Chapter 61
After I Died, My Little Groom…
Upon arriving in the capital, Nadia went straight to the noble prison—but she wasn’t allowed to see Baron Hess.
The guard at the gate explained that the Baron’s crimes hadn’t yet been confirmed, so he was merely being detained. He added that the Baron was being properly fed three meals a day and even allowed to have books, so there was no need to worry.
His tone was respectful, as befitted a noble’s guard, but his attitude made it clear he thought the matter exaggerated.
Anyone could see that even if food and books were provided, being locked up suddenly for a crime one didn’t intend to commit could never be “comfortable.”
Vivian glared sharply at the guard, but before she could speak, Nadia stepped in front of her and held out a thick book.
“You said he’s allowed to read inside, didn’t you? This is one of my father’s favorite books—please make sure it gets to him. If you’re worried, you may check it yourself first.”
Nadia’s tone was mild, but there was meaning in her words.
The guard, catching on, flipped open the book slightly. Inside was not a book at all, but a hollow box shaped like one. Within it lay a single small diamond and a folded letter.
The guard swallowed hard, then swiftly pocketed the diamond and shut the box—no, the “book”—leaving only the letter inside.
“Highborn folks sure have odd taste in books. I’ll make sure it’s delivered. You can go now.”
He grumbled exaggeratedly, but there was a wide grin on his face.
As they left the prison, Vivian exhaled a deep sigh.
“Do you really think that guard will help us?”
“He seemed rather stressed. People like that rarely act outside of predictable limits—at least not until they’ve completely lost it.”
Vivian frowned, puzzled.
“He just looked like some lazy good-for-nothing to me.”
“Even the idle ones have their own troubles. Come, let’s go to the Odely townhouse.”
“I’ll never understand what you’re thinking, my lady.”
Vivian grumbled but went to call the coachman.
The Odely townhouse wasn’t far from the Hess estate. That made it easy for Nadia to enter the place naturally, as if she were simply returning home.
The Odely townhouse had only a butler and two maids—personally hired by Conrad. After all, “Viscount Odely” didn’t actually exist, so there was little need for many servants.
As Nadia entered the emptier, quieter mansion, she smiled warmly at Conrad.
“Conrad, I read the letter you sent me.”
Conrad had carefully investigated the state of the capital—especially the trade of jewels—and sent the report to the Hess territory. Nadia had kept that letter close while preparing to return.
Conrad kissed the back of her hand and studied her face.
He knew her well enough to see that she must have been distressed by her father’s arrest, even if she tried not to show it.
But her expression now was calm—suggesting she had already found a path forward.
“What will you do now, my lady?”
“I’ll do as His Majesty desires.”
With Conrad’s escort, Nadia entered a comfortably furnished room—her private quarters within the townhouse. Though she had never stayed there before, Conrad had prepared it for her anyway.
She thought the gesture sweetly loyal and chuckled softly.
“Who would have thought the diamonds we mined for a better life in the Hess lands would cause such trouble in the capital?”
“When you were the Duchess, relations between the Imperial Family and the Desmonds weren’t nearly this strained. It’s understandable.”
“True. I didn’t care much about the capital back then.”
After smiling at the maid who brought tea, Nadia continued:
“Even if Father didn’t mean to, offering an empty box to the Emperor can easily be seen as deceiving the Crown. I worried about that constantly, but once I understood the real situation, I felt relief.”
“Relief? Why so?”
“Because the Emperor didn’t imprison Father out of anger for his ‘crime.’ If he were truly angry, it would’ve been at Marquis Desmond. It’s clear now the Desmond family has been suppressing other diamond mines all along.”
“Indeed.”
“So, if I can topple the Desmonds, the Emperor will probably shift Father’s supposed guilt onto them, and in the end, Father might even be rewarded.”
Conrad looked uneasy at her bold words.
Nadia, seeing his face, burst into laughter.
“What’s wrong? You look so funny right now.”
“It’s just… astonishing that the Emperor is so easily swayed by emotion.”
“Isn’t it ridiculous?”
Conrad coughed into his fist, regaining his composure. The playful expression that had amused Nadia disappeared, replaced by the serious demeanor of a loyal man.
Nadia sighed softly, then got back to business.
“Bringing down the Desmonds should be simple. They’ve committed too many crimes already—all we need to do is make them public.”
“But they’ve hidden them well until now. Is that truly possible?”
Nadia smiled faintly over her teacup.
“It is. But for that, I’ll need to reenter the capital’s social scene.”
“That will be much easier now. After all… you’re known as Duke Baldwin’s lover.”
At those words, Nadia’s fingers trembled.
Conrad, noticing how her expression instantly hardened, knelt down beside her chair.
“My lady, did something happen?”
“No… nothing. It’s just time to settle that rumor, I suppose. Yes—Duke Baldwin’s former lover. People will be curious. That’ll make things easier.”
She composed herself quickly, her mask flawless once again. Conrad glanced toward Vivian, but the maid kept her head down, saying nothing.
There was clearly something they weren’t telling him—but neither seemed willing to speak.
He could ask Vivian later, though he doubted she would answer. Lately, Vivian’s loyalty to Nadia had outweighed her loyalty to the organization. It wasn’t a bad thing—after all, the organization valued Nadia above all else.
‘Still… I can’t rely on her for information about Lady Nadia anymore.’
Unsure whether to be pleased or frustrated, Conrad stood.
“I’ll look into parties and salons you might attend.”
“Focus on those with many lower nobles. That’s where the gossip will flow. I’ll count on you.”
Nadia rose from her seat.
Conrad immediately offered his arm to escort her, and they descended the stairs in silence.
Just before she left the mansion, Nadia withdrew her hand and gave him a gentle farewell.
“No need to see me off. People might talk.”
If rumors spread that the Hess family’s daughter was now involved with the “Viscount Odely,” it would damage her father’s name even more. A single dalliance with a highborn man could be excused as romantic folly—but frequent changes of partners would make her seem disgraceful.
As Vivian opened the door, Conrad suddenly knelt before Nadia.
“…Forgive my presumption, but I must speak. I believe everything is returning to its proper place. For the sake of the future you desire, please do not lose heart. If my words offend, I will accept any punishment.”
He looked ready to bow until his forehead touched the floor. Nadia hurriedly reached out and lifted him by the arm.
“Don’t. I know you speak out of concern for me. Don’t make me into some tyrant, Conrad.”
Her voice was warm and kind, her smile gentle as she turned to leave with Vivian.
Vivian, however, kept glancing back at Conrad with an uneasy expression.
It wasn’t every day one saw the leader of their organization kneeling.
“Vivian, you can tell Conrad anything you want. After all, he’s your real master, not me.”
Nadia spoke lightly, as if reminding her of a simple fact.
“Conrad is unquestionably one of mine, so don’t feel you must hold back around him.”
Her intent was to reassure the girl—but instead, Vivian’s eyes welled with tears.
She bit her lip, feeling an ache of frustration. Nadia had no idea how hard it had been for Vivian to keep silent—to ignore Conrad for Nadia’s sake.
“That’s exactly the problem, my lady!”
Vivian shouted, then refused to get into the carriage. Yet even as she turned away, she carefully closed the carriage door behind her—softly, gently.
A moment later, Nadia heard footsteps as Vivian climbed up beside the coachman.
Inside the empty carriage, Nadia sat alone, pressing her dry lips together.
‘I’ve… done something wrong again, haven’t I?’
