Chapter 51
It might be a better outcome than bankruptcy, but it was by no means something to celebrate.
“Father, please tell me in more detail. What exactly was Marquis Callian’s misconduct?”
Liette clasped her father’s trembling hands even more tightly.
According to that man, Father thought the Marquis was smuggling and raided the scene.
But in reality, Marquis Callian was conducting an important trade with another country, and Father ruined that deal.
“There are many tableware factories clustered in Marquis Callian’s territory. Recently, he’s been expanding their scale by importing raw materials from abroad.”
“Tableware…?”
Like forks, knives, bowls?
“The tableware produced in his lands isn’t just distributed across the entire Empire—it’s also supplied to the Imperial family.”
That meant the scale was enormous.
Since tableware is a necessity used by everyone, the higher the supply rate, the greater the profits.
“But lately, he began acting suspiciously. He would receive ships at the harbor at very late hours, secretly transporting something.”
“…I see.”
Just hearing it sounded undeniably suspicious.
“The final destination of those secretly moved goods was the tableware factories.”
“What exactly was he transporting, and what did he intend to do with it?”
At Liette’s question, Duke Meren frowned as he recalled the past.
“I predicted that they were manufacturing illegal weapons there. Since tableware requires metals like iron or tin, with a few additional materials smuggled in, making weapons would be entirely possible.”
It was an easy connection to make—after all, forks and knives weren’t so different in materials from swords.
“Anxious, I decided to raid the scene and confirm for myself what Marquis Callian was secretly bringing in.”
“And Duke Croyt tried to stop you.”
The Duke of Meren’s face twisted with regret.
“…Yes. I ignored Duke Croyt’s warning and unilaterally raided the trade site, but it wasn’t smuggling at all.”
Listening quietly, Liette noticed something off.
“Did you have any concrete reason to believe he was smuggling?”
“I’d been monitoring his trades for quite a while. Until then, he had never once brought in goods at such late hours. It was unusual behavior.”
“…And how did the Marquis defend himself against that accusation?”
“He claimed it was to adjust to the trade hours with the distant Kingdom of Meriato.”
In other words, it was because of the time difference.
The Kingdom of Meriato was indeed very far away, and it took over twelve hours for ships to reach the Empire. In any case, his excuse was plausible.
“The trial hasn’t begun yet, right?”
The Duke nodded weakly.
“Yes. We’re still in the investigation period before trial. But his evidence is airtight. As things stand… our chances of losing are extremely high.”
“What kind of evidence has he prepared?”
“A transaction record with the Kingdom of Meriato.”
“A transaction record?”
“Yes. A list of the goods intended for trade at that time, along with official permits from the authorities.”
Then… those documents must have played a decisive role. Liette narrowed her eyes and stroked her chin.
“If what you say is true, Father, and all this is a trap, then those documents must be forged.”
But before being certain, she needed stronger grounds.
“Other than the odd trading hours, is there any further reason for suspicion?”
“There’s an organization that only moves when something secretive is afoot. They’re called Hammsword—lowlifes who’ll do anything for money in the back alleys. I saw them moving just before the trade.”
The Duke of Meren shut his eyes tightly, as if wronged.
“On the honor of our family, I swear—all those documents are forgeries.”
That was enough proof that the Marquis was definitely scheming something in secret.
“I believe you, Father.”
She understood the situation well enough. The question was—how to unravel it.
“So, what Marquis Callian wants… is for you to sell the townhouse in the capital and move to our southern estate, nothing else?”
At Liette’s question, the Duke faltered.
His lips moved, hesitant, and Liette tilted her head.
“Father…?”
It was the Duchess, who had been silent until then, who answered in his place.
“Yes, Liette. That’s all he wants. Isn’t that right, dear?”
The Duke awkwardly nodded as well. The Duchess wiped her tears and stroked Liette’s head.
“Our dear Liette…”
But Liette could tell—her parents were still hiding something from her.
Her suspicion was short-lived, however. That secret didn’t stay hidden for long.
“Me?”
“Yes. They specifically asked to meet Lady Liette.”
The school guard answered without a trace of hesitation.
“Who was it?”
“Not someone from the school. But by their extravagant attire, they seemed like a high-ranking noble.”
A high-ranking noble came all the way to the school to see her…?
