TTMLPTWW ~ Chapter 109

‘Damn it… Not only did I let that wretched war orphan get leverage over me, but I was also giving embezzled money to a man in the organization?’

The Duke clutched his head.

They say choosing the wrong spouse can bring down a family, and that’s exactly what was happening.

No matter how he thought about it, divorce was the only solution.

But he was bothered by Helene’s claim that Diem was the real royal treasure.

They had managed to drive out the Diem residents who opposed development, and had begun full-scale exploration.

‘I can’t divorce before striking gold.’

Unlike oil which required deep drilling, finding a gold mine didn’t take very long.

Helene’s culpability was already sufficient, so he could just take it as divorce alimony.

And as for the royal bloodline needed by the ducal house…

The Duke’s mind flashed to Cynthia’s bright face.

‘She’s as good as royal blood.’

Even if it was fake, it would be fine as long as no one found out.

Having finished his calculations, the Duke smiled coldly.

He felt a thrill imagining the expression Masera would make when Cynthia was taken from him.

Whether he waited leisurely for results and seized Diem, or returned it to the Count’s family while billing them for expenses incurred, he wouldn’t lose out either way.

He immediately went to Helene to begin negotiations.

“I’ll pay off your gambling debts.”

Originally he had planned to make Helene responsible for the gambling debts, but with Masera holding a gun to his head, he needed to resolve this quickly.

Moreover, given the organization’s tenacious nature, if Helene couldn’t pay, they would come after the Duke’s family as blood relatives.

“In exchange, you’ll have to go to the Intelligence Bureau for questioning. It will probably end with just a fine.”

At this, Helene glared at him with furious eyes.

“Why should I be investigated…”

“Are you saying this without knowing where your power comes from?”

Seeing the Duke’s contemptuous gaze, Helene shut her mouth.

“If you don’t like that, I’ll have no choice but to find other crimes, throw you in prison, and divorce you. As you can see from the current situation, it’s useless to try blackmailing with those photos.”

He spoke firmly and placed the organization’s business card on the table.

“What is this?”

“It was found at the maid’s house. If I want, I can use it as evidence that you killed the maid at any time.”

Realizing that explanations were futile, Helene’s heart grew increasingly anxious.

‘I need to find the gold mine and replace the embezzled money before everything is discovered.’

Masera, having finished preparing for work, stood in front of me staring intently.

“I’m leaving for work.”

“Have a good day!”

But he stood still without moving, giving me a look that seemed to be asking for something.

What does he really want me to do?

After staring silently for a while, he finally spoke.

“Before sailing, my father would with my mother…”

“Ah, I get it!”

It seemed he had figured out that I was vulnerable to attacks of nostalgia.

Pretending to give in, I hugged him, but due to our size difference, it ended up more like I was being embraced.

However, after holding me tightly, he suddenly jerked back as if startled and quickly turned around.

“Let’s not do this anymore from now on.”

“You mean we should stop the nostalgic ritual that must always be done before work?”

“No, the contact area is too large…”

“The largest contact area is your chest though.”

He sighed while turned away, slapped his own cheeks a couple times, then quickly left the room.

What’s wrong with him? Is he malfunctioning?

I scratched my head with a puzzled expression.

“…More importantly, why do I keep doing what that man says?”

In the end, I went through with “sleeping in the same bed” last night too. And when I woke up, that man was using my arm as a pillow.

I used to wait for the day the tsundere would become a doormat, but now I’ve become his personal pillow.

It was my own failing for being unable to resist the polite + straightforward + affectionate man that was my ultimate preference. At this rate, I might transform into an obsessive female lead…

After finishing preparations, I went to the study and clicked my tongue while reading today’s newspaper.

“Fallen Royal’s Comeback to Become a Bubble…

Helene Rukanosa, Duchess, who has recently been pushing for gold mine development, to be investigated by the Intelligence Bureau.”

‘Looks like she agreed to take the blame in exchange for paying off her debts.’

Given that the focus was solely on Helene, it seemed they were cutting off the tail.

[“The Duke was asking to arrange a separate meeting with the Intelligence Bureau chief. He didn’t say why though.”]

I had casually mentioned to Masera what I’d heard at the family gathering before, but he was quiet so I thought he was just going to let it go.

“Do you hate your sister?”

Seeing how he asked me that before the article came out, it seems he may have hesitated because she’s my family.

“Yawn.”

