Cyrus’s silent assistance was not at all pleasant to Ariana.

She knew that he wouldn’t help without reason, so her heart only grew heavy.

Furthermore, Cyrus’s help was only hindering Ariana’s plan.

Due to the rumors, Rachel was confined to the mansion, unable to go out, stuck in her room. Ariana’s plan to search Rachel’s closet when she left the mansion was continuously delayed.

‘I may end up having to cancel the imperial trip altogether.’

According to Ariana’s plan, Victoria should have returned by now.

Then Rachel would have hurried the imperial trip, leaving the region until the rumors surrounding Victoria died down.

But Victoria was not released, and Rachel was in her room, screaming like a halfcrazed person.

Ariana suppressed her frustrated feelings and spoke to Rozalyn.

“Rozalyn, can you fetch me another short sword?”

“Yes, Miss.”

As Rozalyn was about to leave, having received the order, she paused and looked back at Ariana. She tilted her head slightly, as if questioning Ariana’s request, and then spoke.

“Miss, you live… quite fiercely.”

Ariana responded with only a faint smile, not retorting. Rozalyn, too, didn’t seem to be expecting an answer, as she bowed her head slightly before leaving the room.

‘Fierce.’

Ariana mulled over the word Rozalyn had used.

‘Yes, fierce.’

Victoria was probably feeling deep despair, locked in a prison for the first time in her life. Rachel, unable to help her, would also be feeling similar emotions.

But this was not enough.

‘It’s not time yet. You haven’t even felt half of the despair I felt. You’re only trapped in a prison for nobles, after all.’

Although a noble’s prison might feel like hell to Victoria, who had lived her life virtuously, Ariana was not satisfied yet.

‘It’s only the beginning. You must walk through the same hell I walked through. Even if that means I fall back into hell again.’

+++

Rachel, holding a letter from Seo Jezhu, was trembling.

There was only one sentence written in the letter.

All around Weston City, voices condemning Rachel and Victoria grew louder.

Intellectuals gathered to demand severe punishment for Victoria’s crime, and the crowd cried out for severe punishment against a duchess who, having abused her child, even paid a criminal to commit unspeakable acts.

In such a situation, Rachel’s only support was her father, Seo Jezhu.

And then to be told not to come? Was that something to say to a daughter in distress?

Tears of blood flowed from Rachel’s eyes as she glared at the letter.

+++

Seo Jezhu Rodian Oblen was in a difficult situation.

Rodian learned of Victoria’s situation two mornings ago. Upon hearing the news, he was preparing to go to the investigative agency in person, but his steward rushed in.

“Your Majesty. Th, th, the North Jezhu… The North Jezhu has visited.”

There had been rumors that the North Jezhu was coming to Seoryeong, but he had considered them mere gossip spread by women who wanted to see the North Jezhu from afar.

There was no reason for the North Jezhu, with whom he was not on good terms, to come to Seoryeong.

But not only did the North Jezhu actually come to Seoryeong, but he also came looking for Seo Jezhu. And that too, in the situation where Victoria was imprisoned for covering up a murder.

Rodian could not ignore him, not knowing what scheme the North Jezhu was hiding.

Rodian gave up going to the investigative agency and greeted Cyrus.

“I did not expect the North Jezhu to come this far. You should have announced yourself.”

“If it were a formal visit, I would have. Didn’t the rumor that I was coming spread throughout Seoryeong?”

Rodian’s brows furrowed at the insolent tone of Cyrus, his grandson’s age.

Watching his expression, Cyrus slowly spoke.

“Why? Is it a new experience to see me, who used to address you respectfully as a grandfather, now in an equal position?”

“……You’ve become insolent in the time we haven’t seen each other.”
Arrogant? Aren’t you and I the same vassal? If I’m arrogant, then you’re arrogant too. Isn’t that right, West Vassal?

Cyrus’s lips made him want to tear them apart.

Cyrus had come alone, but Rodian, who knew him well, did not think he was really alone.

The North Vassalage had many who mastered mysterious martial arts. Especially the Black Knight Order led by Cyrus was known to be one knight for a hundred.

The West Vassalage, lacking a strong military, couldn’t easily touch the North Vassalage.

Rodian barely suppressed the boiling anger and annoyance in his belly and asked with a barely smiling face.

“So, what brings you here?”

Cyrus stared intently at Rodian, who was forcing a smile.

From the moment he heard the news of his parents’ death until now, 15 years. Finally, he had reached this point.

There were many things he wanted to ask, but he couldn’t reveal his hand to the West Vassal yet. He could cut his throat here, but he didn’t have the strength to deal with what would happen next.