Chapter 79

# 79

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Theorban glared sharply at Beni before heading down to the lobby.

Theorban, who had never expected the maid he sent to run away, soon turned red and slapped Beni's cheek.

Slap!

"Can't even do such a simple task properly and bring shame upon me?"

Beni felt extremely wronged.

"But Sylene said there was a curse here, and evil spirits—"

Theorban, enraged, slapped Beni's cheek again.

Slap!

"Ouch!"

"Shut up! A mere maid has the nerve to deceive me, and you believe such nonsense?"

Beni clutched her already swollen red cheek and bowed deeply.

Theorban berated her even more harshly.

"That woman is still alive today, disrupting my plans. It's all because you didn't follow my instructions!"

Theorban had intended to frame Agnes for Navia's disappearance today.

If that happened, Agnes would not remain idle.

Since Navia was staying in Esselred, the responsibility would naturally fall on those in the ducal household.

This was a golden opportunity to reduce or even expel Schleman and Margaret's influence.

"Damn woman!"

She seems to have nothing but a long life.

Theorban completely ignored the possibility that Larc might have saved the child.

Navia was on the second floor.

It meant she was a meaningless human who could be sent away at any time, so Larc wouldn't care if she lived or died.

The only meaningful people to him were those who could enter the third floor.

"There's still a chance. The Duke of Agnes hasn't arrived yet."

Theorban stopped at the central staircase and looked up at the third floor.

A brilliant idea flashed through his mind.

"Can that lowly maid enter the third floor?"

"No."

Satisfied, Theorban smiled.

"Put that lowly thing on the third floor. That will solve everything."

Anyone who enters the third floor without Larc's permission is immediately beheaded.

Theorban had witnessed people dying the moment they stepped onto the third floor.

"Can you do this without making a mistake?"

Beni trembled and couldn't answer right away, fearing Margaret's abilities.

At that moment, Theorban drew his sword from his waist.

"If you fail, I will cut off your head immediately."

The sword blade flashed menacingly, and Beni swallowed hard before replying.

"…Yes, I understand."

Just then, a servant Theorban had brought with him came up to report.

"The carriage of the Duke of Agnes is arriving."

Master.

Theorban sheathed his sword and gestured to the servant.

"Let's go."

As he stepped out the front door, a line of massive carriages adorned with the family emblem in gold just happened to pull in.

The carriage stopped, and a well-dressed coachman opened the door respectfully.

Nikan smiled warmly and greeted Theorban.

"It's been a while, Alvin Count."

Theorban also smiled, hiding his dark intentions, and laughed heartily.

"The weather is nice, isn't it, Your Grace?"

Nikan's eyes narrowed slightly, as if finding the statement provocative.

"Indeed. It seems to be a day for good things to happen."

Then Schleman and Margaret came out to greet him.

Nikan scanned them and then focused on the girl who appeared last, his lips curling.

"I have brought the compensation as promised."

Navia Agnes.

His proud foster daughter still possessed an otherworldly beauty.

Navia clearly looked like she had been living in luxury.

Thinking about it, he had never seen Navia style her hair like that when she stayed in Agnes.

Such bright dresses and white stockings were things Navia didn't have.

Navia only had drab, somber dresses in colors like mouse gray, deep wine, and dark blue.

It was a sign of mourning.

Even after the three-month mourning period for the fake parents' death, Nikan continued to dress Navia in such clothes.

To firmly imprint her status on everyone and create a sense of alienation so she wouldn't easily blend in.

To make her keenly aware of her lowly status, different from Udna and Vivian.

To raise her politically for political use. That was Nikan's philosophy.

Still, he thought,

'She should run to me and cry now.'

Even if she had enjoyed luxury she had never experienced before, Navia should still do that.

"It's been a while, Navia."

Navia should only find meaning in Agnes, and the person she should serve and respect as a father should be him.

He had brainwashed her that way.

However, Navia neither cried nor ran to him. Instead, she greeted him awkwardly, like the miserable child who had just turned seven and stood before him.

"Greetings, Duke of Agnes."

There was a sense of distance, as if they were meeting for the first time.

Nikan's fingers twitched.

He felt an odd sensation, as if an invisible force had pushed him away.

'It's just a feeling.'

Navia pushing him away? That child's life was entirely marked by Agnes; it was impossible.

"…I see. I'm glad you seem to be doing well. I sent you a letter; you must have read it, right?"

"Of course."

Nikan narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Navia closely.

Though hidden by her clothes, thin gauze-like materials were visible on her hands and the exposed part of her neck.

It was clear that on the day Udna took her with the hired assassin, the boy must have treated her roughly.

'Did the brainwashing falter because of that? But if the brainwashing falters, would it affect her etiquette?'

The current Navia was a very disappointing sight, and she even seemed to be putting herself on equal footing with him, making him involuntarily cluck his tongue.

But since she was not meant to be the Empress, this level of flaw was acceptable.

No, it might even be better if she were a fool.

He intended to bring her back into his household and treat her like a servant anyway.

Clack. Clack.

Just then, another carriage pulled into the lobby.

Nikan turned calmly at the sound.

The carriage door opened, and a handsome man with a scholarly air descended.

"That's Sir Edward Spencer. Teacher, please come this way."

Nikan had called Edward in case something like this happened, and it was a very appropriate arrangement.

Edward removed his hat and greeted them respectfully.

"I am Edward Spencer. I was Navia's governess until recently."

Schleman and Margaret looked at him with suspicious eyes upon hearing that he was Navia's governess.

Navia had clearly been mistreated while in Agnes.

This man must have either contributed to it or at least been a passive observer.

Nikan said with a very concerned expression.

"He is an excellent teacher who was in charge of Navia's education. However, since her education period was insufficient, I asked him to check her to avoid any inconvenience."

His words were misleading.

Schleman raised an eyebrow and said,

"I don't understand why the Duke still tries to exert influence over Navia as if she were his own child, even after transferring her to Esselred."

Using the term 'check' for Navia was also very unpleasant.

'What does he think of the child to use such a term…'

At that moment, Theorban interjected.

"The Duke of Agnes still has custody of the child, so it's only natural, isn't it?"

"Alvin Count."

Theorban laughed derisively at Schleman's warning.

He was annoyed that the time to check the compensation was being delayed because of a child he would soon dispose of.

What was important now was not this trivial wordplay.

'I was wondering how to get rid of that woman, but this is perfect. Send her to the second floor and bring out that Spencer or whatever his name is to create some alone time for her.'

With such a well-laid plan, he wouldn't fail to deal with a mere eight-year-old.

Theorban put on airs and said,

"Come, let the princess go up to the second floor to be checked. This is an order as the acting head of the Esselred household."

Margaret tried to intervene, but Navia held her hand.

Looking down, Navia smiled reassuringly.

"Teacher is a wonderful person."

It meant she didn't need to worry.

Nikan smiled contentedly, and the vassals of Esselred had strange expressions.

Edward unconsciously tightened his grip on his hat.

This was surely a statement meaning 'ally.'

While it might be wishful thinking, his heart raced with some hope.

To Edward, Navia was already a perfect lord.

Without hesitation, Edward approached Navia and offered his escort.

"Let's go."