Chapter 42
Even Caverion couldn’t maintain his composure this time. A blue aura surged around his massive frame.
Crash—!
A powerful kick crumbled part of the cell wall.
“How dare he covet Raylenne while having a child with another woman,” he growled.
Raylenne grabbed Caverion’s shoulder, trying to calm him.
“Please, calm down, brother. At least we found out now.”
As she gently patted his shoulder, the blue aura slowly receded. Caverion, slightly calmed, carefully released Raylenne’s hand and approached Aiden. He took a deep breath and spoke in a low voice.
“Continue.”
Aiden, unfazed by Caverion’s menacing demeanor, continued in a calm manner.
“Harbian doesn’t know that Miss Lavita had a son. She has kept it hidden very well.”
Raylenne was amazed that Aiden knew such details. Despite seeming like he only focused on swordsmanship, he was well-informed about behind-the-scenes matters.
“How can we prove that her son is Harbian’s?” Caverion asked.
“One look at Lavita’s son will confirm it. He has the royal family’s signature golden hair and unique golden eyes with a reddish tint, unmistakably Harbian’s.”
Caverion nodded slowly, then asked Aiden.
“How did you come to know this?”
“When Miss Lavita’s pregnancy became visible, she asked my mother, whom she was close to, for help. My mother wrote to me, asking to find a safe place for her to give birth, away from the royal eyes.”
Indeed, such misdeeds could not be completely hidden. Harbian might have thought he could indulge in pleasures without consequences, but Aiden had uncovered what even Harbian did not know. There are no eternal secrets.
In any case, this situation played in Raylenne’s favor. This critical weakness could be used to shake Harbian.
Caverion seemed to think the same, as his previously dark expression brightened.
“So, we can use the existence of Miss Lavita’s hidden son to threaten Harbian and nullify the engagement.”
However, Aiden didn’t respond immediately. He spoke again, his voice low.
“There is one problem.”
Caverion’s eyes hardened.
“What is it?”
“Miss Lavita will not cooperate easily.”
Aiden leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
“She has gone to great lengths to keep her son’s existence a secret. She won’t want to expose him now.”
Raylenne bit her dry lips lightly. Aiden was right. Lavita had hidden her child so perfectly. It was likely because she feared what Harbian might do if he found out. Convincing Lavita to reveal her child’s existence to Harbian was crucial.
Both Aiden and Caverion seemed to be pondering this problem. Raylenne also thought deeply before speaking up.
“I’ll meet with Miss Lavita and try to persuade her.”
Aiden and Caverion turned their gazes to Raylenne. Caverion’s eyes were filled with concern.
“Raylenne, you…”
“I know what you’re worried about, brother. But I’m not afraid of meeting people anymore.”
Raylenne clenched her fist.
“This is my matter. You’ve both helped me a lot, so it’s time I muster up the courage.”
Raylenne acted composed, but she truly wasn’t scared. She wasn’t the original Raylenne. Still, she worried about how people would perceive her sudden reappearance.
Caverion’s expression remained stern.
“You don’t need to push yourself, Raylenne. I can persuade Miss Lavita.”
“No, brother. Please let me handle this.”
To persuade Miss Lavita, a friendly approach and possibly material support might be necessary. Caverion stepping in could suffice for that part.
“…Alright.”
Reluctantly, Caverion agreed, and Raylenne smiled faintly. Then she turned to Aiden.
“Aiden, thank you for today. Thanks to you, we’ve found a lead to navigate this situation.”
Aiden remained silent, but the nape of his neck turned red. Raylenne knew that Aiden was being cautious, perhaps fearing a slip of the tongue or a relaxed demeanor.
At that moment, Caverion spoke to Aiden.
“Aiden.”
Aiden looked up.
“Why did you so willingly reveal this about Harbian?”
“Because I dislike Harbian.”
Caverion narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Aiden.
“Enough to help us?”
“…”
Aiden straightened from the wall.
“This is as much as I’ll share.”
Despite Aiden’s abrupt end to the conversation, Caverion didn’t appear angry. Instead, he looked at Aiden sharply, as if trying to uncover something.
