Chapter 11
The same sister who once cried her heart out over the death of a rabbit she had cared for all week.
And yet.
‘It’s been a long time since I last saw her smile so happily.’
That was why he decided to confine Etricia within the mansion from the drawing room onward, ensuring she couldn’t escape.
It was also an excellent method to uncover the other party’s intentions, motivations, and whether they had a hidden backer.
With her every movement confined within his domain, no one would dare think of threatening his sister.
Edmund, standing with his back to the large window, cleared his thoughts.
“Tale, I will grant you command of the subjugation force. Once you return, investigate my sister’s past whereabouts. Rail, you will stay as the mansion’s butler and oversee the surveillance.”
Rail’s eyes widened.
Having faithfully carried out his duties as a steward for nine years while protecting Lilien, he had thoroughly learned the ways of the capital. Perhaps, it was all in preparation for today.
“Yes, Master.”
The twins, who had been at each other’s throats just moments ago, released their grips on each other as if casting aside their rivalry, then bowed in unison.
With a small tilt of Edmund’s chin, they retreated into the shadows.
Once again, he looked down through the brightly illuminated window, so brilliant it made his eyes ache.
Below, Etricia was smiling. As clear as the cloudless blue sky, without a hint of worry.
Completely unaware of the sharp, axe-like gaze falling upon her.
I surveyed my newly assigned bedroom.
Intricately designed, luxurious wallpaper, delicate sculptures, and a canopy bed.
Even without asking, I could tell. This room had once belonged to a young Lilien, its time-stained ambiance revealing its past.
My drifting gaze finally settled on the man standing before me.
“I am Rail. From today, I will be serving as the butler of the Mipedian mansion, attending to the Countess.”
A man with cascading navy-blue hair smiled perfunctorily.
“Pleased to meet you, Butler Rail.”
“The honor is mine.”
Rail slowly straightened his back and adjusted his monocle, observing me with keen eyes sunk deep into his hollow eye sockets. Smiling at his overt scrutiny and wariness, I thought to myself:
‘With this level of surveillance, there’s no chance of sneaking out.’
“Rail, would you mind stepping out now? I’d like to rest.”
“Understood. I will take my leave.”
Rail bowed neatly before closing the door behind him.
Only then did I finally let out a sigh and lean back against the chair.
Without a doubt, this newly assigned butler was one of Edmund’s men, placed here for surveillance.
At this point, I couldn’t help but wonder—was I really being held here just because of that assassination contract?
‘No, that’s unlikely.’
The guild master’s memory must have been erased. And Lilien was still alive.
Even Edmund, as capable as he was, wouldn’t have been able to track down the process without any evidence, especially in such a short time.
But…
‘Who exactly are you?’
A wave of unease washed over me as I recalled that dawn when a blade was suddenly pointed at me.
‘…Just in case, I should periodically check the guild’s monthly reports to confirm the guild master’s status.’
If the guild master were dead, that would mean the assassination had been exposed.
Thinking through the situation from multiple angles, I reached a conclusion.
‘This overprotective younger brother is trying to assess whether I pose any danger to Lilien.’
Why else would he have rushed back, even cutting his return trip short, the moment he heard of a stranger staying in the mansion?
Not to mention, I was the suspicious individual who had burned down the mansion overnight and demanded a divorce.
Considering Lilien’s past unfortunate acquaintances, it was understandable for him to be wary of me.
If that was the case, my best option was to act as docile as possible and find a way to escape from this tiger’s den.
‘Oh my, really? You’re staying at the mansion?’
Lilien had been overjoyed at breakfast when she heard I would be staying. That troubled me a little.
Now that I had outlined what I shouldn’t do, I felt a strange sense of control, as if I had the upper hand.
With a lazy smile, I picked up a quill, dipping it into the inkwell on the table and pulling a fine sheet of paper towards me.
These were the materials I had asked the maid to prepare before Rail’s arrival.
‘Time to return to the original plan.’
I had a letter to write to the Emperor.
I swiftly moved the quill, the duke’s feather trembling with each stroke.
The contents were simple:
[It has been a long time. How is Your Majesty’s health? I have been unable to inquire before, fearing that my mother-in-law, Viscountess Antra Dien, would resent me for it.]
A direct plea exposing the in-laws’ misdeeds.
[Shameless as it is, I must tell you that my late father visited me in a dream…]
Using a common excuse from my past life, I hinted at the possibility of a forged will.
[I no longer wish to live with that man.]
Declaring my intent to divorce.
The Emperor would see through my tactics immediately. But since this was a matter he had been anticipating, he would likely play along.
Once the letter was sent, I planned to retrieve the original will stored in a VIP vault under the name of Count Buell and present it to the Emperor.
Unfortunately for Devon, he had assumed that simply finding and destroying the hidden will in the mansion would suffice.
But my father, always a step ahead, had created two wills and stored one in a secure vault, informing me of its existence before his passing.
It was proof that he had indeed been the head of a vast enterprise. Thanks to his foresight, I now had a way to act.
The Emperor’s mages were the only ones capable of verifying the authenticity of a will. No ordinary person could make such a request.
‘Perfect.’
Having finally completed the task I had been delaying, I sealed the letter in fine stationery with a satisfied smirk.
I then left my room and handed the letter to Rail, who was busy managing affairs.
“I know you’re occupied, but I’d appreciate it if you could deliver this.”
Rail silently accepted the letter, but his fingers hesitated upon seeing the recipient’s name.
Noticing his subtle reaction, I fluttered my lashes innocently.
‘It’s only natural to be surprised. Direct correspondence with the Emperor is no trivial matter.’
A moment later, Rail masked his astonishment, smiled, and tucked the letter into his coat.
I watched him keenly.
‘That letter will surely pass through Edmund’s hands first.’
That was why I had written it in a way that would evoke pity rather than suspicion. There was nothing in it that would cause trouble for me, and hopefully, it would make him lower his guard.
‘Let’s hope the master of this mansion softens his sharp gaze after reading it.’
I watched Rail disappear up the stairs before returning to my room.
