Chapter 17 – Part 5

He wanted to send a clear message that he was deliberately defying the Emperor’s wishes.

He felt he had already done enough for the Emperor.

Having set his heart on Kristin Edith, he had no intention of marrying Princess Rebella of the neighboring kingdom.

His attendance at today’s event was also a way to show the Emperor that he intended to choose Kristin Edith over Princess Rebella.

“Is that the only reason Duke Raphael Rodney has come to this gathering?”

An elderly baroness asked, addressing him directly. Raphael Rodney smiled and answered her.

“That’s correct. I won’t cause any trouble or disrupt the event.”

“How can we trust your words? Did His Majesty order you to monitor this event?”

A young count, who had been frowning at the duke, spoke up. Raphael Rodney simply looked him over before nodding and calmly replying.

“It seems you don’t like me very much, and I can understand why. I acknowledge that my usual behavior has been problematic.”

“The atmosphere seems to have gotten a bit tense, so perhaps it’s time for a change. As the esteemed Duke of the Empire, you’re welcome to observe how our gathering operates.”

Selena Scarlet addressed Raphael Rodney, and as she did, Zenon Winston, who had been watching the situation unfold, nonchalantly brushed the epaulet on his shoulder before slowly speaking.

“I don’t believe Duke Raphael has attended this gathering solely to see Lady Kristin Edith. The duke is not someone who would be so discourteous.”

Although Winston spoke with a smile, it was clear that he was uncomfortable with Raphael Rodney.

To the Marquis of Winston, who was calm, polite, and never lost his composure in any situation, Raphael Rodney was a particularly irksome presence.

The way Raphael continued to express his feelings to a woman who had rejected him was both ridiculous and unsightly in Winston’s eyes.

So, with a deliberate tone meant for Raphael to hear, Winston addressed Kristin.

“Lady Kristin Edith, please take the seat next to me. You can sit here as an observer for now, and if you wish to speak, just raise your hand. Today’s meeting will focus on the most pressing issue in the Empire—the headmaster of Vincent Orphanage.”

Following Winston’s words, Kristin slowly walked over and took the seat beside him.

As Raphael Rodney moved to follow her, Selena Scarlet quickly intervened.

Your Grace, I think you should take a seat over here. There’s no room left on that side.”

“What did you say?”

Raphael Rodney asked in a low, indifferent tone as he looked at Selena Scarlet. She responded with a natural air of nonchalance.

“Oh, I hope you don’t think I’m trying to separate you from Lady Kristin Edith on purpose. I’ve always known you to be very understanding, so I trust you won’t misunderstand.”

“I won’t misunderstand, but don’t try to separate Kristin and me.”

At Raphael’s words, Selena feigned surprise, but she already knew how much the Marquis of Winston cared for Kristin and wanted to help her childhood friend, Winston.

She believed it was for the best that Kristin had broken off her engagement with Raphael, who appeared so gentle and kind on the outside.

Selena Scarlet was determined to bring Kristin and Winston together.

That’s why she had spoken to Kristin before Winston could even make the suggestion.

Although she had told Kristin that Winston had proposed that she join the gathering first, the truth was, that she had reversed the order of events.

“Oh my, why would I do such a thing? You must already know I would never do that. Anyway, let’s start the meeting.”

Selena Scarlet spoke with a relaxed smile as if Raphael’s actions hadn’t bothered her at all.

The nobles soon shifted their attention to Selena, and Kristin also turned her gaze from Raphael to Selena.

With a faint sigh, Raphael spoke in a low voice.

“Very well then; let’s begin.”

In response to Raphael’s words, Selena Scarlet smiled slightly and, as the host of the gathering, began to speak.

“Is there anyone here who is familiar with the Vincent Orphanage located in the Mushao region of the empire? As I mentioned earlier, the director of the Vincent Orphanage is currently a topic of concern within the empire.”

As Selena spoke, dozens of nobles tilted their heads in confusion.

The Vincent Orphanage in the Mushao region was known to be one of the most well-supported places in the empire, even receiving oversight from the palace.

Consequently, families without heirs often used the orphanage to adopt children.

In truth, nobles were often apprehensive about adopting children whose backgrounds they did not know.

However, the Vincent Orphanage was different from orphanages that housed commoners.

It was a place where children born into fallen noble families or those who had lost their parents due to accidents stayed.

Among orphanages in the empire, Vincent was reputed to be the cleanest, with good food and a strong emphasis on education for the children.

Yet, to hear that the director of such a place was problematic…

All the nobles were left bewildered by Selena Scarlet’s words.

At that moment, a countess raised her hand and asked Selena Scarlet.

“Lady Selena, I don’t quite understand. Isn’t the Vincent Orphanage known for its excellent welfare for children within the empire?

I’ve even heard that the children from the Vincent Orphanage are sent to the academies that our nobles attend. I’ve been told that the children there are very eager to learn and are happy to go to the academy.

Just a few days ago, I brought various foods to the orphanage, and the expressions of the children I saw were very bright.”

“May I speak as well?”

“Yes, Viscountess Clea, you may.”

“I share the same opinion. Unlike other orphanages, the Vincent Orphanage is under the constant care of His Majesty, who even sends inspectors. So, what exactly is the problem with the director there? Are we talking about abuse or verbal violence?”

Clea’s worried question, directed at Selena Scarlet, caused the faces of the seated nobles to grow pale as they nodded in agreement.

