Chapter 56
Ah… he’s handsome. Even upside down, a handsome man is still a handsome man.
I thought this somewhat random observation to myself as I blankly replied,
“Yes, I was surprised because Tey seemed cold.”
Perhaps because the situation was so unexpected, I couldn’t come up with a proper excuse.
“….”
Tey’s face disappeared just as suddenly as when he first appeared. Hidden again among the leaves, he spoke in a muffled voice:
“If you answer so obediently, I have nothing to say. I was acting like a child, whining.”
His tone sounded shy.
‘So that was what he meant by whining.’
Thinking that, it somehow seemed cute. In the novel, the villain exuded a dangerous aura, yet here he was, pouting like a child.
Feeling pleased, I asked honestly:
“Does it matter that it was because of me, Tey?”
“…I was a little surprised. I thought you’d remain indifferent no matter what anyone did.”
“Me? Hmm… I think I’ve shown plenty of sides of myself before.”
At Sharon’s old office, I had even cried once when talking about my married life.
“I didn’t falter at all in front of my ex-husband, and I cut ties with the Wallis family without hesitation.”
“That’s because those people weren’t particularly important to me.”
“Then… I am…”
I paused, looking up, when Terrence suddenly dropped down with a soft thud onto the ground.
“It’s somewhat uncool to say it with words anyway.”
Huh? He was smiling. The same person who had sounded so listless just a moment ago.
“Oh? You changed your clothes. Is it for disguise?”
“Yes. The original outfit is being worn by Vineta.”
“Ah. A swap, then.”
“Exactly. By now, Vineta, wearing my clothes over a robe, is probably getting into Ambassador Leoc’s carriage.”
She would have soldiers guarding her, so her identity was unlikely to be revealed. The reporters would swarm the fake Edel Wallace, demanding answers.
Terrence studied my outfit carefully.
“Just in case, I think it’s better if you wear my robe.”
He took off the robe and draped it over my shoulders, adjusting my hat with meticulous care.
“Can I wear this one instead?”
The straw hat I had been wearing was now in his hands.
I was still dazed by his sudden change in demeanor, but I smiled and said:
“Of course. It suits you well.”
We crossed the garden and headed toward the back entrance of the central courthouse.
“Fortunately, everyone seems to have gone to the front entrance to watch.”
“Let’s go quickly while we have the chance!”
“I’ve summoned a carriage near the back entrance.”
“And the horses we rode here?”
“They’re too exhausted to run anymore.”
“Right, the butler came with us too. I feel sorry for the horses.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll feed them special treats and let them rest properly.”
“….”
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
“You’re embarrassed right now, aren’t you?”
“No.”
“Then why do you keep avoiding my gaze, Marquis?”
“I said, I’m not.”
“It’s fine. If someone’s body is tired, they can be a little fussy.”
“You’re teasing me.”
“Ah, caught me?”
As we talked, we walked to the carriage parked in a secluded alley near the back gate.
Unfortunately for me, Terrence soon fully reverted to his usual mischievous demeanor. No matter how much I teased him, he didn’t even blink.
Later, I heard he had been concerned that he didn’t make enough of an impression—people around him didn’t seem to notice him as much as he thought.
‘Him…?’
Hearing that, I couldn’t help but raise a questioning look. In Walking the Flower Road After Rebirth, after Riena, or in some ways even more than Riena, he had a striking presence.
It was surprising and gratifying to realize that even Terrence had worries like that, revealing a new side of him.
The next day, at the Cassius Townhouse.
Riena drummed her fingernails against the desk, her decision brief.
The precious daughter of the Cassius household quietly commanded her maid, Tara:
“Call Elliot immediately.”
“But Elliot Rude is currently on a foreign assignment for an important matter…”
“This is more important than that.”
Elliot Rude—the prodigy said to be divinely gifted. His personality wasn’t exactly pleasant, but his skill was undeniable. He had repeatedly devised brilliant strategies that helped Riena when no one else could.
Riena had not an ounce of doubt. This time too, he would surely achieve whatever she desired.
“If Elliot intervenes, this disadvantageous situation won’t matter at all.”
