The sharp eyes of King Lyuen gazed intently at the faces of the three old churchmen.
Her eyes had a power similar to that of piercing through people.
Even Count Scrapster and Marquis Martelle, who had spent many years in politics and experienced all sorts of things, felt a twinge of unease when they received Lyuen’s direct gaze, wondering if they had made any mistakes or overlooked anything.
However, only one person, the youngest Duke of Elinak, met Lyuen’s gaze with eyes that showed no fear.
She nodded once with a faint smile, as if quite satisfied with the duke’s bold audacity.
“After going through the official meeting, we have determined that these matters can no longer be left solely to local administrators and security officers. That is why I have summoned you all.”
Count Scrapster said.
“My officials are still investigating matters related to illegal drugs. I expect we’ll be able to catch the tail of the distributors soon.”
Lyuen replied.
“We can’t drag this out for too long. The longer we hesitate, the more victims there will be. It will cause this country to rot from the bottom up, so we must root it out as soon as possible.”
“I will act swiftly in accordance with Your Majesty’s words.”
The count bowed his head. The king’s gaze now turned towards the marquis.
“Marquis Martelle’s daughter has quite a bit of influence in the east, doesn’t she?”
The marquis said.
“You flatter me. She is still an immature child. She is doing her best to serve Your Majesty loyally, so please look upon her kindly.”
“There’s no need to be so modest. I’d like to meet that child. As you probably already know, there is some evidence that the drug-related problems started in the east first. If this is true, then we…”
King Lyuen trailed off for a moment, tapping the table lightly with her well-manicured fingertips.
Her red lips pursed slightly before curving into a slight smile.
“We’ll need a major cleaning, just like spring cleaning every household. Only by dusting off the cobwebs we didn’t see and the accumulated dust we pretended not to notice, only then can we stand proudly under tomorrow’s sun, don’t you think?”
“Your words are most wise.”
Though the king stopped there, Count Scrapster and Marquis Martelle already had a precise list of what they needed to do laid out in their minds.
The only one left without an assigned task was now the Duke of Elinak.
Lyuen sent him a look that said ‘You know without me having to tell you’ as she slowly moved her lips.
“Duke, I want you to investigate the serial killings happening in the Eliki region. You must be quick and discreet. Meet with the local security officers, but don’t trust them. Assess them one by one. And then…”
“I will use all my power to observe who is concealing this criminal, who is being negligent in pursuing this person. Do not worry, Your Majesty.”
A brighter smile spread across King Lyuen’s face. The candle flame flickered with her breath.
“Very good. But I have one more task for you today, Duke.”
“Please speak.”
The Duke of Elinak’s eyes gleamed clearly in the candlelight. They were eyes that seemed both orange and gold.
Eyes that seemed to have flames dwelling within them. It was because of this that King Lyuen held even more favor towards the Duke of Elinak.
One who harbored an unquenchable flame could, with just a little fanning, blaze up and burn away all sorts of things.
From the harmful weeds and insects she couldn’t stand, to even the dust.
“I hear that Baroness Lirald is planning to hold a party for her close acquaintances this evening. Are you acquainted with the baroness, Duke?”
“I have exchanged greetings with her, but we are not close.”
Lyuen nodded calmly, as if she had expected as much, and continued.
“Baron Lirald is a high-ranking official in the royal treasury. However, according to the report I received from the finance minister last night, one of the assets kept by the royal family has gone missing. As you know, Duke, the items specially kept by the royal family and national treasures are inspected once a month by treasury officials.”
“Did it disappear when Baron Lirald inspected it?”
“Of course not. If he were that careless, would I be telling you this, busy as you are? There was no problem when Baron Lirald did the inspection. But about a month ago, Baron Lirald was spotted by a guard near the treasury office. He said he had come to retrieve something he had left behind and asked for the door to be opened.”
There were many sensitive documents related to royal finances inside the office where treasury officials worked.
Therefore, there were always guards stationed nearby even after the officials had left, and the office door was always kept locked until the finance minister arrived first thing in the morning.
The Duke of Elinak, who had been listening carefully to the king’s words, asked.
“Are you saying the guard complied with that request?”
“Of course, he refused. After that, Baron Lirald just left, but according to him—the guard, that is—he was seen loitering around the palace for about an hour afterwards. A week after that incident, when they checked the storehouse, they discovered that ‘Lord Rogers’ Necklace’ was missing.”
Count Scrapster and Marquis Martelle, who had been listening intently to her story, both let out short gasps simultaneously.
However, the Duke of Elinak showed no reaction, only a thoughtful expression.
King Lyuen continued.
“I made some inquiries and found out that among Baron Lirald’s close associates, there is someone who specializes in jewelry repair. He’s not a nobleman, but the baron seems to be fully supporting and sponsoring him, so he appears to be living quite comfortably.”
The Duke of Elinak said.
