Chapter 96
The marquis, who had aged visibly in just a few minutes, looked over the investigation team with a weary face.
“Would you allow me… a moment to speak privately?”
“Of course.”
With the investigators’ permission, the marquis leaned toward Barun and whispered,
“Don’t speak carelessly.”
“It truly wasn’t me, Father.”
“I know.”
At those words, Barun’s face twisted as he saw the look in his father’s eyes.
That fleeting expression of doubt pierced him like a dagger.
“If you’ve finished speaking, then I’ll—”
“Wait!”
Between the voices of the imperial investigators came a desperate cry — one full of loyalty.
Everyone turned toward the source of the interruption, which came just as things were about to end.
Velia had opened her eyes.
Even when she had shed tears in front of Barun, her gaze had never wavered — yet now, her pupils trembled violently.
Even she hadn’t anticipated this.
“It… It was me.”
Her outstretched hand shook pitifully.
Everyone stared at the lone knight standing there in shock.
“Tov…?”
Bedol looked at him in disbelief.
Barun’s mouth fell open.
Unable to face him, Tov clenched his eyes shut and blurted out his confession.
“I… I did it because I hated the lady… because I hated her! Even though I was appointed as her escort knight, she never let me near her… I thought, if something dangerous happened, she would finally need me — that’s why I did it!”
Tov stepped toward Rude, snatching the key from his hand and holding it up high.
“With… with this key, anyone can enter the storage room. I—I used to serve as Young Master Barun’s escort knight, so I could still use it. The young master…”
Tov met Barun’s eyes, then quickly turned away.
“The young master never erased my access registration after he made it during my service as his escort…”
“Tov!”
Barun shouted his name.
“So I! I caused the incident! Please forgive me! I wasn’t trying to commit treason! I just wanted to play a small trick on the lady, that’s all! Please, forgive me!”
Kneeling on the floor, Tov begged desperately.
Velia stared at him blankly.
“The young master… had nothing to do with this! Truly! I acted alone—”
“Tov!”
“My lord, I’m sorry! Lady, I’m sorry!”
Tov bowed his head deeply in the direction of Barun and Velia.
“I truly am sorry.”
“…Is that the truth?”
Looking up at the investigator who had stepped closer, Tov nodded again and again.
“Yes! It’s true. I hired mercenaries to help me — I even have the contract!”
Barun clenched his teeth.
Of course there would be a contract.
There had been mercenaries hired not to steal, but to switch the imperial tribute — and a carriage, too.
“…Good heavens.”
The head of the investigation team rubbed his temple and glanced back at Barun.
There was no solid evidence against him, but the circumstances now pointed elsewhere.
Still, determining guilt was beyond his duty — that would be up to the higher authorities.
With that in mind, he turned his gaze away from Barun.
“For now, since there has been a confession, take him into custody.”
The knights moved at once.
As they seized Tov by both arms and pulled him to his feet, the investigator approached the marquis.
“My lord Marquis.”
“Take him away. And conduct a thorough investigation — there may still be other suspicions.”
Even the marquis himself didn’t know whether the real culprit had been caught or if this was just a performance.
But for now, he maintained a stern expression.
“Yes, my lord. Also… would you permit the young marquis to be questioned as a witness? Even with a confession, the matter is grave and must be examined carefully.”
“Of course. The Arpedi Marquisate will fully cooperate with the imperial investigation.”
The marquis placed his hand on Barun’s head and pressed it down.
No one could see the expression hidden beneath his bowed head.
Suppressing the look of pity in his eyes, the investigator turned toward Velia.
“And you, my lady…”
“Yes. If you need me for anything, please don’t hesitate to summon me.”
“Understood. Then we’ll proceed with a strict investigation based on the confession.”
With those final words, the investigators and knights left the marquis’s estate.
At the marquis’s order, the guests gathered in the garden dispersed as well.
Barun followed his father inside, while Velia and Bedol returned to their rooms.
Amid the scattering crowd, only the commander of the knights — now holding some documents — remained in the garden with Rude.
