Chapter 12
“Yes, Mother. Even if it’s hard, we should see this through. He’s been so cruel. Think of all the suffering you’ve gone through.”
“That’s right, Mother. Even if we can’t recover the money, we need to make him suffer until the end.”
“Exactly! We’ll be with you.”
Seeing her children speak in unison, I looked down at the documents again.
Still, Lily seemed troubled, so I finally spoke.
“Whatever the case, it’s not good that the Marquis’s wealth has been transferred to someone else. Whether you pursue it or not, at least be aware of it.”
“I worry… that it might be too much… that it might trouble you, lawyer.”
“Not at all. Later, when you receive the money, you can pay me generously for my services.”
Finally, Lily slowly nodded. I looked at her, then returned my gaze to the documents.
“Have you ever heard of someone named Belian? The money has been transferred to her.”
“Belian? Isn’t that my father’s maid?”
“They seemed close.”
“I’ve seen them having secret meetings.”
“…So even at that age, he was still doing those things.”
Lily, usually so composed, frowned.
“Do it properly—the restitution lawsuit.”
“Yes. Then, if you don’t want the money, shall we make the situation a little more interesting?”
“How?”
Everyone’s eyes were on me.
“The money he didn’t want you to have—if it’s given to another woman, and she runs off with it, wouldn’t that be fun?”
At that moment, Lily’s face brightened, after being so dark for so long.
“Really, really good! More than getting tens of thousands of gold, I think it would be most satisfying if the Marquis couldn’t get a single coin back.”
The children agreed.
“I think that would be better too.”
“Considering what Father has done to Mother…”
“I’d like Mother to take a lot, but I’ll follow her wishes.”
“Thank you all for understanding. Then, Rabiel, please make sure my husband doesn’t get a single coin.”
“That’s easy.”
I smiled.
‘Good. Now he’ll see the seeds he planted rot.’
For the Marquis, who disrespected women at every turn and never valued his own wife who raised other women’s children, only retribution remained.
Our destination was, of course, the Azbeck Marquis’s house.
We needed at least some information about Belian. I had worried he might have returned and destroyed all related documents, but Marquis Azbeck had not yet come back.
“Has Belian left her position?”
“Suddenly, yes. I didn’t pay much attention since she was Father’s maid…”
“To think he kept a mistress so close… unbelievable.”
Lily sighed, thinking of the adult Sella she would reclaim after marriage.
“But thanks to that, we can get information. That’s good.”
I held her hand.
“Is it really better to think that way?”
“If he had given it to a complete stranger, two weeks might not have been enough. So we’re lucky.”
As soon as we arrived at the Azbeck estate, Andria immediately retrieved the records of the household staff. By then, all authority over the estate had passed to Andria.
Especially the head steward followed Andria loyally. He was meticulous and had already organized the files on Belian, who had left, which was very helpful.
“These are the original documents from when she joined and the annual updates.”
Until now, all tasks regarding the Marquis’s affairs were handled by the head steward. He even negotiated with women who had borne the Marquis’s illegitimate children, delegated custody rights, and managed everything forcibly on behalf of the incapable Marquis Tella Azbeck.
“Ten years ago, the fifteen-year-old Belian, from a poor background, claimed she was twenty to enter the Azbeck household. She was clumsy at first and worked as a maid changing the bedding, but she caught the Marquis’s eye, and they became lovers.”
“Her family?”
“A normal family. Poor due to her father’s failed business ventures, which is why she became a maid at a young age. Around five years ago, her circumstances improved, and she now owns a two-story house in the capital.”
“Normal family.”
“Shall we dig deeper?”
I stared at the documents Andria handed me, and the head steward looked at me firmly.
“Do you need more, lawyer?”
“No, this is enough. We know her residence and roughly her family background. We can go immediately.”
No more time needed to be wasted.
“You’re really going?”
“Yes. Whether we file a formal lawsuit or force the money to run off, we need to meet the person involved.”
Andria looked at her mother, Lily, with a worried expression.
“Mother, I’d like to accompany you, but…”
“Don’t worry. We have the lawyer. There’s nothing to fear. Just do your part.”
“Yes. I thought I should stay just in case Father returns and causes trouble.”
Then, the tallest of the five children raised her hand.
“Brother, don’t worry. I’ll take care of Mother.”
It was Anz Azbeck, the third child of the Marquis, whose mother was unknown.
“Really? I suppose if you go, I won’t worry much…”
“I’ll take good care of Mother. Now, let’s go, Mother, Lawyer.”
“Sister, we’ll come with you.”
“I’m here too.”
“Fine. No need for everyone to follow in a line. The family knight will accompany us anyway.”
Anz stepped forward, stopping her siblings from following in a long line. That was better for me too—if the entire family came to meet Belian, it would be intimidating.
‘Intimidation isn’t necessary right now. Otherwise, she might just hide like a pheasant.’
“Mother, you don’t need to worry about anything now. Even if it doesn’t go well and we gain nothing.”
Lily looked at each of her children, who still worried about her.
“You are more precious than my life. Just having you is enough.”
“Mother…”
The five children spoke together.
“This is just a brief amusement. Don’t worry about failing because of amusement. Just stay home and rest. I’m already satisfied.”
They all nodded in agreement.
“We’ll make sure Father doesn’t cause trouble inside or outside.”
“It’ll be fine, Mother.”
“Lawyer, don’t worry about money. We can pay anything, so focus on the task.”
Hearing each of them speak with affection, I couldn’t help but smile. This is what family feels like. Even if she’s unlucky in a husband, she is certainly lucky in her family.
“Let’s go.”
I wanted her to finally be rewarded for the hardships she endured.
I carefully led them, and at last, Lily, Anz, and I were able to leave the Marquis’s office and get into the carriage.
“Are we taking too long?”
“No.”
“And… I hope we’re not bothering the lawyer too much…”
“All of this is for payment. Later, give me a generous fee.”
The carriage slowly started moving. Inside, Lily nervously fiddled with her hands. Seeing this, Anz spoke.
“But did you expect it to turn out this way… a little?”
“Excuse me? What do you mean?”
“Belian.”
