“With Anice’s solemn words, Riena also tightly clenched her fists.

“Then what are your plans?”

“These kinds of matters shouldn’t be dragged out for too long. We need to find evidence linking James Cutler and Johannes Belliard no matter what. If we miss this opportunity, that snake will hide his tail even more in the future.”

“But there isn’t much time left until the trial. From what I heard from Cassel, there’s only about a week left…”

Anice smirked, raising one corner of her mouth.

“That means we need to settle everything within a week.”

Whether it was a coincidence or not, as Riena left the Imperial Princess Palace and headed towards the carriage, she ran into Johannes approaching her.

“It’s been a while, Lady Riena.”

“Ah…”

He had an amiable smile on his face as usual. His golden hair glistening under the pouring sunlight even made him appear sacred.

‘This man ordered my father to be killed?’

No matter how much she looked, it was unbelievable. However, all the circumstances pointed to Johannes.

If she could, she wanted to grab his collar and interrogate him.

To ask if it was really true that he killed her father, and if so, why he committed such an act.

How he could shamelessly smile and propose to her despite that.

It felt like her blood was flowing in reverse. At the same time, her vision blurred and she felt dizzy as if she was seasick.

For a moment, her legs lost strength and she almost staggered, but she managed to maintain her balance with difficulty.

‘But it’s not time yet.’

If she showed even the slightest hint of wariness here, the sharp Johannes might sense something strange. Then, just as Anice said, he would hide the evidence of his actions even more thoroughly.

She didn’t want to ruin what Cassel had painstakingly investigated so far due to a moment’s impulse.

Riena lifted her skirt and bowed her waist, trying to act as natural as possible.

“Greetings, Lord Belliard. Have you been well?”

“I’ve been doing well without any issues. And you, Lady Riena?”

“Yes, thanks to you.”

“Have you come to have an audience with Her Imperial Highness?”

As it wasn’t something that needed to be kept secret, she nodded.

“That’s right. And you, my lord…?”

“I’m on my way to have an audience with His Imperial Highness.”

“Then His Highness must be waiting, so I can’t hold you back any longer. I’ll be on my way then.”

As Riena tried to hurriedly bid farewell, Johannes persistently struck up a conversation.

“There’s still some time left until the appointed hour, so I can stay a bit longer. By the way, I heard your health hasn’t been well recently. Are you alright now?”

“Has that rumor spread so much? But there’s no need to worry. I was just a bit tense as it was my first time attending the Imperial Banquet, so I had a slight fever. It wasn’t that severe, but everyone told me to rest so I had no choice but to do so.”

“Judging from your face, it doesn’t seem to be just slight. Even now, your complexion is pale…”

Johannes reached out his hand towards Riena’s cheek, where a strand of her hair had fallen. Riena reflexively twisted her body to avoid his hand.

Johannes froze slightly with his hand extended. Riena stroked her cheek that his hand hadn’t even touched and took a step back.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate to do such a thing in a place with so many watching eyes. And,”

She expressed her feelings quite firmly.

“We don’t have that kind of relationship either.”

Only then did Johannes retract his hand, managing his expression.

“I apologize. Your complexion looked unwell, so without realizing it, I…”

“You have absolutely no reason to be concerned about my fiancée’s complexion, do you?”

Before Riena could retort, a firm voice interjected.

“…Cass?”

Cassel, wearing a dark ceremonial attire, strode over with his long legs and embraced Riena’s shoulders. He pressed his lips to her temple as if to show off, then pulled away.

A minute twitch flashed across Johannes’ eyes.

“What brings you here?”

“I was waiting in the carriage to surprise you, but you took so long to come out that I came to see if something happened. And…”

Cassel glanced at Johannes, displeasure flitting across his eyes.

“It seems I did well to come. Something did happen after all.”

Even though he must know Cassel’s mood, Johannes greeted him as if nothing was wrong.

“It’s been a while, Duke Winkler. The first time since the party, right? You must be quite busy.”

“I suppose so. There are so many things to attend to.”

“But it seems in the midst of having so much to attend to, you’ve been neglecting your cherished fiancée. Seeing as you’ve left her to the point where her face has deteriorated like this.”

