Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Misunderstanding?
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“Misunderstanding?”
Leonard raised an eyebrow.
“You went out of your way to bend imperial law just to let my daughter stay in the Tower of Silence.”
“…….”
“And whenever the nobles proposed even slightly excessive punishments, you flew into a rage and shot them down.”
“Ah, right. I did that.”
Lark averted his gaze slightly.
Seeing the suspicious behavior, Leonard pressed on relentlessly, like he was interrogating him.
“Some nobles grumbled that the punishments were too lenient, but honestly, it wasn’t something I could deny. I was the one who had to get angry.”
“…….”
“I’ve been in seclusion for a long time, but I’ve heard a little about Your Highness from my eldest son. They say you’re the almighty imperial heir who actually guards against dictatorship with your upright nature…….”
“…….”
“That’s why you’re more lenient than anyone with the noble bureaucrats. You never pressure them with words. You never crush them with power.”
A trickle of cold sweat ran down Lark’s back.
“And yet, a man like that would abandon his own principles and risk his image just to interfere excessively with the trial outcome…….”
“…….”
“Unless he has feelings for my daughter, what other reason could there be?”
“Hahaha…….”
Lark forced a laugh and lightly shook his head.
“It really is a misunderstanding. As the lead investigator in this case, I’ve looked into everything, and I’m the one person who can be more certain than anyone of the Duchess’s innocence. I just didn’t want her to bear unfair blame.”
“I appreciate the words, but you didn’t need to go so far as to cut into your own flesh to help. I don’t like owing debts.”
Leonard’s eyes were still filled with suspicion.
“And I’m not thrilled about whatever situation might come later where I have to pay it back.”
“…….”
Lark pondered his words inwardly.
‘This is basically... don’t even dream of stealing my daughter after one pathetic act of help.’
Seeing Leonard’s terrifying expression, it seemed like the right interpretation.
“Yes, I understand your point, Duke, but it really is a misunderstanding…….”
Lark, trying to reassure the displeased Leonard, suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
He would continue helping Rubette in the future, and protect her from any potential threats.
If Leonard got upset and interfered every time, that would be a problem.
“Misunderstanding…….”
“…….”
“……or maybe not, honestly.”
“What?”
Lark cleared his throat and feigned ignorance at Leonard’s instantly darkening expression.
“You’re her father, so you’d know best, but the Duchess is quite the charming woman.”
“Listen here, Your Highness.”
“No, well……. Even if she is your daughter, you can’t keep her glued to your side forever. There comes a time to marry her off and see some grandchildren…….”
Leonard’s mouth slowly fell open in shock at Lark’s brazen response.
“Of course, I wouldn’t force it on someone who doesn’t want it, so don’t worry about that.”
“What are you saying? So you’re admitting you do have feelings for my daughter?”
“Ahem.”
Lark patted Leonard’s shoulder lightly a couple of times and quickly made his escape.
“See you later.”
“Hey, Your Highness! Finish what you were saying!”
Lark turned his back, struggling to hold back laughter at Leonard’s uncharacteristic outburst.
‘Feelings, huh.’
He had deliberately let Leonard misunderstand to stay by Rubette’s side more comfortably……
‘Well, it’s not exactly wrong.’
Lark shrugged as Rubette’s face came to mind.
* * *
Servants bustled back and forth between the manor and the carriage, moving my luggage.
I was in the middle of preparing to depart for Lubon.
“This is the aide who’ll assist you in Lubon from now on. Her name’s Siena.”
Viego, who had been hovering with a worried look and giving direct orders to the servants, introduced someone who had just arrived at the manor.
“I’m Siena Tristin, miss. I’ll serve you with all my heart.”
“Oh, nice to meet you. But…….”
Her bold short haircut exposing her ears. A pretty face with an impassive expression. Practical women’s pantsuit for ease of movement.
We hadn’t crossed paths much, but she was familiar—Viego’s capable secretary, Siena.
“……aren’t you Oppa’s secretary? Why to me?”
“How tough would it be for you to manage alone in Lubon? Siena’s competent and sharp; she’ll be a big help to you.”
“Anyone listening would think Lubon was some remote mountain coal mine. You’ll be inconvenienced without Siena right away, Oppa. I’ve got Rebecca, so I’m fine.”
“I’m fine. It’s better if you can live a little more comfortably.”
“No…….”
“Take good care of her. Report to me immediately if anything happens to Rubette.”
Ignoring my attempt to refuse, Viego spoke, and Siena nodded.
He looked utterly resolute, so I just shrugged with a sigh.
“Is Father not coming out? We need to leave soon.”
“I already said goodbye to Appa. We can go right away.”
Father had been sulky the whole way back, unhappy even about a mere one-year confinement so close by.
“Stay in touch.”
And with that single sentence, he’d shut himself in his room again the moment we arrived home.
“Rubette!”
“Rubyyy…….”
