It was just like any other day, riding in a carriage to December.

Leaning against the wall and looking out the window, I suddenly realized the scene before me was drastically different from yesterday.

I reflexively pulled away from the wall and opened the window wide.

“What’s happening?”

Guards were stationed at every passage from just beyond the castle moat all the way to Mertid Square. Their numbers were incomparably greater than what I had seen before.

When we entered the center of Mertid Square, I noticed sentries looking down from the church and from spires of tall buildings.

An enormous number of security forces were patrolling in formation around the shops lining every street, fountains scattered throughout, and massive statues that seemed ready to soar upward.

“Last time, didn’t those thugs kidnap Your Highness the Grand Duchess? This was decided by His Highness the Grand Duke.”

“…By His Highness?”

“Yes.”

At Joseph’s explanation, I widened my eyes once more.

The reason for passing through Mertid Square on the way to December was to see Brianna again.

About a month had passed since that day, so I had been watching the streets while passing through here for several days.

However, Brianna was nowhere to be seen, and now my vision was filled only with people in uniform.

They said it was for safety, but…

Still, what’s all this about?

“What are they investigating those people for? They look like ordinary citizens.”

“For Your Highness’s safety, we’re identifying everyone moving through St. Berte, and separately categorizing outsiders and those of unknown identity.”

“Hmm…”

Is all this really necessary?

It seemed like they intended to surround everything with strict security, leaving no escape routes.

Even while driving through the forest path past the small town, I could easily spot guards patrolling.

At this rate, it felt like they were planning to turn all of St. Berte into a single fortress.

“Ah, here are the newspapers you asked for, my lady.”

As I sat captivated by the unfamiliar scenery, Medlin handed me some newspapers.

At the castle, by Carlo’s orders, I couldn’t see any articles unfavorable to me.

The reason was that I, having nearly died, needed to regain mental stability.

But shouldn’t I at least know how the world was turning?

“His Highness won’t like this.”

Joseph, looking back and forth between Medlin and me, spoke.

He appeared quite displeased about doing this behind Carlo’s back.

“That’s why I’m secretly reading it in the carriage. Don’t you think it’s better for me to understand the situation? So I won’t be a burden to the Grand Duke.”

When I deliberately used Carlo as an excuse, Joseph couldn’t bring himself to object further and leaned back in the carriage.

I immediately opened the newspaper Medlin had procured.

There must be articles about the attack incident or the Conz River incident…

“Here it is!”

St. Berte Attack! Was the Grand Duke Not the Target?

New suspicions have been raised regarding the St. Berte attack case, which has been facing investigative difficulties.

The opinion is that the target of the attack was not Grand Duke Hedegen but rather Grand Duchess Hedegen.

Grand Duchess Hedegen, as the eldest daughter of Count Azanie, has long been suspected of being in collusion with the Azanie family.

However, the Azanie family has long maintained that while they are related by blood, they have become unconnected.

Experts suggest we should focus on the relationship between the Azanie family and Grand Duchess Hedegen.

Grand Duchess Hedegen has been criticized for her inappropriate words and actions, while the Azanie family has described their daughter as an evil seed harming the family name.

The St. Berte attack and Conz River kidnapping incidents occurred as conflict deepened between father and daughter due to the Grand Duchess’s increasingly irrational behavior.

As a result, these two incidents may be attempted murder cases based on the hostile relationship between father and daughter, and credible testimonies supporting these suspicions are beginning to emerge.

The article speculated that Count Azanie might be the one who attacked me at St. Berte Castle and the imperial palace.

It was quite surprising that the Azanie family was even mentioned in the article, unlike previous days when only I was identified as the culprit with circumstantial evidence…

But what was this unsettling feeling that wouldn’t go away?

The core of the article was portraying me as an irrational person, and Count Azanie as someone who tried to commit murder because he considered me a disgraceful existence.

“……”

There was absolutely no mention of the imperial family.

“…There’s no mention of the imperial family at all?”

“The newspaper has connections with the imperial family. The other newspapers are the same.”

Joseph answered.

“Ah… I see.”

I nodded and looked back down at the newspaper.

The newspapers Medlin had brought were certainly pouring out articles directing blame toward me and the Azanie family.

But something still felt off.

Carlo had definitely created a situation where both families would be cautious by saying my safety was the priority, thus driving them apart. But the imperial family’s response through these articles was too immediate.

What evidence could the Azanie family possibly have that would make the imperial family suddenly stab them in the back?

Moreover, would those who had pushed for my marriage to Carlo in order to benefit alongside the Azanie family turn their backs so easily?

The Empress had even accepted Carlo’s bold demand to fill her inner circle with his people as compensation for the political marriage.

That meant they had proceeded with everything solely with the intention of targeting the Grand Duke’s territory.

“…This doesn’t make sense no matter how I look at it.”

The imperial family had given up what they so desperately wanted far too easily.

If they concluded this case by making Count Azanie the one who tried to kill me, they would gain nothing immediately.

Were they planning for the future?

Or hoping the Grand Duke would become complacent?

Count Azanie’s silence despite these articles was suspicious, but now the Empress seemed most suspicious of all.

“Count Azanie is bedridden, so you must be having a hard time, Dillan.”

At Genevieve’s words, Dillan slightly frowned.

“I’ve seen the articles. Are you giving up everything like this? What about all that long preparation time?”

Dillan’s stiff tone echoed through the audience chamber.

Genevieve lightly tapped her fingers on the armrest and sighed.

“The Grand Duke has given his warning, so what choice do I have? I must withdraw.”

“Not yet, Your Majesty.”

“Not yet…? What do you mean?”

“I mean there are still options.”

Dillan, unable to express anger toward the Empress, suppressed his breath and continued with forced calmness.

“Amnesia doesn’t mean memories are gone forever. The period will be very brief, and the memories will certainly return.”

“Didn’t you see that day? Their marital relationship seems completely restored.”

“Lea will not betray me.”

“What…?”

“She’s a child who cannot betray me.”

At Dillan’s assertion, Genevieve stared at him for a moment, then tilted her head slightly as if trying to read his thoughts.

“…You seem to have some confidence in the Grand Duchess?”

“I cannot say yet, but yes.”

“I didn’t notice during the wedding, but when I saw her last time, that child didn’t seem so docile. How she figured out that the person who kidnapped her was missing a finger joint…”

“……”

“And she even threatened not to bring someone falsely persuaded after discovering other physical characteristics… How will you handle such a child?”

“I will certainly have my way. She has always been that way.”

“She’s not at the level your family can toy with like before.”

“Nothing has changed. My little sister has just forgotten temporarily.”

Dillan stared at Genevieve expressionlessly, with confidence.

The Empress had published articles betraying his family, seemingly following the Grand Duke’s words immediately.

A notification had also come that the Imperial Police Investigation Bureau would soon conduct an investigation.

She said giving advance notice of the investigation was her own consideration, allowing time to eliminate evidence.

However, eliminating evidence benefited the Empress too. She could remove all evidence of her crimes without lifting a finger.

Dillan couldn’t stand by and watch as the plan he had worked so hard on turned to bubbles.

He had waited over ten years to extort Grand Duke Carlo’s possessions.

Lea was a child who would inevitably return to him.

Yes, with just a little reminder.

Just a little teaching, as always.

Dillan stared at Genevieve with a very confident face.

“If I meet her, she will gladly become my tool again.”