Chapter 47
The young ladies looked at him as if seeing something strange, and Reuke did the same.
“I can no longer watch my fiancée go around like this! Let’s bring the wedding forward.”
He waved his cane and shouted.
“Hey, engagement? With this old man… no, this gentleman?”
The young ladies cried out in surprise. Even in the midst of it, the hurriedly added “gentleman” was almost tearful in its politeness.
“I have never acknowledged it once. And what kind of disgrace is this at His Highness the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet?”
“I have supported your sisters generously!”
“You probably meant to support the Niest family.”
Reuke cut off Burtington’s words in disbelief. Niest was her uncle’s family name. Burtington seemed to have rushed out in excitement, but in truth, it was not so. Ever since the founding of the Schacht Theatre, this old man had been scheming. He intended to tarnish Reuke’s reputation like this. And if Reuke could no longer perform in the play, she would be completely at his mercy. I stepped in front of Burtington.
“Please calm down first. Acting like this here does neither you nor anyone else any good. I don’t want people thinking that the lady who raised you sold her nieces for money.”
Though I called it a “misunderstanding,” it wasn’t a misunderstanding at all. In fact, what I said would soon become accepted as fact in public gossip. The young ladies gathered around Reuke, like little chicks, began whispering among themselves.
“The Niest lady sold her into an engagement?”
“I thought our aunt was strict, but I guess not.”
Reuke had quickly become the tragic heroine. Even the theatre troupe resting in the tearoom came out to see what was happening.
“I was already suspicious and looked into it. I trusted the Niest lady and supported your sisters, but who knew she would intercept everything? From now on, there’s no need to work hard!”
That’s exactly how it played out. I smiled slightly at Burtington. This old man intended to put all the blame on the aunt.
“You’re old enough to understand what’s inappropriate, but isn’t it time to stop acting like a fool?”
He dismissed all the work Reuke and I had done as “foolishness” in a single sentence. Even the young ladies around Reuke went silent instantly.
“You cannot just cancel a properly arranged engagement simply because you dislike it. Regarding your hardships so far, I will clarify the reasoning and ensure proper compensation!”
Compensation was meaningless. Even if Reuke took the property from the Niest family, if she married him, it would ultimately return to Burtington. This was no different from saying he would recover his investment and secure Reuke for himself. The older ladies, assessing the situation, clicked their tongues at Burtington, but the young girls around Reuke looked confused.
“What’s going on…?”
“If they received support, shouldn’t the engagement stand?”
“The aunt intercepted it in the middle?”
“So Sir Burtington did nothing wrong?”
“But isn’t it strange to be engaged to a young girl?”
“Well, that happens sometimes…”
It was a situation where Reuke might look like she was just trying to take money from an old fiancé and run. All eyes were on her, and if this continued, it seemed she might even be blamed for ruining the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet.
But Reuke and I were not unaware that Burtington would attend the banquet. We didn’t expect him to collapse in shock like last time. He obviously knew he would have to attack us this way. Just then, the Crown Prince approached, as if to settle the commotion at his own birthday banquet.
“Perhaps it’s best to stop here. There’s no need to reveal all the truth. Both sides seem overly agitated.”
“Right. Reuke was originally part of my troupe, so if any difficulties arise, I will help. Let’s end it here for today.”
Burtington smiled triumphantly. It wasn’t good for the situation to end here; leaving ambiguity would not benefit us later, since people only focus on dramatic scenes. Reuke sat there looking a little dazed. Ending this scene was our responsibility. Our eyes met briefly, and Reuke collapsed weakly, as if all her strength had drained.
“Oh, Miss!”
“Miss Warren!”
“Ah, what should we do? You looked unwell earlier. Your face has gone pale.”
She seemed utterly stressed, barely able to stand.
“I’m fine. Just a little dizzy.”
“Hold me.”
One of the young ladies helped Reuke up. The others looked on enviously. Reuke cautiously made her way to a chair.
“You shouldn’t pressure a young lady.”
Though spoken quietly, her voice was clear. It was the Empress, speaking from her chair. She slowly stood. Even standing, she seemed incredibly tall. With broad shoulders, she appeared even more massive up close.
“Of course, a foolish young lady needs a man to guide her.”
