Russell, who had laid Summer down in the bedroom, stopped in front of the reception room. Then he tidied up his disheveled uniform and pulled his tie up all the way.

He was facing an enemy. Duke Legacy is not an easy opponent.

Russell’s expression and demeanor now befitted his reputation as the Empire’s top politician.

Cold and indifferent.

The door opened.

“It’s been a while, Duke Bertrand.”

Duke Legacy greeted leisurely while crossing his legs.

Duke Legacy always treated people with a condescending attitude. Even in front of the Emperor he acted this way, so the nobles had no choice but to leave him be.

“I heard you know the true culprit behind the hunting competition incident.”

Russell sat down and got straight to the point. Rudeness was answered with rudeness.

“Did my aide relay the message incorrectly? I clearly said I brought the culprit.”

“It was relayed properly. However,”

Russell’s movement stopped as he was about to ask why the Duke was alone. Noticing Russell’s slight frown, Duke Legacy burst into laughter.

“My, have you just realized? How disappointing.”

“What nerve do you have coming here? Do you think I’ll let you off easy?”

Russell’s expression turned cold. Duke Legacy seemed to enjoy this reaction, his gray eyes glinting with excitement.

Snake. Duke Legacy resembled a snake’s eyes that never close.

“Duke Bertrand. Don’t get too worked up. There will be many more things to anger you, I’d hate for you to harm your health.”

“It’s amusing that the Duke is concerned for my health. Get to the point. I have no intention of staying long in your company.”

“Is that all you have to say when I tell you I ordered the assassination?”

When Russell quickly composed himself and spoke indifferently, a look of disappointment flashed across Duke Legacy’s face.

“That’s all. Too much time has passed, and there’s no evidence for me to report to the Imperial family and hold a trial based solely on your testimony, Duke.”

“As expected, Duke Bertrand is not easily swayed. That makes you rather enticing.”

“Don’t say such disgusting things.”

“What misunderstanding are you having? I’m merely saying I want to have Duke Bertrand under me.”

Duke Legacy spoke glibly while winking. If asked to name the person whose actions least matched their appearance, Russell would have chosen Duke Legacy without hesitation.

With pale skin and a slightly thin, tall build, his gleaming gray eyes resembled a cold ice wall overall, but in reality Duke Legacy’s personality was languid and quite mischievous.

That made Russell dislike him even more. Russell’s expression twisted slightly.

“Hah. Do you know what that means?”

“I’m telling you so that you’ll know. Duke Ian Lancaster, your friend, you know him well don’t you? How he’s desperate to find some worthless woman from the past.”

He understood the meaning very well. That he was now talking about imperial authority.

Russell’s seemingly indifferent eyes grew a bit deeper.

“Are you insulting my friend in front of me?”

“In your view, is Duke Lancaster fit to be Emperor?”

“What nonsense is this when His Majesty is in good health!”

At that moment, why did Summer’s words flit through his mind? Her words that the Emperor would soon pass away.

I see. So in the end, the world intends to follow the original story. Russell recalled Summer standing under the setting sun just moments ago.

Will you find the original story unfolding without deviation horrifying, or rather fortunate? He was curious.

If Summer wished it, he could stop Duke Legacy at any time.

He could advise the Emperor to be wary of those around him, and actually have people check every piece of food and clothing the Emperor consumed.

“Duke Bertrand. Think carefully. Laying groundwork early in places with potential is more important than you’d think.”

“Are you giving advice to me, who has lived as a politician my whole life?”

But he deliberately refrained from taking any action. In reality, Duke Legacy hadn’t actually done anything yet, and even if he had, there was a high chance he would cover his tracks.

To be more honest, the above reasons were just excuses.

“My, I didn’t mean to be dismissive. I only wanted to let you know out of concern.”

“Then Duke Legacy, let me give you some advice as well.”

“Gladly.”

“Don’t think that I don’t know what you know.”

But Summer had never said she wanted that. Was it right to reveal the future Summer knew?

Even as he listened to Summer’s stories about the future, Russell thought about this before considering using it to change things.

“Haha, this advice doesn’t seem fitting from a Duke who didn’t even know who pushed him off a cliff.”

“Do you know why I’m letting you be?”

“…?”

“The villain is supposed to die at the end, you see.”

So what did Summer want for how this world would unfold?

He hadn’t heard that answer yet. So Russell had no intention of changing anything. Not until Summer herself said she wanted this world to change.

There must be a sense of security that comes from knowing the future. Summer was anxious about the world changing because of her. As if she had committed some great sin.

He hated that. That was all.

“Ha, haha!”

Hearing Russell’s words, Duke Legacy threw his head back and laughed. It was quite a vulgar laugh.

