Graian furrowed his forehead deeply when Rockard stiffened his face and straightened his back.

“I have no intention of marrying a woman who sees people in such a way. Moreover, Angcart, what’s the meaning of tarnishing the reputation of Tagar? I’ve already given my maiden’s position to someone much more trustworthy than you.”

Rockard was bothered by Graian expressing trust in Rorisha, but now wasn’t the time to bring it up.

“Your Highness, didn’t you say she brought the ‘Red Tears’?”

“So what?”

“Did Her Majesty really call her because she was curious about the jewel? Or is it related to you and me…”

Only now did Graian shiver and close his mouth.

Did Kalin Angcart trade with Lord Oril over the fact that they stole the ‘Red Tears’? The issue was not the theft of the jewel but the illegal military actions in the contaminated zone. However, it was difficult to be sure that she traded with Oril using that fact.

Graian mumbled, seemingly sharpening the point.

“There’s no evidence. Besides, Her Majesty is turning a blind eye to it. How much benefit has that incident brought to the Empire? She’s not so foolish as to be unaware of that.”

“It’s a problem precisely because she’s not foolish. She may find another way to use that incident.”

“Hmm.”

“Is it certain that she showed the ‘Red Tears’ to Her Majesty? Pretending to trade with Lord Oril, pressuring His Highness?”

Graian was angry that he hadn’t read Kalin’s intention when she opened the box with the ‘Red Tears’ in front of him.

But thinking that Kalin might have deceived him, it felt like a blow to the head.

Rockard washed his face with both hands because his expression couldn’t be managed due to the fatigue accumulated in the forest where Rorisha was kidnapped.

He wanted his lord to establish more pride and dignity in this matter. Still, at this subtle timing, Graian should have been a bit more lenient.

Why did she come when I wasn’t there!

“It’s not time to react hastily yet. If I were Kalin Angcart, I would maintain a cautious attitude until the competition is over.”

“But she’s not cautious. She’s reckless.”

Rockard stood up, smiling softly. It was to reassure his lord.

“I’ll go out and investigate a little more.”

The knight of Targanzhi began with a brief introduction to the famous jewel, the ‘Red Tears.’

“…However, this unfortunate ‘Red Tears’ disappears like mist from Lord Angcart’s mansion. Afterward, rumors circulated that this ten million gold necklace flowed back into the hands of the pirates of the contaminated sea.

The destruction of the pirate gang that terrified the sea was never revealed. However, it is presumed that the pirates failed to trade the ‘Red Tears.'”
And miraculously surviving remnants of pirates secretly infiltrated the Empire with the ten million gold treasure of Lord Angcart.

They attempted to trade with the Empire and the ‘Red Tears’ in a gloomy warehouse on the outskirts of the capital, but all that remained were burned buildings and the corpses of pirates.

Up to this point, the story may teach us a lesson in karma. However, the real problem lies ahead.

At the scene of the illegal trade in the stench-filled building and the deaths of pirates, traces of the most honorable family dedicated to the Empire were found, continuing the lineage.

The suspicion that nobles from Targar, burdened with the heavy responsibility of safeguarding the Emperor, were blinded by the rare jewel and attempted to trade with pirates and plunder, shocks many people who admire them, and it’s something that cannot be washed away.

Orril placed the newspaper on the table with eyes expressing disbelief. It was not brought by the palace maid; someone else had delivered it. There was a card enclosed in the newspaper.

Orril picked up the card he had already read and reread it.

“I dedicate my heart to you, [Dash] Kalin Angcart.”

“Ha…”

When Orril threatened Kalin, she wanted him to receive the gift she intended to give to Graian.

It was because she wanted to see Graian wandering in anger, unable to contain his fury after having his possession taken away.

But this greedy woman prepared such an exceptional gift.

When described in the article as the ‘most honorable family dedicated to the Empire,’ it naturally brought to mind the Caidelga family.

Rene Angcart, inside the carriage heading to the palace at dawn, turned the direction to the Imperial Guard as soon as he read the newspaper.

Inside the palace, Rene, with an unbelieving face, reported to Orril that Targanzi’s implication was accurate.

Caidel.

What was found at the pirate’s trading place was a jacket with the Caidelga family crest engraved. It couldn’t be the expensive, top-grade attire of a priest or knight.

The first lion would never do such a thing. It must have been Rockard Caidel, that audacious bastard lion, who acted out of greed.

Orril couldn’t help but laugh pleasantly. It was also pleasing not to be able to imagine what face Graian would make now.

Meanwhile, the Empress who entered glanced at the newspaper she picked up.