“Are you leaving now?”
I shook my head thinking of Father, when annoying voices came thundering down the stairs.
Molga and the twins.
All of them had eyes brimming with tears, looking utterly ridiculous.
“What in the world is this?”
Molga covered her mouth and whimpered, a single tear finally trickling from her eye.
Viego sighed.
“Grandmother, please don’t worry too much.”
“How can I not worry…….”
Wow, Hollywood-level acting skills.
I’d bet my entire bank account that under the hand covering her face, Molga’s mouth was grinning ear to ear.
[We’re saved.]
[Yeah, right.]
Wishit, standing beside me, chuckled via telepathy, and I nodded in agreement with a scoff.
With me, the mad dog who’d barely survived, gone, Molga’s worries wouldn’t be minor.
The days of tormenting her freely were over. Plus, I was a time bomb who might blab to Father.
Me being away from home for a whole year must have been music to her ears.
[She’s got a face full of plans to scheme properly while you’re gone?]
[Tell me about it.]
I shook my head inwardly watching Molga sob and Viego comfort her.
“Rubetteee……. You have to stay in touch, okay?”
“Tell me if there’s anything you want to eat. I’ll send it with the servants.”
The little demons Lillia and Riki chimed in.
“Yeah, take care.”
I flashed a fake kind smile at the devils dreaming vainly of reclaiming this house.
Right about time for this……
“The imperial investigation team has arrived to escort the Duchess.”
“Gasp.”
Here they were. As a maid announced the team’s arrival, Molga wailed louder and hugged me tight.
“How can we send our Rubette off alone to that place!”
“I’m fine, Grandmother.”
I smiled and patted Molga’s arms around me.
The doors opened soon after, and the investigation team poured in. Leading them was the team leader, Lark.
“Duchess, all packed?”
“Yes.”
I answered with the most dejected expression I could muster.
“Good. Everyone, get to work.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“Yes!”
Lark ordered the team he’d brought, and they scattered busily throughout the ducal manor. There were twenty of them.
“……?”
Molga and the twins looked flustered at the investigators settling in like they owned the place.
“Wh-what’s going on? Why are the investigators…….”
“Oh, didn’t anyone tell you, Grand Duchess?”
Lark shrugged nonchalantly and added,
“While the Duchess serves her confinement, twenty of my investigators will be residing in the ducal manor.”
“……? What does that mean?”
“Well, it’s only natural. She’s still a suspect, after all. She could collude with the culprit through the family, or evidence of the crime might remain, so it’s a decision for investigative purposes.”
[Puhahaha……! Look at their faces!]
Wishit peeked at the ashen-faced Molga, clutching his sides in laughter.
“Y-you’re housing investigators in our ducal manor when her guilt isn’t even confirmed?”
“Hm? Didn’t the Duke and Vice Duke already agree to cooperate?”
I put on an innocent I-know-nothing face as Lark turned to Viego.
“It might feel like surveillance and be unpleasant, but these are men I handpicked myself. They’ll focus solely on the investigation without any other oversight, so don’t worry. Thanks for cooperating.”
“Not at all, Your Highness. Cooperation is only natural. Especially to prove Rubette’s innocence.”
“Yes, yes.”
Lark smiled and patted Viego’s shoulder.
Molga’s face, not to mention the twins’, darkened as much as it possibly could.
They’d thought they were saved with the time bomb me gone, but no such luck.
Did I seem crazy enough to leave Molga, who might scheme who-knows-what in my absence, unchecked?
I’d already told Lark about my suspicions regarding our family’s deaths and asked him to protect Father.
“……Can you help? Once I go to Lubon, I can’t watch Grandmother’s moves, and I’m worried about Father too.”
“If your suspicions are true, isn’t the Grand Duchess the criminal herself? It’s not about helping—it’s my duty. I’ll not only surveil but investigate discreetly.”
Mr. Justice-It’s-My-Middle-Name Lark was, of course, outraged and promised to monitor Molga thoroughly while I was away from the capital.
So the investigation team barging into our home now wasn’t really to dig into my charges, but to probe the shady Molga and preempt any funny business.
“This’ll just make Grandmother uncomfortable for no reason…….”
I pouted and tugged at Lark’s sleeve.
“Your Highness, do you really have to go this far?”
“Yes, I do.”
Lark replied firmly, and I let out a soft sigh.
“Our girl did nothing wrong! And this child, she didn’t know what she was doing……, no guilty verdict yet, what is this……!”
“Yes, precisely because we’re more certain than anyone of the Duchess’s innocence, the Duke and Vice Duke agreed so readily to the team, right? I ask the Grand Duchess for your generous cooperation too.”
Molga’s mouth slowly gaped open, speechless before Lark’s beaming smile.
“Grandmother, it’s not because of me…….”
I rushed over, grabbed Molga’s hands, and added with a grin just for her eyes,
“……Sorry?”