Then, Caverion’s icy blue eyes swiftly turned to Raylenne. His sharp gaze made her feel as if she was sweating.
“Why are you looking at me like that, brother?”
“Nothing. Let’s go.”
Caverion wrapped his arm around Raylenne’s shoulder.
‘Oh… are we leaving like this?’ Raylenne blinked at the sudden exit.
As Caverion led Raylenne out, he turned back to Aiden.
“I won’t forget the help you gave us today.”
When the light clicked off, a cold voice echoed through the darkened space.
“But I won’t tolerate you having unnecessary ambitions.”
In the dim light, Caverion’s eyes glinted.
“Remember that.”
* * *
Raylenne parted ways with Caverion at the entrance of the underground prison.
‘Why did he suddenly get upset…?’
Although the conversation with Aiden had gone well, the atmosphere had turned tense at the end. His cold tone was practically dripping with iciness. Perhaps it was because of Aiden’s sarcastic remark at the end. However, once they were out of the cell, Caverion smiled as if nothing had happened.
‘It was uncomfortable seeing him try so hard to act normal…’
Raylenne furrowed her brows as she made her way back to her room, only to realize someone was standing in front of her door. The tall silhouette raised a hand in greeting.
“Sister.”
The person faintly visible in the darkness was Helis. Raylenne smoothed her furrowed brow and approached.
“What brings you to my room at this late hour, Helis?”
“I felt we haven’t had a proper conversation lately, so I came to talk.”
At this hour?
As if reading her thoughts, Helis added, “I’ve been busy during the day and couldn’t find the time to visit. If it’s alright, may we talk for a while inside?”
Despite her suspicions about Helis coming at such a late hour, Raylenne couldn’t turn him away when he had been waiting.
“…Alright, come in.”
Helis smiled and stepped inside. Raylenne observed him closely. Recently, she had suspected that Helis might be the one who had tried to harm her. He had only been bumped down the list of suspects due to the sudden engagement with Crown Prince Harbian.
Raylenne thought that talking with Helis might be a good opportunity to gather clues.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been in your room,” Helis said as he sat down, following Raylenne.
“You did come once when I collapsed,” Raylenne recalled when she had fainted due to Sana grass poisoning. She remembered that Helis and Helen had entered her room then.
If Helis was the culprit, he would have been here at that time, and saying it had been a while would be a lie. Raylenne was curious to see how Helis would respond to her probing question.
“When you collapsed…?” Helis asked, seemingly puzzled.
“Yes. I couldn’t open my eyes due to the fever, but I remember people coming.”
If Helis was the culprit, he would be very startled by this. It would imply that she had heard the conversation he had with Helen, thinking she was unconscious. Raylenne waited, anticipating Helis’s response.
“I’m sorry, but I didn’t come when you collapsed, so I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Helis lowered his gaze, rubbing the back of his neck. “I feel ashamed that I didn’t visit even when you were unwell…”
He seemed to act sorry, but there was no sign of surprise or panic. There wasn’t anything suspicious in his behavior.
“Forget it. That’s not why I brought it up,” Raylenne said, waving her hand dismissively. “Tell me what you came here for. I know you didn’t wait outside my room at this hour for no reason.”
Helis didn’t deny it and opened his mouth.
“I’ve heard some good news about you, Sister.”
“Good news?”
“There’s talk of an engagement with His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Raylenne almost let out a bitter laugh. She had just been discussing how to annul the engagement, and now she was being congratulated for it here.
‘How does he know? I doubt the Duke of Ergen would have mentioned it.’
Raylenne found it odd that Helis knew about her engagement and replied, “Yes, there is talk of an engagement.”
“That’s truly a joyous occasion for our family.”
Raylenne felt uneasy about Helis coming specifically to congratulate her.
‘What is he thinking?’
Could he know that the Crown Prince was a terrible person and be mocking her? If that were the case, he would have likely made some cutting remark, but there was no such hint from Helis. He genuinely seemed to be there to offer congratulations.
Just then, Helis clapped his hands together and started talking.
