Chapter 71

After closing the former Duchess’s diary, I was overwhelmed with shock. Based on the contents of the diary, it became clear that the person who killed the former Duchess was none other than her own brother, the Emperor. The Emperor had conspired with the Duchess’s close maid to poison her tea, disguising her death as a result of a long-term illness.

The reason the Emperor committed such a murder was blatantly apparent. He was wary of the Duke of Zan’s family and desperately wished for their lineage to end. Driven solely by this desire, he poisoned his own sister. The cruelty of it all made me shudder.

“Anna.”

As I called out towards the door, Anna immediately entered the room.

“You called for me, My Lady?”

“Prepare to go to the Grand Duke’s residence.”

I had to inform Julian of this. Though Anna seemed slightly surprised by the sudden decision, she quickly began the preparations. But as I watched her busily moving about, I shook my head.

“No, first call for the gardener.“

“Yes, My Lady. So, you’re not going to the Grand Duke’s residence?”

“I will. Just after making some further preparations.”

I wasn’t sure if Julian would believe me if I took this jewelry box with me. The Emperor was Julian’s uncle. I couldn’t help but recall Julian’s hesitation when I doubted Princess Abigail. While I knew the Emperor differed from Princess Abigail, I didn’t want to see that hesitation again.

Before long, Anna returned with the gardener. The gardener looked puzzled, having been called back after we had already talked for a while earlier.

“I apologize for calling you when you’re busy.”

“It’s no trouble at all. How could my work be more important than yours, My Lady?“

“It’s about your late wife.”

The gardener looked confused, his face showing a bit of concern as if he wondered if he had said something unnecessary before. I shook my head to reassure him.

“Could I possibly see your wife’s keepsakes?“

“Keepsakes? Why…?“

“I need to check something.”

The gardener still held a deep sorrow for his wife’s death. I couldn’t bring myself to tell him that it was actually his wife who had killed the former Duchess. I couldn’t tell him she may have done it because she was short on medical money.

Though the gardener seemed to have many questions, he nodded without further inquiry.

“Please, do it now.“

“Yes, My Lady.”

The gardener went straight downstairs. Thankfully, Anna didn’t ask anything, either. She must have noticed that I had sensed something odd from the former Duchess’s diary. I simply smiled and gently took Anna’s hand.

“I’m glad you’re here.”

At my words, Anna beamed.

“If you know that, then please listen to me better. Stop acting so recklessly.“

“Alright, alright.”

The former Duchess had been betrayed by a close maid she trusted. I felt it would be unbearable to think that Anna might betray me. With a renewed sense of gratitude, I nodded quietly to Anna.

While I waited in the room, reading a book, the gardener returned. He was carrying a large box, which he said contained all of his wife’s keepsakes.

“Let me take a look.“

“My Lady, why exactly…?”

I only smiled in response and didn’t answer. The gardener stepped back, realizing it wasn’t his place to question further.

Anna lifted the box and brought it before me. Inside were various belongings of Haery. However, none of them seemed to be particularly helpful.

“Is there no diary or anything like that left behind by your wife?”

The gardener answered with an awkward smile.

“She wasn’t the kind of person who kept a diary.”

It seemed that this wouldn’t be resolved quickly. Deep in thought, I cautiously asked.

“Didn’t it seem like she had accumulated more wealth than expected?”

At my words, the gardener’s eyes widened.

“How… how did you know?”

It had to be the case. The former Duchess had already provided Haery with some support.

But Haery must have felt it wasn’t enough and accepted the Emperor’s dark offer. The Emperor likely paid Haery so much that she would be too scared to refuse.

And then, Haery felt guilty about spending that money freely, wanted to tell someone, but was killed by an assassin disguised as a robber.

“Thank you for showing me.“

“Not at all. I’ll take my leave now.”

After the gardener left, I was lost in thought.

In the end, I didn’t uncover any significant evidence. But I was sure that the Emperor had killed the former Duchess. The only evidence was the diary, but still…

If there was a problem, there were two more things I needed to discuss with Julian.

One was about going to the Magic Tower to break the curse. I would still go even if he opposed it, but I wanted to inform him nonetheless.

The other was that in about a year, the Eastern Riar Plains would be invaded by monsters.

