Chapter 31

A plain carriage ran towards Viscount Royne’s residence. In it, Ralph was looking out, feeling a little lightheaded. He was a bit drunk, but he rather liked this level of awareness. He felt confident that he could do anything.

The visible light outside the dark window indicated they were getting closer to Viscount Royne’s residence. As the carriage drew nearer, he saw a person’s figure. Being drunk, Ralph thought he was just seeing things. But as it got closer, the figure of a woman became more pronounced.

The woman in plain clothing was holding a flowerpot while looking at the mansion. It might have been because of the dreary evening, but he thought the woman looked dejected.

Ralph looked at her through the window of the carriage as it entered the residence. He suddenly became curious about her face.

As it was hard to see her visage from inside the carriage, he opened the door of the carriage without hesitation. Because of the speed of the moving carriage, the wind blew hard, but he braced himself while holding the bar on top of the door opening

As the carriage door suddenly opened, he saw the woman look at him with startled eyes. Her hair was in a half-updo, making her appear feminine and neat. Even though she had little makeup on, he could tell that she was quite a beauty.

But because of the carriage’s speed, her figure gradually faded away. The woman who became surprised at seeing him quickly turned around and disappeared.

Ralph’s carriage soon stopped, and he got off the carriage. His body faced the direction where the woman had stood.

“She must’ve been busy.”

She was absolutely, perfectly his type. He wanted to see her again. As she was wearing plain clothes, it didn’t seem like she was a noblewoman. Soon, a dangerous smile molded around his mouth.

“Baron Jeanette. The lord asks to see you.”

Reese imparted to Ralph, who had not moved from his spot for a long time.

“Alright.”

As he turned around, a wide smile could be seen on his face.

Reese inwardly clicked his tongue. For the man, ‘pleasant work’ meant something a little different, as the man was mainly in charge of Ben’s shady business. Nevertheless, he didn’t let his inner thoughts show as he led the man to where Ben was.

“You’ve arrived.”

The room Ben was situated in held simple food made from expensive ingredients as well as premium wine.

Ralph flung himself into the chair, ignoring etiquette. With one leg raised, he gulped down a glass of wine at once.

“Keuk. As expected, it’s great to be rich.”

He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and groaned as if he had been drinking cheap beer. Despite Ralph’s conduct, Ben placidly drank his wine while displaying aristocratic manners.

“What’s the progress?”

“We only need one more.”

“Are you sure?”

“Don’t worry, I’ve confirmed he works during the day.”

Ralph poured expensive wine back into the glass and drank. Ben gave a slight frown at the vulgarity.

The way he was chewing the food made from expensive ingredients felt no different from chomping down food for street beggars.

Ben laid down the food he was going to eat and instead wiped his hand with a napkin.

Ralph gave a tiny grin at the figure. From the beginning, behaving in an uncultured manner had been the best way to grate on his nerves.

“It will be ready by the time that you’re gone, right?”

“5 days.”

Ralph’s mischievous eyes flashed sharply. The smile on the side of his mouth gave Ben confidence.

Ben had rarely failed using this method. He felt better. With this, he was able to tolerate Ralph’s crude behavior.

“And just like I’ve promised, this has been prepared.”

Ben put a key on the table and pushed it toward Ralph. The slid key rested in Ralph’s gloved hand. He had always offered Ralph a second place. It was a place used in a completely different sense than just a place for accommodation.

“Don’t forget that this is the capital.”

Ben gave his last words before standing up.

“Of course.”

His eyes bent placidly as he looked at the small key in his hand. Yet strangely, it looked gruesome from the eye of the beholder.

Their short conversation ended. Only one month was left before the imperial ball.

Just as Fred knocked on the door and entered, Roman was already prepared to leave.

“Everything is all set, your grace.”

“Alright.”

Roman had to leave the Arceo empire in a hurry. This was in consideration of the lengthy investigation period for the stabbing case, as well as the condolences for the victims’ families.

“When it’s daytime, pass this on to the Marquis of Weiand residence.”

Before getting on the horse, Roman handed Fred a letter. The letter stated he would be out of the capital for a while. The letter was also an assurance for the troubled Prillance, who had met Cecia today.

“I’ll be back soon.”

Fred bowed and bid him goodbye. After the swift strides of his horse, the guards behind him soon followed.

***

Waking up later than usual, Prillance placed a cold, damp towel over both her eyes. She was trying to get rid of the swollenness in her eyes which were swollen enough to indicate how much she had cried. Perhaps because of yesterday’s aftermath, her head was still ringing.

A little later, Mindy removed the towel from Prillance’s eyes and gently stroked her head. Meanwhile, Prillance looked through the mirror and regarded the flowerpot lying by the window.

Originally, she had wanted to meet Cecia to deliver it in person and convey Ver’s heart.

But when she recalled his voice declaring that that was no longer what he wanted, she ended up turning around. Still, she couldn’t make sense of how far this twisted relationship came to be.

Prillance gave a deep sigh and closed her eyes.

At the same time, heavy air permeated the office of the Marquis of Weiand. Setting down his cup, Jack lightly clasped his fingers together and looked at the person sitting in front of him.

“Did you decide to enter?”

“Yes.”

Ver replied, refusing to avoid the eyes that stared at him sharply.

“I’m quite curious as to why you have made that decision.”

He couldn’t have foreseen that ‘that Viscount Grant’ would really enter to be a knight for the house of Marquis Weiand.

“I promised Lady Weiand that I would enter the Marquis of Weiand’s Order of Knights if I ever decide to be a knight of someone’s house.”

Ah. Jack nodded.

After announcing that she had wanted to have Ver be a knight of their house, Prillance had eventually made it happen.

He wondered whether he should be proud of his daughter’s resourcefulness or be uncomfortable with the fact that they were getting involved with the Grant family.

In the meantime, Ver was inwardly relieved that Jack had simply accepted the reason he gave.

If Jack had argued that his reason did not make sense and had asked for another reason, he would not have been able to answer.

Beyond mere promises, his impure intentions might have gotten caught.

“For now, you will have to live with the knights. Are you fine with me deciding on your position based on the results of your assessment?”

After much agonizing, this was Jack’s response.

Ver Grant’s reputation wasn’t unknown, but he wanted to avoid any equity controversy. Besides, if his skills were genuine, then it should be no problem for him to be placed in the rightful position.

“That’s fine.”

Ver also gladly accepted. The majority of aristocrats were still reluctant to associate with the Grant family. Moreover, the man in front of him was publicly known to be at odds with his father when he had still been alive.

He was aware that Jack had come to a generous conclusion.