Fish Don't Know About Water - Chapter 19

Cecilia’s gaze dropped back to the Gallant family in the photo. She stared at Hughey in the picture, murmuring.

“The handsomest man of the century eloped to escape the security bureau’s pursuit?”

“It’s a possibility, not a certainty.”

Hinler shook his head and lightly waved Hughey Gallant’s family photo.

“Now, let’s return to the initial question. Why do you think the count’s family physician had this photo?”

Cecilia, deep in thought, proposed a hypothesis.

“Well, the woman’s face is quite his type.”

“Stop joking.”

Hinler signaled her to close her mouth with a raised hand. Cecilia clamped her lips shut and muttered barely audibly.

“It wasn’t a joke…”

“You’re saying it’s not a joke to mention facial preferences in this situation?”

Hearing Hinler’s sarcasm, Cecilia put on a serious expression. Then she snatched Hughey Gallant’s family photo from his hand.

“It’s actually a plausible theory. When I first found this family photo in Senior Law’s wallet…”

Hinler watched her actions silently. Cecilia folded the photo along the prominent vertical crease.

The photo split into two parts. The woman and the baby on the left, and Hughey Gallant on the right. Cecilia flipped the photo to hide Hughey Gallant and said.

“It was folded like this, showing only the woman and the baby.”

“You’re telling me this crucial detail only now?!”

Hinler slammed his fist on the desk. Cecilia’s face turned pale with fear. She stepped back from the desk, muttering an excuse.

“I thought he might have folded it to avoid drawing attention by showing the famous actor’s face…”

“You said it’s common to keep photos of a lover, friend, or family in a wallet, right?”

“Yes… Yes? Are you suggesting a relationship between Senior Law and this woman?”

Cecilia tilted her head in confusion.

“Senior Law is from Costonia… Could they be from the same hometown? Then Hughey’s wife might not be Eastonian but from Costonia.”

“The information that the physician is from Costonia can no longer be trusted.”

Hinler pulled out the document detailing Hilias Law’s personal information from the file.

Like most immigrants, there were hardly any records before he came to Westenia. Even the whereabouts of his parents, who he lost early, ended outside the borders of Westenia.

“It’s common for Eastonian infiltrators to disguise their birthplace as Obenia or Costonia.”

“Are you saying Senior Law’s hometown could be Easton?”

Cecilia muttered reluctantly. Her gaze fell on the woman’s face in the family photo.

“And deeply connected to Hughey’s wife?”

“Although there’s no clear evidence yet… we can’t dismiss the suspicion. Even if he’s not Eastonian, the fact that he quietly kept such an important photo is suspicious enough.”

Hinler sighed and flipped through the file. He found the document detailing Hilias Law’s personal information and firmly clipped Hughey Gallant’s family photo to it. Cecilia sighed in disappointment.

“I was going to give that photo to Princess Rosemary.”

“I can’t hand over such crucial evidence as a collectible to the princess.”

Hinler shook his head firmly and closed the file.

“Thoroughly investigate Hilias Law’s past and surroundings. Track his activities, relatives, and acquaintances before he immigrated to Westenia without missing a single detail!”

“Yes, sir.”

“No, I want to meet him in person first. Where is Hilias Law now?”

“He must have already left for Costonia.”

Cecilia replied, stepping down from the desk and standing stiffly. Hinler’s brow furrowed deeply.

“Already?”

“Yes. He went straight to the train station after our tea time.”

“Why would he go to Costonia…”

Hinler frowned. Even if he was an immigrant from Costonia, the timing was suspicious.

“Leaving the safe Westenia to go to Costonia, where air raid alarms sound multiple times a day? Was he drafted as a military doctor?”

“He did become a medical officer… but it seemed like he was going to meet Phenelity Cochrun.”

An awkward silence followed. Cecilia hurriedly added an explanation, realizing her mistake.

“To help prepare for the wedding on behalf of the Count of Cochrun…”

“And you expect me not to suspect anything between those two!”

When Hinler shouted, Cecilia raised her voice as well.

“I’m telling you, he went because of the wedding! If they were really involved like that, would Senior Law willingly help with Phenelity’s wedding preparations?”

She looked at the seething Hinler in confusion and then opened the file. She pointed to the woman in the folded family photo.

“He’s the kind of person who kept another woman’s photo in his wallet. If Senior Law truly had feelings for Phenelity, he would have carried her photo instead!”

She added a meaningful comment about a locket necklace that ‘she treasures like a jewel,’ but Hinler didn’t pay attention.

Any more premature conjecture was pointless. Sitting in the office and making assumptions wouldn’t yield answers. He grabbed the cane leaning against the desk and slowly stood up.

“That will be confirmed when we meet him in person. You should prepare to leave for Costonia immediately.”

“I’m going to Costonia with you, Minister?”

Cecilia was startled as she saw him rise. Her large eyes widened even more in shock. Hinler waved his hand dismissively and coldly ordered.

“The subject of our investigation has gone to Costonia, so you must follow! Go after Hilias Law right away. Find out if he is really from Costonia.”

“Why not request the security bureau…”

“Hilias Law is associated with the Little Lady. All the citizens of Westenia know this.”

He cut her off coldly.

“And the Little Lady will soon become Viett’s wife under the king’s scheme.”

“Yes, that’s true.”

“If the security bureau learns that a man of dubious origin has been loyal to the count’s household, Viett will bear the full brunt of the consequences.”

“I understand. You mean we need to act before the security bureau does.”

Cecilia rolled her eyes with a sulky face.

“But… officially, I’m the former fiancée abandoned by His Highness. If I suddenly start hovering around His Highness and Phenelity now, my reputation…”

“Pack your bags immediately!”

At Hinler’s roar, Cecilia grabbed her handbag and dashed out of the office. Only after the door slammed shut did he let out a deep sigh.

He craved a cigar more than ever today. Ever since he realized Viett started smoking following his example, he had been desperately trying to quit. But now, the withdrawal symptoms were more severe than ever.

“Lily…”

He rubbed his throbbing head and opened the tightly locked desk drawer. He picked up an overturned desk photo frame and stared at the picture inside for a long time.

A girl who looked just like Viett was awkwardly smiling in the photo. It was a childhood picture of Queen Liliana, Viett’s biological mother.

Seeing the smile he had long-missed eased his throbbing headache, suspicions towards Hilias Law, and inexplicable anxiety. He smiled faintly at Liliana’s image and then turned his gaze to her side.

Raus IV, still a crown prince at the time, stood beside her with a confident smile. Hinler, who had just entered adolescence, held the camera.

He remembered that day vividly. It was the day Liliana performed her first official duty as the future crown princess. It was also the day her engagement to Raus IV was officially recognized. Hinler deeply engraved the painful sense of loss he felt that day in his heart.

He couldn’t stand by and watch the precious treasure Liliana left behind get tarnished. He had to protect Viett Hartmann at all costs. He had to complete Liliana’s revenge.

Lily, I will place that child on the throne.

Hinler reaffirmed his resolve, gently brushing his fingers over the smiling girl in the photo frame.