Riena was confused. Even though it was intentional, accepting the fact that her father had passed away in an accident felt distinctly different from the fact that he had been murdered by someone.

‘Could this really be true?’

She had her doubts, but no matter how much she thought about it, it didn’t seem like James Cutler would have made a false confession without basis.

Who on earth would do such a thing?

‘What about Cassel? Could Cassel have been unaware of this too?’

With Cassel’s information network, there was no way he couldn’t have uncovered this truth…

Oblivious to her confused state of mind, Countess Dyke clung to her tactlessly.

“Riena, please tell His Grace to save me. If it’s a request from you, he will listen…”

“Could it be that you were also involved in this matter, Mother?”

Riena crumpled the newspaper and whispered quietly.

“…What?”

“I asked if you knew that Father didn’t die from a fall, but was murdered.”

“What are you talking about now?”

“Is that why you rushed Father’s funeral? Saying you didn’t want it to be noisy, barely inviting anyone, and ignoring my request to investigate further?”

“No!”

The Countess tightly grasped Riena’s skirt.

“I really knew nothing. I told you! I had no idea what sort of plan that man had. I was truly shocked when your father was found dead in the valley.”

“Then why!”

“I was just scared, worried that I might get caught up in some nonsensical matter…”

“That’s something you brought upon yourself, Mother. If only you hadn’t engaged in that strange deal in the first place…!”

Riena, unable to contain her surging anger and about to shout, forcibly suppressed her emotions.

“I also need time to assess the situation. For now, please go to your room. And don’t do anything.”

“Then I…”

“I need to understand the situation to resolve it.”

Riena forcibly made the Countess stand up.

“I’ll say it once more, do not leave the mansion under any circumstances. Tell Aaron and Bianca as well. Especially Bianca.”

Over the past few days, Bianca had been pestering Riena, asking if she still hadn’t found out anything about Jonathan Percy and when she could leave.

For now, she was enduring it since she was being treated as a guest at the ducal residence, but if she were to be held back like this, she might secretly run away.

After confirming that the Countess had returned to her room, Riena immediately rushed to the head butler.

“What about Cassel? Has Cassel not returned yet?”

“No. He is still away.”

“Where did he say he was going? I’ll go see him myself.”

“I don’t think that’s a very good idea, Young Lady. Please rest for now until His Grace returns. I will instruct Amy to bring you some calming tea.”

“No, I need to see Cassel right now. I have something urgent to tell…”

“Young Lady.”

At that moment, the voice of Rio, Cassel’s assistant, was heard from behind. Spotting Riena, he hurried over.

“Rio, I just saw the newspaper. What on earth is going on?”

“His Grace sent me because of that very matter. Let’s go to His Grace’s office for now. It has the best soundproofing.”

Riena obediently followed Rio to Cassel’s office. Rio offered her a seat, but before she could even sit down, she hastily asked.

“James Cutler murdered my father? What in the world does that mean?”

Rio let out a small groan.

“His Grace asked me to convey his apologies first.”

“Then does that mean Cassel also knew?”

“It hadn’t been precisely confirmed yet. However, based on the circumstances, His Grace had been considering the possibility of murder, as it seemed suspicious to be a simple accident.”

“And that person is James Cutler?”

“Yes. On the day the Count passed away, traces were found that the man had used a magic portal. Anthony, who secured the body, also testified that there seemed to be a wound on the Count’s vital point, as if stabbed by something. Based on that, an investigation was underway, but…”

Rio swept his face with a complicated expression.

“The other side made the first move. It’s a kind of cutting off the tail.”

“Cutting off the tail?”

“His Grace is certain it’s the doing of Johannes Belliard. He says Johannes likely had evidence that James Cutler murdered the Count and used it to blackmail him. James Cutler was particularly devoted to his own family, after all.”

According to Countess Dyke, Johannes had threatened her using Aaron and Bianca’s lives.

She said she had wanted to escape Johannes’s grasp belatedly but came to find Riena out of concern for the children’s safety.

If that was true, it wouldn’t be surprising if Johannes had also threatened James Cutler with his family.

“And then?”

“For now, the guard is investigating James Cutler. Since His Majesty the Emperor is also taking note of this matter, there’s a high possibility it will be handed over to the Imperial Knights.”

“…”

“With clear evidence and his own confession, the case will likely wrap up quickly. A trial will be held, but it will probably be a formality.”

“So it will be buried like that? As James Cutler’s solo crime?”

“If there are no indications that Johannes Belliard incited him, then yes. It will likely turn out that way. In fact, even if the Imperial Knights are told someone else was involved, they probably won’t listen. That’s why His Grace is currently searching for additional evidence.”

Riena’s legs gave out and she plopped down on the sofa. Rio carefully handed her a handkerchief.

“He said to tell you not to worry and rest assured that everything will be resolved.”

“How can I rest at ease? I want to do something too…”

As Riena muttered self-deprecatingly, a person suddenly came to mind.

‘Her Highness the First Princess…’

Anais, who didn’t hide her ambition for the throne while simultaneously showing interest in Riena, came to mind.

Riena instinctively asked.

“The Belliard family was supporting His Highness the Prince, right?”

Despite Rio’s slight puzzlement at the sudden change of topic, he readily answered.

“Yes, that’s right. Not only do they openly support His Highness the Prince, but they are also the family that provides him the most strength.”

“I see.”

Since first meeting Anais at the party venue, Riena had yet to see her again.

As promised to invite her to the palace soon, Anais sent Riena an invitation, but Riena politely declined, citing poor health. It was because she had too much on her mind and didn’t want to meet Anais.

She wondered if it was okay to decline the Princess’s invitation, but it was possible because Cassel said it was fine to that extent.

Anais had frankly told Riena that she wanted to use her to gain Cassel and Winkler.

Then wouldn’t the opposite also be possible?

If the other side declared they would use this side, then this side could use them right back.

If their interests aligned, it would suffice to yield them an appropriate profit.

‘I can’t just sit back and leave everything to Cassel forever.’

Besides, no matter how much of a Duke of Winkler he was, it wouldn’t be easy for him to make a private request to the Emperor.

Recalling Anais’s face as she laughed heartily, saying she wanted to become close in the future, Riena said to Rio.

“I understand for now. Tell Cassel I have something to say to him, so I’d like him to come back early today.”

“Understood.”

Riena left the office and returned to her room, taking out some stationery. The recipient was naturally Anais.

Writing out a long and proper greeting and recent news, she only wrote the real purpose of the letter at the end.

“Amy, please send this letter.”

“Yes! Where should I send it to?”

Even at the unexpected name, Amy didn’t falter.

“Send it to Her Highness the First Princess.”

“Understood. I will send the letter right away, but since it’s a letter entering the Imperial Palace, it may be delivered a bit late.”

“Yes, I know. Then please take care of it.”

“You’re welcome. If there’s anything else you need, please let me know anytime.”

“Thank you.”

After smiling at Amy, Riena only let out a deep sigh once she had completely left the room.

The kindly smiling face of her father came to mind.

Her heart ached at the fact that her father, who had always been on her side no matter what, may have died because of her.

If only my face didn’t resemble the Countess of Belliard.

No, if only I had never met Johannes in the first place.

If only I had just lived quietly in the estate mansion without going to the capital or parties!

‘No, I’m not the one at fault.’

She had done nothing wrong.

The real wrongdoers were the people who had let things come to this.

Riena bit her teeth tightly and gazed out the window.

‘I definitely won’t let this go.’

No matter what, she would make sure the other side paid a fitting price.

And she would no longer just wait quietly in the safe nest Cassel had made.

Now was truly the time to break out of her shell.