Chapter 70
I hoped that once we examined the documents properly, it would all turn out to be speculation on our part.
Why would Count Ronsbleur bear such a grudge against young Eloise that he’d do something like this?
“Remember the maid Ellie kicked out recently? She tried to slip Seneca into Ellie’s tea but got caught. Sophie told me she was hired twelve years ago. The butler hired her because she had Count Ronsbleur’s recommendation letter.”
“No way…”
“It’s clear Count Ronsbleur ordered it, but we have no proof. Even the old incident is nothing but circumstantial evidence.”
“Then we should drag that maid here at once.”
When the Duke spoke in his low voice, Raul answered—his voice slightly trembling.
“She’s… already dead. I heard about the Seneca incident from Lizette first and immediately investigated, but by the time I found her, she had already died in a fire. I’m sorry I couldn’t report it sooner.”
As expected. The most important witness gone—now not only this case, but the one from twelve years ago would leave no trace behind.
A heavy silence settled over the study.
The bitter smell of alcohol made the quiet atmosphere even more unpleasant.
“I ruined my own daughter with my own hands. I left everything to the butler and never once looked properly into the affairs of the ducal house.”
Nobody could bring themselves to say, That’s not true.
Someone needed to break this suffocating air.
We were here not to drown in regret over the past, but to prepare for the future.
“Then make up for everything you didn’t do—ten times over. That’s enough.”
“Yes.”
“No amount of regret will change the past. At least change the future.”
The Duke nodded and set down the bottle he’d been holding.
I tapped Étienne’s thigh.
“So? When is Marcel going to make his move?”
“The day after tomorrow, at the noble council. The Crown Prince is planning to bring up the ‘Imperial Consort System’ proposal. Before that, he’ll negotiate with His Majesty. He says he doesn’t want to touch Montclair—Eloise’s beloved hometown.”
At that answer, the Duke’s blue eyes sank, lost in deep thought.
The Duchess lifted her teacup with a pale hand and took a sip of cold tea.
“Sérge… you will request an audience with His Majesty tomorrow. Work alongside Marcel there. That will be the second form of atonement we can offer Eloise.”
“Very well. And the first?”
“Your Grace, you must apologize to Ellie first.”
I answered in place of the Duchess. The first step had to be that.
The Duchess silently nodded, as if agreeing completely.
“Then, I’ll take my leave. I need to deliver your intentions to Marcel.”
“Go on, Étienne. Thank you for your work despite the late hour.”
“It’s fine. If I hadn’t come today, this one would have scolded me.”
Étienne pressed down on my head once and rose from his seat.
“What did I do?!”
“Think about it yourself. Your Grace, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
After bowing, Étienne left through the study window.
The sweet scent of flowers drifting in through the cracked window washed over the bitter smell of alcohol.
It was time to close this midnight meeting—
The Meeting to Plan Eloise’s Broken Engagement.
“Your Grace, Lady Catherine, I’ll head up now too.”
“I’ll walk you. I’ll see you to your room.”
When I hopped off the sofa, Raul stood up as well.
Seriously—how far was it from the study to Eloise’s bedroom?
“Go safely, both of you.”
“Lizette, when we go to the palace tomorrow, you’ll accompany us. You started this—you’ll see it through.”
“Yes!”
I had already been curious about what the Emperor, Marcel, and the Duke would discuss. This was even better.
Raul bowed lightly to his parents and opened the door.
I stepped into the hallway, and he followed.
“You’re really going to escort me?”
“I said I wouldn’t lie.”
I started walking toward Eloise’s room, and Raul suddenly picked me up.
Better than last time—but still not very stable.
“I can walk on my own, you know.”
“You used to always ride around in my sister’s arms.”
“Well, not anymore.”
Ever since Payson warned that I was gaining weight, Eloise had been carrying me less often.
Raul adjusted his hold on me and climbed the stairs.
“By the way, little duke.”
“Raul.”
