In the capital, the Duke of Lexion, who was second in line for the imperial throne, and the Empress Patricia, were in the midst of a battle of nerves.

The fundamental problem was that Emperor Agnus XIV, who was just entering middle age, neither married nor slept with a woman, so there was no heir.

On the other hand, Empress Patricia was raising the late Emperor’s youngest child, who could not control his ambition until his death.

‘I’ve heard that Agnus XIV has a congenital disease, but who would have thought it would deteriorate so quickly?’

Ten years ago, people mocked Patricia for doing anything to please the old man in the back room, barely holding a spoon, but her strategy worked.

‘If Agnus XIV dies suddenly, a little boy who is only 10 years old will take the throne, and according to imperial law, his biological mother Patricia will govern.’

Since Gilbert, whom Gilbert called sister, was none other than Empress Patricia, it was not a delusion that things would go well and the beans would fall.

The problem was that Patricia’s political experience was so shallow that those opposing her rule were supporting Duke Lexion, second in line for the throne. People referred to them as the nobles.

Eisen, as the leader of the assassination team secretly employed by Gilbert’s family, answered without difficulty.

“If this man Walter belongs to a noble family, we can take him to the capital and negotiate with his family.”

It was not negotiation but threat. Elizabeth did not correct his words.

“If he has inherited from a major family…… it would be best to kill him before it gets dangerous.”

Elizabeth gave a faint smile.

“A major family? Which one?”

“Perhaps Lexion?”

“Where would Lexion have a bastard? There are no sons in that house, and the daughters are all married into illustrious families, acting as mistresses.”

Eisen cautiously added, in case it was an unknown fact.

“The eldest daughter, Princess Leia, led a fairly free life without marrying, as far as I remember.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Princess Lexion died in a carriage accident in her early 20s. She was doomed to be born with inherited Lexion’s power to the maximum.”

Elizabeth dismissed the idea with a wave of her hand.

But Eisen did not relax his stern expression.

(This is a time separator.)

Late in the evening, the carriages that had been invited to the Harvest Festival dinner began to leave the mansion of Count Portrion.

However, some merchants affiliated with the Carkus merchant group decided to stay at the mansion for a few more days. They were asked for help by Ijazelle to check the past accounting books.

‘Embezzlement has been confirmed, so the head of the merchant group must have felt the need to check the accounting books.’

While everyone’s attention was focused on the ledger, Edith was flipping through a thick book that no one read in the central library of the mansion.

Usually, the yearbook recorded important events that occurred in that territory during the year.

Edith was looking through several dustcovered yearbooks, trying to find out about a specific event that had occurred.
“I don’t know exactly when the flood occurred, so I have to check it one by one.”

She was diligently bringing the yearbook for the next year to glance through.

Tap tap―

Someone knocked on the library window. Confirming that it was past midnight, Edith doubted her ears.

“The mansion’s servants mostly return to their lodgings by nine in the evening.”

There was only one person who could freely wander the dark mansion at this time.

Carefully drawing the curtain, there appeared Walter, with a mischievous face.

“You might want to go to sleep soon.”

Edith moved one of the lamps she had asked Vivian to bring to the windowsill.

Then, she could see his face more clearly, imbued with warm light.

His straight nose and jawline, which could be seen in a sculpture, looked even more beautiful as they caught the sidelight.

Edith secretly liked the reflection of her own face in his eyes, which felt like a deep green.

“I’m going in soon, so go on. You’ll be caught.”

Of course, she knew there were no servants wandering around at this time, but it didn’t hurt to be cautious.

However, Walter had checked several times that there were no intruders on his way and sat nonchalantly on the windowsill, despite her worry.

“How about turning off the light instead of driving me away?”

Then, Edith turned off the lamp she had placed on the windowsill.

For a moment, the room darkened, and the flustered Edith soon discovered the big full moon in the sky. Its bright light beautifully illuminated the dark room.

“You’re right; it’s better to turn off the lamp.”

Her smile, soaked in moonlight, looked even more beautiful.

Walter momentarily had stern thoughts and swallowed dryly. Unnecessary thoughts kept coming up whenever he saw her, ever since the last time in the warehouse; it was tormenting.

“By the way, what book were you reading?”

“Last time, after hearing the story between you and Helen, I thought of something that could help, so I was checking it.”

“Help?”

“Yes. It’s related to the periodic heavy rains in the territory, but if used properly, I think we can make Whitman and Sophia pay another price.”