Chapter 109. Unsettling News

Penelope arrived at Evitern Castle on the morning of Friday, July 14.

Penelope had announced her visit by letter three days prior, stating she would arrive ‘early in the morning, no later than 9 AM,’ and she showed up right around 8 AM, just as the day was beginning.

Hearing the news, I managed to shake off Enoch, who unusually clung to me, preventing me from getting out of bed, and hurried to wash and change clothes.

Having prepared to welcome the guest, I rushed downstairs, where Fernand informed me, “The guest is in the drawing room,” and I headed straight there.

“Ellen!”

“Penny, it’s been a while.”

Though it hadn’t been that long, it felt like ages since we last met. Was it because of the change in environment?

“Have you been well? How’s the capital these days?”

“I’ve been well. I have lots of stories about the social scene in the capital. And—”

Penelope suddenly looked around. Why was she doing that? As I tilted my head in curiosity, a fluffy furball jumped out from a corner, seemingly trying to surprise me.

“Look who I brought. Look at her, trying to surprise Ellen.”

“Meow!”

“Lucy!”

Lucy, who jumped once more as if to say ‘look at me,’ ran towards me. She leaped gracefully like a butterfly into my arms, and I laughed heartily as I caught her. The little cat, still looking like a kitten, met my eyes and meowed.

“She wasn’t eating well because she missed you, so I brought her along. The staff at the Winter Palace were a bit disappointed, though.”

“I see… Lucy, did you miss me?”

“Meow—”

Lucy meowed as if to say yes and rubbed her cheek against my clothes. I had left her at the Winter Palace, fearing long-distance travel and frequent changes in environment might harm her… But Lucy seemed fine. She’s truly an extraordinary cat. A mystical cat.

Lucy, who had a touching reunion with me, didn’t leave my side for a moment while Penelope and I talked. I barely managed to sip my morning tea as I petted Lucy, who clung to my lap.

“So—half of the young ladies who just entered the social scene have joined Lady Besnard’s group. Those young ladies don’t know how to judge people yet.”

“Hmm….”

I nodded silently as I listened to Penelope’s news about the capital’s social scene. Angela was still living diligently.

In reality, I would be leaving in ten months and a few weeks, so there was no need for her to go to such lengths to keep me in check.

‘And no matter how hard Angela tries, Enoch will never look at her… probably.’

…Actually, I’m not entirely sure. Enoch despises Angela’s obsession with him, but he might remarry her for political reasons after I’m gone…

Of course, that’s unlikely. Just a hypothetical.

…But still, imagining Enoch with Angela is unpleasant.

Even though I know I have no right to feel such discomfort.

“Anyway, don’t worry too much about Lady Besnard. Other noblewomen and I are working behind the scenes to ensure she doesn’t gain too much influence in the capital’s social scene. Lady Besnard will eventually pay for her deeds. She’s made too many enemies.”

As I had suspected, the depths of the capital’s social scene were greater than I had imagined. It seemed wise not to get too deeply involved.

“Oh, and! This is some unexpected news.”

“…..?”

“Marquis Norbert and Prima Donna Mercedes have broken up! This time for real!”

That was truly unexpected news, and my eyes widened. Mercedes and Marquis Norbert broke up…? They seemed so happy together.

‘I didn’t notice any signs in the letters I exchanged with Mercedes recently.’

How did they end up breaking up? Was it due to the social and realistic issues between a young marquis who needed to lead his family and an opera actress?

“I don’t know the details, but it seems the elders of the Norbert family were arranging a marriage for the marquis behind his back. The bride was from a prestigious family, which would greatly benefit the Norbert family. When the marquis found out, he was furious, and the elders went to Mercedes and caused a scene. Shortly after, rumors spread that they had broken up.”

“…I see….”

I thought Mercedes’s life and love story were as romantic as her novels. But reality is this cruel.

I don’t know who initiated the breakup, but… I believe neither of them truly wanted to part. There was genuine affection in their eyes when they looked at each other.

I took a sip of tea, feeling a bitter taste.

* * *

I thought Penelope would stay the night, but she left Evitern Castle before sunset.

Enoch, who had avoided showing his face as much as possible, only appeared to see her off out of courtesy.

Though he did hurl some harsh words, more like curses than farewells…

‘Don’t come back.’ And ‘Stop approaching my wife.’

Penelope, who didn’t back down, retorted sharply.

‘Are you paranoid? Stop being so possessive, Enoch Bayern! Ellen will run away at this rate.’

