“Currently, the most important task is to prove that the evidence is related to Duke Krembell. If you give us some of the seized items, including the guns and gunpowder, we will investigate as well.”

“Of course. I will send them through you soon, Sir Cheshire.”

“So, for the time being…”

There is no one else to ask for help.

That was the unspoken continuation.

But a thought suddenly crossed Ellen’s mind.

“Your Highness.”

Kaiden’s gaze turned to Ellen.

“The upcoming imperial tournament, you are the one presiding over it, correct?”

“If it’s the equestrian tournament, yes.”

Ellen smiled slightly at his answer.

“Would it be alright if things got a bit noisy?”

Kaiden’s eyebrows furrowed sharply at her question.

What kind of trouble is she planning?

“Do you have something else in mind?”

“Let’s say I do, for now.”

“Why not tell me exactly what it is?”

“Well, I’m still planning the details.”

As Ellen avoided the answer with a mischievous smile, Kaiden let out a breath of disbelief.

The gist was that she had a plan but wouldn’t share it yet.

Strangely enough, he didn’t feel the urge to argue further.

Though he was sure her mind was filled with ideas that would make him panic, he had somehow come to trust that she would achieve what she wanted.

‘Maybe it’s the alcohol.’

His chest felt loud and fluttery.

The sensation was oddly unfamiliar.

‘Still… it seems understandable.’

Even the old kings were said to have followed great generals or strategists, enamored by their abilities.

And here he was, with such a person sitting right beside him.

Kaiden glanced at Sir Cheshire sitting next to him.

Though he hadn’t drunk, his face was quite flushed.

It seemed Sir Cheshire, who had known her for a long time, felt similarly.

He had recognized her true worth even before he did.

As he nodded to himself, Ellen suddenly stood up, and he called to her with a curious look.

“Miss?”

She approached the boxes in a corner of the room, took out a key from her pocket, and spoke.

“And the 500 million gold I mentioned, I will begin to pay it gradually.”

With a click, the box opened, revealing its contents.

“Is… this all?”

Kaiden asked, dumbfoundedly looking into the box.

“It’s not all; there’s more to give. As I said, I will pay it gradually.”

“No, I mean, is this really all, no, never mind.”

The brilliant gold reflected the room’s light.

His heart skipped a beat and then began pounding even harder.

To be able to circulate this much gold in such a short time. Just how powerful is Crient?

“Thank you for the support. And the matter at the imperial tournament… I’ll keep it in mind.”

Losing Gillian was fine.

As long as we shared the same goal, this remarkable woman would remain by his side.

He accepted that there was never any room for doubt and, with his approval, Ellen smiled brightly and said.

“Thank you. Then please send the guns and gunpowder you acquired to Crient.”

* * *

Gillian opened the cabinet adorning one side of his office and took out a bottle of liquor.

It was his rule not to consume alcohol during work hours.

But today, it seemed impossible to endure without it.

‘Of all things, to get caught with the most difficult items to produce.’

Gillian felt a headache coming on again.

What wind had blown the Crown Prince to the Tempt docks?

Thinking of the Crown Prince’s unpredictable actions made his anger rise once more.

‘That damn Crown Prince.’

There were countless things about him that were bothersome.

To snatch a wife right in front of her husband, how could such a thing be possible?

But the Crown Prince did just that.

Not just that. He even boldly led her away, danced with her, and as soon as the music ended, quickly exited to avoid him from approaching.

It was absurd to the point that he clenched his fist.

Yet, he endured it somehow because it wasn’t wise to confront the Crown Prince head-on.

But the Crown Prince wasn’t the only problem.

His wife’s recent behavior was even worse.

It was as if she had lost her mind, as the saying goes.

‘Wasn’t what she wanted the status of a duchess?’

He thought their deal was being faithfully executed, so how had it come to this?

He had given her the name of Duchess Krembell, told her to dress modestly, but never provided her with cheap clothes.

‘…And now she suddenly wants a divorce.’

Initially, it seemed there was a reason when he listened.

The reason she coveted the status of a duchess was clear.

She wanted the authority to present herself in front of others, but she wasn’t satisfied within the mansion.

