7. Another Downfall

Daily life continued to repeat even after returning from the villa.

If there was something slightly different, it was the relationship between Enoch and Luciella.

“Haven’t the atmosphere between those two changed a lot lately?”

“That’s what I’m saying. Previously they didn’t even eat meals together often…… Now they absolutely eat together, right?”

“Hey, you said before. That the Princess ignored our Marquis because of his origins. Is that information of yours correct?”

“It, it’s right! It was definitely like that back then!”

“Then why did they suddenly change?”

The perception of the servants who had been whispering about the instantly changed atmosphere between the two people also began to gradually change.

“Do you guys know this? The Princess came to the Empire fleeing because of the coup, right?”

“Really? Then it would make sense for her to hate everything because it was difficult.”

“Right, I would be the same. Back then she was just having a hard time emotionally. Now that time has passed, she’s gotten a bit better.”

“It’s fortunate that she looks continuously in a good mood these days.”

“Right, she treats us well too.”

“Thinking about it, from the beginning she used polite speech consistently even to people like us. Right?”

“That’s right.”

The maid who had been spreading various words about Luciella instantly became a liar. Though Luciella herself, the person in question, didn’t know this fact even in her dreams.

Enoch vaguely noticed this flow among the servants but didn’t particularly intervene. He felt there was no need to add words.

The marriage preparations also became very smooth. It was natural since Luciella had become cooperative.

Such peaceful days continued.

‘Should I suggest to Luciella later that we go for a walk?’

Enoch chuckled with a shy smile like a boy who had started dating. Not a single document he needed to look at entered his eyes, and his head was filled entirely with thoughts about Luciella.

His embarrassed expression was so mismatched with his build. Anyone who saw would have been startled and run away.

It was when Enoch was immersed in such pleasant imagination that suddenly, his office door opened wide without even a knock.

Enoch wrinkled his brow and shifted his gaze to the unexpected commotion.

“Y, Your Grace!”

What entered through the opened door was Zek. Whether there was some urgent matter, he was panting and hurriedly ran toward Enoch.

“U, urgent news.”

“What’s the matter?”

“Please look at this!”

What Zek held out was some document envelope. Enoch, who had been excited thinking about taking a walk with Luciella until just now, made a displeased face like someone who had been doused with cold water.

‘This better not be anything serious.’

Enoch alternately looked at the document envelope clutched in his hand and Zek while checking the contents.

But the documents he brought certainly contained tremendous content.

“These are clear evidence that Grand Duke Winston made contact with foreign mercenaries.”

Clear evidence had emerged for what had only existed as circumstantial evidence.

“These are the original auction house ledgers that our infiltrated mercenaries stole with difficulty. Along with the transaction details made with the mercenary group that kidnapped the Princess, if you look here……”

Zek rattled off words at rapid speed. His mind was so urgent that he panted and moved his mouth without even breathing.

Enoch, who had been lazily relaxed until just now, also changed his expression. He was carefully scanning through the documents Zek handed over with quite serious eyes.

“Not only that, but Grand Duke Winston was even illegally smuggling weapons through the auction house without the imperial family’s knowledge.”

It was just like Zek said. The auction house ledger contained not only simple low-level human trafficking but also many contents related to weapons.

‘Just like I thought……’

He had vaguely expected it to be Sejef’s doing after hearing the Emperor’s words, but to think it was really true.

“You can see that the smuggled weapons don’t even have sales records.”

That meant, in other words, all the weapons whose whereabouts had become mysterious were in Grand Duke Winston’s grasp.

‘What on earth is he planning to use all this for……’

Enoch carefully checked the ledger details in his hand.

‘Surely the imperial family also roughly knows that Grand Duke Winston is associating with vulgar groups behind the scenes and engaging in illegal activities.’

They probably knew but appropriately covered for him and turned a blind eye. What they wanted would be foolish and dull blood relatives who didn’t covet power.

‘But if all these facts are revealed……’

The intended use of the weapons wasn’t important from the start. What mattered was simply the fact that Grand Duke Winston was smuggling such large quantities of weapons while avoiding the imperial family’s eyes.

“If done well, it could be enough to apply treason charges.”

Enoch nodded at Zek’s words.

