Episode 6
“What?”
At those words, Katarina’s face turned red and blue with anger.
“Isn’t that right? The reason the head butler called it embezzlement is because my dowry is being treated as the duke family’s property.”
“……”
At Eleonore’s words, Hekit nodded.
Silence filled the room.
Becky’s rabbit-like eyes moved nervously as she looked around, frightened, watching everyone’s reactions.
“Hmm!”
Realizing she had no chance of winning anymore, Katarina closed her mouth for a moment.
“Ahem, ahem!”
Soon she coughed awkwardly, clearly showing her irritation, straightened her back, and opened her fan.
“Fine. I did touch the sapphire a little.”
Katarina said.
At first it sounded like she was admitting defeat, but Eleonore did not lower her guard.
“But it wasn’t for my personal greed. A sudden opportunity came to turn the sapphire into cash. I was going to make a profitable deal and then inform the head butler.”
Just as Eleonore expected, smooth excuses poured out of Katarina’s mouth.
“Don’t I have that much authority in the Grand Duke’s castle? Besides, the Putitz estate is always short on cash, so I couldn’t miss such an opportunity!”
It sounded a little forced, but it was true that Katarina could not be punished for something like this.
After all, she was still the lady of the Grand Duke’s house.
Would it have been better to wait a little longer before attacking? No. If I waited, Katarina would have tampered with my dowry records and destroyed the evidence completely.
Eleonore sighed inwardly.
I made the best decision. And the most important thing in this matter is…
Eleonore glanced at Hekit.
Hekit was looking at Katarina with extremely cold eyes.
Hekit ignored Katarina’s tyranny until now because he believed she was on his side.
Being “on Hekit’s side” meant someone who worked for the prosperity of the Pertitz duchy.
But after this incident, doubt must have appeared in his mind about whether Katarina is really on the same side.
If Katarina had truly intended to give the money from selling the sapphire to Hekit, Viscount Bosodi would not have desperately tried to hide the sales documents.
Hekit surely knew that as well.
Planting a seed of doubt in Hekit’s heart is enough for this matter.
Eleonore smiled inwardly.
“Head butler, come here and take the money I received from selling the sapphire and add it to the ledger.”
Breaking the awkward silence in the tea room, Katarina spoke.
Only then did Hekit withdraw his disrespectful gaze and picked up the heavy pouch of gold coins according to Katarina’s order.
“So this ridiculous commotion is over now.”
Watching Hekit count the coins, Katarina spoke through clenched teeth.
“Daughter-in-law, come see me.”
“Oh my, I’m sorry, Mother. I think I should go now because I still have something to discuss with Head Butler Hekit.”
Eleonore said smoothly, wanting to avoid being alone with Katarina even for a moment.
“Is it really true that you have something to discuss with that child, Head Butler?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Eleonore had been about to signal something to Hekit, but she looked surprised when he spoke before she could even give the signal.
“Fine then, go.”
Katarina spoke again through clenched teeth, annoyed that nothing was going the way she wanted.
“Yes, Mother. I’ll take my leave.”
Eleonore left the tea room with Betty, Hekit, and his knight.
“Let’s talk for a moment.”
When they reached a crossroads after leaving Katarina’s residence, Eleonore called out to Hekit.
“If it’s about deceiving the Lady of the house, it’s fine. I won’t go back and report it.”
Hekit shook his head. His mind was already complicated because of Katarina, and he wanted to be alone.
“No, I really have something to say.”
But Eleonore did not back down.
“Something to say…?”
Hekit looked at Eleonore in surprise, and she nodded.
“It’s something very important. Something that could help you too.”
“…Alright. I also have something I want to ask. Where shall we talk?”
“Let’s go to your place.”
“Understood.”
Hekit took Eleonore to his office.
“You two wait outside.”
He ordered Becky and the knight, then let Eleonore into his office.
Eleonore briefly looked around the neatly organized office, which matched Hekit’s tidy appearance, and then sat in the chair he offered.
“First, may I ask a question?”
“Ask anything.”
“How did you find out about the embezzlement?”
At Hekit’s direct question, Eleonore remained silent for a moment.
Her violet eyes shone calmly like velvet.
“Because it’s my dowry. Of course I know.”
“You know that’s not what I meant.”
Hekit smiled bitterly, clearly dissatisfied with her answer.
“You knew the exact time the transaction happened and even Viscount Bosodi’s name. How was that possible?”
Eleonore fell silent again.
Many thoughts filled her mind.
She had expected such a question when she came to meet Hekit, but choosing the right answer took longer than expected.
“Do you think I would tell you that?”
The best answer was not an explanation, but another question.
“What do you mean?”
“I came to the North, here to Pertitz, almost alone. And right now, the only thing I can rely on is this ability that allowed me to accuse Viscount Bosodi.”
Hekit’s expression hardened.
“So you’re saying you can’t tell me? Then I will have to—”
“You can’t trust me yet. I’m not asking you to trust me. In fact, don’t trust me.”
Eleonore leaned slightly forward.
Her violet eyes shone dangerously.
“But I will never, absolutely never use this ability to harm innocent people of Pertitz.”
“How can I believe that?”
“Put someone to watch me all day. Someone you trust.”
Hekit’s eyes widened.
“You’re telling me to spy on a noble lady? Me, who was once a knight?”
“What other way is there for me to prove my innocence?”
Eleonore laughed lightly.
If he assigns someone to watch me, it will both remove his suspicion and protect me from Katarina’s abuse. No matter how cruel Katarina is, she won’t beat me in front of a knight.
Besides, Eleonore’s ability was not something that could be discovered through investigation.
“And when your suspicion disappears, then you cooperate with me. What do you think? I think it’s a very reasonable offer.”
Hekit groaned as he thought about it.
Eleonore leaned back comfortably in her chair and waited for his answer.
His hesitation did not last long.
“…Alright. I will send a messenger bird to ask the Duke if I can assign someone to watch you. Until then, I will place someone under my own authority.”
“Good. Then we’re temporary allies for now.”
“…Something like that.”
Hekit frowned as if wondering whether this was a wise decision, then shook his head.
Eleonore had achieved her goal.
Even if temporary, this relationship would become the foundation of her bigger plan.
***
After that, Eleonore and Hekit exchanged a few formal words and parted.
“Ah—Miss!”
When Eleonore came out of Hekit’s office, Becky, who had been waiting anxiously, ran toward her with teary eyes.
“Do you know how worried I was!”