“That crazy lady…”

Enoch ground his teeth while hugging me. Startled by her mention of running away, I pretended to admire the garden.

It wasn’t particularly hot, but the man’s body temperature, which was higher than average, made me feel increasingly warm.

I gently suggested, pulling my head out of his embrace.

“Enoch, let’s go inside. It’s almost dinner time….”

But Enoch’s response was off-topic.

“There’s no way Penelope Ashwood will come here again, right?”

“…Well, she did say she’d visit whenever she’s not busy….”

“Really? Then I’ll make sure she’s busy.”

“…..?”

His sinister smile was unsettling. What was he planning now? Whatever it was, I hoped Penelope would be alright…

Still holding me, Enoch lowered his head and kissed me. His tongue’s movements were far from innocent. I had a feeling I’d be exhausted from him again tonight.

Even my sighs were swallowed by him, and the repeated heat and pleasure left me dazed.

I opened my eyes slightly. The sunset light filled my vision. The sky was turning red as the sun set.

“Your Highness, Your Grace. Urgent news.”

It was dusk when Enoch and I finally came inside. Waiting for us at the entrance was an anxious-looking Fernand.

“Two urgent messages have arrived. One from His Majesty the King, and the other from the Chief of Police.”

“Give them here.”

“Yes.”

Following Enoch’s command, Fernand respectfully presented a silver tray with two envelopes. Enoch picked one up along with a paper knife and neatly opened it.

I stood by his side, peeking at the contents. What could be so urgent? I had a rough idea about the letter from the Chief of Police, but what about King Henry…

“…Well, this isn’t too bad.”

Enoch muttered after reading the letter from the Chief of Police. As I looked at him curiously, he shared the contents with me.

“The verdict for the Lopez family trial is out. Victor Lopez is sentenced to hanging. The execution is on August 15th. Not much time left. Margot Lopez is sentenced to life imprisonment and hard labor. Melissa Lopez gets 20 years in prison. And there’s news about Helene Lopez. Want to hear it?”

“…Yes.”

Trying to stay calm, I nodded, and Enoch glanced at me before crumpling the letter from the Chief of Police and tossing it onto the tray. He picked up the other envelope and continued.

“Helene Lopez left the convent and fled in the night. Tracked her down, and she’s working as a maid in an inn in a small southern town called Kaleya.”

“…I see.”

“Anthony Lopez is still missing. That’s all. If you want to know more, I’ll find out for you.”

“No, that’s enough. Thank you.”

I shook my head with a faint smile. Enoch smiled back quietly and turned his attention to the letter from King Henry.

“…..”

Reading the letter, his face grew increasingly stern. What could it be about? Quickly shaking off thoughts of the Lopez family, I watched Enoch with concern and curiosity.

After a while, he finished reading and crumpled the letter, throwing it onto the tray. He then instructed Fernand in a somber voice.

“Burn all the letters. Leave nothing, not even the envelopes.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Before Fernand could straighten up, Enoch grabbed my hand and led me upstairs. Glancing at his stern face, I cautiously spoke.

“…Was it something serious? The letter from His Majesty….”

Enoch glanced back at me, then smiled perfectly and reassured me.

“No, nothing to worry about.”

* * *

‘Nothing to worry about.’

No matter how I looked at it, Enoch seemed troubled. Was it another complicated family matter? Or something else?

Could it be related to Atreos…?

‘If it’s something that could sour Enoch’s mood, it must be related to Atreos…’

I thought of Navaroa, who had shown interest in me. Despite being the heir to the throne of Atreos, he roamed freely, even acting as a spy. Enoch said he had multiple personalities, making him dangerous and unpredictable.

‘…If Navaroa is plotting something after that incident…’

Pacing the room anxiously, I finally made a decision and headed to the bathroom.

In my bathroom, there was an unusual item for a lady—a cleaner that effectively removed bloodstains from clothes.

This cleaner, a new product I found in a general store in the capital, worked very well.

Thanks to it, I no longer needed to burn or hide bloodstained robes, I could wash them by hand in the bathroom. It was a bit tedious, though…

‘Since I can see the future of others, not just myself, with foresight magic, I should be able to see Navaroa’s future too. Even if we only met once…’

I didn’t even remember his face. All I recalled were his strange, reddish eyes. His hair was black, but it could have been a wig.

I put on a robe over my clothes and tied the belt tightly. Taking a deep breath, I summoned my magical power.

Soon, the Mirror of Foresight appeared before me, shimmering with a mysterious light, as if holding infinite secrets.