Ludmila’s movement, which had been spinning around the room with her chin propped up, stopped when the sunset tinged her face.

Ludmila, who frowned slightly at the dazzling red light, adjusted the curtains of the window.

In the pitch darkness that came after the sunset disappeared, Ludmila turned her gaze with a slow sigh.

Documents on the desk were visible.

They were filled with a list of investment targets based on information Ludmila had heard from ladies while engaging in social activities.

Solid and promising places, yet without controversy.

Certainly, it was content she had repeatedly organized and confirmed. But the materials before her eyes were not so.

It was a construction company that mainly built buildings with purpose and specificity, such as mansions or hospitals.

Named after its founder, Shared Whistle, it was quite famous and making a name for itself in this field.

It had sufficient conditions for growth, and as it was quite popular among the ladies, she had included it on the list.

But the information in front of her eyes now differed from what she had known.

Biting her lip, Ludmila suddenly tried to recall when she had heard this information.

Retracing her memories, Ludmila let out a soft exclamation after a moment.

Ludmila had also been aware of the information about Shared Whistle for a long time.

However, apart from that, there were many other promising places, so she hadn’t mentioned it in front of others.

The lady who had approached her at the time said that Shared Whistle would soon announce a plan to build a new imperial palace.

She emphasized that when that time came, Shared Whistle’s value would skyrocket beyond imagination, and it wouldn’t be strange if the stock price became four or five times what it was now.

If another lady had said it, she would have dismissed it as a joke, but it was the wife of Speaker of the Lower House Becks who had said it.

She had even invited her to her home and shown her the Speaker’s report that had signed the contract between Shared Whistle and the imperial family.

Even Jeffrey had hinted at a business he was planning when they met at a banquet around that time, mentioning that Shared Whistle was his partner.

A year from then. By now, the information should have been released and external investments should have been made by everyone, but it was still quiet.

The external investment attracted by Shared Whistle was close to zero, and the money they earned was being used elsewhere, leaving only the minimum, as if they had no intention of growing.

“What if……”

What if this information was wrong? Above all, since it was an imperial project, she had remained silent, thinking it would be best to be as cautious as possible until the embargo was lifted.

What would have happened if she had not done so and had spoken to Kedilen or leaked the story to other ladies based solely on Jeffrey’s or the Speaker’s wife’s words and documents?

Building the imperial palace was considered the highest-rated job in the construction industry, and it was a project that would change not only the profits but also the company’s evaluation itself in the future.

Tremendous investments would have poured in. Without thinking deeply, it was something that would have left asset holders throwing money at it.

Ludmila looked down at the documents, running her hand through her hair.

As she slowly parted the curtains, a soft sunset seeped into the pitch-black darkness.

If this information was true, what were those things she had seen a year ago?

Does it mean the business with the imperial family fell through? Or does it mean it’s not yet time to proceed?

But that contract was certainly genuine. The imperial prince’s seal on the contract was impossible to forge. Then there was only one thing to consider.

“……Fraud.”

Ludmila’s eyes gleamed as she briefly concluded.

Aden’s meeting with Kedilen was by chance.

He had stepped into the clubhouse to meet Bill Edit, a businessman Ludmila had connected him with.

As it was a place he had little connection with, the scenery was unfamiliar, and while he was quietly sitting in a chair waiting for Bill to arrive, the familiar face of a man he saw in the distance was Kedilen.

He too seemed to have spotted Aden, as he stopped in his tracks, gave a small bow, and then approached.

They were not close enough to just pass by, but he was unnecessarily polite.

But since he had already taken a seat in front of him, there was no need to chase him away, so Aden ordered a simple tea and crossed his legs.

“I didn’t expect to see the Duke here.”

It was Kedilen who spoke first. Despite the situation flowing unfavorably for his family, the abundance of composure on his face was irritating.

Even so, his gloomy complexion, different from when they had met before, indicated that his recent state was not good, so Aden lightly ignored his composure and smiled.

“Why? Am I not allowed to come here?”

“How could that be? I just thought you wouldn’t be very interested in such social places.”

He was just a man with a decent appearance, but at least there was nothing wrong with what he said.