I stretched and put down the newspaper.

Just then, my excellent assistant Dahlia came in and began her report.

“First, the engagement ceremony for your brother Prince Carlos is tomorrow…”

“Next.”

I’m not interested at all.

“A large number of Diem residents have requested relocation.”

I heard they were having headaches over the Diem residents’ relocation issue, but I wonder what kind of offer the Duke’s family made for them all to agree to leave.

“How much compensation did they receive? I want to set the settlement support funds to match.”

“Well… it’s suspiciously low. Only about two months’ wages for a commoner laborer.”

“Huh? They agreed to such a ridiculous amount? All of them?”

That’s practically being driven out for pocket change, isn’t it?

Dahlia also had a puzzled expression.

“I asked why, but they all just evaded the question.”

“That’s really strange.”

They’ve not only lost their homes, but also their jobs for those living day-to-day.

It will take some more time to prepare the living environment, but it seemed priority should be given to providing jobs and relocating them with their families. We’ve already built the temporary village for the workers anyway.

After making relocation plans with Dahlia, it was already lunchtime.

We decided to have a simple lunch together in the study, so a maid brought in a mountain of sandwiches.

Dahlia, my eating companion, looked worriedly at me as I devoured the sandwiches.

“Your eating speed has slowed down. Usually you would have eaten three in two minutes.”

“Ah, I’ve been a bit tired lately.”

With a handsome man sleeping next to me and having a lot on my mind, I haven’t been able to get proper sleep.

“I suppose that’s natural for newlyweds. The Brigadier General may have good stamina, but for the Princess’s health, perhaps a little…”

She was indirectly warning me that ‘you’ll wear yourself out at this rate.’

It seems I’ve caused quite a misunderstanding?

Though I’ve been unavoidably sharing a room with Masera lately, it’s not like that at all.

But we’re actually just a couple who’ve only shared performative kisses, so it’s awkward to firmly deny that nothing’s going on between us.

“That’s right, he torments me all night long.”

I answered mischievously while rubbing my arm that was sore from being his pillow all night. Dahlia let out a warm chuckle as she took away the empty plates.

“Oh my, I’m so tired.”

Feeling fatigued, I slumped over the desk. I closed my eyes listening to the sound of the biting winter wind hitting the window.

Whooosh-

In a dark forest amidst a snowstorm, a woman’s ragged breathing tickled my forehead.

“Huff, hah.”

I could see frozen golden hair swaying. The woman was trudging through knee-deep snow.

There was a sense of urgency and desperation, as if being chased by hunters.

“Remember, everything is in here.”

My vision was very blurry so I couldn’t tell what it was. I could only make out something like a red light flickering.

Only after blinking hard several times could I see it was the red diamond necklace that Count Queensguard had given.

‘Everything?’

Soon, a small cabin appeared.

The woman’s blue-tinged hand knocked hard on the wooden door.

Through the opening door, a young boy and a woman who seemed to be his mother could be seen.

“I will surely repay this kindness. If you keep this as proof, my child will come find you someday and fulfill the ‘promise’.”

Beyond the hand holding out the necklace, I met eyes with a boy who had platinum blonde hair and mysterious eyes.

Though his expression was indifferent, there was a hint of pity in his gaze.

Soon the scene rapidly changed like a film reel, returning to the harsh forest.

“You gave the necklace to someone who doesn’t know about it? A useless act. We’ll find it anyway, you’ve only caused an uninvolved person to lose their life.”

Along with a chilling voice, a man wearing a black mask appeared.

Golden hair and eyes were visible between the hood fluttering in the strong wind.

“Since I have a child too, I simply cannot bring myself to kill a child. I’ll give you time to say farewell to your daughter who will live a life of tragedy.”

The golden eyes narrowed sharply behind the mask, curving like crescent moons.

On the back of the man’s hand pointing the gun, the head of a snake tattoo was visible.

Where had I seen that before?

Suddenly, a sharp gunshot rang out.

Bang-!

Hup, the sound of the woman’s pained exhale reverberated through my whole body.

Silence fell for a moment. Though her trembling increased and her steps slowed, she continued to press forward.

Eventually she arrived in front of a mansion and collapsed.

“Mommy’s okay… because I saved you.”

Her voice was like a candle about to be extinguished at any moment, bringing tears to my eyes.

“…retrieve it. You must never let those masked men have it.”

I could barely hear her fading voice.