LUW 43

Chapter 43

“You must’ve really been disregarded, judging by your face.”

“That’s not all! Do you know what else? Grand Duke Cardinand issued a house search order with imperial authority! What are we supposed to do now?!”

As the border duke (질거크) exploded in rage, Richmond sneered.

“And you’re raising your voice without even realizing who brought this mess upon us?”

At that cold retort, the border duke flinched.

Clenching his fists tightly and grinding his teeth, he barely calmed his breathing before forcing a composed tone.

“I did what I was supposed to. I even bribed the newspaper and had them publish an article. Now it’s your turn to help me. You must have some clever plan, right?”

Richmond scoffed.

“So you’ve stirred up all the trouble and now expect me to clean it up? Have you lost your pride along with your reputation?”

The border duke trembled with frustration and let out a harsh breath through his teeth.

“…We’re in the same boat. Do you think I’ll go down alone? I still have records of you supplying me with resources. If this blows up, you’re going down with me.”

“Hah.”

Richmond sneered. It was supposed to be a threat, but it sounded more like desperation.

Shaking his head with a chuckle, Richmond sank into the sofa.

“Don’t worry. I’m not without a plan. Let’s start with some tea. What kind of host doesn’t even offer his guest tea?”

He wagged his finger like a superior seated in the seat of honor.

The sight was irritating, but the border duke complied and told Dunken to bring tea.

Once Dunken left, the border duke sat on the opposite sofa and asked cautiously,

“So… what’s your plan?”

“You said the house search order has already been issued?”

“Yes.”

Richmond slowly scanned the room.

“Then let them conduct it.”

“What?”

“If you try to avoid it, it’ll only raise more suspicion, right?”

The border duke’s face twisted in anger.

“Easy for you to say when it’s not your neck on the line!”

“Is it really not mine? Didn’t you just say we’re in the same boat?”

Richmond snapped his fingers leisurely.

At the signal, three men entered in a line, each carrying a box.

“W-What is this?”

“My proud subordinates. I removed any incriminating documents before you arrived, so nothing will be found in the search.”

The men stood expressionless, holding the boxes.

“I’ll handle this. You just cooperate with the investigation. If Cardinand finds nothing, he’ll leave.”

“…Fine.”

Relieved at last, the border duke leaned back into the sofa with a deep sigh. Richmond crossed his legs and continued,

“There’s one more thing I want to suggest.”

“What is it?”

“In times like this, trust between allies is crucial.”

The border duke frowned.

“To avoid any funny business, let’s exchange attendants. I’ll leave one of mine with you, and you give me one of yours. A mutual watch, you see.”

“…Exchange attendants?”

“Yes. Demic, greet the Border Duke.”

One of the men stepped forward and gave a deep 90-degree bow.

Richmond spoke with a benevolent smile.

“Use him as you like. Demic is well-trained and intelligent.”

Zilgork examined Demic from head to toe.

His eyes were cold and lifeless, more beast than man.

He felt instinctively uneasy.

“Ahem… is this really necessary?”

“Come now, Zilgork. Didn’t you just say you wouldn’t go down alone? If you say something reckless when Cardinand comes, I’ll be in trouble too.”

“That’s just…!”

He swallowed his words. Richmond pressed on with a calm smile.

“It’s a token of trust. You’re not saying you don’t trust me, are you?”

Grinding his teeth, the border duke eventually nodded.

“…Fine. I’ll pick one of my servants, so wait.”

“Haha, I’ll be disappointed if you give me someone worthless. I gave you my most trusted aide.”

Zilgork clenched his lips.

Just then, Dunken returned with the tea.

Richmond gave him a light smile.

The duke frowned, knowing exactly what that smile meant.

“…Understood.”

At last, he squeezed out a reluctant acceptance. Dunken blinked.

Without a word, Richmond took the tea and sipped it leisurely.

* * *

A few days later, on the morning Pierre was preparing to depart—

Cecilia belatedly heard from the servants that the border duke’s residence had been searched.

Unable to believe it, she ran out in a panic to catch up with Pierre.

“Wait! Why didn’t you tell me?!”

As she shouted, Pierre stopped walking.

Caught off guard, Cecilia bumped into his back with a thud.

“Ow…”

Her nose stung sharply.

Tearing up, Cecilia rubbed her nose.

Pierre slowly turned around and looked down at her.

His deep blue eyes rested on her briefly, then softened with a strange light.

“I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d react like this.”

“Then let me go with you!”

He turned slightly and gave her a look she couldn’t read.

“What can you do in your condition? Stay and rest.”

“I’m fully recovered already!”

Cecilia pouted, her nose turning red.

“Still no.”

“Why not?”

“It’s dangerous.”

His dark eyebrows furrowed in concern.

Then he sighed deeply and gently pushed her by the shoulder.

“The border duke is cornered. Who knows what he’ll do to you? If you get hurt, I don’t think I can stay rational. So just listen to me.”

Her heart thudded.

Why… was he speaking like this? His voice was filled with anxious tenderness, like a man worried for someone he loved.

Pierre had been acting strange lately.

He had been visiting her twice a day just to check on her and even prepared tea for her.

When she mentioned liking brioche, he had special-ordered them from a famous bakery.

Why…

Why was he shaking her heart like this?

Cecilia stood speechless. Then Pierre smiled gently.

“I’ll bring you some brioche when I return. The kind you like.”

“…Do you think I’m someone who can be swayed just with food?”

“Weren’t you?”

“…Come back quickly.”

“I will.”

Pierre left.

Cecilia pushed her hair behind her ear as she watched his carriage disappear into the distance.

* * *

Late afternoon, under gray storm clouds—

A military carriage bearing the imperial crest stopped in front of the border duke’s residence.

The Imperial Knights quickly surrounded the estate. At their front stood Pierre, eyes cold as ice.

The iron gate creaked open.

Inside, the border duke and his parents waited with heads bowed.

Pierre pulled a parchment bearing the imperial seal from his breast pocket and read aloud.

“To Gregon Zilgork, by the Emperor’s name, you are hereby ordered to comply with the house search.”

“I, Gregon Zilgork, obey the Emperor’s command.”

The Emperor’s command was like a decree from heaven.

Gone was his usual arrogance; the border duke answered calmly.

Pierre handed the document to the knights and entered the mansion.

Inside, the Imperial Knights and Pierre’s hired men began to spread out efficiently.

Soon, reports came pouring in.

“Nothing on the second floor!”

“Storage checked and cleared!”

“Servants’ quarters inspected!”

Pierre nodded silently and moved deeper into the house.

Behind him, the border duke’s parents hurried to catch up.

“Lord Cardinand, this is just a formality, right?”

“Our son may be a bit unruly, but he’s truly kind. You know that, right?”

As Pierre continued the search without responding, they grew increasingly desperate and pulled out a parchment.

“L-Lord Cardinand… this isn’t much, but…”

The duke’s father offered a mining ownership contract.

Pierre let out a small sigh and spoke.

“Lord Zilgork. This kind of behavior may bring consequences. This will take time. Please stay in your room.”

At that, the father turned pale and the mother complained of dizziness.

The border duke rushed to support his mother, playing the devoted son.

Pierre paid them no mind as he surveyed the area.

The servants repeatedly reported, “Nothing found.”

Just as he began to frown, wondering if the evidence had already been hidden—

A shout came from the first-floor office.

“We’ve found something suspicious!”

All eyes turned in that direction.