IATVWAMOLS 84

Chapter 84. A Makjang Drama Is Closer Than You Think

Kaien spoke with a light smile.

“Logically speaking, why would the Countess of Goth target the Young Duke? It’s not like she holds a grudge against him.”

“……”

“On the contrary, she might’ve held a grudge against someone else.”

Someone else? Could it be—

“You’re saying the Countess of Goth was after Count Vermont?”

So, all this time she was trying to kill her own brother?

At my reaction, Kaien shrugged, as if it wasn’t surprising at all.

“Why not? Families falling apart over money is pretty common. Happens all the time.”

What in the world—this sounded like some kind of makjang drama.

I wanted to retort that in normal households such things don’t happen, but then I remembered—we’re inside a K-romance-fantasy novel.

A world full of secret births, inheritance disputes, mother-in-law vs. daughter-in-law feuds.

Now, with a sudden mystery-thriller twist stirred into the mix, it only got messier…

“Remember, Count Vermont transferred his rights in the weapons business to the Young Duke. From what I know, the weapons trade was the family’s biggest source of income.”

When did he even investigate all that?

“But that oath wasn’t exchanged until right before the carriage departed. Even Icard didn’t know about it beforehand—how could the Countess of Goth have known first?”

“Her connections in both politics and business are extensive. She could’ve easily caught wind of a rumor. The original plan may have been to block the transfer altogether, but she acted too late.”

“So she decided to blow up the entire carriage?”

Was it the old “if I can’t have it, I’ll destroy it and take what remains” logic?

“Or consider this possibility—the oath didn’t matter at all. She was targeting Count Vermont from the start. The Vermont line only has two direct heirs.”

“If the eldest son, Count Vermont, dies, then all the family assets would—”

Kaien nodded.

“—fall to his sister, the Countess of Goth.”

My head throbbed.

The more I listened to Kaien, the more it seemed the Countess really was the culprit.

No one else had a motive strong enough to attempt something like this.

“So Icard was just caught up in it by accident?”

“Well, no one knows the truth for sure.”

Kaien shrugged lightly.

“But what’s clear is this—if everything had gone according to plan, the one who stood to gain the most was the Countess of Goth. Her rival brother dead, and the oath destroyed.”

Come to think of it, the oath…

“Don’t tell me—it burned? Completely?”

“The carriage was blown to pieces. No way a document survived an explosion like that.”

“……”

[Her statements, the evidence, and the testimonies all point toward her.]

So that’s why the system window declared all signs pointed to the Countess.

And why Icard’s suspicions were so firm.

By motive and by circumstance, she was the most likely culprit.

As Kaien studied me, something seemed to occur to him, and he spoke up.

“Actually, there’s one more person who might benefit from the carriage explosion.”

“What? Who?”

“Our master.”

His lips curved into a mischievous grin.

“If the Young Duke dies, the only heir to the ducal house would be you. If it were me, I wouldn’t miss the chance.”

“Oh, come on. That’s what you wanted to say? Don’t joke about that, even in passing.”

I glared at him.

It was already my role to be suspicious just by existing—did he want me accused of murder too?

I shot him a brief glare and stood up.

“Where are you going?”

“To see the Countess.”

“You don’t still think she’s not the culprit, do you?”

He looked at me as if he couldn’t believe it.

“I do.”

“Why?”

“Just…”

I tapped my temple with my finger.

“Call it a hunch.”

“Master, not just anyone has a hunch, you know.”

Kaien let out a helpless sigh.

As I walked down the corridor, I glanced back at him, pouting slightly. He followed me, muttering in that annoying mix of worry and nagging.

“What’s with you now?”

“I knew you had an odd side, but this time I really can’t understand. Don’t tell me you’re seriously doing this based on just a feeling?”

Of course not.

I might look reckless, but I was desperately trying to prevent the downfall of the family.

‘Though, no matter what I say, he’ll never believe me.’

I chose to stay quiet rather than argue further.

Naturally, I wasn’t going in without a plan.

