100. It Finally Begins
Larael burst into laughter out loud for the first time in a long while. As Larael laughed, Edward laughed along with her.

“The Baron Layton won’t be able to avoid severe punishment.”

The investigation into the embezzlement of relief food continued, and the Layton Merchant Guild’s embezzlement was proven true. They had falsified ledgers to reduce and steal the food that had been allocated proportionally to the population of each territory. In reality, the food distributed to other territories was far less than the original amount. But even that amount was enough to put out the urgent fire, so there were no complaints.

However, Count Briznay’s territory was different. Someone had instigated the residents. Of course, thanks to that, this corruption was exposed, but it was painful that someone had to be sacrificed.

The Layton Merchant Guild’s tearful plea that it was for their revival did not work. Because of them, people could have died of starvation. Baron Layton was now imprisoned in the underground dungeon awaiting trial.

Meanwhile, Count Lester, who had selected the Layton Merchant Guild for importing and distributing relief food, claimed it was a mistake due to confusion with documents. It was suspicious, but the documents submitted by the Layton Merchant Guild had indeed been switched with those of another guild due to a lower official’s error.

It was doubtful that someone known for being meticulous would approve something without even checking the guild’s name, but since there was evidence, his claim was accepted for now. However, he still had to take responsibility for the mistake, so he was also awaiting trial.

But if he was connected to Herwen, it was clear he would receive a light punishment. There was nowhere Duke Anderman’s influence didn’t reach.

“Count Briznay’s territory… is it alright?”

Instead of answering, Edward nodded.

Fortunately, Count Briznay’s territory also stabilized quickly. Relief food was distributed to the residents as planned. The Count Briznay who inherited the title was young but clever. The Emperor’s personal letter that arrived at his simple succession ceremony elevated his authority. The residents appreciated that he wasn’t consumed by revenge for the past and did his best for them. He quickly won the hearts of his people.

“I’m so glad. You must be tired, so please take a bath first and…”

“I’m too lazy today. I just want to sleep.”

“…Then, Your Majesty. Shall I bathe you today?”

Edward jumped up from the sofa. And he hurriedly began to undress.

***

“Your Highness, the weather is getting colder. Let’s go inside.”

Sasha said as she draped a shawl over Larael, who was walking in the garden. Larael shrank her body and nodded.

“Sasha, send a message to Dean. Tell him I’d like to meet when he has time.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

After telling Dean about her regression and him suddenly leaving saying he had urgent business, she hadn’t seen him. Sasha quietly informed her that a reply had arrived from Dean saying he had business at the palace in the afternoon and would visit then.

“Count Winters will come in the afternoon, so please prepare.”

Larael instructed her maids. Lillian and Kara went to inform the head maid about the guest. Sasha stared at their backs. Although she had become quite friendly with Lillian, she was still the Empress Dowager’s spy. Of course, Lillian had her own circumstances, but Sasha couldn’t consider those. She could draw the line with Lillian anytime if she harmed Larael, whom she served.

“When Count Winters comes to Abella Palace, he usually brings gifts for Beatrice, so don’t worry about it if I don’t say anything specific.”

Seeing Sasha’s sulky gaze directed at Lillian, Larael said with a smile. It wouldn’t matter even if Dean didn’t bring gifts to be mindful of others. Before, she had been anxious about every little thing that might disturb her relationship with Edward, but now she felt more at ease. She felt that Edward would understand and trust her. Thinking of Edward, Larael’s cheeks flushed.

In the afternoon, when Dean visited Abella Palace, Larael went down to the reception room to greet him. As always, he brought gifts for Beatrice. After refreshments were served, at Larael’s signal, all her maids except Sasha left the reception room.

“Dean, have I done something to anger you?”

Dean, who was usually glib, was not at all like himself today. His expression was serious, and he kept avoiding Larael’s gaze. Even now, he was just fidgeting with the handle of his teacup.

“No, Your Highness.”

Larael felt anxiety rising, thinking Dean’s attitude had changed since hearing about her regression. Had she misjudged him? She had confided in him thinking he was someone she could trust, but if the only person who knew her secret became an enemy, it would be unbearable.

“If it’s because of what I told you then…”

“Your Highness.”

Dean raised his head and looked at Larael. His expressionless face without a hint of a smile was unfamiliar.

“Your Highness, I know what you’re worried about right now. There’s no need to worry. Above all, I want to be the person Your Highness trusts the most.”

Dean couldn’t continue looking into Larael’s eyes and lowered his gaze. Before arriving at Abella Palace, he had resolved himself several times. He thought he could completely hide it until he saw Larael. But the moment he faced her, everything he had built up in his mind crumbled.

Seeing the anxiety in Larael’s eyes as she looked at him, he snapped back to his senses. Dean’s lips twitched and then trembled slightly as they curved into a smile. His smile looked so unnatural that Larael, who was watching him, suddenly burst into laughter. Seeing Larael laugh, his awkward smile became more natural.

“Now you look like Dean.”

“…Your Highness, I’ve just been thinking a lot. I’m an information broker who moves strictly for profit, aren’t I? Even now, my mind is complicated trying to figure out how to best use a big client like Your Highness.”

As Dean spoke in a playful tone, Larael sighed in relief and smiled.

“There’s plenty of information Dean wants, so use it well. More importantly… there’s a reason I called you today.”

***

After meeting with Dean, Larael returned to her bedroom and sent her maids out. Then she sat at her desk and read the documents she had received from him. It was information about Duke Anderman’s family that she had previously requested. Most of it was content she already knew, having been deeply entangled with the Anderman family. Larael tore out only the parts she didn’t know and set them aside. Then she read those torn pieces repeatedly.

Larael gathered all the documents scattered on the desk and went to the fireplace. As the weather got colder, they had started lighting the fireplace in the mornings and evenings along with using magical tools to raise the temperature in the bedroom. The good thing about having a fireplace was that she could burn documents or letters without asking her maids to do it.

Larael put all the documents she had received from Dean into the fireplace. As she inserted the documents, the flames, which had temporarily died down, suddenly flared up, causing Larael to step back. Quietly watching the documents crackle and burn, Larael went to sit on the sofa. Then she called her maids back.

As soon as her maids entered the bedroom, they began preparing for bedtime. Larael watched them bustling about and lay down on the armrest of the sofa. She wanted to just fall asleep like this.

The next morning, Larael got up and stretched while looking out the window. As she approached the window, she felt the cold. Larael moved away from the window, shrinking her body, and went to her desk. Lillian brought a newspaper and spread it out in front of Larael. Larael sat at the desk and began to read the newspaper she handed her.

This had been Larael’s morning routine for the past few days.

As it was about time for the Krauf disease to break out, Larael’s attention was entirely focused on it. Larael searched the newspaper for traces of the Krauf disease. Until yesterday, she couldn’t find any articles about the Krauf disease in the newspaper.

Larael’s eyes widened as she read the newspaper. There was an article about the Krauf disease. It was a brief article of just a few lines stating that the first patient with Krauf disease, an endemic disease in the north, had occurred. Winter had now begun. And this year, it wouldn’t just be a problem for the north.

“It finally begins.”