“I figured as much. More importantly, how is the Sillion family reacting?”

Since Catherine had mentioned the breakup on her own, there was no doubt that all hell had broken loose.

“From the outside, it looks quiet, given the nature of that family. They absolutely despise their internal affairs being exposed.”

Roir’s face, which usually resembled a gentle giant, quickly transformed into that of the heir of House Greuga, a sneering smirk spreading across his lips.

No matter how rapidly the Sillion family had risen in status, they still hadn’t reached the level of those who had ruled from the place they desperately aspired to.

When Roir decided to dig into them, any secret Sillion had tried to hide would no longer remain one.

If Duke Theron Lucart had cared enough, he, too, could have discovered how Catherine was treated within her family and her past.

He simply hadn’t known because he had never taken an interest in her.

Of course, in the development of Re.Vil.Bre, he ‘coincidentally’ witnesses Catherine being abused when he visits her family due to the breakup…

But that needed to be prevented.

Raylin wasn’t so callous as to interfere with Catherine leaving her family.

Considering the way she had been treated by Catherine in her past life, worrying about her situation almost made her feel as if she were being too soft, just like Aiger always said.

Still, she couldn’t bring herself to leave Catherine trapped in the same house with the kind of family members who emotionally and mentally abused her without a second thought.

That didn’t mean she intended to let the whole ‘regretful family’ trope play out as it was, either.

“Anyway, Lady Sillion is said to be in self-reflection after causing such a major scandal. But in reality, it’s closer to being forcibly confined.”

“I see.”

“Oh, right. Apparently, the young lady who was supposed to be locked up actually went out. Tsk. That family can’t even keep their internal matters under control properly. But why do you ask?”

Roir tilted his head, his gentle puppy-like demeanor returning.

“It was shocking to see that unfold the other day, so I was curious about what happened afterward.”

After confirming that Catherine was still tied to her family, Raylin continued.

“Brother, our family does business with Duke Lucart’s merchant ships, right?”

“Hm? Yeah, we do.”

“Could I take a look at the related documents?”

Although she was the only direct descendant of House Greuga, she wasn’t the heir.

There were limitations on her access to business and confidential family documents.

Even when she had the authority to check something, it was natural to ask Roir for permission as a sign of respect for the heir.

“Of course! I’ll show you anything you want!”

Roir, on the other hand, looked like he was ready to gather all of the family’s classified information and present it to her if she asked so much.

“Don’t do that. You’re just as bad at managing internal security as they are.”

Roir, quick to pick up on the faint concern beneath her blunt words, barely held back a laugh as he stood up.

After handing her the documents she requested, he asked,

“Here you go. Look through them; if anything’s missing, point it out without hesitation.”

“That won’t be necessary. You’re the one handling this, after all.”

As if stating an absolute truth like ‘the sun rises in the east,’ Raylin casually praised him, then frowned.

“What’s with that face? Why are you grinning so annoyingly?”

“Hm? Oh, it’s nothing.”

Roir quickly adjusted his expression and asked,

“Do you want to read them here?”

“No. I’m leaving now.”

“Huh? Already?”

“Yeah. When do I need to return these?”

“Whenever you’re comfortable! But wait, Raylin, if you’re interested in the merchant ships—”

“I’m not. I just need to find an excuse for Duke Lucart to leave the capital for a while…”

Roir blinked as he faintly caught Raylin’s parting words.

“Duke Lucart?”

***

Even though it was nearing midnight, the central streets of the capital were ablaze with the lively atmosphere of the night market.

“Closing up shop! Take them at a bargain price!”

“Spicy and sweet chicken skewers! One bite, and you’ll be back for more!”

Among the shouts of merchants vying for customers—

“Hey, I just bought this, and it’s already broken. Isn’t this a scam?”

“What scam? Hand it over; I’ll give you a refund.”

“Eh, forget the refund. Got any glue or something? I’ll just stick it back together.”

“Hah, you must really like it.”

“That’s why I bought it. Haha.”

The warm banter between vendors and customers filled the air.

From grand, brightly decorated stalls adorned with lights and mobiles to small, shabby stands that barely looked like businesses at all—

The once-a-month night market was bustling as always, with waves of people moving through it like a tide.

