“Ah, that’s not right. I shouldn’t call you that. It’s been a long time since the divorce, so addressing you as the Duchess would be rude, wouldn’t it, Viscountess Marves?”

The Marchioness of Buchanan stepped two paces closer. Instinctively, I took a step back to avoid her. Sir Baker and Sir Curtis, who were nearest to me, moved in to protect me.

But I couldn’t just keep retreating. If I let the Marchioness of Buchanan leave like this, or worse, allowed Baron Lombardi to go free, who knew when the next opportunity would arise?

My fingertips grew cold as I clenched my fists tightly. It was a moment that demanded courage.

“What brings you here, Marchioness Buchanan?”

As soon as I finished speaking, the Marchioness of Buchanan openly looked me up and down.

“I had heard about your divorce from Duke Graham, but even if I hadn’t, I could have guessed.”

Her sneering tone grated on my nerves. My temper flared momentarily, but I couldn’t let myself get caught up in her wordplay.

“I’ve been meaning to meet you, so it’s nice to see you here. May I ask what brings you to this place?”

The Marchioness of Buchanan took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly.

“I’m pleased to meet you too, Viscountess Marves.”

Contrary to my worry that she might be beyond reason, the Marchioness regained her composure and greeted me.

“I heard that Duke Graham was hospitalized here, so I came to visit him. But the Graham family’s knights surrounding the hospital treated me like a criminal, and I lost my temper for a moment. I apologize for my harsh words.”

The Marchioness cast a sharp gaze over the knights and soldiers gathered at the hospital. I couldn’t decide whether to admire her for not being intimidated by the burly knights or to be afraid of her.

But one thing was clear: the Marchioness of Buchanan wasn’t here just for a simple visit. She had a purpose, which is why she came personally.

I put on a sympathetic expression to console her.

“As you know, Duke Graham was injured and is currently hospitalized. That’s why the knights guarding the place have been more on edge. I apologize on behalf of Duke Graham.”

Since the Marchioness had pointed out the knights’ rudeness, it seemed important to address that first. Her gaze soon focused on me.

“If you’re apologizing like that, I won’t make an issue of it. But let’s be clear. These ruffians who treated me poorly are not under your command, are they? I want a direct apology from their master.”

“I will pass on your message.”

“Good. What I want is an apology. So make sure I receive a proper one.”

“I’ll do my best.”

As I replied politely, her expression softened somewhat. Her face, which had been harsh all along, appeared a bit gentler.

“However, I have one question, Madam.”

“What is it?”

“How did you know about Duke Graham’s accident?”

“…”

“It’s true that Duke Graham is hospitalized for certain reasons. But isn’t it strange? It’s still too early for rumors to be circulating, isn’t it?”

I pressed the Marchioness of Buchanan, changing my approach. Although I hadn’t found concrete evidence against her, sometimes these small details could serve as more definitive proof.

The Marchioness briefly glanced at Baron Lombardi. Baron Lombardi nodded once to her, as if they communicated silently in that short moment.

“When you’re managing a trading company, information is the most crucial thing. Whether you can make money depends on when and how you obtain that information. And I’m always on the winning side. Everything that happens in this capital is practically in my hands.”

The Marchioness of Buchanan responded a beat later. Her words sounded plausible, but the fact that she couldn’t quite meet my eyes and the cold sweat on her forehead undermined her credibility.

“Really? Are you sure there’s not a shred of falsehood in what you’re saying?”

When I asked again for confirmation, the Marchioness placed her hand on her hip.

“That’s right. It seems you want to hear something else from me, but that’s all I have to say.”

“I’ll take it as such. Then… what about Baron Lombardi?”

Finally, the conversation turned to Baron Lombardi. As attention focused on him, he swallowed nervously and hid behind the Marchioness of Buchanan. It was hardly a subtle move for a man who stood a head and a half taller than her.

“Ah, yes. There’s a reason I took the risk to bring him here.”

“A reason?”

“I’d prefer to discuss that with Duke Graham rather than with you, Viscountess.”

“What kind of discussion?”

As soon as the Marchioness of Buchanan finished speaking, Ains’s voice came from behind. I turned to see him standing there, his face contorted as if he had a headache, staring at the Marchioness.

“It’s difficult to talk here; come inside.”

Ains finished speaking and turned away again. His usual confident and arrogant demeanor seemed somewhat subdued. I followed him into the hospital room, memorizing his retreating figure.

The Marchioness of Buchanan and Baron Lombardi followed us inside. I stood by Ains’s side, watching them closely.

“So, what do you have to say to me?”

Ains got straight to the point without any preamble. Baron Lombardi was taken aback by Ains’s directness and glanced nervously at the Marchioness of Buchanan. The Marchioness remained calm, even with such a jittery person beside her.

“I’m here to clear up some misunderstandings.”

“Misunderstandings?”

“Yes, misunderstandings.”

The Marchioness of Buchanan gestured to her maid, who quickly brought over a chair. With graceful movements, she sat down, leaned back, and crossed her arms.

“What I want to say is this: there’s only one person I’m protecting.”

“……”

As she finished speaking, Ains turned his head towards Baron Lombardi. I also looked at him, standing beside her. He glanced between Ains and me with a submissive expression before bowing slightly.

“It’s as she says, Your Grace.”

Baron Lombardi spoke in a voice as pleasant as his handsome appearance. Ains crossed his arms, inviting him to continue.

“You probably think I’ve been involved in the affairs of Viscount Chester or Viscount Shelton, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

Ains answered briefly, without any detours, causing Baron Lombardi to smile bitterly.

“You’re mistaken. I knew what kind of people those two were, but I had no one to protect me, so I had no choice but to associate with them. You know, Your Grace, these are the kind of people who would dare to commit reckless acts, even against the great Duke Graham. Do you really think they would treat someone like me, a mere baron, any differently?”

As Baron Lombardi continued, his voice grew more intense with a sense of injustice.

“I only stayed on their good side to survive. But since Viscount Moldovan was captured by the guards, I haven’t been involved with them at all.”

“Hmm.”

Ains let out a small sigh. He listened to Baron Lombardi’s words but didn’t seem to trust them.

“Then let me ask you two questions.”

“Yes, I’ll answer any question you have.”

“First, if you claim you weren’t involved, why were you staying at the Buchanan estate with them? Baron Lombardi, despite your words, there are too many witnesses and evidence of Viscount Chester and Viscount Shelton frequenting the Buchanan estate. By hiding them, aren’t you admitting your involvement?”

“No! That was… because she hadn’t opened her heart to me yet.”

I frowned at Baron Lombardi’s blushing and shy response. However, unlike me, the Marchioness of Buchanan smiled warmly and clasped his hand, gently stroking it with her thumb.

“Our love blossomed amidst that crisis. Perhaps you wouldn’t understand, Your Grace.”

“……”

Ains’s silence felt particularly heavy today. I also found it difficult to say anything in this situation.

Ains watched them for a moment, then raised a hand to touch his lips, sighing softly before speaking again.

“Alright, let’s put that aside for now. Even if something doesn’t sit right, we’ll verify it later.”

“Yes, investigate all you want.”

Baron Lombardi’s seemingly confident words suggested he might be telling the truth. But as Ains said, the truth would come out through investigation.

“Let’s move on to the next question. Even if you weren’t involved, you must know how they managed to infiltrate my estate and plant explosives.”