As he said, it was true that he had little interest in the social life of the nobility.

Of course, that didn’t make the discomfort of hearing such words from this man disappear.

Aden, holding the tea that the waiter had just brought, let out a chuckle.

“Is that so? But now, it seems you, Marquis, are more out of place here than I am.”

Indeed, there were some who were glancing at Kedilen and whispering.

As articles related to Ludmila spread in the capital, the public criticism against him had intensified.

He was a man with many enemies to begin with.

They were busy slandering him even when he just breathed, and now that a valid reason had been given, it wasn’t strange that the backbiting had moved to the front.

Kedilen, who had briefly surveyed his surroundings at Aden’s blatant mockery, raised his lips crookedly.

It was an arrogant attitude as if he didn’t care what they were saying.

Aden’s brow furrowed slightly at the sight that seemed to be mocking the surrounding reactions.

“The social world is a place where many stories come and go, so it might look that way. I’m sure this will all be forgotten as some time passes, so there’s no need to worry. Rather, I sincerely thank you, Duke, for expressing such concern for me first.”

Aden twisted the corners of his mouth, finding his attempt at composure pathetic.

Aden, who had been staring intently at Kedilen’s face while tilting his teacup, let out a small laugh.

“Come to think of it, didn’t you say you were participating in this year’s hunting festival too?”

“Yes, that’s right. I was planning to skip this year due to some business, but I found some time and decided to participate.”

“That’s fortunate. I was worried you might not be able to participate. It’s been a new year with many unpleasant events, hasn’t it?”

Aden quietly put down his teacup and placed his hands together on his leg.

As that posture made him look quite like a proper nobleman, Kedilen’s eyes narrowed for a moment, and Aden’s lips opened again.

“By the way, may I ask you something?”

“Yes, please go ahead.”

“What if, I mean. About your wife who is said to have disappeared.”

Kedilen, who had been nodding his head with a smile, hesitated at the word ‘wife’ that came out of his mouth.

But he soon calmed himself. Countless people had looked down on and disregarded him because of the incident with his wife.

Even those of humble status who would never have a chance to meet eyes with him in their lifetime.

Adding one more from a barbarian wouldn’t make much difference.

He could handle it just fine. Kedilen forced a smile and nodded.

Aden, who had been closely observing his reaction, tilted his head slightly.

“What would you do if she came back?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“It’s just a straightforward question, I don’t have any particular meaning behind it.”

“……”

What intention does this guy have in asking such a question?

Kedilen stared intently into Aden’s golden eyes before answering, then closed his eyes with a small sigh.

“I’ll treat her well.”

“That sounds as if you didn’t treat her well before.”

“I mean I’ll treat her even better. I assume there must have been some problem that made her leave, so I intend to acknowledge my faults and work on improving.”

“A cliché answer.”

Kedilen frowned as he opened his eyes to see Aden twisting the corner of his mouth as if displeased.

“On the contrary, what do you plan to do if your wife never returns?”

“That won’t happen.”

“It won’t?”

“My wife will definitely return. I will make efforts to ensure that happens, so I would appreciate it if you refrained from unnecessary speculation.”

Aden exhaled a long breath at the resolute response.

The confident attitude and tone, the eyes filled with firm determination. Aden leaned back languidly in his chair.

Definitely, he says. That word probably means he’s still searching for Ludmila even now. Or perhaps what he believes now is connected to that.

In the end, it was a story that originated from Kedilen and would end because of this man.

Even if it wasn’t Kedilen trying to kill Ludmila, it was this man’s existence that awakened her worries.

“Duke Habertz.”

At that moment, a voice calling for Aden was heard.

Raising his gaze past Kedilen, Aden spotted Bill walking towards them from a distance.

Aden quietly smiled at Kedilen, who was turning around to look, then stood up from his seat.

“I must be going now.”

“Was the person you were waiting for Count Edit?”

Aden briefly nodded his chin to indicate affirmation and turned around.

He approached Bill to greet him while glancing at Kedilen.

Seeing the confused eyes trembling slightly, Aden slowly erased the smile on his face.

Indeed, this man shouldn’t be alive.

Having briefly reached this conclusion, Aden added certainty and regret to his decision.