Chapter 68
Caverion’s blue eyes flickered for a moment, as if this was an unexpected approach.
“Money…?”
“After becoming close with Lavita, I think what she needs most is money.”
The reason Lavita wanted to send David to a foreign country was ultimately due to her lack of personal funds.
It made sense. Most noble ladies neither ran businesses nor held personal assets.
Lavita feared being cast out from the Marquis’ household at any moment. If that happened, she’d have no means to care for David.
‘Money is a practical issue.’
That’s why Raylenne thought a substantial sum might persuade Lavita.
Raylenne briefly explained to Caverion why Lavita needed the money.
Caverion listened silently. He only spoke after Raylenne had finished.
“Raylenne, how much are you thinking?”
Raylenne had given this much thought on her way back.
How much would tempt Lavita?
The conclusion was simple.
“Enough for Lavita to live alone with her child in a foreign country.”
Wouldn’t this be the most appealing offer to Lavita, who worried about a future separated from David?
With that money, she’d have the option to go to a foreign country with David, without having to part from him.
Caverion crossed his arms and rhythmically moved his fingers as if calculating.
“For a noble lady to live comfortably with a boy child…”
Raylenne wasn’t really sure either. This was why she thought she needed to discuss it with Caverion.
Caverion’s moving fingers stopped.
“Then it should be about 500,000 Benians.”
“500,000 Benians?!”
Raylenne inadvertently shouted at the enormous sum. She quickly looked around, but fortunately, no one was there.
“Yes. Shouldn’t it be at least that much?”
This man… He’s thinking on an incredibly grand scale…!
Even Raylenne, with her limited economic understanding, knew how large a sum 500,000 Benians was.
With 500,000 Benians, one could probably build a small castle.
However, there was one concern.
“Brother… Can we prepare that much money?”
First of all, Raylenne had no personal assets.
She bought expensive clothes and accessories without limit, but the bills were sent to the butler for settlement later, so she never paid directly.
She had thought of money as a reward believing Caverion would somehow provide it, but she was worried because the amount he mentioned was larger than expected.
Raylenne glanced at Caverion.
Unlike her serious concern, Caverion was covering his mouth, smiling.
“You worry about the strangest things.”
Caverion gently patted Raylenne’s head.
“I’ll arrange it, so don’t worry.”
“Really…?”
“Of course.”
Reassured by his dependable demeanor, Raylenne quickly dispelled her doubts, her eyes shining.
As expected… Caverion, simply brilliant…!
“You just focus on persuading Lady Lavita. I’ll handle everything else.”
“Understood.”
Caverion looked down at Raylenne with a soft smile on his lips.
“I’m proud of you. The marriage talks had stalled, and I was just observing, but you’ve made so much progress on your own.”
“It’s my affair. Of course I should be the one most concerned about it.”
“Don’t distance yourself like that. Your affairs are the same as mine.”
Caverion, who had been looking at her warmly, spoke with a somewhat serious expression.
“Raylenne.”
“Yes?”
“Have you noticed any other movements from the real culprit who tried to harm you recently?”
Raylenne nodded.
“Yes. I’ve been constantly vigilant, but there haven’t been any signs of attempts to harm me since the Sana grass incident. I’ve been getting regular check-ups from the doctor, and he says my health has improved significantly.”
“That’s a relief, but…”
Raylenne sensed what Caverion was about to say.
While she was relieved that the culprit had stopped trying to harm her, she also felt strangely uneasy. Caverion probably felt the same way.
“Recently, I had people investigate the persons Helen frequently met and the places she often visited before her death.”
Raylenne was a bit surprised.
She hadn’t expected the deceased Helen to be mentioned again.
Caverion seemed to have investigated thoroughly, as Helen was the last known link to the real culprit.
“But you see.”
Raylenne swallowed hard and focused on Caverion’s words.
“It seems that when Helen was alive, she rarely left the Ergen duchy. She didn’t meet anyone besides family either.”
One of Caverion’s eyebrows rose in a gentle curve.
“It suddenly occurred to me that the real culprit might not be related to the Bedeusian duchy. To exchange such secretive matters, they would have had to meet in person, but if she never left the Ergen duchy…”
“Then…”
“I have a feeling the real culprit might be closer than we think.”
It was a chilling thought, but one Raylenne could fully empathize with.
In fact, Raylenne had suspected her own younger brother, Helis, of being the culprit who tried to harm her.
‘Someone close by…’
Even within Raylenne’s limited social circle, it wasn’t easy to deduce who the culprit might be.
