‘Where on earth did it leak from!’

Grit was very confused after leaving the temple.

More than his bruised ego from being hit by Clea, the information he just heard from her was too shocking.

Grit had prided himself on it.

He thought he had completely erased all traces of Steve being a bastard child.

In reality, although Steve had brown hair unlike Grit’s silver hair, his appearance was exactly like Grit’s, so no one suspected anything.

Even for those who were suspicious, he managed to get by somehow by informing them that the previous Duchess had brown hair.

‘But where on earth…’

Grit was breathless at the fact that Clea, of all people, knew about it.

If Clea already knew, then Admund might know as well.

If Admund knew, could Odin also know?

If it had spread not only to Odin but also to the nobles who could be considered the Imperial faction…

‘I need to find out. I need to find out where it leaked from.’

Grit, barely clinging to his senses, looked around.

The Odoi Duchy, where he had arrived before he knew it, was completely bustling with life.

It was thanks to barely being able to get a loan from a marquis family not long ago.

Although it felt uncomfortable not knowing the identity of the other party properly, Grit was not in a position to be picky.

In order to raise funds, he had to secure money somehow.

But no one would lend him money.

It was a helping hand that barely appeared while he was on the brink like a candle in the wind.

Of course, the interest rate was ridiculously high, so Grit agonized over it until the end, but he eventually stamped his seal.

He thought he could just fill it all in with the money he would earn in the future.

In the midst of this, if it was revealed that Steve was a bastard child, the duchy would be completely on a downward path.

‘It’s true that bastards are pushed back in everything from inheriting the family to property inheritance rights.’

No matter how much the head of the family designated a bastard child as the successor, imperial law still did not look kindly upon bastard children.

It was possible that even the nobles who had been on Steve’s side until now could completely turn their backs and side with Clea.

Imagining everything of his going entirely to Clea, Grit’s anger surged.

While feeling stressed about having to find out how she figured it out again, Steve appeared in front of Grit.

“Father.”

“What is it.”

In any case, just as he was feeling irritated about something related to Steve, the person in question appeared, and Grit couldn’t manage his expression.

There were more than a couple of things to be mindful of, so he could only sigh.

On the other hand, Steve, after calling Grit, said nothing.

“Why aren’t you saying anything.”

Even though he came to him first and was wasting his time, he didn’t say a word. Grit asked as if urging him.

Steve had a somewhat hesitant expression on his face.

Seeing him faltering, the one who would have to lead the duchy in his stead in the future, Grit’s anger surged.

He was already angry at having to leave the temple as if being chased out after being threatened by the likes of Clea.

Observing Grit’s expression, Steve anticipated that if he delayed any longer, there would be a tirade, so he spoke as if resigned.

“Could you give me some money?”

“What? What are you saying right now.”

“It’s exactly as I said. Please give me some money, Father.”

The content that he struggled to bring up was merely asking for money, and Grit made a wry smile.

Even in the recent situation where they were greatly shaken due to finances, Grit had faithfully provided Steve’s allowance.

He gave him a considerable amount of money with the meaning of never losing the duchy’s dignity no matter where he went.

“Where did you spend all that money that you’re asking for more again.”

When asked about the usage, Steve showed a hesitant expression like before.

Finding that hesitation suspicious, Grit tried to call Steve’s attendant. At that, Steve confronted him with a flustered face, asking why he was doing that.

Seeing that, Grit raised his voice even more, feeling upset.

“While this father is struggling outside because of money, what have you been doing and wandering around that you’re asking for money again.”

Even with Grit’s question, Steve couldn’t say a word, making Grit feel even more frustrated.

Asking him directly wouldn’t yield an answer. Grit resolutely summoned Steve’s attendant.

Steve tried to stop him again, but Grit didn’t back down.

The attendant, who was brought in by chance, was questioned by Grit.

“Tell me about Steve’s recent fund usage details.”

“Your Grace, why would you…”

“Can’t you tell me right now!”

When even the attendant didn’t readily answer his command, Grit felt like he would explode with anger.

Steve sent a look to the attendant telling him not to say anything, but…

“You can’t even discern who has the higher position here between that bastard and me?”

