Chapter 3.1

[The Return of the Goddess Who Survived the War, <Birth of the Goddess of Beauty>]  

[National Treasure-Level Artifact <Birth of the Goddess of Beauty>… Covered in Plaster Upon Auction]  

[The Only Person Who Recognized the Goddess, Who Is Lady Astaroth?]  

From the following day, every newspaper and bulletin published in the capital began featuring stories about Ariana alongside the golden sculpture <Birth of the Goddess of Beauty>. The narrative revolved around how Lady Astaroth was the only person who recognized the true value of the auctioned item, which had been concealed beneath plaster. The sculpture, sold for 3 million won, was estimated to be worth tens of billions.  

Particularly popular was the interview with the photographer who had been responsible for capturing the auction event. He recalled how Lady Astaroth had carefully examined the sculpture before decisively breaking it apart. The photos he released showed Ariana with a confident expression, the shattered plaster, and the breathtakingly radiant <Birth of the Goddess of Beauty> emerging from within.  

Sotherin Auction House received a flood of inquiries: “Did you know the true value of the sculpture?” However, they responded, “We only recognized it as a sculpture from the Thousand-Year War era; we didn’t know anything beyond that.” This response further propelled Lady Astaroth into fame.  

Of course, some skeptics questioned whether the dramatic incident had been staged, but they couldn’t provide any concrete evidence.  

***

“It’s fascinating that the sculpture turned out to be so extraordinary.” 

Kazen remarked as he tossed the newspaper he had been reading onto the sofa. Then, he turned to Rowen.  

“Did you find anything particularly interesting at the mansion?”  

“I’ve only checked the drawing room so far.”  

“Looks like we’ll need to investigate the Earl’s study or bedroom.”  

Although Ariana had been told that the visit was for an investigative report, Rowen had another purpose: to examine Earl Astaroth’s Mansion, particularly spaces connected to the Earl.  

Legally, nobles possessed numerous immunity privileges, making it impossible to investigate them without an imperial decree. While it might seem simple for the Emperor to order an investigation into suspicious families, the problem arose if no incriminating evidence was found afterward. Nobles would seize the opportunity to protest, claiming, “Even Your Highness cannot abuse authority!” This would inevitably weaken imperial power.  

The Empire’s current political landscape was highly complex. Some nobles wished for the Imperial Family to withdraw from politics entirely and remain as mere symbols. They argued that the state should be governed primarily by the Noble Assembly. Though imperialist factions still held considerable influence, the noble faction was steadily consolidating power. A single misstep could provide them with leverage.  

Rowen, Kazen, and the unnamed knight order had been established to prepare for this implicit war against the noble faction. Their primary goal was to uncover weaknesses within the nobles supporting the Noble Assembly. During their investigations into suspicious incidents, Astaroth Earl caught their attention.  

The current Earl of Astaroth had not officially declared his stance but was publicly categorized as part of the noble faction due to his close ties with Marquis Felix, a prominent noble faction leader. While the Earl himself was a former commoner who married into nobility and lacked significant political influence, he served as a financial pillar for the noble faction.  

“If you claim it’s necessary for investigating her husband, the Countess might cooperate easily. You could simply ask to see her husband’s room.”  

Since their goal aligned with investigating Astaroth, there seemed to be little reason for her to refuse. However, Rowen shook his head.  

“She’s sharper than she seems. If we approach her too directly, she might uncover our intentions first.”  

“True. Judging by the sculpture incident, she’s definitely not ordinary.”

Kazen sighed deeply.  

“What’s your plan then, Wendy?” 

“For now, I’ll focus on doing my job diligently and building trust. After all, we’ve already received the commission fee.”  

Sotherin Auction House had promptly settled the payment for the sculpture’s auction, depositing 3 million won into their hands. Ariana and the representative must have discussed the matter beforehand, as the full amount was transferred without deducting any fees.  

“The Earl of Astaroth operates a workshop on the outskirts of the capital to restore items he purchases. Start by investigating that place.”  

By saying “investigate that place,” Wendy implied he wouldn’t be accompanying him. Kazen tilted his head in confusion.  

“What will you be doing in the meantime?”  

“According to the Countess, the Earl entrusted all his financial management to someone named Camio.”  

“Camio? That name sounds familiar…”  

Kazen muttered the name “Camio” repeatedly, struggling to recall where he had heard it before. Suddenly, his eyes widened as he stood up.  

“Don’t tell me—it’s ‘that’ Camio?!”  

Rowen subtly nodded, confirming Kazen’s suspicion, causing Kazen’s face to pale.  

