Chapter 3

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To answer the question of who was at fault, it was probably us for taking in Yuriana and leaving her in a precarious position, merely indulging in our fondness for her like a pet. Yuriana, relying on the prestige of the ducal family, not only acted as she pleased but also fell for the enemy country's temptation.

However, what information could Yuriana, who wasn't even officially part of the ducal family, possibly have? She was merely favored by the two sons of the ducal family and attended tea parties; there was nothing significant to talk about. There's no way she would have been privy to any confidential information that could cause trouble if leaked. Yet, treason? Possibly leaking secret information to the enemy country? That's an exaggeration!

"Brother, if you really believe that, I think it's a serious problem."

Oliver, summoned to Nicholas's office, began speaking while looking at his brother's bowed head.

"Even in times of war or when planning a major operation, unforeseen problems can arise."

"Why war?" Nicholas couldn't help but frown, but Oliver continued without regard.

"For example, the deputy commander of the supply unit fell deeply for a cute waitress in a town they passed through and told her that if they needed any supplies, they could ask the old man who was a merchant. This kind of thing happens often during wartime."

"Hmm."

"The deputy commander, eager to see the waitress, would order unnecessary supplies through her, and the old man would bring them along with her. However, the old man was one of the enemy's spies. He could determine the size of the army based on the amount of supplies and could even poison the water jugs and return. Because it was a slow-acting poison, it took time to take effect, and many people ended up ingesting it."

This incident, which occurred when Oliver first joined the military, is etched in his memory.

"The enemy, fully understanding which of our units were vulnerable, would not miss the opportunity to exploit our weaknesses. Due to the deputy commander's negligence, about five hundred people were affected, and nearly a hundred died."

The railway project is undoubtedly a major operation and a significant project, so the enemy will undoubtedly use every means to sabotage it. A small mistake can be fatal, just as Castelhemy was almost kidnapped twice. The enemy's attacks are becoming more persistent.

"Yuriana was undoubtedly a major weakness for our ducal family. Whether she had any information or not is irrelevant. Our country loves rumors, and if it's said that we allowed the enemy to infiltrate and that Yuriana obtained important information from the two brothers to get a golden hair ornament and sold it to the enemy country, our family would be in a dire situation. Even if Yuriana claims she didn't sell any information, it wouldn't matter because she already has the golden hair ornament. Her claims of innocence would be useless."

The enemy slips in through the cracks, just as the deputy commander was targeted because he was a kind person in the supply unit. Similarly, even if it was impossible for someone from the ducal family, Yuriana was targeted.

"When it was decided to extend the railway to our ducal family's port, Father tried to push for Yuriana's marriage, but she refused, crying. At that time, I, along with Brother and Mother, advised that the marriage could wait. But in hindsight, it would have been better if Yuriana had married then."

"Did you love Yuriana, Oliver?"

In response to his brother's question, Oliver shrugged slightly.

"Looking back, I was raised as a spare for Brother in the ducal family and was harboring a lot of frustration when Yuriana arrived. I couldn't talk about these feelings with my family, so Yuriana became a source of healing for me. Upon reflection, she might have been a means for me to escape reality. I once seriously considered marrying her, but in front of Castelhemy, Yuriana's existence seemed ridiculous."

Nicholas, looking at Oliver with a bewildered expression, asked, "You used to look at her with such a sweet expression, and now you say this?"

Oliver, looking at Nicholas with a sincere gaze, said, "Brother, you just wanted to take Yuriana from me and feel superior, didn't you? Every time I looked at her with longing, you probably felt a sense of superiority, didn't you?"

Nicholas, unable to respond to his brother's accurate observation, looked at Oliver, who smiled sadly and continued, "I hate to say this, but I resent Brother, Mother, and Father. I wanted you all to tell me to stop being obsessed with a fairy-tale love and face reality. I wanted you to scold me for thinking the world revolved around me when I returned to the ducal mansion."

"Huh? What are you trying to say?"

When Nicholas couldn't help but raise his voice in anger, Oliver, with a sad expression, said, "I apologize for overstepping. But I want to tell you this: when you welcome your new wife, be careful. The world does not revolve around the ducal family."

"That's obvious."

"I failed to understand this obvious fact and repeated my mistakes."

Oliver, looking down, said, "Anyway, Brother, don't boycott the wedding night. Treat your new wife with love and care."

"I know that already."

When Nicholas looked at him with a puzzled expression, Oliver, with a gaze that said, "Do you really understand?" looked at his brother's handsome face.

The side story of this tale has begun. I'll update it daily! I hope it can be a refreshing change of pace during these hot, tiring days!

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