Chapter 7.1 – Believe

It was indeed beautiful. Perhaps they emerged from that bustling crowd. As the line in front of the reception desk disappeared, Miguel, who had been waiting with his arms crossed, finally moved his legs. Lisael, who was on the opposite side, hurried her steps. Before the document with the bid amount left Miguel’s hand, Lisael called out to him.

“Miguel!”

“…….”

Miguel reflexively turned his head and frowned upon seeing Lisael. He couldn’t even guess how she managed to get here.

“Miguel, please. It’s not too late.”

Lisael approached Miguel closely, pleading earnestly once more. It was right in front of the reception desk. The official, who had consistently maintained a stern expression, widened his eyes at the unusual scene between the man and woman.

“I want to stop hating you.”

It was a choice in his hands. He was merely a bystander. The true villain who abandoned the territory was someone else. The pretext Lisael had created for her own comfort was about to become meaningless.

“Lisael, you have no choice. As always. This time, the only option left for you is to trust me, whether you like it or not. This time, see for yourself that you’re wrong.”

Miguel spoke to Lisael, looking her straight in the eyes. It was as if he was making a decision entirely of his own will. There was no hesitation or delay. Taking his cold gaze off Lisael, Miguel handed the paper with the bid amount to the official observing them. At the same time, Lisael turned and left the room. She couldn’t bear to watch.

She had done her best. She had chased him all the way to the capital to change his mind and caught him twice, but there was nothing she could reverse. Everything was out of her hands. Despair surged like a tide. Unless there was an unexpected turn, Dante would be the one to erase Cherlin’s last forest. She didn’t want to know, but the people of the Southern Territory knew all too well that they were competent businessmen.

Once they were involved, they never missed their prey. Stopping in the middle of the corridor, Lisael leaned her head against a pillar and lamented helplessly.

‘What will I tell Father?’

No, by now he might already know. That damned canal project was no longer a secret. How would Earl Dante, enraged by the ruined salon, react? Did the thought of gaining a new golden goose temporarily ease his anger?

Beyond the palace windows lay a garden beautifully and artificially landscaped by the chief gardeners. Lisael remembered the lush forest. The cool breeze and natural scent of the dense woods could never be replicated, no matter how beautiful the garden was.

She vividly recalled the time when the fields full of unharvested crops were uprooted to make way for the factory. It would be the same now. The trees that preserved the old charm of the village fell helplessly before her eyes, one by one.

When the forest disappears, the village she knew will be hidden completely in the recesses of memory. And a completely new village will take its place.

A stream of hot tears wet her cheek. Quickly wiping them away with her slender hand, Lisael took a deep breath to control her anger.

Miguel did not seek her out. It was for the best. She had no intention of showing him such a disgraceful appearance.

‘Did you say to trust you, Miguel?’

How much anguish and pain had she endured trying not to hate him? And now he asks her to trust him; is trusting someone really that easy?

Liking or disliking and trusting or not trusting were entirely separate realms. How could she trust Dante, who had already betrayed her trust once? Especially in such a serious matter concerning the village’s well-being. It was akin to Dante relinquishing his long-standing greed.

It would be faster to wait for a natural disaster to destroy the castle and ruin the Dante family. Greed wasn’t limited to Earl Dante alone. His entire family was greedy.

Miguel, the heir of that family, would not give up the immense wealth and power flowing into the family, even if he didn’t exceed them. Saving the current village was synonymous with that.

It was already too late for the residents to overcome their hardships on their own. Institutional salvation was desperately needed, but as subjects of Dante, no one expected such relief.

Lisael was no different. All she could do was offer herself and provide the residents with poor jobs. Reviving the village’s economy required the Lord’s financial decision.

And such a dreamlike event would never occur unless Earl Dante went senile, as everyone in the Southern Territory knew. The belief and distrust that the territory would not change were deeply entrenched in everyone’s minds.

‘Miguel, I know you have no interest in tormenting others, but you’re not someone who would willingly give up what’s given either. You’re very demanding and sensitive.’

Her dry eyes stung painfully. As Lisael took a long breath, she stared blankly at the palace staff passing through the corridor. None of them paid any attention to Lisael, who was wallowing in solitude. It was better that way.

Among the palace staff, nobles, and officials going their separate ways, a familiar face briefly passed by. When her eyes met the silver-haired man turning the corner, Lisael flinched in surprise.

The man did the same. He stepped back from the corner and stared at her for a moment.

“…Benjamin?”

“…Lisael?”

“Why are you here…?”

No, this was Benjamin’s question. It wasn’t surprising for a noble from the capital to be in the capital. He must have returned from the audit in Dolce. She hadn’t even thought of him until she got here.

“Lisael, what’s the matter in the capital? And in the palace…”

Benjamin’s eyes, which had brightened, reached the reception room beyond Lisael and slightly distorted.

“It seems Dante’s influence has reached there.”

As befitting a noble family dominating central politics, he seemed well aware of the situation. Lisael didn’t respond and merely forced an awkward smile.

“It shouldn’t concern you anymore. Lisael, I’ve finally caught Dante’s weakness.”

Benjamin deliberately lowered his voice, and Lisael’s eyes widened. The Dante family had accumulated wealth through unscrupulous means and covered their sins with wealth, maintaining their status.

She had hoped when the audit was conducted differently, and the young, energetic auditor had finally achieved his goal.

“You don’t have to suffer anymore. Revealing this weakness will surely help you organize things to your advantage.”

“Oh, yes…”

“Once everything is settled, come to the capital. Trust me.”

Lisael’s dark pupils seemed to be swallowed by his golden irises. For some reason, Benjamin’s words didn’t register, and they buzzed in her ears. After he mentioned ‘organize.’

‘That’s right. I asked Benjamin for help. But Miguel said he would divorce me…’

Before the twisted relationship could be straightened, it tightened its grip again. And like a messenger of God, Benjamin arrived with Dante’s lifeline at this precise moment. He whispered to use it.

Lisael’s heart pounded fiercely as if a drum filled her core. Her heart felt like it would burst. Finally, the opportunity for revenge had arrived. It was merely receiving the punishment for the sins committed.

If all the past injustices were to be revealed, perhaps the new phase would be powerful enough to change the Lord of the Southern Territory. As the great family was on the brink of collapse, she would leave Miguel coldly.

Even her insignificant divorce notice would be a good scandal to slander the Dante family at that time. As the Young Earl of a fallen family who was divorced, not the divorced Young Earl. Could there be a more delightful revenge?

Now, of all times. The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity had come.

“When… will it be publicized?”

“Not immediately. The data accumulated over such a long time is too vast. It’s expected to have significant repercussions just at a glance. We plan to prepare thoroughly so Dante can’t find an escape route and then reveal it all at once.”

‘But is it okay to tell me that?’