“Hmm. How about this price?”

“Oh, miss, that’s too much of a cut. I can’t go any lower.”

“Then this will do. I believe your heart is as generous as your lovely face.”

“Oh-ho, fine. I’ll let it slide because you’re charming.”

The vendor grumbled, though his wrinkled eyes crinkled in amusement.

“Thank you.”

Raylin politely bowed and received a plain wooden box, hastily wrapped in paper.

“But what are you buying that for?”

The merchant spoke again, his expression a mix of curiosity and pity only after completing the transaction.

“It’s too plain for a toy or decoration. You can hear something rattling inside when you shake it, so there’s definitely something in there, but there’s no keyhole—no way to open it.”

Raylin shrugged.

“Isn’t that exactly why it’s interesting?”

“If you ever figure out how to open it, let me know what’s inside. I’ll be at the same spot in the next market.”

The merchant chuckled, clearly not expecting much, while Raylin simply nodded and walked away.

Taking quick strides, she found a quiet corner in a beer stall and carefully peeled away the paper wrapping the box.

“How much would this sell for?”

Muttering to herself, she traced the blunt, worn edges of the box. She already knew exactly what was inside and how to open it.

“How did I find it? It was inside the box. In the night market’s…”

Catherine had explained it in great detail in her past life.

After earning a decent sum from a tournament, Catherine discovered a masterpiece known as the ‘Egg of Pibe’ in the night market and sold it for an astronomical price.

And now, Raylin had beaten her to it.

With this, Catherine’s true source of wealth was cut off.

Of course, she would probably find another way—but Raylin intended to block as many paths as possible.

A shadow loomed over her face as she lifted the roughly crafted box, examining it closely.

“My lady?”

“You must be mistaken.”

Raylin denied it smoothly and instinctively pulled down the edge of her hood to obscure her face.

But the other person simply sat down before her with a sigh.

“So it really is Lady Greuga.”

“You could’ve just pretended not to know.”

Though the stranger’s face was hidden beneath a deeply pulled hood, Raylin casually signaled her guards behind her, waving them off before they could rush over.

“What brings you out here, Your Highness?”

She set the box aside and asked.

“Sightseeing.”

“Could you at least put some effort into your lies?”

“The chamberlain who serves the emperor’s inner circle—”

“I’ll take the half-hearted lie instead.”

Raylin decisively shut down the conversation with a flick of her hand.

Aiger narrowed his eyes but let out a faint chuckle.

For a fleeting moment, an expression of amusement flickered across his face before vanishing—but it was so brief that Raylin, who had momentarily looked away, missed it.

Not wanting to get entangled in complicated, unpleasant matters she had no interest in, she quickly changed the subject.

“Have you found Kertan’s younger sister?”

“We’re tracking her. It shouldn’t take more than a few days.”

As expected, they would find her quickly.

Unlike her past life, where Kertan’s sister had been crushed under drugs and violence until she was on the verge of death, she hoped this time they would reunite under better circumstances.

“How is he?”

“Good.”

It was a concise evaluation, yet it leaned towards a positive assessment, making Raylin feel like a small weight had been lifted from her heart.

She knew that Aiger’s abilities were extraordinary, but wasn’t he the original villain and a secondary male lead?

She had been worried that the force of the original story might intervene and cause some unfortunate conflict between them, but fortunately, her concerns seemed unfounded.

“You seem quite interested in him.”

Aiger, resting his chin on his hand, casually remarked. Raylin answered just as indifferently.

“Not much, but I am.”

She didn’t elaborate on what kind of interest or how much, and he didn’t press further, nor did she say anything more.

A brief silence settled between them. As is often the case in awkward relationships, the quiet became unbearable for Raylin, prompting her to ask,

“Is there anything you want?”

It was a contextless question, but she had to ask if she intended to draw him in as an ally.

“You asked me that before. Why do you keep asking?”

Aiger leaned back into his chair, crossing his legs.

“So I can give it to you.”

In contrast, Raylin leaned forward slightly as she replied.

Tilting his head, he asked again.

“Why?”

Raylin observed Aiger carefully, wondering if any negative words would surface alongside his name, and finally spoke.

“I’d like Your Highness to help me.”