“I’m telling you this because I think it’s good to know, but don’t dwell on it too much. I will definitely find the real culprit.”
It was a remarkably confident attitude in a situation without a single clue. Yet, it felt reassuring because it was Caverion.
“I’ve recently strengthened the security at the main gate and increased patrols. So don’t worry, it will be difficult for someone to infiltrate the Duke’s mansion under someone else’s orders, like what happened with Helis.”
“Ah…”
Raylenne sighed inwardly.
This kind of consideration wasn’t entirely welcome.
Strengthening security meant that the difficulty of helping Aiden escape from this place would increase.
‘No… Let’s think about this step by step.’
First, deal with the marriage talks with Harbian… Then, while looking for a way to help Aiden escape, also investigate the real culprit again.
Raylenne felt like she could cry tears of joy at her overflowing schedule.
Of course, while doing these things in order, there was a need to hurry.
For now, she planned to meet and persuade Lavita tomorrow.
* * *
Raylenne met with Lavita as planned the next day. Upon returning to the ducal mansion, she rushed to the underground prison with an excited expression. “Aiden!” Raylenne exclaimed, breathless as she opened the cell door and stood before him.
Aiden, who had been exercising, rose from his spot. The once-loose prisoner’s uniform now fit snugly, accentuating his muscular physique.
‘Ah, this isn’t the time to be admiring Aiden,’ Raylenne thought, unable to hide her joy as she shouted, “I convinced Miss Lavita!”
Aiden’s eyes widened, his ash-gray irises shining brightly. “Is that true?”
“Yes!” Raylenne had visited the marquis’s residence without an appointment the following day. Fortunately, Lavita was home and welcomed the unexpected meeting without hesitation.
“Lady Raylenne, what brings you here so early?”
“I… I have something I want to tell Lavita.”
Before trying to persuade Lavita, Raylenne first revealed that she had approached her intentionally. Though it wasn’t necessary to mention, she wanted to alleviate the guilt deep in her heart. Lavita listened without showing shock or anger, maintaining her usual calm demeanor.
However, Lavita’s composure cracked when Harbian was mentioned.
“You might… marry Crown Prince Harbian?” Lavita covered her mouth and shook her head. “No, Lady Raylenne…! That man is such a devil…!”
“Calm down, Lavita. I don’t want to marry Crown Prince Harbian either. That’s why I’m asking for your help.”
Raylenne calmly explained her intentions to Lavita. She didn’t want this marriage, and she needed David to break off the engagement.
“Of course, I’m not just asking for your kindness. I want to repay you in another way.”
Raylenne told Lavita the amount she was willing to pay in exchange for her help. Lavita’s eyes widened, recognizing how substantial the sum was.
“Such a large amount…”
“It’s a modest amount compared to involving David in such a personal matter, but with this money, you’ll have more options, Lavita.”
Lavita seemed deep in thought. Raylenne waited anxiously for her answer as silence stretched between them. As the quiet lingered, Raylenne slowly rose from her seat.
“Please think it over and let me know. I’ll return to the ducal mansion…”
“I’ll do it,” Lavita said, looking up at Raylenne. She repeated, “I’ll do as you’ve asked, Lady Raylenne.”
Lavita agreed to the proposal more readily than Raylenne had expected.
“Thank you, Lavita…! With that compensation, surely you and David can…”
“I’m not accepting your proposal because of the money,” Lavita calmly interjected. “I can’t stand by and watch you marry someone like Harbian.”
“Lavita…”
“Even if you approached me with ulterior motives, I still received comfort and help from you. Thanks to you, I’ve felt truly alive lately.”
Lavita offered a faint, barely perceptible smile. “Lady Raylenne, I’m glad I can help you.”
As Raylenne briefly reminisced, she felt a twinge deep in her heart. Aiden, who had been listening quietly, gave a rare smile. “I’m glad it worked out well.”
However, Aiden’s expression quickly turned serious. “Now all that’s left is to meet and talk with Crown Prince Harbian.”
Raylenne was actually worried about this part. Caverion had offered to meet Harbian on her behalf to cancel the engagement, but Raylenne refused. She wanted to speak to him directly. She didn’t want to hide behind someone else to finish this. And she was curious to see what lay beneath Harbian’s polite and gentlemanly facade, especially after what Lavita had just told her.
“Lady Raylenne, please be careful when you meet Harbian. There’s a reason I called him a devil. That man is truly…”