“I, I will speak.”

The attendant revealed everything, given that the one currently paying his salary was Grit, not Steve.

From the places Steve had recently frequented to how much and how he had spent there…

Grit, who silently listened to what the attendant was saying, couldn’t believe it at all.

“So, while I’m struggling outside, you’ve been going to Curtis Street and spending money recklessly.”

“Ah, Father, it’s a misunderstanding! I merely went with people for the sake of networking!”

“Networking? You foolish thing! Do any of the guys who frequent such a place look normal to you!”

Grit was dumbfounded that he not only went to Curtis Street but also gambled and used various prohibited potions there.

Although Grit was the epitome of incompetence, he cherished the honor of the duchy more than anything.

That’s why he had completely cut ties with such places.

So it was hard for him to understand Steve’s actions.

“You lost all the money gambling, and seeing you addicted to potions and buying them like a fool at the price they demand, I can’t stand it anymore.”

“Father, please don’t do this.”

Steve could roughly guess what Grit’s next words would be.

Because it was very similar to the expression he always made before speaking to Clea.

“Lock Steve up in the attic right now. And don’t give him anything until I allow it.”

Grit’s cold smile that he had seen countless times since childhood.

The smile he was making now was the very smile he showed whenever he locked up young Clea in the attic under the pretext of education.

Steve pleaded with him to please take it back, but the attendants beside him, as if they had been waiting, grabbed his arms.

Seeing Steve being dragged away, Grit next ordered Steve’s attendant.

“I suppose I should give a reward to you for speaking honestly.”

The attendant’s eyes sparkled at the word reward.

But there was one strange part.

Steve didn’t receive a reward, so why did he use the word ‘also’?

However, the attendant, focusing only on the reward, simply smiled.

Grit looked at the candlestick placed on his desk.

A very sturdy candlestick made of silver.

The attendant, holding it, hoped that perhaps he was giving it as a reward.

However…

“Wh, what is this? Your Grace! Your Grace!”

“It’s a reward I’m giving you with the meaning to live peacefully from now on since you must have only suffered until now.”

What was happening? People were holding the attendant’s arms, just like Steve.

The startled attendant thrashed about and called for Grit.

But Grit smiled and struck the attendant’s head with the candlestick.

“He’s unconscious.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The attendant, who fainted after being hit on the head with the candlestick, collapsed to the floor.

Grit tossed the bloodstained, dirty candlestick to the floor and said,

“Send him somewhere quiet and take care of it.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“And make sure Steve can never loiter around Curtis Street again.”

With some of his stress relieved, he smiled and thought again.

Who on earth provided the information to Clea.

* * *

“My ears are tingling.”

“It seems someone is talking about you.”

Right after defeating Grit, Clea was following Hayden to a place for penance.

“By the way, that secret, can I hear it too?”

“The moment you hear it, the Duke will target you. Are you okay with that?”

“If he wants to target me, let him. He can’t do anything to the temple anyway.”

“I don’t want to tell you because I was afraid you’d say that.”

Clea smiled at Hayden’s words.

“Because it’s me who will be bothered if the cornered rat even lashes out.”

Clea now wanted to completely end her meeting with Grit.

He wasn’t as bad as Lloyd, but he was no less a threat to her health.

Already feeling tired, she sighed at the thought of offering prayers for a week without eating, sleeping, or even resting.

‘If only you were by my side in this situation, I could be comfortable no matter what.’

She moved her steps forward, thinking of the person she missed.

If she took just one more step forward, she would offer prayers at a place where people were gathered.

Hayden grabbed her one last time and asked,

“We can postpone it if it’s now.”

It was a word for her sake, but Clea grabbed the collar of the demon in front of her eyes and pulled him close.

Hayden was instantly pulled up to her lips. Neither of them was surprised or shaken.

“I don’t need your worries, Hayden.”

With those words, Clea released the hand gripping his collar and moved forward.

Hayden, who was blankly watching her from behind, laughed softly.

Her figure walking ahead gave off a spirit no less than a knight.

“I think I know why the Crown Prince is missing.”