That was his fault, and so he said he would delegate authority over household management to her.

But she refused.

All she did was insist on divorce, leaving him baffled as to what her dissatisfaction could be.

‘No one dared look down on Krembell as a subordinate, and Ellen could attend any party without lacking anything as Duchess. I always worked hard for that. So why!’

Gillian took a drink.

‘And when did she become close with the Crown Prince…?’

As he drank one glass after another, a hypothesis suddenly crossed Gillian’s mind.

Could it be…?

‘…Did she decide it’s better to pursue remarriage with the Crown Prince, who has a higher succession rank than a duke?’

Thinking this way, it seemed to make sense.

If it were the woman he had known, it would have been a laughable notion, but recently she was different.

She was no longer the woman anxious about losing what she had.

She repeatedly said she didn’t need anything and showed bold actions to match.

Gillian’s insides began to boil.

Was it really the Crown Prince?

The owner of that stupid face, whose fate was determined by birthright despite sharing the same blood!

Bang!

Gillian slammed the glass down.

He saw the piled-up documents but had no mind to read them.

Then it happened.

Knock knock. A knock came from outside.

“…Come in!”

At his irritable response, the door opened cautiously.

“The Madam has left for Cheshire’s residence. Judging by the direction, it seems her destination is Crient’s mansion.”

“Prepare the carriage immediately.”

Gillian immediately stood up upon receiving the report.

He had to bring her back before the Crown Prince could pull any more tricks on his wife.

Before that damn brat could take anything more from him.

* * *

The carriage bearing the Krembell crest raced through the capital.

Krembell territory is generally close to the capital, Istazhan.

The two cities are divided by the Tempt Canal, which means that if one can cross this natural moat, they can arrive directly.

Thanks to this, traveling between Krembell territory and the capital took only an hour or two by carriage, but during those two hours, Krembell’s coachman just wanted to die.

Is it still far?

Why is it moving so slowly?

Gillian kept asking, and each time, Krembell’s coachman had to suppress the urge to jump off.

Still, time passed, and the carriage arrived in front of Crient’s mansion.

When Gillian knocked on the door, an old man came out of the mansion.

The man, introducing himself as the mansion’s butler, asked the purpose of Gillian’s visit.

“Excuse me, but what brings you here?”

“Ellen Krembell. She’s here, isn’t she? Bring her to me.”

But the man politely but firmly said.

“I’m sorry. Miss is not here right now.”

“That can’t be. I’ve confirmed it myself. Are you lying to me?”

“She really isn’t here.”

“Is that so? Then bring the Count.”

“I’m sorry. The Master is not here either.”

“…Then where is the Count?”

“I’m sorry. I do not have the authority to disclose the Master’s whereabouts.”

Gillian began to feel anger rising at the old man’s precise words.

He lowered his head, massaging his temple, and said.

“…Do you not know who I am? I am Gillian Krembell, the duke married to the lady.”

“How could I not recognize you, Duke Krembell? But I do not have the authority to disclose the Master’s whereabouts.”

“…It seems you don’t wish for a peaceful retirement.”

“Unless it’s the will of His Majesty, the Emperor, I cannot disclose it to anyone else.”

“Ha!”

Gillian let out a laugh of disbelief.

Even this man dared to speak of the throne while looking down on him.

He was genuinely getting angry.

Of course, Crient’s butler was merely stating the rules.

But to Gillian, whose anger had twisted his perspective, it seemed like the butler was looking down on him.

“You… make sure to convey this to your Master. I have a few places in mind where the Count might be.”

It was a well-known fact that the Count was busy with business these days.

So, he was likely at one of Crient’s workshops or, considering it was the social season, at a boutique or salon.

But just then, a horse approached quickly from behind and stopped.

“Your Grace!”

It was a messenger who had come to find him.

“There wasn’t just one carriage. The other one is headed to Crient’s salon, Caramillo!”

“I see. Head to Caramillo immediately.”

Gillian spat the words out.

He turned the carriage around and headed to the place the messenger mentioned.

But even when he arrived at Salon Caramillo, he couldn’t find a trace of Ellen, not even a single hair.

It was only natural.

At that time, Ellen was at Boutique Thalia.