Even if the children had no parents, they were born of noble blood.

The thought of abuse or verbal violence against such children was unimaginable.

The empire had invested considerable time and money into the children at the orphanage, making it hard to believe such things could happen.

However, Selena Scarlet could only smile wryly and nod at Clea’s words.

Seeing this reaction, the nobles began to sigh and murmur among themselves.

“Oh my, how could such a thing happen? Are you saying that the director, who receives so much funding, has been engaging in such vile acts?”

A young baron, unable to contain his anger, stood up in a fit of rage, only to be calmed down by the nobles around him.

Amid this situation, one person remained unfazed: Duke Raphael Rodney.

Raphael had been sitting with his arms crossed, quietly listening to Selena Scarlet speak without showing any change in expression.

After a while, he finally opened his eyes and raised his hand.

The nobles, momentarily startled by the duke’s action, fell silent, and Selena Scarlet addressed him.

“Duke Raphael, do you have something you’d like to say?”

“Who was it that raised the issue with the headmaster of the Vincent Orphanage?”

Raphael asked Selena Scarlet, who then pulled out a letter from the folder she had placed on the table.

The letter, filled with densely packed small writing, caught everyone’s attention as Selena prepared to reveal the name written on it.

“Please don’t be too shocked. I never expected to receive such a letter from this person either.”

“Who is it?”

“It’s not some nonsense from a commoner working there, is it?”

“Absolutely not.”

Selena Scarlet’s serious tone only heightened the nobles’ anxiety.

As the nobles listened, Kristin felt dizzy just hearing about this. Memories of being mistreated by her stepmother and Elena resurfaced, and the thought of children who desperately needed protection being subjected to abuse and verbal violence gave her a headache.

“Every Sunday, all the children at the Vincent Orphanage attend a worship service. Many nobles across the Empire also attend church on Sundays, so this might sound familiar to you.

In the case of the Vincent Orphanage, many children go to church, which might inconvenience the nobles using the church, so every Sunday, Father Benjamin from the Mirahiel Church visits the orphanage directly. I believe you are all aware of this.”

As Selena spoke, the nobles nodded in agreement.

They then slightly raised their heads, as if urging Selena to continue, directing their gaze toward her. Selena resumed speaking.

“The person who sent me this letter is none other than Father Benjamin, who visits the Vincent Orphanage every Sunday.”

“Is that true?”

“Did the priest himself send it? It wasn’t a prank by someone else?”

At that moment, Raphael opened his previously closed lips and spoke in a low voice.

“If someone were to play such a prank on Selena Scarlet, they would either have to be incredibly brave or completely insane, wouldn’t they?”

“That’s true. There’s no one bold enough to insult the emperor’s niece and impersonate a priest from the Vincent Orphanage. You’re right.”

As Raphael spoke, the nobles, who had been reluctant to believe Selena Scarlet, began to show signs of trust.

Moreover, Father Benjamin from the Mirahiel Church was quite famous within the Empire. Not only did he lead services at the church, but he also frequently visited places in need of help. He was known for his integrity, to the point of continuously donating his wealth to the Empire.

For this reason, the nobles respected him greatly.

Especially since most of the nobles in this charitable gathering held Father Benjamin in high esteem, they found it hard not to believe that he had sent a letter to Selena.

“In that case, what issue did Father Benjamin observe with the headmaster of the Vincent Orphanage?”

“Yes, I’m also very curious about that. Doesn’t our group regularly donate money to that place?”

As Kristin watched the nobles, each overwhelmed with anger, she realized the gravity of the situation.

Although she wanted to read the densely written letter, she couldn’t see it clearly as Selena was holding it.

“The headmaster embezzled the funds provided by the Empire for the orphanage, diverting them for his family’s use. As for some of the children who fell ill…”

Selena trailed off, unable to continue.

She had read the letter countless times, so she knew what came next, but the content was too brutal for her to speak aloud.

“I’m sorry. Let me continue. Some of the sick children were not even taken to a hospital; instead, they were locked in solitary confinement, regardless of their age. The headmaster likely did this out of fear that if it were an infectious disease, it might spread to the other children.”

“Oh my goodness…”

Kristin was utterly shocked.

The idea of solitary confinement, where the children would be completely alone, was horrifying. And to lock them up, regardless of their age, left her speechless.

“Though it’s difficult to say, I suspect the headmaster wanted to avoid losing the various donations they received if the children were to die. The inspectors sent by the Empire were only shown the exterior of the orphanage before being sent on their way. The headmaster would bribe them with tea or other means to avoid thorough investigations.”

“How could such a thing happen?”

Kristin devastated, addressed Selena, who continued speaking to the nobles who were still watching her intently.

“Whenever someone came to volunteer, they were only shown the positive aspects, while everything else was covered up. That’s why no one had been aware of this until now. Additionally, it seems that the orphanage staff followed the headmaster’s orders. At this point, we need to infiltrate the Vincent Orphanage to gather evidence. A single letter is not enough to accuse him or bring him to justice.”

Then, she addressed the nobles.

“Is there anyone willing to take on this task?”

However, at Selena Scarlet’s words, the nobles all seemed to shy away.

But then Kristin, who had been silent until now, raised her hand and responded to Selena.

“Lady Selena, I will do it.”

The nobles’ gazes all turned toward Kristin.