CH 51

It might be a better ending than bankruptcy, but it was certainly not something to be happy about.

“Father, please tell me more. What was the corruption of Marquis Callian?”

Riett tightly held her father’s trembling hand and spoke.

‘According to the man, Father raided the scene, thinking that the Marquis was involved in smuggling.’

However, in reality, Marquis Callian was involved in important transactions with another country, and Father ruined those transactions.

“In Marquis Callian’s territory, there were numerous tableware factories that had been expanding their scale by importing raw materials from other countries.”

“Tableware…?”

Forks, knives, plates, and such?

“The tableware produced in his territory is not only used nationwide but also supplied to the royal family.”

That scale was tremendous.

As tableware was a necessity used by everyone, if the delivery rate was high, there would be substantial profits.

“But recently, he showed some strange behavior. He secretly moved something by meeting a ship at a very late hour.”

“…I see.”

Just listening to it was suspicious.

“The destination of the secretly moved goods was the tableware factory.”

“What did he move, and what was he planning to do with it?”

Duke Marren furrowed his brow as he recalled.

“I predicted that he was manufacturing illegal weapons there. Since the materials for tableware are metals like iron and tin, it would be easy to make weapons by adding a few additional materials secretly.”

It certainly made sense. Forks and knives were similar to swords in terms of materials.

“Feeling anxious, I raided the smuggling scene to find out what the Marquis was secretly bringing in.”

“But Duke Kreutz stopped you.”

Duke Marren wore a gloomy expression.

“…Yes. I disregarded Duke Kreutz’s objection and unilaterally raided the scene, but it wasn’t smuggling.”

As Riett quietly listened to the explanation, she noticed something strange.

“Why were you convinced that the Marquis was involved in smuggling?”

“I had been observing his transactions for quite some time, and until then, he had never brought in goods late at night. It was an unusual behavior.”

“…How did the Marquis refute that point?”

“He said that it was because he adjusted the trading time to match with the distant Kingdom of Meriato.”

In simple terms, it was because of the time difference.

Indeed, the Kingdom of Meriato was quite far away, and it took more than 12 hours to travel by ship to the Empire. In any case, the Marquis’s excuse seemed plausible.

“The trial hasn’t taken place yet, right?”

Duke Marren nodded weakly.

“We’re currently in the investigation period before the trial. But the evidence he prepared is too solid. As it stands now… our chances of winning are very low.”

“What kind of evidence did he prepare?”

“He has the transaction records with the Kingdom of Meriato.”

“Transaction records?”

“The list of goods that were intended for the trade at that time, and the evidence that they were authorized by the government.”

Then… those transaction records must have played a decisive role. Riett narrowed her eyes and clenched her jaw.

“If everything is a trap as Father says, then the evidence must have been forged.”

However, before being so sure, she needed more solid reasons.

“Other than the suspicious timing of his transactions, do you have any other reasons to suspect him?”

“He has an organization that operates only when he engages in secretive activities. I’ve seen them move in the back alleys, willing to do anything for money.”

Duke Marren closed his eyes with a sense of injustice.

“I swear on our family’s honor. All the documents are forged.”

At this point, it was clear that the Marquis was scheming something secretly.

“I believe you, Father.”

Having understood the situation sufficiently, the problem now was how to proceed.

“All Marquis Callian wants is for you to sell our mansion in the capital and move to the southern territory, right?”

At Riett’s question, Duke Marren hesitated for a moment.

He nodded his head awkwardly. His wife, who had been silent all this time, responded.

“That’s right, Riett. That’s all he wants. Isn’t that right, dear?”

Duke Marren also nodded his head awkwardly. The duchess gently stroked Riett’s head, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Our Riett…”

Riett could sense that her parents were still hiding something from her.

But for a moment, she put aside her curiosity. The secret wouldn’t last long.

* * *

“Me?”

“Yes. Someone specifically requested to see Miss Riett.”

The school security guard answered without hesitation.

“Who is it?”

“It wasn’t someone from the school. However, they seemed like high-ranking nobility with their splendid attire.”

High-ranking nobility coming to the school to see her…?

‘It can’t be for the noble council’s interview.’

While the noble council’s interview was scheduled to take place soon, she had been informed that she was going to be told a few days in advance. But she hadn’t heard anything.

Riett slowly stood up from her classroom seat and went to the location the security guard had informed her about.