At the Empress’s words, everyone except Burtington was stunned. Burtington, meanwhile, beamed triumphantly and bowed to the Empress, his wrinkled smile grating.
“You are indeed wise!”
“However…”
Everyone immediately waited for her next words.
“It is natural for a younger sister to feel uneasy about her elder sister’s marriage. So wouldn’t it be good to have some procedure to reassure the young lady?”
The Empress looked at me. Burtington’s expression went blank.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I would like to know about the deaths of Burtington’s three previous wives due to mysterious illnesses, the source of the funds provided to the Niest family, and whether the engagement process was procedurally legitimate. Since our childhood, after attending the late-night gatherings with our aunt, the engagement was decided without our knowledge. Please clarify these details fully.”
The surrounding people murmured. The mention of “late-night gatherings” shocked everyone. No engagement had ever been decided like that.
“They completely sold her off.”
“Oh my, how dreadful.”
“The sisters are very sharp, though.”
Burtington, leaning on his cane, staggered forward toward the Empress.
“These are matters already concluded. There’s no point in raising suspicions!”
“You are well aware.”
The Empress smiled kindly at Burtington. Burtington, facing her, began laughing, as if realizing something.
“Hmph, yes, indeed. A trial would clarify everything. Reuke, I will also explain the matters you are concerned about in detail.”
Reuke just frowned at Burtington.
“So please, do not make my son’s birthday banquet unpleasant anymore, both of you.”
“My apologies for the offense.”
Burtington bowed as the Empress returned to her seat. She seemed to chastise him while actually giving him full legitimacy.
“I did not intend to cause inconvenience. Truly, I am sorry.”
I apologized to the Empress and subtly glanced at the Crown Prince. After all, he was the host of the banquet. Alkaise could not hide his anger and glared at the Empress.
“Well, what a perfect birthday.”
Reuke sat, deeply worried. I approached and held her hand tightly.
“It’ll be fine, sis.”
“Thank you.”
Reuke replied weakly, but I could feel strength in her hand.
“Miss Reuke, we’ll support you.”
“Me too. And if Sir Burtington trades with our father, he might reconsider if we refuse to sell him anything!”
The young ladies cheered Reuke on, saying frightening things with innocent faces.
“Thank you. But I will accept only your thoughts. The guilty will face justice in court.”
“Oh my, so kind!”
The young ladies were worried precisely because of her kindness. Reuke and I did not wish Burtington’s wealth to decrease until the trial was over—we intended to claim it as compensation.
“During the trial, I will do my utmost to support you.”
The Crown Prince approached, extending his hand. Though unnecessary, he seemed to want to reclaim his position as the center of attention.
“I will help as well.”
Even Katia pretended to side with us, which was amusing, but Reuke and I could not refuse their offered handshakes. We had won this round, but the real power still lay with them.
“Thank you for all your kindness.”
“Not at all.”
Burtington puffed himself up, clearly believing he would naturally win. I whispered to Reuke.
“Don’t worry. The Empress is on our side.”
After all, why would she have opened the doors for us if she had no plan? She clearly intended to use us for her own purposes.
Two days after the banquet, as expected, I was summoned to the Empress.
Her room was furnished entirely in red—curtains, bed, chairs. The tablecloth had a red base with gold vine patterns. I sat across from her at the table. She lit a cigar.
“Would you like one?”
“No, thank you.”
She took a deep puff. The maids must have had a hard time.
“Were you worried I was taking his side?”
“No. You opened the door, after all, Your Majesty.”
“Then can you guess why I am helping you?”
“Yes.”
The Empress laughed gleefully.
“I’ll skip the formalities. I can’t stand that brute running around anymore. But there had to be a trigger.”
Even if Burtington hadn’t caused trouble, after the banquet, Reuke and I would have initiated legal action. Because he lost his temper, things actually turned out better.
“I intend to reclaim the unlawfully acquired wealth for the treasury. Of course, excluding the compensation you are rightfully due.”
“The side that took the money illegally must pay the proper price.”
“Ah, of course. Otherwise, it’s human trafficking.”
The Empress gave me a meaningful smile. It was time to restore the nineteen years of Reuke’s life.
