"Are you serious?
She's your daughter!"
When his wife raised her voice, Marquis Arjen sighed deeply.
“Yes, it is really unfortunate that my daughter is so foolish.
If she is going to kill someone high-ranking, she should ideally do so without anyone finding out.”
Finally, the Marquis spoke coldly.
“Even if she is my daughter, I cannot tolerate actions that threaten our family’s status.”
“Dear, how can you say such a thing?”
The Marquise shouted angrily, but he was determined to vent his anger.
“It is fortunate that the princess’s body has not been found yet.
If they see her, they might discover evidence that could implicate us.”
Cornelia may still be alive, and without solid evidence, Madeleine, who was only suspected of instigating the destruction of the carriage, could not be sentenced to death.
However, if Cornelia's body was found and concrete evidence emerged, things would be different.
“After her intent is determined, she will be executed.”
Then…
The Marquis knew that the family might be involved, and everything he had built might be destroyed.
“My sister is the Empress, and my nephew is the next Emperor.”
Marquis Arjen stared intensely at his wife.
“However, my daughter tried to kill the Emperor’s daughter.
Surely the Emperor will use this as an excuse to weaken our family’s power, and you expect me to beg for our daughter’s life?
Are you out of your mind?”
Overwhelmed by her husband's aggressive behavior, the Marchioness began to cry.
“But she is our only child; will she be okay if she dies?”
replied the Marquis, suppressing his irritation.
“Be calm.
Even if we don’t beg, the Emperor will not abandon our family.”
Of course, this would require sacrificing Madeleine.
The Marquis swallowed his words, but his wife, unaware of his true feelings, nodded tearfully.
"Good."
“They say that the Marquis of Argens has not even filed a petition, even though his daughter is in prison.
He said he would accept the outcome of the trial.”
“However, how could he be so cruel to his daughter in prison?”
“This way he maintains neutrality without being restricted by blood ties.
I heard that he plans to appoint the next Marquis from a family branch of Argen’s lineage.”
As I listened to their conversation, I suppressed a sarcastic laugh.
Not bound by blood ties, huh?
This is not entirely wrong.
After all, Marquis Arjen later abandoned his sister and nephew to save himself.
I expected that.
That the Marquis of Argin turns his back on Madeleine.
Well, I had people like that around me too.
A man abandoned his wife and children for his own safety.
And now, around me, words were being said about him.
“It appears that the Duke of Brant also did not submit a petition.”
“Now he has become a scoundrel who has even abandoned his mother.”
I couldn't help but shake my head for a moment.
“But is the Duchess really dead?
Why hasn’t her body been found?”
“I'm not sure; maybe her body was damaged?”
“Could she still be alive?”
“If that were the case, why would the Duchess remain silent?
She would have gone to the palace and reported what had happened.”
“True, there is no way to survive such a fall.”
“Oh, who would have expected that an evil person would meet such a miserable end...”
After I succeeded in getting rid of my annoying husband, I no longer needed to stay in the capital.
I lowered the black veil covering my face further and stood up.
“It's time to leave.”
Janet nodded in response to my words.
“Yes, I will prepare the cart.”
As I was about to leave the salon, someone approached me.
“Heh, did I see you by chance...?”
It was a young noblewoman I had bumped into in this salon before.
Honestly, it wasn't very pleasant, but I was curious about her intentions, considering that she recognized me despite my covered face.
There are only two possible reasons.
One was to confirm if I was the widow of the rumors, and the other was if she recognized me as a princess.
I came to this salon specifically to avoid being recognized, so it would be a problem if my identity was discovered.
So, instead of pretending not to know her, she acknowledged her greeting.
“Ah, Baroness Caden.
You recognized me even with my face covered.”
“Oh, it's because of the mourning clothes and the bag you carry.
You carried that bag every time, didn't you?”
“Ah, yes.
Since I came to the capital from the countryside, I find it difficult to leave valuables at the residence.”
“I see.
If you don’t mind asking, can I inquire about your identity?”
Ah, I knew.
I thought it was strange that she was talking to me after our last meeting.
I think she was curious about my identity and wanted to ask.
Well, if she's curious, there's no harm in telling her.
I revealed my identity to her.
“Oh, I am the lady of the family of Count Hurd of the East.”
Of course, I meant my new identity, not my old one.
Then—
“Oh, I thought so.”
Seeing her reaction, I felt relieved.
So, she just wanted to confirm if I was the widow from the rumors.
Now that she's confirmed, I no longer have any business with her.
"i have to go now."
“Baroness...”
As I was about to speak this thought in my mind, I heard a conversation nearby.
“Tomorrow is the trial, but Duke Brant is still in the mountains, isn’t he?”
“Does he not intend to come?”
Hearing these remarks from the surrounding people, I couldn't help but mutter under my breath.
Why on earth...
I didn't understand.
If it was clear to others, that should be enough, but he was still engaging in such miserable acts.
Then, the woman next to me started talking.
“It's unfortunate how he's still looking for someone who's definitely dead.
He must have loved her so much...”
I laughed at this nonsense.
love?
That man loved me?
I knew there was a chance people would react this way to Eric's actions.
But actually facing it made me feel really disgusted.
Don't make me laugh.
You have no idea how that man treated me!
I was angry.
Angry at people who spoke without knowing anything.
And angry at Eric Lennon Brant, who, with his incomprehensible actions, sparked such conversation.
I opened my mouth with a hard face.
"I have to go now.
I need to get back to my property."
Baroness Caden nodded.
“Yes, take care of yourself, and I hope we meet again sometime.”
Well, I don't think we'll meet again.
As I walked out, my face stiffened.
There's no way he's looking for me desperately.
He's probably just pretending to be a good husband.
I clenched my fist hard and frowned.
But I will make sure of it with my own eyes.
When I left the salon, Janet, who was waiting outside, took my bag.
Sardine got out of the driver's seat and extended his hand to me.
“Take my hand.”
As I got into the carriage, I spoke to Sardin.
“Before we leave the capital, I want to take one last look at the road by the river.”
The road along the river was located downstream.
Asking to go there was basically the same as saying I wanted to see Eric.
Realizing everything, Sardin's face hardened, but instead of protesting, he nodded.
“Yes, I understand, ma'am.”
After a moment, the cart started moving.
As we quickly left the bustling area, the river soon appeared on the horizon.
I fixed my gaze out the window.
I think it was around this place.
Before long, I saw a blond man, and my face involuntarily stiffened.
Is this Eric Lennon Brant?
The usual appearance of a calm and organized handsome man was not there.
All I saw was an emaciated, disheveled man, moving aimlessly, conducting a meaningless search.
“Why on earth...”
Suddenly, an idea came to my mind in my confusion.
It was an image of Eric talking to me coldly.
I let out a hollow laugh.
True, there is no way to regret anything.
Searching for my body is just...
There was a provision in Imperial law that, unless it was a time of war or special circumstances, the death of a person without a body would not be recognized.
In the case of married couples, if one spouse disappears, the remaining spouse cannot remarry for five years.
This law was created to prevent people from killing their spouses, seizing their property, and then marrying their lovers.
Because of this law, Eric must have been desperately searching the river.
He needs to find my body so he can get married again.
Then I talked to Sardin.
“Sardine, stop the cart a little further downstream.”
When we reached a part of the river where Eric was not in sight, I saw several knights of the Duchy of Brant stationed here and there.
I took an item from my suitcase and damaged it with a dagger.
Then I handed it to Sardin.
“There's something I need you to do.”
After listening to my request, Sardin sighed and answered.
"concept."