I didn’t have solid evidence yet, but at the very least, I could confirm one thing.

“An audience is not permitted.”

The moment we arrived at the lounge where the Countess of Goth was being held, the knights blocked us.

“Just a moment. That’s all I need.”

I pleaded, but the knight shook his head.

“No, milady. The Young Duke has forbidden any contact whatsoever.”

“But I said just a moment.”

“No exceptions.”

“Really? Don’t you know who I am? The Young Duke may be scary, but I’m not. Afraid of me?”

I tried coaxing, even threatening a little, but the knight wouldn’t budge.

Tch, so much for that.

Still, I couldn’t just leave.

“Then at least let me see her face. I’m worried. She may be a suspect, but she hasn’t been proven guilty yet.”

“……”

“And she’s still a countess. Interrogate her if you must, but treat her properly.”

“……”

“You’ve heard about the incident already—her brother nearly died today, saved only by Count Vermont. She is his younger sister.”

“……”

“I won’t say a word. Just let me see her face. She looked terribly pale earlier, I’m genuinely concerned.”

“Hmm…”

The knight hesitated, then finally relented under my repeated persuasion.

“Fine. But only to check her complexion.”

“Thank you.”

I quickly pushed the door open.

Of course, with the knight watching, I couldn’t open it wide, but enough to peek inside.

The Countess of Goth was asleep, leaning against the sofa, looking utterly exhausted.

She wasn’t bound like a criminal, but her weary, pale appearance looked pitiful.

She seemed so frail that I couldn’t help but feel sympathy.

‘She looked so cold and composed the last time I saw her…’

The more I looked, the more she seemed like a completely different person.

Was it just because she was cornered now?

For some reason, I couldn’t shake the feeling.

While I was lost in thought, the knight spoke again.

“Have you confirmed her condition? Then let’s go.”

“Ah, wait. It’s too dark—I can’t see clearly.”

No time for idle thoughts.

Even if I couldn’t speak with her, there was still one thing I absolutely had to check.

‘Lucky Item Shop.’

One of the store’s items had changed slightly during the mission.

【Peek at Male Lead Keywords】

→ 【Peek at Character Keywords】

[Description: You can check the keywords defining a specific person.

However, compatibility with your own keywords can only be checked with male protagonists.]

[Cost: 400 Luck Points per use]

Originally it was only for male leads, but now it applied to any character.

Was this the system’s doing? Or the administrator’s hand?

‘Still ridiculously expensive, though.’

It was a one-time use, just for keywords, not even inner thoughts, yet it cost a whopping 400 points.

Even so, I had no choice but to invest now.

【SYSTEM: Use ‘Peek at Character Keywords’?】

[▶ Yes (400 Luck Points)]

[▶ No]

Farewell, my precious points.

When I chose “Yes,” a monocle appeared in my hand.

‘So with this, I can see her keywords?’

I put it on and looked at the Countess of Goth, still sleeping faintly.

Words began to appear above her head, representing her.

[#BornToBeChaebol #CapableWoman #SocialButterfly #Countess…]

Better keywords than I expected.

But at the end of the list—ten or so in all—

‘…Wounded Woman, Standing Alone, and what’s this?’

A keyword I never could have imagined appeared.

“What is this…?”

Did the original story ever give the Countess such traits?

Not just her—none of the original characters ever had keywords like that.

While I was still reeling, the knight blocked my view sternly.

“That’s enough, milady.”

“W-wait. I’ve changed my mind—may I speak with her, just briefly?”

Shaken by that last keyword, I desperately wanted—no, needed—to talk to her.

I had questions that needed answers.

But the knight was firm.

“No. Absolutely not.”

“Just for a moment—”

“No matter the reason, I cannot allow it.”

Ugh, stubborn as stone!

While I huffed and argued with him—

“E-excuse me…”

“?”

A hesitant voice interrupted.

Both the knight and I turned our heads.

There, panting heavily as though he’d run here in a hurry, stood a man I didn’t recognize.