Chapter 79


    "okay The Grand Duke does not stay on his estate, right?


    At that time, the emperor was still following Fernan''s whereabouts and current circumstances.


    In the meantime, what he learned was that Fernan was currently leaving the Empire and traveling to various countries.


    "Have you found out what hes doing?"


    Yes, Your Majesty. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact whereabouts, but he seems to be looking for someone.


    The emperor, who had narrowed his eyes and assessed the situation, gave the order.


    Keep chasing. What is he looking for, and where does the movement lead?


    Yes, Your Majesty!


    Doubt crept on the emperor''s face. Since he was an emperor who had to get his hands on Fernan''s current status in the past, he could predict that something serious was involved in this recent situation.


    It was said he (Fernan) had an agent taking care of the Grand Duchy, and he was going to be away for a long time.


    <i>Strange. He even killed the marquis, and now he is looking for people?</i>


    The Emperor''s question began with the death of the Marquis.


    Fernan, of course, did not like the Marquis from the beginning. But he wasn''t an extreme enough man to do the ughter on his own.


    <i>Hed rather expose the evidence that he was spying on the Marquis to the world. He felt the need to kill him, leaving behind the seeds of doubt.</i>


    Of course, like a thorough man, he handled the matter without leaving a single piece of evidence. So no one was sure he killed the Marquis.


    But at least the Emperor was convinced that Fernan was the culprit.


    <i>After all, the Marquis has lost influence for a long time, so there is nothing I can do about it </i>


    Hmmm, the emperor, who coughed in vain, gently brushed his beard. It seemed like something was going on, but it was frustrating because he couldn''t know for sure.


    But, at least, this was the first time Fernan had ever looked disheveled. It was rare for him to be stepped on so easily.


    If he understood exactly what Fernan was away for There may be some excuse to take advantage of this opportunity to overpower the Grand Duke.


    ***


    Meanwhile, the Marchioness, who had not appeared in social circles for a while, attended a party for the first time in more than two months.


    Upon finding her in a small banquet room, thedies began to whisper all kinds of words.


    It is really sad. To lose her daughter and then her husband


    "I know, right. It seems like just yesterday that she had all sorts of prestige because her family produced a Grand Duchess. Thats why I think glory is only a moment.


    The sneers and gossips of thedies, who pretended to pity the Marchioness, were clearly embedded in her.


    Suppress her boiling anger, the Marchioness headed to her table.


    There was still hope for her. It was her eldest son, Grayson.


    Grayson, who decided to inherit the title earlier than expected due to the death of the Marquis, would surely be able to raise a family soon.


    The reason why the Marchioness came to the party today was to find a mate for Grayson.


    Even if it wasn''t a woman from a huge family, if she had either wealth or fame, it would be good for now.


    While the Marchioness, who had a casual expression on her face, moved from one table to another, the topic of the peoples conversation continued to change.


    Oh,e to think of it, the Grand Duke Caesar has been hiding a woman. Is she still in the dark?


    Thedies started talking about the new topic.


    "Yes. The Grand Duke doesn''t even set foot in the capital unless it''s an official event, so everything is unknown.


    Like a party where you can enjoy other people''s stories, various words surrounding the Grand Duke were pouring out.


    By the way, didn''t Young Lady ir once say she had a special rtionship with His Highness? She also said the rtionship between the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess wasnt good.


    As someone ventured out, there was a moment of silence on the table.


    Like the hyenas that found their prey, thedies'' eyes gleamed.


    Do you want to say that the Grand Dukes hidden lover is Lady ir? But , she was engaged not long ago.


    Oh my gosh, thats why the Grand Duke is hiding more! Because his lover has another opponent!


    The Marchioness, who listened to the pouring words one by one, could not hide her difort. But thedies, already in their excitement, did not notice her displeasure. Then, someone else spoke.


    Its not Lady ir.


    The eyes of thedies suddenly focused on one ce.


    There sat a young woman who looked unfamiliar.


    Actually, I think I saw the Grand Duke not long ago. He was holding a woman..


    Oh my,. Is that a true story?


    Thedies inquired as if they were talking a child, and smirked.


    It was because they thought that youngdy just spoke whatever


    because she wanted to be involved in the conversation.


    Yes. Although he was wearing a robe, he was obviously simr to the Grand Duke.


    Didnt you just debut in the social world? But how did you immediately recognize the Grand Duke''s face? The Grand Duke does not often attend official banquets.


    In response to the words thrown at her, the youngdy stuttered and blushed.


    "That I know by looking at portraits while studying the royal genealogy..


    Oh my, is that so? Really, everyone. Rather, I bought new pottery a while ago


    They thought it was not worth listening to anymore, so the discussion of thedies quickly shifted elsewhere. As the youngdy lowered her head and disappeared to another ce, the Marchioness gaze became somewhat subtle.


    After a while when the party finished, the Marchioness approached the youngdy.


    Can you tell me the details of the story you told earlier?


    When asked suddenly, the youngdy blushed with embarrassment.


    "Yes Yes? The story earlier.oh do you mean the Grand Duke?


    As the youngdy stuttered, the Marchioness nodded as if frustrated.


    Tell me more. When and where did you see the Grand Duke?


    That was, maybe two months ago I followed my mother to the Temple of Ilion and got lost


    "Lost?"


    I happened to see the Grand Duke rushing through the corridor.


    "Do you remember the appearance of the woman he was holding?"


    uh.


    The youngdy, who raised her gaze upward as if searching her memories, shook her head.


    No, they both wore big robes I didn''t look closely at her appearance.


    Then do you know for sure that the man is the Grand Duke?


    "Yes? Yes, definitely.


    The Youngdy, who was intimidated by the interrogating voice and blurred the end of his speech, added in a quiet voice.


    "I''m sure it''s right. It''s a very memorable face. I couldn''t forget his face from the day I saw the portrait...


    Looking at the youngdy p, who blushed while talking, the Marchioness felt suspicious.


    Perhaps that youngdy was delusional and didnt know what she saw.


    But


    As she turned back and exited the party, the Marchioness thought for a while longer. For some reason, she kept feeling unsettled.


    Of course, even if what the youngdy saw was true, it had nothing to do with her family anymore.


    As she thought so and tried to get rid of her thoughts, a n suddenly appeared in her mind.


    <i>perhaps </i>


    If it was really true that the Grand Duke took someone to the temple, she had a gut feeling that she could make good use of this information.


    She knew from her husband, the dead Marquis, that the Emperor wanted to find fault in the Grand Duke in every way.


    He also wanted to get his hands on every move of the Grand Duke.


    So, on behalf of her deceased husband, if she gets this useful information to the emperor, she might be able to get her family back into the emperor''s eyes.


    Anyone out there?


    The Marchioness summoned her servants. And she gave her orders with eyes gleaming with scheming.


    Go to Temple of IIion right now.


    Of course, the temple would not be obedient to tell her the information, but if possible, she would have to buy a priest.