Chapter 281
“It’s fine if they hear—just make your report.”
“…Yes.”
Eli took a quiet breath and handed Dehart a thick stack of documents. As Dehart read the first page, his eyes slowly lost their warmth.
“Everything I say from here is a direct message from Sir Ryan.”
Eli continued after a brief pause.
“As ordered, we tracked the underground organization hired by Lord Rash and Lady Gren to frame and assassinate the Duchess. We found that the group is an old organization, long rooted in the East, called ‘Setaar’.”
Eli’s report was brisk and precise.
“Assuming Lady Gren, being from the East, would have used them for years, we focused our investigation on those who had long served her. One of her senior maids, it turned out, regularly visited a particular place.”
He paused, and Dehart’s eyes darkened as he read the documents, his finger stopping at a passage Eli had just referenced.
“So that was one of Setaar’s branches. They’d been running it under the guise of an ordinary shop all this time.”
“Yes, that’s right. Last night, we raided it in secret and captured both their ledgers and members. There’s one more matter to report, as per your additional instructions.”
It seemed that this was the main point. Eli was visibly tense. Dehart looked up at him.
Staring into those icy gold eyes, Eli spoke with care.
“We’ve identified who ordered Setaar to attack Lady Rosalyn.”
“…”
“It was Lady Gren, Your Grace.”
* * *
After Rosalyn’s return, tension lingered for days in Silver Lily Palace. It was all because Hares’s faith in her had been shaken.
At first, he seemed to manage his emotions, but soon he’d lose control at the slightest provocation, lashing out and hurling harsh words at her.
Today was no different.
“How long did you think I’d pretend not to see through your dirty tricks?!”
Crash! The sound of shattering glass filled the air. Hares had thrown a vase in a fit of rage.
“So you really were planning to betray me and side with your family? To repay Mother, who cared for you like a daughter, by turning your back on her and choosing them?”
Rosalyn simply pressed her fingers to her temples and sighed, weathering his accusations with a calm that even the maids found admirable.
“Hares, please, let’s not talk about betrayal. How many times do I have to say I was always going to come back on my own?”
“You really think you can talk your way out of this? None of this would have happened if you’d just been honest from the start! Why did you hide it? Why didn’t you tell me you were searching for the Duchess’s belongings?”
He snapped at her, sweat beading on his brow. With his poor physical, his outburst had left him exhausted.
“If I had, I’d have been locked up in the palace much sooner.”
“You—!”
“Am I wrong?”
Gritting his teeth, Hares seized a ceremonial sword from the wall just as the door opened with a click and the Second Queen entered.
“That’s enough, Hares.”
“Mother, what brings you here without warning?”
Trying to hide his trembling hands, Hares forced a smile. The Second Queen’s gaze narrowed.
She knew her son’s temperament—he was sensitive, easily agitated. She’d made sure he was surrounded by art and music and kept anything violent at a distance.
She sighed and motioned for the attendants to come.
“Take His Highness away. He looks feverish—give him his medicine and see that he rests.”
“I’m perfectly fine!”
“No more stubbornness. Tomorrow’s event is no place for a spectacle. Don’t forget, His Majesty is watching you.”
She gently stroked his sweaty cheek and spoke with an icy tone. Realizing she knew his true state, Hares could only lower his head.
“…As you wish, Mother.”
“Good. Go and rest now.”
Once he had left with the attendants, only Rosalyn and the Second Queen remained. After a long silence, the Second Queen spoke in a gentle voice.
“It must have been hard on you. Hares has always been greedy with things he thinks belong to him. I’m sure you understand that.”
“…I do. I tried to explain myself, but it seems he simply can’t accept it.”
Rosalyn replied with a feeble smile.
The Second Queen moved closer, taking her hand.
“Why don’t you go get some fresh air?”
“Pardon?”
As Rosalyn looked at her in surprise, the Second Queen leaned in and whispered something in her ear. Rosalyn’s eyes widened and trembled.
“That’s…”
“I’m asking this as a favor.”
Rosalyn bit her lip and gave a small nod.
It was the day before the Imperial reception.
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