Chapter 164
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 164
The news that the Emperor had personally interrogated Albert Kingsley and thrown him into the dungeons spread through Genoa like wildfire, with every sordid detail splashed across the newspapers.
Among the reports, what truly seized the public’s imagination was the account of the ‘Angelic Party.’
「…Regardless of whether they were married or single, no matter how well-bred or educated the scions of our prominent families claimed to be, once aboard that ship, they were nothing more than beasts consumed by depravity…」
「…Inside the brazenly named vessel, the ‘Kingdom,’ a single dose of <Angelic> cost nearly 100 Dirham. Entertainment expenses ranged from a thousand to tens of thousands. While common families of four struggle to survive a week on 100 Dirham, these nobles squandered exorbitant fortunes on nothing more than fleeting, illicit pleasure…」
「…The client list is currently a closely guarded secret, but courageous informants are slowly bringing the truth to light. Among the names are some of the most prominent figures in High Society…」
The scale of the drug-fueled parties was beyond anything the public had imagined, and the story became the sole topic of conversation overnight. It was as if a public enemy had finally been unmasked.
"See? The rich are always the filthiest."
"They acted so high and mighty, but they’re more sordid than any of us, aren't they?"
"What happened to all their talk of honor and refinement!"
As the Angelic Party became a target of absolute condemnation among commoners and aristocrats alike, people scrambled to prove they had never set foot on that ship. It was clear to everyone that being exposed as a passenger of the ‘Kingdom’ would not only shatter marriages and engagements but lead to permanent expulsion from High Society.
Those who had actually been clients could only hold their breath, lying low in the hopes that the storm would eventually pass.
However, the Imperial Family showed them no mercy.
"It seems His Majesty is quite determined," Edgar said, setting down the newspaper he had been skimming. "They’ve finally tracked down several of the ship’s clients and summoned them as witnesses."
Albert had been confident he could conceal the identities of his clients for two reasons. First, the clients were essentially his accomplices and would never dare reveal the ship’s secrets. Second, since everyone wore masks, it was impossible to be entirely certain of anyone’s identity.
But the Imperial Family, as if scoffing at such naive logic, had begun summoning ‘suspected clients’ under the guise of a ‘witness investigation.’
"Once they are presented with evidence or pressed for an alibi, they’ll eventually crack. It’s only a matter of time before the identities of every client are uncovered."
People easily fall into self-pity, and in these circles, that inevitably led to a single thought: It’s unfair if I’m the only one going down.
"You and I both expected this," Cedric replied. "We knew it would cause a massive stir."
"That’s true. Still, it’s frightening. There’s going to be a relentless string of broken engagements and divorces…"
"That is a trifle. It doesn't compare to matters of life and death."
Cedric finished reading the documents detailing the condition of those rescued from the ship and their future treatment plans, then set them aside.
However, as Edgar noted, the problems individuals faced were not to be taken lightly either—especially for someone who had stepped into that mire specifically for him.
「I require Your Grace’s advice regarding my presence on ‘that ship.’ Might you spare a moment of your time?
- Harriet Listerwell」
Cedric, who had received Harriet’s letter around noon, immediately sent word for her to come as soon as possible. When Harriet arrived late that afternoon, a cloud of distress hung over her face.
"You said you needed advice."
"Yes. Nothing has happened yet, but I feel I must prepare in advance," Harriet stammered, finding it difficult to speak before finally forcing the words out. "Young Master Tez Roark knows that I was on the ‘Kingdom.’ And he is currently helping Bella. I imagine rumors that I was a passenger will start circulating soon."
Cedric merely nodded slowly, waiting for her to continue.
Harriet’s expression grew even more pained. "Shouldn’t we reconsider our plan? My reputation is about to hit rock bottom. If I am associated with you, it could create a backlash against Your Grace as well."
Only then did Cedric raise his eyes to look at her directly.
