Chapter 126
Deric Valois had been suffering from headaches lately.
Not only was the ambitious investment he made yielding little to no results, but even his only daughter refused to listen to him.
It wouldn’t have been so bad if it were just his daughter—he could just marry her off to a suitable family and be done with it—but the lack of results from his investments truly infuriated him.
“So, is the gossip spreading well in society?”
“Yes, Master. The rumor that the young lady eloped for love has already spread throughout the social circles. More dramatic stories will likely follow soon.”
Hans, the competent butler of the Valois family, had just confirmed that the gossip had spread far and wide in high society.
Hans, who would leap from his sleep at the mere mention of his master’s words, firmly believed that the missing young lady had foolishly eloped for love, bringing shame to the family.
It was only natural, then, that he came to hate the young lady who had tarnished the long-standing honor of the Valois family.
It wasn’t much of a secret that rumors also hinted she might be pregnant—an embellishment on the duke’s orders.
“And what about the Alois side?”
“It seems the young duke is trying, but Countess Philipa is rather strict.”
In other words, the young duke was struggling to make any headway.
At that remark, Duke Valois pressed his hand to his forehead as a headache washed over him.
He had invested thousands, swayed by the silver-tongued Lloyd Alois. The imperial subsidies could have repaid him immediately, but now whether that support would even materialize was uncertain.
He wasn’t sure what Alois and the Janet Guild knew, but the emperor was clearly weighing both parties carefully.
He claimed the audit was to monitor the progress of their business, but in reality, it was to judge which of the two was more suitable.
From the moment the careless Count Felice went to the Janet Guild side and meticulous, strict Countess Philipa went to Alois’ side, Duke Valois understood the emperor’s intention:
They were clearly trying to eliminate Lloyd.
Lloyd was being made to handle all the work, with no support coming his way. Perhaps the emperor had tolerated the lack of results because he could be a future son-in-law—but now it seemed that hope was gone.
After a moment of thought, Duke Valois gestured to Hans.
“How far has the rumor spread?”
“The rumor, you mean? Just that the young lady eloped for love…”
Hans hesitated, watching his master’s expression. Duke Valois smiled faintly and patted him reassuringly.
“Hans. I know how loyal you are to the Valois family. So there’s no need to be so cautious about a choice made for the honor of the family.”
“Thank you, Master!”
Encouraged by the gentle smile, Hans began to recount in detail how he spread the rumors. Not only did he ensure people knew the story of the elopement, but he also elaborated on the when, where, and why.
He even added that the knight who eloped with her was exceptionally promising, and that the young lady had manipulated such a devoted person for her own desires—painting her as a terrible person.
“And I also spread that she might be pregnant,” he said.
If anyone were sane, they would be too embarrassed to show their face in society.
Hans spoke proudly, chest out, seemingly satisfied with his work—unaware of how cold the duke’s expression had grown.
“Yes, Hans. Well done.”
“Thank you for noticing.”
“No, it’s natural. I know how much effort you put in for the family. So, in society now, is it rumored that Anna’s companion is that knight?”
“Yes. Most likely, that’s what people think.”
Duke Valois gently patted Hans again, hiding his chilling intentions beneath a calm exterior. He thought the story was fine as it stood, but adding one more detail could be useful.
With this, not only could Arianna be handled, but even the incompetent young Duke Alois could be taken down at once.
“Then, how about adding a rumor that the knight was actually Young Duke Alois?”
“The young duke, sir?”
“Yes. I wasn’t going to say this, but the young duke has pressured me for the funds needed for his business. He’s also been meeting Arianna for a long time, trying to manipulate her.”
Duke Valois lowered his voice as if sharing a secret, and Hans instinctively leaned closer, lowering his voice as well.
The duke then skillfully mixed truth and lies, even putting on a slightly sullen expression to show how difficult things had been for him.
“As the head of a family, I know it’s foolish, but how could I refuse Arianna when she often met with him? I had no choice but to give him some resources.”
“Th-That….”
Hans, loyal as ever, turned pale at his master’s words. He felt guilt for not realizing the situation sooner, thinking himself a worthless butler.
He immediately knelt and prostrated himself.
“It’s my fault! I should have noticed sooner that Master was enduring such humiliation…!”
“No, no. It’s my own fault for being inexperienced. It’s not yours. Get up now.”
“No, this is entirely my fault! I welcomed the young duke every time he came, unaware of such things…”
Hans pounded his head against the floor in despair. His loyalty to the family, guilt toward his master, and anger at Young Duke Alois all mingled together.
Duke Valois looked down at him with a hint of contempt and spoke calmly.
“The same applies to me, Hans. So stop these meaningless acts and continue to serve the family, will you?”
It sounded like salvation. Or at least, that’s how Hans heard it.
He lifted his head, moved by the gentle voice of his master.
Where else in the world could one find such a master!
Tears brimmed in his eyes as he looked at his master.
“Of course, of course, Master! I will devote my life to serving you and the family!”
“Hearing that is reassuring. Thank you, Hans.”
So, take care of the developments in society from here on out.
Duke Valois smiled, a rare, benevolent smile—enough to let Hans handle everything without further prompting.
“Then let’s leave quietly in order and meet at the carriage.”
I left the café with Arnold, John, and Zero, stepping out with slight gaps in timing.
The café owner gave me a meaningful look as I left, but I ignored it.
It would be a lie to say it didn’t bother me, but we weren’t actually doing anything wrong!
Repeating to myself that it didn’t matter, I headed toward the carriage.
Arnold was already there when I arrived.
“When did you get here? I thought I left first.”
“I tend to walk fast.”
“I see.”
Arnold answered more stiffly than before.
Hearing that firm reply, I hesitated and stammered slightly.
The awkwardness pressing down, I looked around—but Sir John and Zero hadn’t arrived yet.
I debated what to say but decided silence was safer than risking a mistake.
He didn’t speak either, and the carriage remained quiet for a while.
The silence gave me time to think.
My mind quickly filled with the conversation I had with Arnold in the carriage earlier.
He had asked what I thought of Leofric.
That this marriage had been entirely his decision from start to finish.
Not a single aspect went against his wishes.
I recalled the serious expression on Arnold’s face as he spoke, and my heart sank heavily.
I could only imagine the struggles Leofric went through before deciding to marry, but the important thing was that he wanted me.
Then and now, he had never hidden that desire.
I sighed softly, recalling how he often observed my reactions even in small touches.
All of this was because I hadn’t been honest with myself.
I was still at a loss.
Whether to stay by his side or leave him altogether.
The problems from my previous life being resolved one by one, and ways to topple Lloyd emerging one after another.
Opportunities to create a better future than now.
This was the perfect time to enhance both Leofric’s position and the imperial family’s prestige.
And once this period passed, the Reinhardt dynasty would gain power far beyond what it had before.
Then, no matter how many consorts Leofric had, no one would dare oppose him.
Even if he deposed the empress and installed a new one, no one could challenge him.
At first, I thought this was all I wanted.
But after knowing his heart and who he truly was, I continued to struggle.
Was it truly right to carry out my plans?
Could I look forward to executing the contract from our wedding night with the same joy as before?
What was it that I really wanted?
I kept questioning myself.
Everything was gradually falling into place, but it would still take time and attention to fully resolve everything.
Though it might seem premature to worry under such circumstances, now that I knew him better, I couldn’t help but think.
What choice would truly be best for him?
“Everyone else is here first, it seems.”
Lost in thought, Zero and Sir John arrived.