“So you think Baron Lirald stole ‘Lord Rogers’ Necklace’ with the intention of having it altered into different jewelry to sell?”
King Lyuen smiled faintly.
“Such a thing must not happen, right, Duke? I trust you know how important that necklace is to our Roynocke royal family.”
Of course. The Duke of Elinak thought.
That necklace named ‘Lord Rogers’ Necklace’ was a very elaborate piece adorned with hundreds of large and small diamonds, once owned by the founding king who established the Kingdom of Roynocke.
According to legendary rumors passed down, diamonds poured out like dirt from the small mine Rogers owned.
Rogers had set aside only the highest quality gems from that enormous quantity of jewels, and when the founding king of Roynocke proclaimed the name of the kingdom and ascended the throne, he personally placed the necklace made from those diamonds around the king’s neck.
Thus, that necklace was treated as the most precious among the royal treasures.
Lyuen said.
“Baroness Lirald is vain and frivolous. If a man like Duke Elinak were to attend her party, she would welcome you with open arms.”
“I understand what Your Majesty is saying.”
The Duke of Elinak responded intelligently and then stood up.
There was much to prepare in order to attend the party. Especially since it was starting this very evening.
“Then, I shall take my leave.”
“Be careful, Duke. Baron Lirald is a very suspicious man.”
“I will do my best not to cause you any worry.”
With a calm and neat demeanor, the Duke of Elinak bowed and left, escorted by the servant who had opened the door for him.
There was no one to be seen around the narrow alley. He looked around once, then pulled his hat down and returned to his carriage.
“Let’s return to the duke’s residence first.”
No sooner had he spoken than his loyal coachman immediately set the carriage in motion.
As he gazed out at the slowly passing scenery, the Duke of Elinak’s eyes held a strong yet somewhat empty look.
Lord Rogers’ diamond necklace.
As King Lyuen had said, it was a very important matter, but it wasn’t in the Duke of Elinak’s area of interest.
[This is the timeline separator]Just past 5:30, as the sun began to dip slightly towards the west, carriages carrying invited guests started to arrive one after another at the garden of Baron Lirald’s residence.
“Oh my, welcome! Goodness, Verinet! How long has it been? Come in, come in.”
The hostess of the party, Baroness Lirald, greeted the guests flamboyantly, wearing a dress made of long, voluminous feathers in five colors and a hat piled high like ice cream.
The rouge on her cheeks was so red and thick that she looked just like a clown, but the guests were all busy praising the baroness’s sense of style in unison.
“Sherry!”
As the baroness was exchanging cheek kisses with each guest one by one, she brightened at the sight of a young woman just entering the mansion, and everyone’s attention gathered at once.
However, they soon tilted their heads in confusion.
Amidst the crowd of lavishly adorned people, the attire of this woman called ‘Sherry’ was so modest as to be almost unnoticeable.
“Hello, Baroness?”
“My goodness, to think you’d come so unexpectedly! You refused all my invitations when I sent them, and now how long has it been since I’ve seen you?”
The woman smiled brightly.
“I was too busy to help it. You’ll understand, won’t you? I’ve come without an invitation today, but you won’t turn me away, will you?”
The baroness laughed loudly.
It sounded just like a crow crowing triumphantly after successfully tormenting a cat.
“What are you saying? You’re always welcome! You don’t need an invitation. You yourself are the invitation! Come, come in quickly! You seem to have become even prettier.”
Baroness Lirald pulled ‘Sherry’s’ hand, pushing through the crowd of people.
The guests were unconsciously becoming anxious to know more about Sherry, who could make the vain and condescending baroness so compliant.
‘This is child’s play.’
Sherry, or rather… Charlotte thought.
With her silver hair neatly coiled up and topped with a small hat, wearing a modest dark green dress, her appearance exuded a completely different atmosphere from when she was at the pharmacy.
While maintaining her unique mysterious aura, there was no trace of the common touch that suggested she might handle herbs.
When the male lead is punished by carrying the female lead’s child and having periods like a woman
“I’ve given birth to two children for you, yet you still think about him.
Was I nothing but his substitute to you from beginning to end?”
Synopsis:
Meng Huan, a scumbag who has dated countless girlfriends, transmigrates to a female-dominated country.
Day 1: Whether it’s female dominance or not doesn’t matter. The beauties here are passionate and amorous. Isn’t it easier to date them than in modern times?
Day 2: After a night, Meng Huan discovers the differences in the female-dominated world. Men here actually have chastity locks and menstrual cycles. This hinders his ability to perform, damn it!
Day 3: What’s wrong with sleeping around? I don’t want you to marry me. I’m meant to be a playboy. I don’t care about male virtues… What? You want to drown me in a pig cage? Marry, I’ll marry!
Day N: Meng Huan inexplicably vomits and receives the shocking news of his life… He’s pregnant.
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