“No, not the usual! You haven’t just described it to some non-experts like you, the carriage maker or carpenter, have you?”

For some reason, Youngam seemed to be on edge.

“Maybe a drawing, or even a part of the wood, something like that?”

It seemed like he was suspicious.

The time they spent waiting just to see one carriage was not insignificant. If they dragged it out further, it would be a loss for Cloe and Koon. There were still dozens of houses left to complete the patrol of the village.

If they didn’t want to make a deal, they could simply leave.

“Something’s… strange.”

But something was odd.

For someone naturally skeptical, each reaction was too pronounced. Youngam behaved as if there was something he couldn’t put his finger on. Cloe took out the wooden piece she had in her arms.

“The Count is looking for a carriage similar to this carving.”

Youngam promptly grabbed the wooden piece.
As he glanced through the carving, his complexion gradually turned blue.

“…Wh-what!”

A loud exclamation that could make one’s ears numb echoed. Even the wife, who was looking forward to a positive outcome, was startled.

“Why on earth are you looking for something like this!”

Eventually, Youngam threw the wooden piece outside. The carving, rolling in a parabolic trajectory, disappeared into the bushes.

Youngam continued to grumble for a while, unable to contain his anger, and then stormed into the house.

Bang!

The rough closing of the door quickly silenced the surroundings.

“I’m sorry. What should we do? It seems like Youngam has a traumatic experience from a carriage accident in the past, causing him to be sensitive.”

Along with that, the wife mentioned that the carving they saw earlier had a similar pattern to Youngam’s carriage.

“Could we possibly check the carriage? If the Count is really looking for it, we’ll offer more money if we decide to buy it.”

“Oh dear. I’m fine with anything. It’s just that Youngam has the key to the warehouse…”

Conscious of the closed door, the wife lowered her voice.

“It might be difficult for today. If Youngam is angry like this, he stays angry all day. When you come by next time, I’ll definitely show it to you. Don’t forget to come.”

The wife repeatedly grabbed Cloe as if she glimpsed the suggested price.

The two left, anticipating the next visit.

“Are we planning to visit the next place?”

Koon asked the question, pulling out the map from his pocket. Normally, he would silently indicate the next location, but this time he chose to ask.
He seemed to harbor suspicions similar to Cloe’s, daring to guess.

“Well, do you think Her Majesty feels the need to go?”

“Since we can’t be sure, she might want to explore other places. You’re unusually cautious.”

Cloe smiled faintly.

“I can’t be sure, but I’m confident.”

Cloe remembered Youngam, who threw the wooden carving.

It felt somehow artificially orchestrated, not just a situation caused by trauma.

‘It seems like an attempt to eliminate evidence, like throwing it away for evidence destruction.’

Rather than being rude due to anger, it seemed more fitting to consider it a deliberate effort to eliminate evidence.

Fortunately, the carving Cloe showed them was not genuine. In preparation for such a situation, he had brought a wooden piece crafted to resemble evidence.

“So what do we do now? Do we consider the man as the groom from that day and immediately throw him into trial?”

“Considering it, we have only suspicions; there is no confirmation.”

“Since the lady mentioned stealing her husband’s key, we could wait for the right time and revisit.”

That was also a method Cloe had in mind.

“But we still can’t secure evidence that he was involved in the carriage accident. The carriage is the same.”

Everything was challenging unless the servant confessed.

The only usable evidence might be Jane’s statement.

‘But Jane’s reaction that day…’

However, for now, prioritizing safety is the top concern, as the local physician advised.
“The victim’s statement is needed.”

“Yes, but it seems challenging at the moment.”

“That maidservant is still groggy, even after a month has passed.”

Jane fell from the mountaintop. It was a terrifying incident that could have led to a fatal fall.

Her entire body was stiff, and damage to the frontal lobe left her unable to speak. According to the chief physician, she miraculously survived despite being on the brink of death.

For a patient like her, a month was by no means a long time.

“Only a month…”

Cloe, about to add, ‘Only a month has passed,’ closed his mouth.

Come to think of it, the emperor had experienced a similar accident. Falling from a fast-running horse alone had occurred more than ten times.

Frequent falls from mountains and narrowly avoiding a sharp sword that almost pierced his heart also happened.

He could be considered the man closest to death in the world.

“Not everyone is as robust as Her Majesty.”

Warning a man like him about the danger of accidents is just a jest.

“Nara.”

Contrary to expectations, it seemed he found amusement in something different.

A languid mouth displayed enchanting curves.

“I’m talking about you.”

Me?

Cloe pointed at himself with surprise. Surprisingly, Koon nodded.

‘Am I robust?’

Cloe had never fallen from a horse or experienced being slashed by a sword.

Even if such incidents had occurred, his frail body wouldn’t have withstood it.

“Well, like me…”

Koon muttered, interrupting Cloe’s thoughts.