Chapter 5 – One Step Closer (Part 9)

“…Where did Dunant get the money to buy mercenaries?”

Lorraine tapped her fingertips on the desk, lost in thought.

“Well… the only certainty is that the money smells.”

“Could it be related to that… mine?”

Philip, who was organizing documents to be distributed to each department, paused at the plausible hypothesis.

“…I’ll have to tell them to look into that connection as well.”

Earlier this year, a diamond mine was suddenly discovered in Dunant’s territory. The topic of conversation quickly quieted down, but-.

“Please check if Roben invested in it.”

“Yes, yes.”

There was something suspicious.

“…Philip.”

“…Yes.”

“Can we sort it out before the wedding?”

There was about a month and a half left until Asiel and Juliet’s wedding.

“Well.”

Philip pushed his glasses up his nose and closed the document he had just signed.

“Still, we should do our best, right? Who knows, light might shine from somewhere?”

Lorraine massaged her throbbing head, cursing William Dunant for creating this situation.

Why did he have to be so greedy?

“More than that, why don’t you just go home? It’s Friday… don’t you have any plans?”

He asked while skimming through the next document.

“I’m too worried to leave.”

“It’s because there’s no work. If you could help a bit….”

It was an extreme solution.

Lorraine smiled brightly and stood up.

“I’m leaving. See you next week.”

“…Yes, if I’m still alive, let’s meet.”

Philip also smiled brightly as he saw her off.

***

“…Why are you here?”

Sometimes there are days like that. Days when going straight home feels a bit disappointing.

Without taking a carriage, she ended up in front of <Porturellu> just by walking aimlessly. The green sign, the small display case lit by halogen lamps showcasing bestsellers. It had been a while since she’d been there, but it remained unchanged.

As always, the highest shelf was adorned with Madame D’s detective novels. It was natural for her steps to lead inside the bookstore.

“…What else would you come to a bookstore for?”

But why was this person here?

At his nonchalant answer, Lorraine momentarily thought she was in the Royal Library, not <Porturellu>.

Fortunately, that wasn’t the case.

“Right now, that!”

Ahem-. At the sound of the bookstore owner’s clearing throat, Lorraine closed her mouth. Her blue eyes shifted around before she cautiously spoke.

“…That’s not what I meant to ask.”

“Then.”

“Why did you personally come to buy a book, Your Grace?”

Lorraine stared blankly at his impeccable attire. His tailored coat stood out among those wearing ready-made clothes.

That was the problem.

“…If Philip brings the order form to the bookstore, the book will be delivered to the mansion.”

Edwin laughed awkwardly and replied.

“I’m a duke, not an emperor.”

“That’s why I’m saying it, because you’re a duke.”

As she nagged, she glanced at the watch on her wrist.

This wasn’t the time. If she wanted to make it in time for dinner, she had to quickly browse and leave.

“Anyway, if there’s a book you want to see, browse as you please. I’ll be off then.”

She had just turned to leave when it happened.

“Have you eaten dinner?”

She thought she misheard. Lorraine frowned and turned back. Edwin was calmly reading a book.

She narrowed her eyes and walked briskly to his side.

“The book.”

“…….”

“You’re holding it upside down.”

At Lorraine’s point, Edwin nonchalantly turned the book right-side up and replied.

“…That wasn’t my question.”

He might have acted naturally, but his ears were red. Lorraine chuckled and picked up a random book, answering.

“I haven’t eaten yet…. But Your Grace.”

“…Why?”

“Is this kind of book your taste?”

The book in Lorraine’s hand had the title <The First Steps of Faith>. She put the book back on the shelf and murmured slyly, covering her mouth with her hand.

“No wonder… there are no people around here….”

“…Enough.”

“Yes, well… it can happen. I completely understand.”

A stifled laugh eventually escaped through her lips.

***

The manager of <La Blanc> repeatedly said he was flustered by the sudden visit.

“But.”

He was apologetic, but considering the short notice, the table setting was perfect. Especially the trout with cream sauce, which was neither greasy nor heavy.

Lorraine wiped her mouth and asked.

“Why were you really there?”

“…To look at books.”

Edwin replied nonchalantly, putting a slightly bloody steak into his mouth.

“Why else would you go to a bookstore?”