The charge that the imperial family would have to react most sensitively to regarding the Winston grand ducal family. With this, he could conclude matters in the direction he wanted.

“We need to break this quickly. Before the Grand Duke realizes the ledger is missing and prepares.”

“However, Your Grace……”

Zek hesitated and read Enoch’s mood at his resolute words.

“If that happens, Your Grace will also be unable to avoid punishment.”

That was right. This was literally the original auction house ledger.

An undamaged original. The moment this was manipulated, proving authenticity would become more difficult.

But there, even the details of Enoch bidding for Luciella remained intact. If he had purchased objects or illegal drugs it might be different, but what he had done was clearly considered as human trafficking.

Even if it was done with good intentions.

“But there’s also no clearer material than this to send Winston away.”

Enoch suddenly recalled what the Emperor had said to him.

“Can you resolve just this matter? Then I’ll make sure you never have to worry about the Bert Princess matter again.”

Would that promise still be valid even when entangled in the human trafficking case?

There was no need to think long.

It clearly wouldn’t be.

‘That cunning old man……’

Perhaps he might be pleased that he could send away two troublesome people at once with this opportunity.

Nevertheless, Enoch couldn’t help but report this news. His priority was punishing Sejef, who posed the greatest threat to Luciella.

‘Just in case the Emperor might betray me……’

Enoch, who had been pondering briefly, picked up his pen.

The recipients were all the newspapers in the Empire.

* * *

The Emperor granted an audience waiting for it the moment Enoch sent his letter.

“I greet the noble sun of the Empire.”

He bowed his head respectfully toward the aged Emperor sitting in the office. Then he immediately held out the original ledger of the auction house that Sejef operated, which he had received from Zek.

“I have found the main culprit of the matter Your Majesty mentioned earlier.”

Enoch spoke as nonchalantly as possible with an indifferent face. Like he didn’t care at all even though Grand Duke Winston was involved.

A deep sigh flowed from the Emperor’s mouth after briefly scanning the documents.

“I was expecting it, but……”

The Emperor muttered like he was lamenting and pressed his brow.

“Marquis Walter.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Why do you think I entrusted this matter to you?”

Enoch hesitated in confusion at the Emperor’s unexpected question.

‘Why?’

He had never thought about it. He just naturally assumed it was because doubts had arisen……

‘But if His Majesty the Emperor was also vaguely expecting this?’

Then why really did he entrust the investigation of such matters specifically to me?

“I don’t have much time left anymore.”

“Pardon? Your Majesty, forgive me but what do you mean by that now……”

“Exactly what I said. It’s content that only a very few close associates know.”

The Emperor clicked his tongue while saying this.

“And that’s also a fact that Grand Duke Winston knows.”

Enoch couldn’t hide his surprised expression.

“It’s my mistake. Having the Crown Prince get involved in state affairs too early.”

“……”

“The Crown Prince has too many enemies. Most of the noble factions are hostile.”

“However, the common people completely support His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Enoch’s words were correct. The policies the Crown Prince implemented were in the direction of raising taxes on nobles to improve the welfare of commoners. It meant the support of far more commoners than the very few nobles was behind him.

“You know too, but unfortunately they have no power.”

“Ah……”

“In reality, it’s only a few nobles who interfere in national affairs.”

The Emperor put down the documents he was holding and stared at Enoch with serious eyes. Though he had a kind-looking face, his gaze was sharp.

“Marquis Walter, when I said I wanted to designate you as the Princess’s match, I never meant it falsely, not even for a moment.”

“……”

“I just couldn’t do so.”

The Emperor continued speaking while showing a bitter smile.

“I wanted to add even a little more strength to imperial authority through the Princess’s marriage. It’s all an old man’s greed though.”

The Emperor who coughed briefly opened his mouth again.

“Still, thanks to this, this old man can erase one worry before I go.”

“Then Grand Duke Winston……”

“If this isn’t plotting treason, what would it be.”

The Emperor’s voice saying this was resolute. There wasn’t even a trace of room for doubt.

“I have no one to ask.”

“……”

“Since you saw the ledger, you’ll know that quite a number of nobles regardless of faction were frequenting that vulgar auction house.”