* * *
In the capital of the Lenin Empire, the most glamorous street was home to the most beloved shop among noblewomen — Bea Salon.
After rumors spread that the Empress and Crown Princess themselves adored Bea, the salon had become impossibly popular.
“Is that the new collection?”
The salon was bustling as always.
Because Bea Salon was fully booked every day, it had recently expanded to include a new café area.
There had already been a café on the second floor, but that space was reserved exclusively for VIPs.
Only those who met a certain purchase threshold were allowed entry, which meant the room was filled with noblewomen from the most prestigious families in the capital.
“These small ones are so cute. They’d make lovely gifts for my granddaughter.”
“Oh my, that’s such a wonderful idea! Here, look.”
In the VIP area, there was no need to wait in line — every order was handled one-on-one, and even the most expensive custom jewelry requests were welcome.
“By the way, my mother’s family recently had a marriage discussion, and guess what? The other family brought Bea jewels as part of the dowry.”
“Really?”
“Yes, it was a limited-edition aquamarine Bea piece — the color was simply exquisite.”
“Oh, I’d love to see it. Bring it next time!”
“I’ll beg my mother to lend it to me.”
As the noblewomen chattered and laughed in the café, the servers subtly eavesdropped and jotted down their gossip on small slips of paper.
“By the way, is it true that the recent imperial tribute theft happened within the Arpedi family?”
“It’s true! I was shocked. How humiliating that must be. If something like that happened in my family, my parents would probably bite their tongues in shame!”
“My thoughts exactly! I never thought the young marquis of Arpedi would be like that, but it suits him — petty and jealous! Can you imagine being jealous of your own younger sister?”
“What do you mean? I heard the investigation concluded that one of their knights acted alone.”
“Oh, my dear lady — that’s what they said publicly. Puh-blic-ly! But the truth is something else. My personal maid has wide connections, and she heard from one of the servants working at the Arpedi estate that, well… it’s embarrassing to even say.”
“What is it?”
“That the knight and the young marquis were especially close.”
“What?!”
Several noblewomen’s faces turned bright red.
“C–close?!”
“Yes! So the knight supposedly took the blame to protect the young marquis.”
“Oh my, is that why he’s remained unmarried all this time?”
“How scandalous…”
“I know, right? No wonder the marquise took to her bed.”
“I heard her health has been poor.”
“If I were in her place, I’d collapse too. My own son— oh, I can’t even say it.”
“So, what happened to the knight?”
“What else? He tampered with imperial tribute — it’s execution, of course.”
“Well, that’s only fair. We’ll be seeing the young marquis at the Crown Princess’s upcoming birthday ball — I wonder how he’ll show his face.”
“Indeed. Oh, and I heard there will be an engagement announcement at the ball…”
“Yes, but apparently it’s not the Crown Princess’s engagement — it’s the Crown Prince’s?”
“I heard that too! And that the match isn’t with the Dalton Dukedom either.”
The noblewomen paused and looked around.
All around the café, the glass display cases sparkled with beautifully arranged Bea jewels.
The ladies and young noblewomen admiring them were mostly dressed in this year’s trend — gowns in the “Lady of the Year” style.
The fashion of baring the shoulders and neckline had remained popular for months.
“She really is remarkable.”
“She is.”
The noblewomen all nodded in agreement.
“She’s managed to make every noblewoman in the capital completely obsessed.”
“Obsessed indeed.”
They exchanged knowing glances and laughed.
“If I’d known things would turn out this way, I’d have tried to get closer to the Arpedi family.”
“Exactly. They’re set to be connected to the Imperial Family — no wonder that tribute incident was quietly swept under the rug.”
“Of course. You’ve all sent gifts to the marquise, haven’t you? Since her health declined?”
“Naturally. Still, I find her much easier to please than the duchess — no matter what you give, she’s always delighted.”
“I agree! Whenever I had to choose gifts for the duchess, I practically spent half my allowance on them!”
“Hoho, indeed.”
The noblewomen all laughed together in harmony.
