“I really don’t know. For whom, I, in my own house, should keep my mouth shut.”

With each word emphasized, the corners of Princess Catherine’s eyes twitched.

Earl Dean Hamilton glanced at Logan Redford entering the dining room and threatened in a low voice.

“Of course for your father and family. There’s nothing good about being the talk of the town.”

“The cat cares for the mouse. Earl Hamilton killed women who ran away because he didn’t like them… What trouble would that cause for my father and my family?”

Princess Catherine slowly looked over the unwelcome guests and gave them the answer they wanted.

As Logan Redford gestured, two soldiers rushed to grab the arms of Dean Hamilton, who was gaping like a carp. Dean Hamilton struggled and made excuses.

“Ah, no. You know you’re all I have.”

Princess Catherine coldly turned away from her husband being dragged away.

His desperate cries calling for her and pleas to believe him turned into threats before fading into the distance.

Princess Catherine stared blankly at Logan and slowly opened her mouth.

“Blood doesn’t lie… You’re the spitting image of your father.”

“I didn’t know you were acquainted with my father.”

Princess Catherine avoided answering with an enigmatic smile. Then she glanced at Walter Asner and Andy Spencer standing behind Logan and said,

“…Tell me what you want.”

“Can you repeat what you just said at the trial, Your Highness?”

“If it’s evidence to prove that these two women, Nora and Marien, suffered from the Earl’s pathological obsession and frequent violence…”

Trailing off, Princess Catherine met Logan’s eyes. Her purple eyes glinted greedily.

“Tell me what Your Highness wants.”

“For now… I’m satisfied with owing a favor to the future Marquis Redford.”

“As long as it doesn’t harm either of our families.”

“Of course.”

Logan Redford said “Well then” with a nod and turned away.

After he and Andy Spencer left, Princess Catherine tilted her head slightly, fixing her gaze on Walter Asner, who seemed to have something to say.

Walter Asner clenched and unclenched his fist as if suppressing anger and asked accusingly,

“If you knew everything, why… No, what’s the reason for only now providing evidence?”

No matter how loose and open the noble society of the Asner Empire was, if one was married, it was proper to seek consent or find an agreement with one’s spouse.

If one took a lover or mistress of lower status without doing so, or committed acts that would invite social condemnation, the spouse and their family could demand massive compensation or exact punishment.

Princess Catherine, even without borrowing her father Duke Yant’s hand, could have quietly eliminated someone like Earl Dean Hamilton.

“Lord Asner, even a rubber band snaps when it reaches its limit.”

“May I ask what that limit was for Your Highness?”

“…It was the perfect timing. When everyone would beg me to take over the Hamilton Earldom…”

Speaking in a cold tone, Princess Catherine inhaled deeply and closed her eyes.

A solemn look came over her face, like a general on the verge of victory.

When the head of a family died without children, the title passed to relatives.

But in cases of atrocities like Dean Hamilton’s, the family would usually collapse under the weight of criticism and ostracism. What more could be said of the Hamilton family that barely survived thanks to the wife and in-laws?

In this situation, the best option for the Hamilton family was to pass the title to Princess Catherine and Duke Yant to at least secure their noble status.

Walter Asner mumbled with a troubled expression.

“But for a woman…”

The Asner Empire law prohibited women from inheriting titles and entering public office. Violating this would result in punishment not only for the woman herself, but also for her family and house.

So Walter Asner’s unfinished words were likely a question – didn’t she know they wouldn’t let Princess Catherine take over the Hamilton Earldom?

Princess Catherine lowered her eyes and gave a sardonic smile.

“The scandal of the century… Sometimes public opinion creates such miracles.”

Behind her, gray clouds covered the ashen sky, with light seeping through the gaps.

When I woke up after taking medicine, the sun was already setting.

I rang the small bell on the bedside table, and with a clear sound, the door opened. Maid Jane approached with a friendly smile.

“Are you awake?”

“Yes, how did the task I asked for go?”

“I delivered the message to Miss Betty, and brought clothes for Lord Warden to change into.”

As I tried to sit up, Jane quickly came over to support me.

Her hands were so deft, even stacking pillows for me to lean back on. I couldn’t help but smile at the more comfortable position.

“Thank you.”

“If you’re feeling alright, should I call in the physician?”

The physician who treated me was probably the Redford family doctor.

Given the location of my injury, he likely realized I’m a woman. It’s a bit awkward, but… it’s not something I can avoid.

“Tell him to come in.”

“Yes.”

A moment later, a familiar face entered following Jane.

It was Hyle Wells, the Asner family physician I’d relied on whenever I was ill since my academy days. He entered carrying his coat in one hand and his medical bag in the other.

