Chapter 77. Discovery

First, it was important to determine the location of the experiments. Up until ten years ago, it seemed the experiments were secretly conducted inside Blanche Castle.

Then, an experimental demonic beast escaped and attacked our carriage, derailing the plan.

After that, they likely moved the lab to a safer location. I recalled the accident as I continued explaining.

“Right before the accident, all communication stones and magical devices were dead. Controlling mana is crucial for demonic beast experiments.”

“When the Francis carriage accident threatened to expose the experiments, they must have moved the location to a safer place.”

“I think so too. So if we investigate where the Duke is diverting the magic stones, we can find out.”

For that, we needed a plausible bait. And that bait had already been inadvertently set.

I grinned and said.

“Let’s use the Rain Mine.”

Once the Duke realizes he was deceived by Sezad, he will need funds. He won’t be able to stop the supply of magic stones midway, so he will take some action.

We can use that opportunity to track him. Once we identify the location, we will gather evidence and bring the case to the council.

“The Duke of Blanche didn’t seem to think I was exposed to the Maved Stone that day.”

Honestly, my condition alone could prove that the Maved Stone experiments were being conducted. I was the key witness and victim.

But the Duke of Blanche was a cunning and sly man. He wouldn’t confess easily even if there was decisive evidence.

“It’s important to catch the Duke on the spot so he can’t escape. So…”

Just when I was about to share my grand plan, Father spoke with a stern face.

“Camilla. Contract marriage? What is this about?”

“Ah.”

I let out a low exclamation in surprise. Father’s voice grew even more threatening as he pressed on.

“Did you rush into marriage for that reason? Was everything you told me a lie?”

“F-Father…”

I realized that in my excitement to push through with my plan, I had inadvertently admitted that it was a contract marriage. I stood there, stunned, as Father’s face showed a mixture of anger and realization.

“I couldn’t believe it when you suddenly said you were getting married…”

“Well, it’s because…”

I stammered, trying to come up with an explanation. At that moment, Aster knelt before Father and spoke.

“I was the one who suggested it.”

“Is that true?”

“Aster!”

“Yes. Knowing that Camilla wanted revenge, I proposed the idea first. I told her she could use me for her revenge.”

“Use you?”

Father repeated the word ‘use’ with great displeasure. He looked deeply regretful that what was supposed to be a blessed marriage was actually a contract.

I was stunned that Aster was trying to take all the blame. Aster continued speaking.

“I wanted to be by her side, even if it was like that. As you know, I am a Blanche, and Camilla despises Blanche.”

“……”

“My feelings for Camilla were genuine.”

“Ha…”

Father let out a deep sigh at Aster’s words. He seemed to realize that Aster had liked me first and that I had used that fact. Father then turned to me with a terrifying expression.

“I am very disappointed in you.”

“I’m sorry, Father.”

“It doesn’t matter who proposed it. You both made a very foolish decision.”

“……”

“You don’t choose your lifelong partner out of revenge. Your mother in heaven would weep if she knew.”

“Please give me a chance to explain.”

“Explanations should have been made before you acted.”

Father looked extremely angry and was about to leave. I grabbed his sleeve and shouted.

“I had no other choice back then! Whenever I talked about it, you would either get furious or avoid the topic.”

“That was because I was worried something might happen to you…”

“I’m not a ten-year-old child anymore! Don’t make me a fool under the guise of protection!”

“Camilla…”

Father flinched at my visibly agitated state. Controlling my trembling lips, I spoke.

“Besides, that contract is no longer necessary.”

“What do you mean, no longer necessary?”

Father demanded an explanation. Clutching the hem of my dress, I confessed the truth I had hidden.

“Because I love Aster too. I love him so much that the fact he is a Blanche no longer matters.”

Father rubbed his face dry at my heartfelt confession. At the same time, Aster looked at me with a blank expression.

“Camilla…”

Embarrassed by his slightly moved expression, I averted my gaze and continued.

“So it’s no longer a contract marriage!”

“This is absurd. What am I supposed to believe?”

Father rubbed his forehead, looking as though he had a headache. He seemed bewildered by my sudden change of stance from a romantic marriage to a contract marriage and now back to love.

Even I found my own flip-flopping attitude strange. I held Father’s hand and spoke.

“It’s true that I was foolish. But I wouldn’t have considered a contract marriage if it weren’t for Aster.”

“So you jumped in without knowing your own heart. Recklessly.”

“…Yes.”

I lowered my head without making excuses. In hindsight, it was only possible from the start because it was Aster. Unconsciously, my feelings had been leaning towards him, but I had avoided acknowledging them by calling it a contract.

The fact that he was a Blanche was a significant enough flaw for me to feel repulsed.

Had it not been for my mother’s accident, I wouldn’t have wavered like this. My hatred for Blanche grew even more after my mother’s death.

But now, my feelings for Aster had grown so much that avoiding them was no longer possible.

Feeling guilty for lying to Father, I looked down. After a moment, Father let out a dry laugh.

“Hahaha.”

“Father?”

I looked up in surprise at his sudden laughter. Our eyes met.

Father stared at me intently, as if searching for something dearly missed. Then he spoke.

“Looking at you now, you really are a spitting image of your mother.”

“Father…”

“Yes. Your mother was just as reckless.”

Father spoke with a resigned expression.

“If you’ve realized your feelings now, don’t beat around the bush anymore.”

That was his way of saying he forgave me. Moved by his leniency, I hugged him tightly.

“I’m sorry, Father. I won’t do it again.”

“Yes. Today, I miss your mother more than ever. It would have been nice if Diana were here.”

Father trailed off, seemingly lost in his longing for Mother. I hugged him tightly, trying to fill the void left by Mother. His shoulders seemed smaller than usual that day.

* * *

Even after Camilla returned to Blanche Castle, things remained quiet for a while. Since Helen had gone on a long honeymoon, no one noticed that something was amiss.

Of course, it wasn’t possible to hide the failure of the Black Shadow’s assassination attempt from Isabelle.

Camilla sent a false report to conceal the failure of the Black Shadow’s plan. It was a telegram sent through the Black Shadow’s communication network.

[Sezad Vaikan assassination complete.
Helen Blanche capture failed. Committed suicide by jumping.]

Isabelle sighed at the Black Shadow’s report. The operation was only half-successful, which was uncharacteristic of the Black Shadow. Originally, Helen was supposed to be captured.

Moreover, the fact that Helen committed suicide during the capture attempt shocked Isabelle.

Though Helen was her daughter, she hadn’t expected her to be so reckless.

“Foolish girl.”

Isabelle expressed only a brief condolence for Helen’s death. While it was sad, she was more vexed that Helen had been spying on her secrets like a rat.

With the thorn in her side, Sezad Vaikan, gone, she planned to pass his business to Paris. Given the significant investment and the fact that he was already part of the family, it was feasible.

Since Paris learned about his biological father, he had shown great enthusiasm for the business. If things went well, he might even gain the Duke of Blanche’s recognition.

Isabelle believed her plans were proceeding smoothly.

However, when the cruise ship didn’t return on time, news of the disappearance finally reached Apelli. Unexpectedly, things began to tighten around Isabelle.