Russell faced Duke Legacy directly, maintaining his dignified posture with his back perfectly straight.

“There’s one thing I’m curious about.”

“What might that be?”

Duke Legacy leaned forward and acted sly. Of course, it had no effect on Russell.

“Why did you try to kill Lady Dudley?”

“…”

It was a clear provocation, and Duke Legacy fell for it. Duke Legacy’s expression instantly hardened. A chilling killing intent settled over his rigid expression.

“My, you should know how to hide your expressions, Duke Legacy.”

“What an unfunny joke. I’ll be going now.”

As Duke Legacy hurriedly stood up to leave, Russell spoke again.

“Ah, one more thing.”

“…”

Duke Legacy, who was about to leave, turned his head to look at Russell. Russell nonchalantly asked his final question while elegantly crossing his legs.

“Does Lady Legacy know about this?”

“What?”

“Using even your daughter as a tool. Truly befitting of a politician, Duke Legacy. It seems you’re a step above me. I don’t know how to use people.”

“…It’s common knowledge that I love my daughter. Are you daring to insult me to my face right now?”

Duke Legacy raised his voice. Russell inwardly scoffed.

What love for his daughter. Russell had witnessed Ferotia Legacy trembling several times.

Villainess. Was that the role Ferotia Legacy wanted? To Russell, Ferotia Legacy was just another young lady who admired Ian.

Thinking of how Summer had drunk poison, he wanted to throw that woman in the dungeon to rot for life, but Summer didn’t seem to dislike Ferotia much.

“Duke Bertrand! How dare you insult me and my daughter! What are you thinking?”

“That’s not it at all. I was thinking about your daughter. Just out of concern. They say children who have just come of age can become twisted like that. As if I would say anything to the young lady.”

“Go ahead. My Ferotia is a child unrelated to politics. She enjoys parties and alcohol.”

“She doesn’t like men?”

It was common knowledge in high society that Ferotia let in men with black hair and gray eyes every night.

Russell thought that was the only thing Ferotia did of her own will.

Everything else must have been influenced by Duke Legacy.

“Russell Bertrand!”

“You seem to have forgotten who I am, Duke.”

A calm and cold warning was directed at Duke Legacy as he raised his voice.

This time, even Duke Legacy flinched and glanced behind him hesitantly. He got goosebumps for no reason.

“…Ha. This is interesting. Very interesting.”

“I can guess why you came to me. It seems you had quite a good impression of me.”

“…”

Russell slowly stood up and stood in front of Duke Legacy. Russell’s expression was blank, but somehow there was an intimidating aura.

Russell slowly leaned in and whispered in a low voice into Duke Legacy’s ear, then straightened up as if nothing had happened.

“But it seems you haven’t heard that I’ve developed a madness recently, Duke.”

“What? Duke Bertrand with madness? That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard!”

Duke Legacy let out a sharp laugh. Russell also let out a small chuckle and glanced up at Duke Legacy.

“It’s not ridiculous at all. You should pray to God. That you’ll be useful until the very end.”

Duke Legacy’s face crumpled at the subtly condescending atmosphere.

“I didn’t know our Duke was such a devout believer.”

“I’ve decided to believe this time. The God I serve is quite benevolent, to the point of eating away at himself for not being able to bestow even more mercy after already being merciful.”

“…It seems the rumors of your madness are true. I’ve misjudged you.”

“Don’t take my words as a joke, Duke Legacy. Unlike you, I’m not one for jesting.”

“…”

“Take care on your way back. I hope you stay well.”

Russell opened the door with a cultured demeanor and gestured for him to leave. Duke Legacy looked at Russell with a dumbfounded expression, then let out an angry breath and stormed out.

As soon as Duke Legacy left, the butler who had been waiting outside came in and worriedly looked over Russell.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Perfectly fine. He didn’t bring up Summer.”

“Pardon?”

“Send a message to Ferotia Legacy. Ask if she’d like to have tea at the Bertrand mansion.”

“…Are you serious?”

“Butler. Of course I’m serious. I told you, I don’t joke.”

Russell smiled lightly and patted the butler’s shoulder.

Russell also left the reception room, leaving only the butler standing there with a bewildered expression.

Russell used to glare fiercely at the mere mention of Duke Legacy. Although he didn’t let his personal feelings interfere in order to maintain neutrality in his position assisting the Imperial family, Russell clearly despised Duke Legacy.

The butler who had served him for a long time knew this better than anyone.

“The master couldn’t have forgotten.”

That more than half of the scars etched on Russell’s body were inflicted by Duke Legacy.

That Russell’s mother had drunk the poison the previous Duke Legacy had used to eliminate political opponents, and suffered from aftereffects. He couldn’t have forgotten.