Chapter 7 – Part 2

Together, they left the office, united in their mission to bring justice and support to those affected by the mine collapse.

At the real estate office, they formalized the transaction through a broker. Despite the collapsed state of the mine, Liam was visibly anxious about making the deal without his father’s knowledge.

Kristin worried that he might not have the authority to finalize the transaction, but as the mine’s manager, he did have the necessary rights.

This allowed him to conduct the real estate deal independently. He wanted to resist Kristin and Beatrice Charlotte, but Winston’s intense gaze kept him from doing so.

Kristin, momentarily meeting Winston’s eyes, pondered their next challenge: the Merchant Association.

The Merchant Association, composed of Liam Morrison’s people, had invested in providing work clothes for the miners and purchasing various equipment, and they had also shared the profits with the person in charge. For them, the change in leadership would be a shocking development.

Moreover, having a young noblewoman as the new mine owner wouldn’t sit well with them. As the association benefited from its ties with Liam Morrison, they would no longer receive illicit funds. The Merchant Association had also been the most anxious about the mine collapse.

Kristin was lost in thought about how to deal with them when Winston spoke in a low voice,
“Fortunately, we caught Liam Morrison before he could escape, but now we must deal with the Merchant Association. What’s your plan?”

Winston’s concern for Kristin was evident. She was precious to him, and he couldn’t help but worry about her safety. If he hadn’t been there, she could have faced a grave situation today.

Moreover, she had now become the mine owner, and he was concerned about the ripple effects.

Kristin was not unaware of the Marquis’s feelings. His eyes, tone, and actions constantly expressed his concern for her.

“Marquis Winston, we need to get to the mines and rescue the workers first, and I’ve been thinking about the Merchants’ Association, but they’re not innocent, are they? They’re guilty of embezzlement.”

It turns out that the Merchants’ Association wasn’t an organization of local merchants, but business partners who worked with the Morrison family.

However, they will likely try to distance themselves due to the accident. I plan to make a deal with them, My Lord.”

“The Merchant Association members deserve punishment and should be sent to prison. We shouldn’t make a deal with them – it won’t be easy to persuade them.” Winston insisted.

“But there’s no evidence that the Merchant Association received money from the Morrison family. If they were paid in cash, we’d need to find the transaction records. They must have kept records,” Kristin argued.

“But I don’t have the records. My father has it,” Liam interjected, startled by the mention of the ledgers.

“Despite this, the commoners here seem to know quite a bit about the Morrison family, so who would spread such a rumor?”

Winston was puzzled. The commoners in the Oakley region knew about the unfair transactions between the Morrison family and the Merchant Association, even though there was no evidence to prove it.

“Unless the citizens are fools, they must have witnessed the Morrison family’s usual practices. Before investing in the mine, they likely created a secret meeting place and met there comfortably, as they were all familiar with each other. The Oakley citizens must have seen these scenes, which would have been quite obvious to them.” Kristin explained.

“So you’re saying these rumors were well-known within the local community. Surprisingly, the capital didn’t hear about it,” Winston remarked.

“They must have made sure that news of this didn’t leak to other regions. Such matters are contained within, known only to those involved, so it likely never reached the Imperial Palace.”

“Well, I came here to investigate, so I’m aware of it, and I feel pity for the lives of the citizens and commoners who should be protected.”

“My Lord, I want to help them. There is no one to rescue the workers trapped in the mine right now.”

“Then, since I’m here, I shall assist with the rescue operation as well. Liam Morrison will be taken to the Imperial Palace and severely punished. However, the news that you, Kristin, bought the mine could spread negatively. I’ll make sure to say that you seized the mine to help the miners and also assisted in their rescue.”

“There’s no need to go that far…”

Initially, acquiring the Levi mine was just a means to reclaim Raphael’s assets. But now, she couldn’t leave after just buying the mine. She had to help them. Her mother wouldn’t have ignored such a situation if she had come to know about it.

After her mother’s death, Kristin often spent time staring blankly at the sky. The grief of losing a family member felt like losing her entire life. She didn’t want the miners’ families to face the same ordeal.

“I will order my aide to take Liam Morrison to the palace, and we will move on to the mines,” Winston said.