***

Ariana frowned at the letter she had just received. The sender was Daniel, a restoration expert. Before the auction, she had exchanged letters with him, seeking advice on how to handle the sculpture. Since he had actively assisted her, she had felt comfortable inviting him to join her planned “business.”  

However, the letter contained an unexpected rejection.  

“Troublesome.”  

Ariana’s business plan required the involvement of a restoration expert. Although it didn’t necessarily have to be Daniel, he was her only viable option.  

‘If I hire another restoration expert, Rowen will inevitably hear about it.’  

Pawnshops and restoration experts were interdependent. Pawnshops purchased damaged items at low prices, restored them, and sold them at high prices for profit. This was their basic revenue model. Since Rowen inherited a massive pawnshop business, most restoration experts in the capital were already connected to him. Hiring the wrong person would make it impossible to keep secrets.  

Ariana needed someone skilled yet unassociated with Rowen. Daniel, who had left the industry and gone underground, perfectly fit the criteria.  

‘Just because he refused once doesn’t mean I should give up.’  

Ariana set the letter aside and pulled the bell cord. It was time to head out.  

***

“What is all this nonsense!”  

Rowen Astaroth threw newspapers and bulletins onto the floor, fuming with rage.  

“How could Ariana become a celebrity overnight through an auction? What is going on!”  

Before the furious Earl stood a calm man with red hair and round glasses. Though he appeared scholarly, the well-fitted clothes he wore hinted at a solid physique underneath. He was Camio, the Earl’s financial manager.  

“And the sculpture is worth hundreds of billions? You told me my wife couldn’t possibly earn money, yet she made hundreds of billions overnight!”  

Camio remained composed as he sought to calm the Earl.  

“Please, Your Grace, settle down. Technically, she hasn’t earned hundreds of billions.”  

“But the articles…”  

“The sculpture is indeed worth hundreds of billions. However, the Countess has no intention of liquidating it, correct? Just like the ‘Astaroth Collection,’ which she refuses to sell.”  

“So…”  

“Yes. The Countess has no means to pay the penalty for divorce. Even if she possesses dozens or hundreds of such artifacts, they’re useless unless sold.”  

If she intended to sell such artifacts for money, she would never have married Rowen, a commoner, for financial gain in the first place.  

“She likely wanted to issue a warning. She was angry about Miss Alena being invited into the guest room.”

Camio’s words seemed to calm the Earl’s expression.  

“So, can I rest assured?”  

“Yes. But it would be wise not to provoke the Countess too much until Miss Alena safely gives birth.”  

“The maids’ quarters were too shabby. I couldn’t let the woman carrying my child stay in such a place.”  

“Then why didn’t you just arrange a separate house for her? You could have provided her with a maid as well. If the illegitimacy of the child becomes too apparent, it could cause problems. If you had consulted me beforehand, I would have opposed it.”  

“I’m against setting up a separate house. I wouldn’t be able to see Alena every day.”  

Camio’s brows twitched slightly at the Earl’s immature response, but he quickly composed himself.  

“The mansion is undoubtedly the Countess’s domain. It would be easy to harm the child there, so it’s better to relocate her.”  

“Just in case something like that happens, I’ve arranged for a separate maid. With mother and Flory also present, Ariana won’t be able to act recklessly.”  

“If that’s what you think, I won’t say more.”  

Camio adjusted his glasses as he spoke.  

“It’s not good to be too at odds with the Countess. For the child to be officially recognized as the heir, it must be registered under the Countess. That cannot happen if she refuses.”  

“Come on, Camio. You know better than anyone how impossible it is to get along with that stiff woman. Even in bed, she’s just boring.”  

Marriage was supposed to be a joyous union, but for Rowen Astaroth, it was anything but. From the wedding night onward, it had been that way. Just looking into Ariana’s eyes as she sat on the bed waiting for him was enough to make his shoulders shrink instinctively.  

Before the wedding, his friends had given him all sorts of useless advice. They prattled on about how he needed to assert dominance on the first night; otherwise, his noble wife would surely look down on him as a commoner husband. Rowen had scoffed at them, boasting that he wasn’t the type to be underestimated. He thought playing around with an innocent noblewoman who had never been with a man would be as easy as sipping soup.  

But the reality of their wedding night was entirely different from his fantasies. For some reason, Rowen was utterly intimidated by his wife’s presence, fumbling awkwardly, while Ariana remained indifferent. She didn’t express dissatisfaction, but she didn’t seem pleased either. The fact that he failed to assert himself as both a man and a husband gnawed at Rowen’s pride.