He smiled brightly.

“If such a lovely lady were my fiancée, I would have treated her like the most precious thing in the world.”

Cassel’s fingers tightened their grip on Riena’s shoulder. Instead of holding Riena tightly, he clenched his fists hard.

Riena thought she heard Cassel mutter under his breath, “That loose tongue of his, really…” but concluded she must have misheard.

“Then you can do that for your own fiancée. There’s no need for you to pay attention to mine.”

“I’m trying my best not to be concerned, but you keep making me concerned, don’t you?”

“You’re being rude.”

In the end, Riena intervened.

“I know you’re worrying about me, so I was going to let it slide, but you’re going too far. This is a personal matter between me and Duke Winkler, and as the Duke said, it’s not something you should be concerning yourself with.”

“…”

“Moreover, I’m receiving the utmost, generous treatment from the ducal household. It’s true that my face has deteriorated. I have a lot on my mind these days, you see.”

Perhaps unable to say anything to Riana, Johannes backed down.

“I’m sorry. It seems I’ve been discourteous to you once again, Lady Riena.”

Riena didn’t even bother with superficial words saying it was alright. Such lies simply wouldn’t come out of her mouth.

“Then we’ll be on our way. As you were concerned about, my fiancée looks a bit tired.”

As Cassel tried to quickly wrap up the conversation and take Riena away, Johannes spoke up.

“Speaking of which, James Cutler was his name, right? The one currently troubling Lady Riena’s mind.”

His words stopped the two in their tracks.

Johannes slowly walked up to them as they paused their steps. Neither Cassel nor Riena turned to look at him. Johannes also didn’t seem to mind their avoidance.

“I’m also truly saddened by the news about the late Count Dyke. He was a man of great repute, so it’s unbelievable that such a thing could happen to him.”

“…”

This time, Riena couldn’t manage her expression. Out of all people, those words shouldn’t have come out of that man’s mouth first.

Cassel gripped Riena’s trembling shoulders tightly once more.

“Thank you for your concern, but it’s not a very pleasant topic. Ria is already having a hard time after hearing that news.”

“Ria… is it?”

Johannes meaningfully repeated the nickname Cassel used for Riena.

“I didn’t mean to trouble you. I simply wanted to express that if Belliard and I can be of any help in this matter, we’re willing to fully cooperate.”

“…Cooperate?”

“Yes. Actually, I didn’t intend to say anything about it, but I don’t believe James Cutler acted alone.”

“Then?”

Johannes leaned in closer and whispered softly so only the two could hear.

“There must be someone who helped him. And quite a high-ranking noble at that.”

Riena tried to turn around to see Johannes’ expression, but thanks to Cassel pressing close to her, she was able to resist.

Cassel gritted his teeth as he replied.

“That’s quite useful information. But do you only have a hunch?”

“Of course not. I’ve gathered evidence to support my claim. I’ve also nearly identified the suspect.”

“Then why have you kept it a secret until now and are telling us at this moment? Shouldn’t you take it to the investigation team?”

“That was my intention.”

Johannes stepped back, still with a smile on his face.

“The trial is in a week, right? I’ll help ensure James Cutler and those involved with him pay the price they deserve. I’m on my way to see His Imperial Highness right now, so I’ll inform him as well.”

Cassel gave a crooked smile.

“Yes, if that is your intention, I have no plans to stop you. So will you be attending the trial?”

“Of course I must. I also respected Count Dyke, so I want to witness the criminal’s end. I’m worried about Lady Dyke as well.”

“Then I’ll see you there. We’ll be going now.”

Cassel hastened his steps. Only after being escorted by him and getting into the carriage did Riena let out the breath she had been holding.

In fact, she had nearly collapsed several times while walking, her legs losing strength, but Cassel had supported her.

After closing the carriage door, Cassel asked urgently.

“Ria, are you alright?”

Her complexion had grown even paler than before.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

However, contrary to her words, she began to dry heave. Cassel sat beside her, patting her back and rubbing her cold hands.

When she had calmed down to some extent, Riena managed to speak.

“Something is strange.”