"So, Miss Harriet… you aren't afraid of your own reputation being destroyed, but rather that I might suffer for it?"
"Oh, no, well—I’m worried about everything, of course."
He chuckled, a sound that was half-dumbfounded and half-exasperated. "In the entire Astor Empire, you are likely the only person who underestimates me to such a degree."
"What? M-me? Why?"
"You see me as someone who, even upon witnessing a benefactor’s plight, would be preoccupied only with protecting his own skin, don't you?"
"What? I never thought that!"
Cedric shook his head. "If that were the case, you should be demanding to know what I intend to do for you now."
"I just…"
"I know. I know there was no ill intent. But I am a little disappointed. It makes me wonder if I truly seem so untrustworthy to you."
"Oh, no, that’s not it at all…"
Though teasing Harriet was amusing, he decided to stop there. This earnest young lady was the type to take his words literally and fall into a spiral of serious contemplation.
Cedric shifted the atmosphere, setting down his teacup with a soft clink.
"Do not worry about a thing. If your name is mentioned, I will immediately announce the matter of the brooch. You will not be a degenerate socialite; you will be a patriot who risked her life to board that ship to recover a keepsake for the Empire’s hero."
The only reason he hadn't done so already was because Harriet had been against it, fearing how the public might misinterpret her actions.
"As I’ve said before, I don't wish for such recognition."
"Since you retrieved Rowan Kailas’s keepsake, such a reward is only natural. Edgar was also on that ship, so he will vouch for you."
Harriet’s eyes widened until it looked as if they might pop out. "Young Master Dawson was there too? To find the brooch…?"
"Indeed. Though he wasn't much help."
"Hah… I really did something pointless, didn't I?" Harriet covered her face with both hands, mortified by her own recklessness. She still couldn't understand what had possessed her to do something so dangerous.
Cedric watched her burrowing into her own embarrassment with an amused expression. The fact that Harriet herself couldn't explain her actions made him wonder if some irrational emotion had underpinned her impulsive decision.
His hand reached out to touch her cheek, but he paused, then retreated. Harriet could afford to be impulsive, but he had to remain absolutely cool-headed until he had won her over completely.
"It was not pointless. You retrieved that brooch for me without shedding a drop of blood. If I had my way, I’d announce it to the entire Empire. To be honest, I almost wish your name would come up in this matter…"
Harriet’s expression shifted into a look that clearly asked, Are you picking a fight with me? He found it endlessly charming.
"In my opinion, however, your name likely won't be mentioned."
He said this with nearly ninety percent certainty, but Harriet only looked at him with confusion. Cedric smiled, finding her honesty adorable.
"Since you’ve been involved with him quite frequently, I did some investigating. Tez Roark is not the type of man to do anything that puts him at a disadvantage."
Harriet still looked doubtful.
"For him to testify that you were on that ship would be tantamount to confessing that he was on it as well. Do you think he would make such a choice in this climate?"
"Ah…! But his mask wasn't that large. Everyone probably knew it was Young Master Roark, didn't they?"
"He only has to insist it wasn't him. Count Roark will smooth over an incident like that for his son."
Cedric shrugged. Harriet still hadn't grasped the implication—that he had investigated Tez Roark specifically because of her. The path of his unrequited love still seemed arduous.
"Of course, this is just my personal prediction. I could be wrong. Though I hope I’m not."
"I… I hope you’re right. It’s better if things pass quietly, isn't it?"
Seeing that her complexion had brightened since she arrived, it seemed her mind was finally at ease. Cedric spoke to her with genuine sincerity.
"Thank you, truly, once again. You allowed me to preserve my memories of my father."
"You’re welcome… I was just lucky that day. If I had failed, I would have been a great nuisance to Your Grace, wouldn't I?"
"Even that would have made me happy."
"Liar. You were scolding me so much back then."
Instead of blushing, Harriet pouted. Cedric couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Indeed, this woman never reacted the way he expected. And he truly loved that about her.