The first time was hard, but the second was easy. Edwin hoped his picky secretary would let it slide. However, Lorraine Wiig wasn’t the type to let it go.

Are you expecting me to believe that now?

She silently stared at him, then shrugged slightly and spoke.

“Yes, well… I guess that’s possible.”

Though she didn’t believe it.

Lorraine, with a disinterested face, put a salad with yuzu dressing into her mouth. The fresh bell peppers and cabbage crunched in her mouth.

Did she let it go?

Watching Lorraine’s expression, Edwin sighed softly and took a sip of wine. The dry and slightly bitter taste of the wine lingered in his mouth, clearing his mind.

Should I thank him or punch him?

Edwin thought, recalling Kendrick Douglas’s nonchalant face.

「Do you know <Porturellu>?」

He was always out of the blue. Whether it was announcing his engagement or his estrangement from the family, he always delivered such news in strange situations.

「What?」

Edwin frowned. 

What kind of trick is this again? 

He racked his brain to grasp the gist of the question, but no answer came.

The answer came from elsewhere.

「Kendrick Douglas. If you remember this is your bachelor party, you should focus.」

Jamie, who had suffered several defeats due to Kendrick’s abrupt questions, scolded him. But Kendrick, undeterred, looked him straight in the eye and asked again.

「Edwin, I asked if you know where <Porturellu> is.」

「…I know where it is, but why?」

At Edwin’s question, Kendrick smiled strangely.

「Go there this evening.」

「…It’s already evening now.」

Jamie interjected, but Kendrick had no loyalty to spare even a stew for the emperor.

「Who knows? You might meet a face that makes you happy just by looking.」

Fold, he gently smiled and laid down his cards. The card he laid down confidently was a no-pair.

Jamie sighed, and Edwin also placed his cards down.

Full house.

「…What a mess you two are creating.」

Jamie muttered irritably.

「I’m going.」

Edwin grabbed the jacket he had hung on one side and headed straight to <Porturellu>. He hadn’t had time to think when he got up, but now all sorts of thoughts crossed his mind.

Does he know something?

“…Ha.”

If so, how does Kendrick Douglas know Lorraine Wiig?

“Your Grace.”

“…Yes.”

At Edwin’s absent-minded reply, Lorraine sighed and pointed to his plate with a fork. The knife he was holding was cutting into the bare plate.

“Do you think the plate will break like that?”

“…How do you know Kendrick Douglas?”

Why is that name coming up suddenly?

Lorraine frowned. Naturally, her answer came out curtly.

“…Personally or officially?”

“Both.”

“Officially, he’s a year senior at the academy.”

Lorraine answered, taking a sip of water.

“Well… of course, we weren’t in the same department, so he wasn’t my direct senior.”

“And.”

“Personally, he’s my friend’s fiancé.”

Edwin finally recalled that Kendrick was engaged around the time they were attending the academy.

“Now he’ll be my friend’s husband.”

“I see….”

***

The plates came and went several times, and before they knew it, the only thing left was a perfectly plated dessert plate. Lorraine speared a beautifully arranged melon with a fork and asked.

“Come to think of it… the talk of your engagement has completely disappeared, Your Grace.”

He almost spat out his espresso. Calming his surprised heart, he asked with a sour face.

“…Why is that?”

“Oh, it’s just that Lady Margaret hasn’t said much about it lately.”

Edwin propped his elbow on the table, rested his chin on his hand, and looked at Lorraine.

“Do you want me to get married?”

It’s none of my business, though. 

Lorraine suppressed her honest feelings along with the fruit and shook her head firmly with a determined face.

“…I have no more interest in your marriage than a grape seed, Your Grace.”

“Such a kind answer, thank you—truly.”

What kind of answer was I expecting?

Edwin soothed his aching stomach with the bitter espresso and thought.

“But being told to get married is quite bothersome when you experience it.”

“…You’ve been through it?”

At Edwin’s counter-question, Lorraine gave a bitter smile and shrugged.

“Unfortunately, even though I may look like this, I’ve long since passed the prime age for marriage.”

Edwin let out a short sigh as if he had forgotten.

“Oh.”

The average marriage age for unmarried women in Moses was nineteen to twenty-three. Lorraine Wiig, currently twenty-four, was a daughter who was considered too late by adult standards. Especially by her aunt, Lady Eileen Sweeney.