“Fine, Raul. About the maid—you were told to wait until the adults handled it.”
“Aren’t you treating me too much like a kid? Like you said, I’m the Montclair heir. I had to investigate quickly. Even if it was too late.”
His confident voice trailed off at the end.
I thumped his arm with my paw, offering my best attempt at comfort.
“You care about Ellie. That’s worth praising.”
“…Thanks.”
“Huh?”
Was he thanking me for the praise?
I looked up at him, but he stayed silent until we reached Eloise’s door.
“Good luck tomorrow. And don’t tarnish the Montclair name in front of the Emperor.”
“Go to bed. Sleep early if you want to grow taller.”
“I am the tallest among my friends.”
“Pretty sure Étienne is taller.”
At that, Raul’s face twisted.
Clearly not fond of Étienne.
“Why is it always Étienne this, Étienne that? You and my sister—always Étienne!”
“What?”
“Whenever she comes back from the palace, she talks about Ét— mmph.”
He clamped his mouth shut in panic.
So that’s why those two didn’t get along.
When Eloise and Marcel were little, she must have complimented Étienne a lot in front of Raul.
He probably got jealous and snapped at him.
“Seriously, you’re like a child.”
“Are you done talking?!”
“And that’s why I treat you like a kid, little duke.”
Before he could argue back, I scratched Eloise’s door.
“Yes, just a moment~.”
Sophie’s voice came from inside, and Raul stomped away toward his room.
He always acted dignified and polite in front of others, but with me? He dropped the act completely.
Tsk.
The door opened.
“Did everything go well with His Grace?”
“Yup! Sophie, you stayed late.”
“Her Ladyship seemed not to be asleep yet, so I brought her some herbal tea.”
“Aha. Good night, Sophie.”
“You too, Miss Lizette.”
With a gentle smile, she closed the door behind me.
Eloise was sitting against the headboard, reading.
I climbed onto the bed as if it were my rightful place.
She closed her book and stroked my head.
“Sleep?”
“Mhm! Good night, Ellie.”
“Good night, Lizette.”
I curled up against her side, breathing softly.
Soon, her breathing grew steady too.
She really hadn’t gone to sleep, waiting for me to return.
“Ellie, asleep? You’re asleep, right?”
After waving my paw in front of her face a couple of times, I began.
I channeled healing magic into my paw and gently massaged her.
Mana that had been clogged began to untangle rapidly.
At this rate…
Maybe her mana pathway could be repaired before the engagement is officially broken.
And I’ll keep it a secret until then. Hehe.
I smirked inwardly.
Just imagine—the Crown Prince, hearing about Eloise’s awakening after the breakup.
Perfect karmic justice.
You should’ve treated your fiancée better, idiot. Serves you right.
Soft rustling woke me the next morning.
I tossed and turned, eventually opening my eyes.
I must’ve massaged her too long—my eyelids felt so heavy.
With a sleepy yawn, I rubbed my eyes with my paws.
“Nyaaa…”
Eloise was already up, dressed with Sophie’s help.
She wore a dress in deep teal—darker than her eye color.
Elegant. Untouchable. Perfect.
“Ellie, where are you going today?”
“The All-Artists Exhibition. Marchioness Winston is sponsoring it, so we must attend.”
“Who was Marchioness Winston again?”
“The noblewoman who gifted you the sculpture. Lizette, you should start memorizing the noble ladies. It will be troublesome if you learn after your name is added to the registry.”
My tail drooped.
Life was not easy for a Montclair cat.
Knock, knock.
“My lady. It’s Hans. His Grace has arrived.”
Eloise tilted her head and gestured to Sophie.
Sophie opened the door, and Eloise rose to greet her father.
“Good morning, Father. Did you rest well?”
“…Were you unwell last night?”
The sudden question startled her, and she failed to respond immediately.
“N-no, I felt as usual.”
“I see. May I borrow a little of your time? It won’t take long.”