This time, even if Prince Cain were imprisoned and later released with Princess Abigail’s help, it was hard to believe his influence would reach the Riar Plains.

Nevertheless, the monster invasion was inevitable. I had heard that the plains would be littered with the corpses of both humans and monsters, rendering the area uninhabitable. If we prepared in advance, we might be able to mitigate the damage.

‘But will Julian believe me? There’s no solid evidence…’

I quickly shook my head, pushing away the thoughts that overwhelmed me. Even without evidence, I couldn’t do anything.

“Let’s go to the Grand Duke’s residence. Send a servant ahead to inform them that I’m coming.”

Without a word, Anna again prepared for our departure to the Grand Duke’s residence. As the servants helped me down the stairs and into the carriage, I found it difficult to hide my nervousness.

At the same time, I was disgusted with myself for assuming Julian would naturally meet with me. When I see him, I’ll apologize for coming unexpectedly and discuss the former Duchess’s death and the monster invasion.

‘Right, there’s no need to be nervous.’

As I reassured myself, the carriage soon arrived before the Grand Duke’s residence. Glancing out the carriage window, I noticed the sun was already setting.

Just as I was about to ask a servant for help getting out of the carriage, the door suddenly burst open. There was no way a servant would dare open the carriage door that the Grand Duchess was riding in so abruptly.

I held my breath and looked at the open carriage door. Julian was standing there with a stern face.

Had I come too suddenly?

“I-I’m sorry for coming so suddenly…”

That wasn’t how I intended to speak, but my words faltered. My head gradually lowered. I felt guilty towards Julian, yet at the same time, I was upset and wanted to rely on him and be trusted by him.

Before I could even finish my apology, Julian gently took my hand. His manner was entirely different from when he had opened the carriage door. He brought my hand to his lips and made eye contact with me.

“Welcome.”

I swallowed nervously and nodded. Julian’s gaze swept around the inside of the carriage.

“You have no luggage. Are you planning to return?“

“I just dropped by because I have something to discuss with you.“

“…I see.”

Julian said nothing more as he leaned into the carriage and lifted me out. Unlike when the servants would struggle to move me and the wheelchair together, his touch provided a different level of stability. Hesitating for a moment, I wrapped my arms around his neck.

“Just put me down somewhere convenient. I can use the wheelchair.“

“That would be a hassle.“

Wouldn’t carrying me be even more of a hassle? But before I could voice this, Julian preemptively asked,

“Your injuries.“

“They’ve healed quite a bit. I’ll be able to use crutches soon.“

“You’re still reliant on a wheelchair despite managing well without me.”

I couldn’t tell if he was being sarcastic or expressing disappointment. Seeing him after so long felt awkward, so I couldn’t respond appropriately. Meanwhile, countless words swirled in my mind.

‘Why did you send Duke?‘

‘What instructions did you give Thien when you sent him?‘

‘Why did you never visit the villa?‘

‘Did you find out anything about Princess Abigail?’

Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to voice any of these questions. Julian clicked his tongue as he carried me up the hall’s stairs.

“You’re making that face again.”

I hastily rubbed my cheeks. How foolish of me not to think to wear a hat with a veil today.

“What kind of face…?“

“A frightened face.”

Was it that obvious that I was nervous? I could feel my heart pounding.

Julian carried me to the reception room. He lightly brushed my fingers across my cheek as he set me down on the soft sofa.

But it was just for a brief moment. He was clearly mindful that I had told him to keep his distance. Julian sat down across from me and crossed his legs. His hands, clasped together on his knee, didn’t move.

“Tell me why you’re so frightened.“

“I’m not frightened.”

Despite my words, I was indeed scared. The memory of Julian taking a note from me and hiding it in his coat was still vivid. I took the jewelry box from Anna and placed it between Julian and me on the table.

“You have to believe this.“

Julian’s eyes twitched slightly at my words. Was it just my imagination? I thought he looked distraught. Deliberately avoiding his gaze, I bowed my head.

“I found it in the villa’s garden. This key was in the former Duchess’s study. And inside… Ah, I didn’t open it at first. I was going to bring it to you, but…”

Even to my own ears, my voice was growing quieter. The days when I would joke around and tease him seemed like a distant past. A heavy voice interrupted me just as I was about to finish my explanation.

“You don’t need to make excuses.”

Hearing those simple words made me feel like crying.

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.