CHAPTER 55…………………………………………….
“You should go immediately.”
“Ah, damn it. What a hassle.”
Edwin, letting out his irritation freely, left without another word.
Tricia, left alone, stared at his retreating figure for a moment before turning her gaze elsewhere.
A mining accident, huh.
Come to think of it, there had been an accident around this same time in her previous life.
She couldn’t remember the exact details or circumstances.
But one thing was certain…
It dealt a massive blow to Edwin’s finances.
Back then, the Baron of Berkshire had barely patched things up, but this time, that wasn’t possible.
As far as Tricia knew, the Baron of Berkshire was no longer among the living in this world.
He accidentally killed a noblewoman while trying to assault her, right?
Moreover, since she had been a noblewoman of higher rank than him, he was imprisoned and eventually executed.
Truly a fittingly disastrous end for Edwin.
In any case, without the Baron of Berkshire, Edwin has no way to secure new funds.
Edwin was a parasitic sort of man.
So he would surely be wandering around, looking for a host to provide the money he needed.
Originally, I planned to offer my aunt as the bait…
But she had changed her mind.
The current Marchioness of Devon couldn’t bring in the funds Edwin wanted anyway.
The emperor’s anger at the attempted poisoning of Hestia had been greater than expected.
Not only my aunt, but he cut off every limb of the Marchion of Devon too.
Perhaps he thought that was the only way to earn Hestia’s forgiveness.
How foolish.
In the end, the emperor had lost both his cherished mistress and his daughter.
“How is Princess Regina these days?”
At Tricia’s question, Jane, who had been waiting quietly in the corner, hurried over.
“She’s actively participating in social activities under the generous support of the Marchioness of Belon.”
Jane seemed somewhat uneasy.
Tricia felt the same way.
The Marchioness of Belon supporting Regina was something that hadn’t happened in her previous life.
It didn’t seem like the Seventh Empress and the Marchioness of Belon were on good terms either.
Tricia had heard this from noblewomen she met at Hestia’s birthday banquet.
They treated Edwin’s mistress, Regina, politely in public but were inwardly displeased.
At the same time, they pitied Tricia for remaining composed despite her husband having a mistress while moving through society.
They were all unusually tolerant toward me.
Thanks to that, even as a newcomer, she had been able to learn some information about the Seventh Empress and the Marchioness of Belon.
She was strolling through the garden with Jane, trying to organize her thoughts.
“Oh! Your Highness. You’re here?”
“Princess Regina.”
She came face-to-face with Regina, who was walking with her maid.
The fact that Regina, who usually avoided this area, appeared now meant she had business with Tricia.
“Do you have something to tell me?”
“Not exactly…”
“Then enjoy your walk. I’m busy.”
“I have something I want to ask!”
Regina urgently stopped Tricia from walking past.
Tricia tilted her head, wondering what it could be. Regina cleared her throat before speaking.
“It seems Edi had to go out in a hurry.”
“And…?”
“It looks like he was with Your Highness until just before…”
“Yes. We were together.”
Regina deliberately trailed off, but Tricia pretended not to understand.
“Is that all you wanted to say?”
“Why did Edi go out so suddenly?”
Finally, Regina asked straightforwardly.
She should have done that sooner.
“I don’t know.”
Tricia touched her chin, a faint smile on her lips.
“Wouldn’t it be better to ask Edwin himself? If it’s something the princess is allowed to know, he’ll tell you.”
Regina frowned at Tricia’s careful avoidance of the question.
“I am Edi’s business partner. I have the right to know everything he does!”
“Understood. Ask him directly when he returns. Your business partner is my husband, not me.”
“Husband? Huh…”
Regina suddenly lifted one corner of her mouth in a smile.
“Do you still think Edi is your husband?”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Edi doesn’t love you.”
“And…?”
Tricia crossed her arms, curious to hear more.
Edwin doesn’t love her? He probably never loved her, not even once in her previous life.
Me neither.
Just as Edwin didn’t love her, Tricia didn’t love Edwin.
And what of it?
“Nobles live like that. Your position isn’t much different from mine.”
“No, my situation with Your Highness is different. Completely different.”
Whatever.
Tricia had no interest in this pointless argument.
Her focus was on revenge, not on her feelings toward Edwin.
“You may not believe me now, but soon you’ll see who Edi chooses.”
Tricia had a feeling she already knew.
Despite his recent attentions toward her, Edwin would ultimately choose Regina.
Because I’ll make sure of it.
So Tricia decided to smile faintly and show a little generosity.
“You asked earlier where Edwin went, right?”
“…What? All of a sudden?”
“No need to be so guarded. I just don’t see a reason to argue over something trivial with Your Highness.”
“You could be lying to me, you know.”
“Why would I? Everything will be revealed when Edwin returns anyway.”
Regina had to hear her properly and act before Edwin arrived.
“There was an accident at two of Edwin’s mines.”
“…An accident?”
Tricia nodded.
Since this was something that could be verified by the steward, if Tricia were lying, it would be easy to catch her.
“It will be a bit difficult for the time being. I think there are a few payments due soon, and securing the funds won’t be easy.”
“…”
“If only the Baron of Berkshire were here.”
Tricia added wistfully, and Regina’s eyes brightened.
“…I see. I hope it gets resolved safely.”
“Since you’re Edwin’s business partner, assist him well.”
Tricia said, almost as an admonition.
“You never know, this may be a chance for Edwin to see you again.”
“…”
“Then, that’s all.”
Tricia passed by Regina.
Only after putting some distance between them did Jane whisper.
“Could it be… you led her to use the Baron of Berkshire’s slush fund?”
Tricia already knew that Regina had met the Baron and obtained his funds.
“This would have happened anyway once the princess learned about the mining accident.”
Regina wanted the title of Grand Duchess, not money. So if there was a chance to save Edwin and earn his trust, she wouldn’t miss it.
Seeing how actively she’s been moving since visiting the temple, she may have realized legally that Edwin and I are nothing to each other.
Then the remaining issue would be only the money to return to Count Rosentain.
Originally, Tricia might have planned to pay the dowry using the Baron’s slush fund and claim the position herself.
But now, after repeatedly making mistakes and losing Edwin’s trust, Regina would value recovering her image over a flimsy claim to the Grand Duchess title.
Tricia stopped walking, thinking this through.
“Jane.”
“…Yes?”
“The princess is returning.”
Only then did Jane notice and fall silent.
“Your Highness, wait a moment.”
Tricia turned calmly to the voice from behind.
“Is there still something you need?”
“I forgot to tell Your Highness something.”
Regina’s cheeks were slightly flushed from hurrying.
Her maid beside her didn’t move, remaining steadfast.
“There will soon be a banquet at the Belon estate.”
“And?”
“I hope you can attend.”
Regina took out an invitation and handed it to Tricia.
Since the invitation was already addressed to Grand Duchess Mason, this was essentially a show.
Tricia was being invited specifically.
“The Marchioness of Belon wanted to see Your Highness.”
Tricia lowered her eyes for a moment, pondering.
A trap?
But one cannot refuse an invitation from a family like the Belons without reason.
Especially if the Marchioness specifically requested her presence.
“Please tell the Marchioness I appreciate the invitation.”
Even knowing it might be a trap, Tricia had no choice but to nod.
“Of course. I’ll convey it well.”
Satisfied, Regina turned away.
But she didn’t realize the kind of stir this banquet would cause.