Tara agreed on that point.
“Of course. Especially since the legal matters are his specialty.”
Moreover, if Parell excelled within the existing legal system, Elliot could bend the law itself to secure victory.
“How long will it take for Elliot to return?”
“Even by the fastest ship, it will take at least fifteen days.”
“Whatever it costs, have him come immediately—even if it means buying the ship he’s on.”
“…Understood.”
Tara still looked puzzled as to why Riena insisted on bringing him back, but Riena had no time to explain.
“I also need to inform Parell. Until Elliot arrives, adjust the tactics to delay as long as possible.”
While it might be difficult for him to achieve victory under current conditions, buying time was well within his capability.
“Since Liandro has suffered such a humiliating scandal, the Emperor won’t intervene further.”
The Emperor had no intention of truly clashing with the Cassius family. He only wanted to humiliate them—and that objective had already been fulfilled.
“Damn, and the butler… even the recording device.”
How had things gone so wrong? Under normal circumstances, Cassius would have easily won the trial.
However, Riena quickly shook off such thoughts and stood up.
“It’s almost the time the new sister-in-law said she would arrive. I should go see Father.”
This, too, was merely a momentary challenge. Ever since experiencing the miracle of rebirth, Riena was promised radiant victories.
On her way to the Duke’s office, she encountered her second brother, Rehaim.
“How’s big brother?”
“He’s the same as yesterday. Locked in his room, not moving an inch.”
“Not meeting with Parell either?”
“Nope. Parell is frustrated to death. Why did they hide such an important fact?”
Rehaim groaned.
“It’s shocking that such things happened between him and his wife.”
“I wish they had been honest from the start.”
“Exactly. We always trusted that he would treat her well in the estate.”
After chatting for a while, Rehaim furtively glanced at his sister.
“But… do they really need to continue the trial?”
“What do you mean?”
“From what I saw yesterday, they really don’t get along. Wouldn’t it be better for both if they just divorced?”
“Where did you get such an idea?”
“Why are you so angry? Scary.”
“She’s family. Can you give up on family, Rehaim?”
“No, I mean… never mind. You’re right. I misspoke.”
Riena laughed brightly to lighten the mood.
“Let’s keep doing our best. One day, she’ll understand our true feelings.”
“Yes, you’re always right.”
“By the way, I’m heading to Father now. Do you want to come?”
“Because of you, right? If Caden is going too, then I should.”
Mentioning the butler, with whom they had long history, made them both feel melancholy.
“…Why did he betray us?”
“I don’t know. We treated him like family.”
The siblings comforted each other as they walked, hurt by the betrayal of someone they cherished.
Edel arrived at the townhouse at precisely the time she had promised—not early, not late.
“Hello, everyone. Ah… maybe not such a happy hello.”
Accompanied by the butler, her lawyer, and a woman who appeared to be a bodyguard.
“What’s your purpose in coming all this way?”
Duke Cassius asked first, as if he didn’t even want to let them into the reception room.
“Duke, you speak first. Elders first, after all.”
Edel’s cheeky tone deepened the wrinkles on the Duke’s forehead.
“You’ve truly defiled my son’s honor.”
“I merely stated the facts as they are.”
With both sides unwilling to back down, Riena stepped in to mediate.
“Both of you, calm down. Let’s solve this through discussion. It can be resolved peacefully.”
Similarly, Rehaim, beside the Duke, merely nodded, but the tension didn’t ease at all. Even with his wife present, Liandro did not appear.
The Duke turned his gaze to the butler and finally spoke:
“Answer me. Why did you betray me, betray the Cassius family?”
“….”
“Were the past twenty-some years you spent with us really worth nothing?”
His question was filled with fathomless resentment and betrayal.
The butler looked at Edel, who gave him a small nod, as if to bolster his courage.
Seeing this, the Duke gritted his teeth. It was undeniable proof that the servant who had faithfully served him for decades was no longer his.
After a brief exchange of glances, the butler finally spoke:
“Duke, do you remember my son, Joshua?”
The unexpected topic caused the Duke to narrow his eyes.
