“Sardine, get the driver.”
By my order, Sardin went to call the driver.
Meanwhile, Janet leaned over and said: “Ma’am, in that case, I will discreetly guard you again.”
Part of me wanted to suggest that she join us in public and ride in the carriage, but I knew she would feel heavy, so I nodded in agreement.
“Understood”
When Janet disappeared from sight, I couldn't help but smile bitterly.
I knew that the day my plan was implemented, you would find it difficult to evade responsibility.
It is not ideal to unwittingly deceive philanthropists, but it is inevitable.
She got burned while protecting Damian, so it's best for her to distance herself from us.
But she still deserves thanks, so I'll take care of her until I leave.
With that in mind, I climbed into the carriage.
“Archduke Tarrant”
Reinhardt's facial expression changed when Eric called out to him.
“I did not expect the Duke to welcome me like this.”
Reinhardt's tone was noticeably different from when Cornelia was present.
His voice, which had previously been gentle, now carried an aura of authority, and there was no warmth in his elegant face.
“Honestly, there was no need for you to see me, Duke Brant.”
Although Reinhardt's lineage as Archduke is greater than that of a Duke, and he belongs to the upper aristocracy, it was appropriate to show respect to Duke Eric as a Duke.
As a noble at the top of the social pyramid, the Duke held a position respected even by the Emperor, and Reinhardt was merely an heir who had not yet become an Archduke.
While Eric could have shown his displeasure at Reinhardt's attitude, he raised the corners of his mouth and sat down across from him.
“As the master of the house, how can I ignore my guest?”
Finally, with a cold look, he addressed Eric Reinhardt.
“Besides, if this person is approaching my family with impure intentions, I can’t pretend not to know more.”
“Hahaha.”
Reinhardt laughed lightly before he froze.
“Are you trying to play husband now?
After neglecting her for so long.”
Despite the harsh criticism, Eric's expression remained steady.
Reinhardt smiled wryly and shrugged.
“However, thanks to that, I had a chance.”
Then, Eric looked at Reinhardt with a wry smile.
“A chance, you say?
What chance?”
"You know her well, don't you?
Eric Lennon Brant"
Reinhart's question brought to mind a recent incident.
After the nation's founding ceremony at the age of fifteen, Cornelia always looked at Eric Brandt, filled with deep affection.
Even after marriage, her outlook remained the same, to the point that Reinhardt did not see a chance in her eyes.
But after meeting Cornelia by chance at the palace, Reinhardt senses something wrong with her behavior.
The reason was her refusal to accompany Eric to the palace, even though he came to pick her up.
Moreover, has Cornelia rejected the touch of Eric, whom she greatly admires?
This was definitely strange.
But it would have been too much to believe that Cornelia's affection had waned on this single incident.
She had a strong sense of pride, and often had moments of undue pride.
For this reason, Reinhart accepted Eric's offer to ride together.
On getting into the carriage, he asserted that Cornelia, despite the presence of her beloved husband, cast a cold look, as if she were looking at an unwanted adversary.
As if she didn't want to give up.
Now I know my chance has come.
There was no need to worry.
He understood why.
It was not him who formed the resentment, but Eric Lennon Brant.
Finally, Reinhart looked at Eric calmly.
“How long do you think you can keep her company?”
This marriage was what Cornelia had originally hoped for, as she wanted to become Duke Brant's wife.
But if she had the intention of divorcing, the Emperor would definitely side with her and hold Eric responsible, resulting in shame.
Then, I would finally be able to get what I had long wished for.
Reinhardt revealed his hidden desires, his eyes shone golden, and Eric began to smile.
"Why are you laughing?"
Reinhardt asked in a low voice, and Eric lowered the corners of his mouth.
“Reinhardt Adolph Tarrant, don't kid yourself.”
Her appearance, with purple eyes, is talking about having a child with her lover.
Although he denied it from the beginning, Eric was subtly aware of it.
The fact that what she said was honest.
Of course, that's why she chose to have a child with a cowardly wanderer.
Directing her eyes to such a man was entirely her responsibility and her fault.
But this time, I won't let that happen.
Especially for Reinhardt.
In the end, Eric stared at Reinhardt as if he wanted to say something.
“Do you think she would choose you even if she left me?”
“Sure.
If I put in enough effort around her, she will definitely realize my sincerity...”
As soon as Eric heard these words, his gaze took on a stern expression.
“Do you think I'll allow it?”
In an instant, Reinhardt, caught off guard, flinched before clenching his fists tightly.
He quickly said sternly: “The permission is from Her Highness, not from you.
What is certain is that I do not intend to miss this opportunity.”
At that moment, Eric sincerely wished he could break the neck of the despicable man in front of him.
But Reinhardt was different from Prince Franz.
First, he was a high-ranking noble who enjoyed the emperor's favor, and thanks to his frank advice to the emperor and efficient management of his lands, he gained a good reputation.
Moreover, before becoming the Archduke, he must have made various preparations.
Killing him would definitely be annoying.
But…
There was nothing he couldn't bear.
While Eric had a lot to lose, Reinhardt had almost nothing to lose.
Eric stared at Reinhardt, radiating the energy he had been hiding all along.
“I'm warning you.
If you dare to stay by her side...”
At that moment-
Tack-!
“My guest has arrived?”
Cornelia entered without knocking.
“Ma’am, we have arrived.”
Hearing the driver’s voice, I extended the ruby necklace meant for the lady and said, “Sardin, please bring all these things to my room.”
Sardin nodded, pointing to the items I had purchased and received from the alchemy workshop.
“Yes, I understand.”
Finally, the carriage door opened.
“Ma’am, come in!”
Was it because I longed to see my mother-in-law?
Even Randon showing up to greet me was a relief.
Well, if I give this gift to the lady, my plan...
But I couldn't make it happen.
“Madam, a guest has arrived.”
Hearing Randon's kind words, she frowned.
"Who is he?"
I swore to hold accountable those who dared to spread rumors.
But as soon as I heard Randon's answer, I changed my mind.
“It's Archduke Tarrant.”
If it had been Franz or Madeleine, I wouldn't have let them get away with it, but Reinhart said he would bring gifts when he arrived.
“Okay, where is he?”
“He's in the drawing room… ma'am?”
There was no point in delaying, I wouldn't receive the peach orchard until late anyway.
So, even when Randon tried to stop me, I went straight to the reception room.
“Ma’am, please wait!
There is someone in the drawing room!”
Ignoring Randon's pleas, I confidently opened the reception room door.
“My guest has arrived?”
Although I had come to apologize to the peach orchard, the reception room contained not only Reinhardt, but also Eric.
Why is this person here...?
I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion for a moment, and quickly guessed the reason for Eric's presence.
Ah, he must be here as the master to receive the guests instead of me.
In fact, if he had been anyone other than Reinhardt, he would have been a prominent figure in social circles.
And since Eric was so concerned with appearances, he wouldn't have waited without a reason.
But why is he staring like that?
At that moment, Reinhardt spoke.
“Your Highness, have you arrived?
You must be tired, please have a seat.”
He pointed his hand towards the seat next to me.
Then Eric also clicked on the seat next to him.
“Please have a seat, ma'am.”
One of them was a man who was reluctant despite bringing gifts, and the other was a husband whose relationship had become strained to the point of divorce.
It was clear where I would sit between them.