already received more help than I deserve. More than enough, in fact. I don’t need it anymore!”
Her firm words made Lucas feel once again as if she were drawing a line between them, and he couldn’t help but feel a little hurt.
“I haven’t yet done any of the things you actually asked of me. So, there’s no need to thank me just yet.”
With a gentle look, he gazed straight at her.
“Please, keep the brooch until the matter you entrusted me with is fully resolved.”
The moment their eyes met, Lucy’s heart started pounding recklessly again. Flustered, she quickly cast her gaze downward—only to freeze.
Through the neat uniform, she could see the outline of his chest muscles straining as though the buttons might burst.
Unconsciously, she stared and swallowed hard.
‘His face looks so mild, but his chest is absolutely furious!’
“I’ll send someone to keep you updated on the progress of the case. If they are truly innocent, they’ll be released soon. So don’t worry too much.”
Lucas’s calm reassurance finally snapped Lucy out of her wandering thoughts.
‘Pull yourself together, Lucy!’
Mistaking her flustered expression for anxiety, Lucas continued to comfort her with kind words until the end.
Back at the mansion, the butler greeted her with a worried look.
“I’m sorry to have worried you. Actually, I know someone in the Security Forces, so I asked them to look into the count’s case a little.”
At her excuse, the butler’s face brightened.
“Oh, is that so!”
“But… please don’t expect too much.”
Lucy added quickly, afraid of giving him false hope.
‘Now that the butler knows, he’ll surely report to the countess that I went to the Security Forces. That makes it even trickier to explain…’
After changing clothes, Lucy went to see Lady Meriel.
“My dear, is Heri still so busy? Without him, the house feels far too quiet.”
Seeing the worry etched on Meriel’s face pained Lucy’s heart.
“Mother, the trading company must be keeping him terribly occupied. But once he’s back, you know he’ll be storming around the mansion as noisily as ever. So don’t worry.”
Forcing a bright smile, Lucy hugged her. She stayed by her side, holding her hand until she fell asleep, silently praying that both Count Rayford and Heyris would return safely.
Her prayers seemed to be answered.
Late that night, just as Lucy was about to drift off, commotion arose outside.
Rushing downstairs, she saw Count Rayford and Heyris being supported inside—and gasped, clapping both hands over her mouth.
“Oh, heavens…”
They looked so battered it was a wonder they could even walk.
Their clothes were soaked in blood, and their faces were so swollen and cut it was almost unbearable to look at them.
Overcome by the sight, Lucy burst into tears. She wasn’t the only one—the whole household who witnessed their state wept.
‘Lord Lucas, thank you! Thank goodness Lady Meriel is asleep.’
Wiping her tears, Lucy silently gave thanks to him.
The next day, a visitor from the Security Forces arrived. Lucy hurried to the drawing room.
When she entered, a familiar man was waiting.
“Greetings, Lady Diallo. I am Zenon Diecht, chief knight of the Duke of Cretane.”
He was the same knight who had once pulled her back when she had tried to jump from the inn window.
“Hello. Back then… thank you.”
Remembering that shameful incident made Lucy flush with embarrassment.
‘If I’d been reckless and jumped, I’d have surely ended up badly hurt again.’
“Ah! You remember. Haha!”
Scratching his head awkwardly, Zenon smiled.
“But, sir, why are you here? I was told you came from the Security Forces.”
“Ah, if I said I came from the Duke’s house, people here might become suspicious. His Highness specifically ordered us to be discreet. That’s why I dressed like this today!”
He spread his arms, showing off his attire. Indeed, unlike before, he was not in knight’s uniform. Instead, he wore a tidy suit with a robe, bearing a crest identical to that of the Security Forces.
“I’ve come to deliver the progress report on Count Rayford’s smuggling charges.”
Just as promised, Lucas had truly kept his word.
“These are the items found aboard the count’s ship…”
Zenon produced a brief document and began explaining one by one.
“…And so, due to insufficient evidence, both the count and his son have been released on parole. Though the investigation isn’t finished, the Security Forces investigators will themselves be punished for conducting coercive interrogations.”
Lucy couldn’t follow every technical term, but she understood enough: the investigation was moving in a favorable direction.
After Zenon left, the butler cautiously approached.
“My lady, why did the Security Forces come? Was it about the master?”
“Yes. The details are still under investigation, but it seems the investigators who interrogated them will be punished for using force.”
Lucy quickly relayed the news, feeling awkward. Being the one to announce it made her uncomfortable.
‘This almost feels like I’m taking credit for something I didn’t do!’
Of course, she had asked for help to ensure a fair investigation, but as Lucas said, if Count Rayford had truly been guilty, he wouldn’t have been released so easily.
“Oh, this is wonderful! The master’s name will surely be cleared soon. This is all thanks to you, my lady! I must go tell the master and mistress right away!”
“Wait, um…”
Before Lucy could stop him, the butler ran off.
She regretted speaking so openly, but still felt secretly relieved that the corrupt investigators would be punished.
For the time being, it was decided to keep Count Rayford and Heyris’s return a secret from Lady Meriel.
Their bodies were still too damaged from the torture for her to see them.
Lucy found herself struggling daily to dissuade Lady Meriel from visiting.
“It’s one thing for my husband, but why is it so impossible even to see Heri?”
“Well… he must still be tied up with the trading company’s affairs…”
For some reason, Heyris’s injuries were far worse than the count’s, making it all the more impossible to show him to Lady Meriel.
As expected, word soon came that the count was asking to see her. Lucy followed the butler to his chamber.
The room, as simple and austere as the count’s personality, was tinged in shades of grey. Both the count and Lady Meriel were waiting inside.
“Come in. Forgive me for receiving you in my room like this, but I hope you’ll understand.”
“Please, don’t call it discourteous. How are you feeling?”
“As you can see, my face is in rough shape, but the rest of me isn’t so bad. Heri, on the other hand, is much worse off…”
Just as he said, his face was covered with scratches and cuts. Unable to look directly at him, Lucy lowered her head slightly.