It can’t be because of the parliamentary interview.
The interviews for noble parliamentary seats were scheduled soon, but she had been told beforehand that notice would be given several days in advance. She had heard nothing of the sort.
Liette rose slowly from her classroom seat and followed the guard’s directions.
There stood, just as described, a splendidly dressed middle-aged man. His luxurious clothes screamed high nobility.
“Lady Liette, over here.”
The unfamiliar noble waved his hand. He looked old—probably older than her father.
Probably… older than Father.
As she gauged his age, he greeted her warmly.
“Thank you for coming, despite the sudden summons.”
No matter how hard she thought, she couldn’t recall ever meeting him before. He was small-framed, with round eyes that gave a frail impression—but there was something faintly predatory in his gaze.
Despite his courteous tone, Liette asked cautiously, without dropping her guard:
“Who are you?”
“I am Marquis Callian.”
He smiled softly as he introduced himself. Liette’s eyes widened.
This is Marquis Callian…?
The very man who had thrown her family into misery in an instant. A powerful figure, one said to even make the Emperor tread carefully.
But why would such a man…
Liette cut straight to the point.
“What business do you have with me?”
“Up close… you’re even more beautiful than I expected.”
He sidestepped the question, slowly running his eyes over her.
What the…
The look in his eyes was so revolting it made her feel like insects were crawling all over her skin.
Disgust surged, but she held it down. Talking to him was an opportunity. She couldn’t squander it rashly.
“I made your father a generous offer. But since I received no reply, I came to hear it directly.”
“…An offer?”
This was the first Liette had heard of it.
At her reaction, Marquis Callian sighed.
“So it seems Duke Meren truly didn’t tell you.”
“What exactly are you talking about?”
Instead of answering, Callian clasped his hands behind his back and slowly circled around her, like a hyena sizing up its prey.
“You’re aware of the crisis your family is currently facing, aren’t you, Lady Liette?”
“How could I not be.”
Who had caused that crisis in the first place? She bit her tongue to keep from saying it.
“I thought it would be a shame for House Meren to collapse over one mistake. So I extended them a proposal to escape ruin.”
“And that proposal is…”
The Marquis smiled faintly.
“For you to become my wife, Lady Liette.”
Liette’s face crumpled in an instant.
“What did you just say…?”
“If you agree to be my wife, I’ll cancel the trial. I cannot possibly make an enemy of my in-laws, after all.”
So this is what nausea truly feels like.
Liette stared hard at his face—the wrinkles etched by time, the graying hair.
At least… mid-forties.
He was clearly her father’s age, yet he dared to speak of marrying her?
Where the hell did this bastard’s conscience go?
Curses boiled up inside her, but she forced patience, reminding herself of her family’s plight.
“This is… quite sudden.”
“Indeed, it’s not a decision to make lightly.”
He looked at her with feigned pity.
“But, Lady Liette—I heard it’s your dream to become a member of the noble parliament. Wouldn’t it be a shame to have that dream shattered because of your father’s mistake?”
The very man trying to shatter it was spouting such words.
“I hold the power both to fulfill that dream… and to crush it underfoot.”
“…”
“So I ask you—choose wisely.”
Marquis Callian smirked, curling one side of his lips. He then pulled a stiff piece of paper from his coat and handed it to her.
“An invitation.”
Wondering what kind of trick this was, Liette accepted it. Written on the paper were a time and place.
“The address of my private villa, known to no one. I reveal it only to my future wife, Lady Liette.”
Future wife…
Should she just cut his tongue off right here? Liette vividly pictured a gruesome horror-movie scene.
“There, we can have a deeper, more private discussion.”
Her patience was about to snap when the word private lodged in her mind.
Wait a minute…
Pondering, Liette quickly smoothed her expression into a smile.
“Very well. It does seem I’ll need to hear the details at your villa.”
“As expected, you are wise.”
The Marquis smiled in satisfaction.
“Then, I shall eagerly await the day.”
With his goal accomplished, he bowed politely, then strode leisurely off campus.
Once he was gone, Liette’s lips curled into a dark smile.
You dare invite the enemy into your own den? What an unexpected gift.
Yes… to catch a tiger, one must enter its lair.
Liette was certain. That place would hold exactly what she was looking for.
