“The family requested the investigation be closed, so there shouldn’t be any issue. It works out well for His Highness too.”

Eldrich took a sip of tea, as though there was nothing more to discuss. The scent that lingered in his mouth was sweet, but the aftertaste was bitter.

“You’ve conducted your investigation. You already know. No evidence will surface. No leads.”

The royal envoy’s eyes went wide at that. Eldrich drank his tea with a calm expression and smiled, his eyes curving slightly.

“The tea smells lovely. It’s still early, so take your time and enjoy it before you go.”

“……Yes. Thank you.”

❀❀❀

Eldrich watched until the carriage had passed completely through the gate.

“That should be enough for him to understand.”

He was a perceptive man. The investigation would be dropped.

‘Setting aside the fact that he’s someone I want to k*ll even when he does nothing, now he goes and does this…… it really does make me want to k*ll him.’

Eldrich rubbed his jaw and narrowed his eyes. If not for Cleve, the man would have been the first to go.

Knock, knock.

“Your Grace. It’s Annette. The lady is waiting. She says she has something to tell you.”

“Cleve?”

Eldrich’s gaze snapped away from the window.

The timing was odd, but hearing that she was waiting for him, he pulled the door open.

“Nothing could have happened in a single day.”

“She exchanged letters with the marquisate. Something may have come up in the process.”

“So he’s been running his mouth.”

She might have heard the rumors circulating in the capital. Or she might have figured out why the royal envoy had come.

The Marquis of Chartres had given false testimony to the crown prince claiming to have witnessed him, so there was no way he hadn’t told Cleve.

The marquis’s letter had arrived at the residence two days ago. Thinking back on how Cleve’s expression had been clouded since then, it all lined up.

“I wonder if she’s worked it out.”

“I don’t think so. If she had, she wouldn’t still be here.”

“Why? Even if she found out, what reason would she have to leave?”

“The lady would be frightened and run.”

“Mm.”

That won’t do. After all the effort it took to keep her by his side. The idea of her slipping away from him was simply not possible.

“Then I need to keep it hidden from her to the end. So she can’t run.”

“If things continue as they are now, she will never know. The lady loves Your Grace.”

Love. A pleasant word to hear. A dangerous emotion that made people weak, and yet people craved it endlessly.

Not knowing that it blindfolded them, stopped their ears, and clouded their reason.

❀❀❀

Cleve glanced at the door. Since hearing that Eldrich’s guest had left, she hadn’t been able to settle herself.

She had tried to think through what to say and put it in order, but nothing she came up with felt right.

Her brother was impulsive enough to have already acted. The guest who had come to see Eldrich might well have been someone sent by the royal family.

If they had come to verify a report and had already spoken with him, then anything she said now would be too late.

‘Still, I have to tell him.’

If she buried the fact that Hereis had falsely accused Eldrich without saying a word, she would be no different from her brother.

She should have told him sooner so he could prepare……

Cleve felt guilt weighing on her for every hour she had waited.

Eldrich had cherished her more than anyone. Thinking that she might have caused pain to someone so kind to her made her feel sick.

Knock, knock.

Along with the knock came Eldrich’s voice.

“Cleve, it’s me.”

Cleve tensed and straightened herself. Sweat gathered in her clenched fist.

She swallowed without realizing her nails were digging into her palm.

“C, come in.”

The door opened, and he stepped inside, the image of him forming slowly in her mind. The soft sound of his shoes on the carpet reached her.

He walked in with long, unhurried strides and came to stand before her. Cleve slowly lifted her head, and he smiled.

“My wife was waiting for me, so I came in good spirits. I’m not sure what to make of being greeted by a face that looks ready to cry.”

“……”

“Hmm? Cleve.”

Eldrich bent down to meet her eyes. His gentle voice made her fingertips tremble and her chest tighten.

“Eldrich, I have something to tell you.”

Cleve steadied her breathing and spoke. The red eyes looking back at her were as calm as ever.

“I received a letter from my brother.”

“There’s nothing strange about family exchanging letters. Nothing to be this tense about.”

Warmth settled over her clenched hands.

“……Were there other arrangements in our marriage that I didn’t know about?”

“Mm.”

Eldrich gave a low sound at her question. He considered for a moment, then nodded.

“Hereis had many wants and many desires. The problem was that he wanted far more than his situation warranted.”

“You shouldn’t have agreed to his terms. He’ll only ask for more.”

“You’re right. That’s how much I wanted you. In any negotiation, the one who wants something more ends up paying more.”

“……But.”

“Ah, don’t tell me. You’re upset that money changed hands for our marriage?”

That wasn’t something she had any say in. Money had always been an unavoidable part of her marriages, and Hereis had been focused solely on driving up her price.

Saying she disliked being married off like something sold would only make others laugh.

“I……”

“If that’s how you felt, I apologize. But it was the only way to marry you.”

“Eldrich, this isn’t right.”

“It doesn’t matter. In the end, you’re here beside me. However the marriage came about, what matters is you and me.”

“Even if you pay investment funds every month, you’ll get nothing in return.”

Eldrich gave a small laugh. His reaction made it clear he already knew that too.

“Cleve. Do you want me to resume sending funds to the Marquis?”

Cleve shook her head.

“No. Please keep it that way. That wasn’t why I was waiting for you.”

“Then why?”

“……I think my brother may give false testimony to the investigators. He may have already done so, but I felt I had to tell you regardless.”

“False testimony. That would be about Viscount Seregei, the current investigation.”

Eldrich wasn’t surprised. His composure was so complete that Cleve was the one left unsettled.

“Why aren’t you surprised? Was the guest who came today someone sent by the royal family?”

“Someone here on business.”

“Oh……”

That was a relief. But at the same time, the thought of not knowing when he might be summoned, or when investigators might arrive, kept her on edge.

Cleve took his hand and lowered her head.

“I’m sorry. You may end up falsely accused because of my brother.”

“You have nothing to apologize for. If the Marquis gave false testimony, he’ll have to answer for it.”

“I know. But……”

“Cleve. There’s nothing to worry about. What you’re afraid of won’t happen.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Cleve felt the tension leave her. A single reassurance from him was enough to quiet the fear.

“Was there anything else in the letter?”

“He said he was unwell. I wrote back that I wouldn’t be able to visit, but it’s been sitting in the back of my mind.”

“The royal family will be sending an invitation before long anyway. We can visit the capital then.”

“……Are we going to stop by the marquisate residence?”

“We should. No telling what the marquis might say next.”

Cleve blinked. There was no knowing what her brother might say when they were face to face. But if they went all the way to the capital and didn’t visit an ailing family member, it would only invite more talk.

She hoped her presence wouldn’t bring any trouble to Eldrich. The memory of everyone murmuring and casting judgment on their wedding day was still lodged firmly in her mind.

“I’m sorry for telling you so late.”

Instead of answering, Eldrich took her hand warmly and gave it a gentle pat.

“Don’t worry about the Marquis’s letter. His Highness the crown prince will hear my side before making any judgment.”

Eldrich had the crown prince’s trust, and that made his words easy to believe. Only then did Cleve set down the discomfort she had been carrying.