“But do you have another carriage? I only see the one you came in.”

Winston gestured to the horse standing behind the carriage.

“We can’t transport a criminal comfortably in a carriage. A cart will suffice for him. This horse will pull the cart.”

“My Lord…”

“I borrowed it here, in case anything should happen. Anyway, let’s get going.”

“Thank you so much for your help,” Kristin said sincerely.

Watching Kristin, the Marquis momentarily recalled the past. He was already well aware of Kristin’s kind and wise nature. Even as a child, she had been skilled and intelligent.

As Winston recalled the conversations he had with her and the games they played together, he realized that he had never been bored with her.

She was a clever, virtuous, and amiable young lady, beautiful in appearance and humble in demeanor. Thinking of her, the Marquis constantly wanted to shower her with affection.

It was difficult to accept that she was to marry Raphael Rodney. But if she was happy, the Marquis had resolved not to forcibly hold onto her. He was content to remain as her childhood playmate, for he loved her dearly.

But for the sake of Kristin, who would find him a burden, the Marquis of Winston hid all such feelings and ordered his aide.

“Louis, Liam Morrison is the criminal who caused this incident, so make sure he doesn’t escape and bring him to the Imperial Palace properly. I’ll stay here to handle things and then head to the palace. The word will spread throughout the empire about Liam Morrison. And one more thing, I want you to give the newspapers a heads up.”

“What exactly do you mean?” Louis asked, confused.

“Tell them that Lady Kristin Edith is taking it upon herself to clean up the mess at the Levi Mine,” Winston replied.

“My Lord…”

Winston felt deep sorrow that Kristin, whom he cherished, was constantly plagued by unfavorable rumors. He wished he could shield her from them, and today presented a perfect opportunity to do so.

“This will be a chance to restore Lady Kristin Edith’s honor. I hope it helps her.”

“I will proceed as you instructed.”

“All right. Take care of yourself.”

Winston took out the dagger he had tucked into his uniform and placed it in the aide’s hand.

“If Liam Morrison tries anything foolish, show him this. Someone like him needs a physical reminder.”

After patting his aide on the shoulder and sending him off, his gaze turned to Kristin.
“Now, let’s go, Kristin. Lady Beatrice.”

—

When they arrived at the Levi Mine, the air was filled with anguished cries. Upon seeing the scene as she stepped out of the carriage, Kristin felt her legs give way and sank to the ground.

The families of the trapped miners had been working tirelessly for hours, shoveling the collapsed earth in an attempt to rescue their loved ones.

It was a reality that she simply could not bear to witness with her own eyes.

Kristin took out the jewelry in her pouch and turned to Lenci.

“Lenci, I have a favor to ask of you, with these jewels.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

“Kristin, don’t use the jewels your mother left you. I have some cash,” Beatrice interjected, causing Lenci to pause.

Kristin looked at Lenci, then back at Beatrice, and said, “These jewels mean nothing to me now. You understand why I need to use them.”

“Kristin, those are precious keepsakes from your mother.”

“Jewels don’t prove their worth just by being worn. If these jewels can change someone’s life, they’ll shine much brighter than if they were simply adornments.”

“Kristin, you can say that, but I know how much you’ve cared for these jewels, and I know it’s not easy for you to give them away,” Beatrice said, feeling a deep sympathy for Kristin.

She had always feared that Rose and Elena would take those jewels away from Kristin once they moved into the Edith estate.

Seeing Kristin fiercely protect her mother’s keepsakes reminded Beatrice of her friend, Elesia.

If Elesia were here, she wouldn’t cling to the jewels. She would sell them to buy the supplies needed for the rescue operation. Even in her youth, Elesia, as a noblewoman, had always given everything she had to help others. Seeing Kristin now, Beatrice felt as if she were looking at Elesia.

While Elesia had left Kristin a legacy, Beatrice believed it was better to use her own money than to deplete Kristin’s inheritance. Kristin seemed to have already sensed this and intended to turn the jewels into cash for the rescue efforts.

“Lady Beatrice, you’ve already given me a thousand gold for my sake. Marquis Winston saved me from a dangerous situation. I haven’t done anything yet.”

“Kristin…”