“Lord Warden, how are you feeling?”

“Could it be that the one who treated me at dawn was…”

“Yes, I rushed over when I heard Lord Warden was injured. I was quite surprised it was here though.”

In his mid-thirties, Hyle Wells winked as he handed his coat to Jane. It was a signal that there was nothing to worry about.

This situation?

Logan Redford called for the Asner family physician, and Hyle Wells whom I uniquely trust at that? Setting everything else aside, how could he give an “all clear” signal when Logan had discovered my secret?

Meanwhile, Hyle Wells was calmly taking out disinfectant and bandages from his medical bag.

“How did the commander… Were you perhaps acquainted with our commander?”

“When Lord Warden collapsed last time, young master Walter introduced us. Now, I’d like to check if the wound is healing well…”

“Ah…”

Hyle finished his brief explanation and gestured for me to remove my shirt.

As I unconsciously started unbuttoning my shirt and glanced at Jane, Hyle Wells stepped aside with a gentle smile.

“Miss Jane, could you assist like yesterday?”

“Yes.”

A person who seemed capable of effortlessly untangling even the most complex knots. Hyle Wells was considerate yet brazenly unapologetic.

He was the same that day, smiling genially while saying he feared his teacher more than the law of the land.

It had been a full 5 years.

Hyle Wells, who had kept my secret for that long time, wouldn’t be safe either. His nonchalance meant he trusted Logan Redford and Jane that much.

Sidney took her hands off the shirt buttons and made room for Jane.

Jane’s touch was very careful as she removed the shirt and unwrapped the bandages.

“This might sting a bit.”

Sidney’s body flinched each time Hyle Wells dabbed the wound with disinfectant-soaked cotton.

It was so painful and burning that she gritted her teeth.

“Be careful not to let water touch the stitched wound when bathing. And you’ll need to disinfect and change the bandages like this every night… Can you do that?”

“Yes.”

“Miss Jane, don’t go soft even if Lord Warden says it’s fine.”

“That’s…”

Hyle Wells grinned, gesturing at the troubled Jane. He seemed to find young Jane’s innocent reaction and this situation quite amusing.

Sidney firmly pushed away Jane’s hands as she was buttoning up the shirt and said resolutely,

“I won’t. Jane, you can go now.”

“Yes. Please call if you need anything.”

After Jane left, the laughter faded and the atmosphere grew heavy.

As Hyle Wells tidied up the scattered items, he neatly arranged the medicine to take and supplies for disinfection on the bedside table.

“Lord Warden, you’ll be staying here for a while, right?”

“It sounds like that’s what you’re telling me to do.”

“There’s a saying – rest while you’re down. Take this chance to catch your breath.”

Behind Hyle Wells, the cloudy sky was turning indigo.

Perhaps due to the shadows on his face, his eyes looked deeper set and his cheekbones more prominent. Come to think of it, he seemed even thinner than when I last saw him…

“You should get some rest too, Hyle.”

“I visited Saint Warden at Lord Redford’s suggestion. This is a letter from Miss Emilia.”

“Suggestion?”

At the sharp reaction that unconsciously slipped out, Hyle Wells responded with his characteristic banter.

“Yes, he said a person couldn’t collapse from overwork like this. He told me to first check on Lord Warden’s younger sister’s long-standing illness… It made sense, and with the generous travel expenses provided, I went to have a look and take a trip. And Miss Emilia’s illness is something I know…”

Just like that, it happened. As always, Hyle Wells casually unraveled the story.

Usually his way of speaking would make one nod along, but this time it was ineffective. At the mention of knowing Emilia’s illness, Sidney’s eyes widened.

“Did you just say you know about Emilia’s illness?”

“My teacher researched that disease his whole life.”

“Did he find out? I mean, did your teacher find a cure…”

My throat felt so dry that I swallowed hard in my urgency, but the next words wouldn’t come out.

With an anxious heart, I could only blink my eyes as I watched him.

“Four years ago, my teacher mentioned treating one person… but he hasn’t said anything more since. I asked about the treatment method and details, so let’s wait for his reply.”

“…”

Sidney lowered her head, swallowing her overwhelming emotions and tears.

She could get better. I didn’t dare think such a thought.

The doctor we brought in our fatherless circumstances said it was a terminal illness, and neither mother nor brother showed any improvement… I had resigned myself to Emilia withering away day by day…

At the sound of the door opening, I raised my head and hot tears rolled down my cheeks.

Logan’s angry face approaching with large strides became blurred with tears. It made me feel both sad and glad…

“…They say she might be able to get better.”