There, as described by the security guard, a middle-aged man extravagantly dressed stood. His attire was magnificent and luxurious, giving off the air of high nobility.

“Miss Riett, this way.”

The mysterious nobleman waved his hand. 

‘He appeared to be older than my father.’

As she assessed his age, he spoke in a friendly tone.

“Thank you for coming out here on such short notice.”

No matter how much she thought, she couldn’t remember this person. Despite his small stature and round eyes, he gave an overall fragile impression, but his gaze subtly conveyed a fierce feeling.

Even with the man’s kind tone, Riett didn’t hide her wariness and asked, 

“Who are you?”

“I am Marquis Callian.”

He introduced himself with a gentle smile. Riett’s eyes widened.

‘This person is Marquis Callian…?’

The mastermind who swiftly pushed their household into the abyss of misfortune. A person so powerful that even the emperor had to be cautious of him. 

But why would such a person…?

Riett asked bluntly, 

“Why have you come to find me?”

“Seeing you up close… you’re even more beautiful.”

He glanced at Riett slowly, making idle remarks.

‘What is this…’

His gaze was so unsettling that for a moment, it felt like insects were crawling all over her body.

Though she felt discomfort, it was an opportunity to talk with him. She couldn’t afford to squander this chance rashly.

“I presented a good proposal to Riett’s father… Since there was no response, I came to hear it directly.”

“…A proposal?”

It was the first time she had heard of it.

Upon seeing Riett’s reaction, Marquis Callian sighed softly.

“I suspected it, but it seems he didn’t inform Riett about it.”

“What are you talking about?”

Instead of answering, Marquis Callian looked around Riett with a hint of amusement. His demeanor resembled that of a hyena examining its prey.

“Riett must be aware of the crisis that Duke Marren’s family is facing, right?”

“I have no idea.”

Someone created that situation. Riett bit her tongue to hold back her words.

“I thought it was a pity that Duke Marren would collapse due to a momentary mistake. That’s why I presented a good proposal to help Duke Marren escape from the crisis.”

“So, that proposal is…”

Marquis Callian smiled slyly.

“Simply put, it’s marriage between you and me.”

Riett’s expression crumpled like a shredded piece of paper.

“What did you just say…?”

“I’m saying that if Miss Riett agreed to become my wife, in exchange, I’ll cancel the trial. I can’t go against my father-in-law, you see.”

A feeling of nausea overwhelmed her.

Riett stared at Marquis Callian’s face intently. The wrinkles on his forehead, the slightly graying hair.

‘At least… in his mid-40s.’

He definintely looked like her father. But now he’s proposing marriage to her…?

Where did this bastard sell his conscience?

Deep within her heart, a storm of anger brewed, but Riett had to exercise patience while considering the situation her family was in.

“It’s bewildering.”

“Certainly, it’s not an easy decision to make.”

The Marquis looked at Riett with a pitiful expression.

“However, Riett. I heard that your dream is to become a member of the nobility. It’s such a shame that your dream is shattered in an instant due to your father’s mistake, isn’t it?”

The mastermind who aims to destroy that dream is truly shameless.

“I am someone who has the power to make your dream come true, as well as crush it.”

“…”

“Please think wisely.”

Marquis Callian pulled the corner of his mouth and smiled. Then, he took out a crisp piece of paper from within his clothes and handed it to Riett.

“It’s an invitation.”

Riett accepted the paper, thinking it was some kind of joke. The paper contained a date and location.

“It’s the address of my secluded villa, known only to you, the future wife. I’m inviting you there exclusively.”

‘The future wife…’

Should she just cut off his tongue? Riett imagined a horrifying scene from a horror movie.

“We’ll talk about a more profound and discreet conversation there.”

Finally, as her patience reached its limit, the word ‘discreet’ flashed in her mind.

‘Perhaps…’

Quickly changing her expression from becoming hostile, Riett smiled.

“All right. It seems like I need to hear the detailed story at the Marquis’ villa.”

“As I expected, you can make wise judgments.”

The Marquis smiled satisfactorily.

“Then, let’s look forward to that day.”

After achieving his goal, the Marquis politely lowered his head and left gracefully.

Once he completely disappeared, Riett formed a sinister smile. How dare he think of bringing the enemy into his home? It was a harvest she hadn’t even expected.

‘Yes, if you want to catch a tiger, you have to go into its den.’

Riett was certain. She believed that she would find what she wanted there.