As originally known to Philip, there was nothing in the room. Philip couldn’t understand more about Daelina.

“Enoch and Sor Young-ae visited even when I wasn’t here, right? What was the reason?”

“They said they came to pay respects to the master. But since the master wasn’t here…”

Hanyang said that Enoch and Daelina had tea with Marboro and Laila.

Philip speculated that they had come to deliver the news of entering the royal palace.

“And was there any other action?”

“No, they only had tea and left.”

‘Can’t figure out the intentions.’

“By the way, after Sor Young-ae left, she mentioned something. The little mistress said she couldn’t understand Sor Young-ae’s intentions.”

“Laila? What happened with Sor Young-ae?”

“She was excessively kind to the little mistress.”

It was natural for Daelina to be kind to Laila in various ways. However, the term ‘excessive’ seemed odd to Philip, so he listened carefully to Hanyang’s words.

“When you see it from a stranger’s perspective, it felt like the little mistress could become the queen even in place of the queen herself.”

Philip’s heart thumped.

Laila attended the party with an invitation from Ellen. Although Philip received an introduction as they came together with Enoch, it seemed unnecessary for Sor Young-ae, the Viscount of Sor, to know Marboro’s status.

‘If Sor Young-ae accurately knows Marboro’s status, the connection should be with Enoch… Why?’

Even if Enoch and Daelina were close, Viscount Sor supported a different prince.

If she revealed a different political line on the surface and inside, there was a risk of leaking significant information.

Philip pondered for a moment about the possibility of information being leaked to Daelina and the reasons for it.

Then, he made a guess based on the fact that Enoch escorted Daelina to the party.

‘Is it love-blindness…?’

As he thought that, he felt strange. It was somewhat unfair.

Philip had endured Ellen’s misunderstandings for over ten years, keeping the secret.

“Master?”

Philip, lost in thought, snapped back to attention at Hanyang’s cautious call. He handed the torn lock to Hanyang.

“Call a locksmith and restore it to its original state. No one in the mansion should know about this. Keep the repairs discreet.”

“Yes, Master.”

Understanding Philip’s intentions, Hanyang nodded respectfully.

“Then, please call the children to the study. And tell Domingo to come to me as soon as he returns.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Finally, we’re entering the palace. Get ready since we must leave tomorrow morning.”

Philip, seated in the mansion’s study, briefly conveyed these words to Marboro and Laila.

“Father, what about Mother…?”

“I came back alone, so that should be an answer.”

Laila’s hesitant question didn’t lead to a quick response from Philip.

Laila’s shoulders slumped. More than her disappointment, Philip, who couldn’t hide his own disappointment, raised the pen while turning away from Laila’s eyes.
“I understand your feelings, Laila. But now is a crucial time to accomplish the long-accumulated great work. Let’s finish that first.”

After quickly sending Marboro and Laila out, Philip, who had been lost in thought for a moment, began writing several documents.

While deeply engrossed in his work, Domingo entered, holding a thick stack of documents on a silver tray.

“Master, I’ve been to the bank.”

“I heard from Hanyang. Well done.”

“And Viscount Ondera is here.”

“Viscount Ondera? Was he in the territory?”

“It seems so. He said there was something brief to discuss and requested to see you… I guided him to the reception room for now.”

Philip sighed. There was a mountain of urgent matters to handle, and now a sudden visit from a high-ranking aristocrat.

“There’s a lot to handle. Since you’ve come a long way, if it’s alright with you, would you like to stay comfortably and join me for breakfast tomorrow?”

Following Philip’s instructions, Domingo, who had gone out and come back, bowed his head again.

“I have one curious question. If you’re busy, you can just give me a brief answer…”

“If it’s really okay, you can go ahead like that.”

And so, the question Domingo had brought was quite impolite content for Philip.

It was about confirming rumors regarding the Viscount’s financial status and whether he had given more alimony to Ellen…

Philip’s left hand, which had been quietly placed on the desk, clenched into a fist involuntarily. He felt an immediate desire to issue a summons.

However, the fact that the Viscount had met with Ellen for business after his last visit held him back.

Ellen said so, and the Viscount came to confirm the facts.

‘Let it go.’

Philip worried that it might interfere with her business or put her in an unfavorable position in business.

‘If Ellen perceives that there is plenty of capital coming in, there’s no telling how hard she might push for a better deal.’

Philip decided to disguise the future events for Ellen as if they had already happened.

“As for alimony for the mistress, tell them it hasn’t been settled yet. And say the finances will recover within a few years.”