# 42
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Evelyn was a girl who was willing to do anything for her ruler. She has been tamed and taught this way since she was young.
Duke Spellman's gaze returned to the painting on the wall. His beautiful wife, Sudila. The Duke licked his lips with his tongue.
“You are giving me a great gift.”
As it always has been. It was through the wealth of Sudela, who lost her parents at an early age, that the house of Duke Spelmann was able to rise to a higher level
Sudila gave him two children.
“I…I’m fine. Just save Evelin, baby. I’ll give you everything, everything is yours.”
It was Sudela who made the deal using Evelyn as a means of barter. She handed over all her hidden wealth to the Duke in exchange for saving the life of Evelyn, who was suffering from a fever.
If Sudila had not taken Evelyn with her on her trip to the south, she would not have caught the epidemic from the coastal city.
In fact, at that time…
“Yes, it was.”
Rather, he saw it as an opportunity. Because once Sudila dies, all her power will transfer to him.
All her MLM, the banks, everything would be his.
He had planned from the beginning for her to die at the right time.
“There is hidden money that no one can ever find. It was prepared by my father...no, in fact, it was prepared by my great-grandfather a long time ago. Even the imperial family would not be able to trace it.”
Sudila carried more buried treasure.
Suddenly, an old memory that he had almost forgotten surfaced.
It was Sudella who saved Evelyn's life, and who brought her back into the arms of the Spellmans.
“I've always been grateful to you, Sudela.”
Duke Spellman smiled slyly.
Sertin ran his hand over his face. After he took a good shower and got dressed, he felt a little better.
Mortga handed him his robe, then said as he straightened his clothes
“Today’s schedule includes a meeting with the Public Affairs Department, followed by dinner, and then a private meeting with the Department Director.”
“...Cancel everything.”
Sertin spoke in a low voice.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“In the morning I will visit my mother, then after lunch I will meet my father. Finally, I will see the young Duke Augustin.”
Augustin was currently detained in the Imperial Palace on charges of paying the director of the Natural History Museum.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“How is my father these days?”
“He brought in a new group of gamblers and prostitutes, and three of those who were with him previously died.”
“…Did my father kill them himf?”
“No, they died of a drug overdose.”
Cyrtain laughed sarcastically. The person who makes all of this possible is Duke Spellman.
Women, drugs, and gamblers filled the majestic imperial palace.
There was a reason why the Emperor was submissive to Duke Spellman's words.
“Tell the butler I'm going to visit my father.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Cyrtain pouted his lips. He felt that this day would be as long as yesterday, and the burden on his shoulders became heavier.
“…Is there any news about the Empress?”
“It seems she hasn't woken up yet, as far as I know.”
Cyrtain nodded curtly.
Mortega glanced at Certin.
He wasn't interested in Rosalina, but he was worried about Evelin.
The strangest thing was that he didn't feel the same level of rejection that he had before.
This was confusing. When he first learned of Evelyn's existence, he wished she was dead.
He thought she would be a burden to Cyrtain, and he felt deep pity for Rosalina.
But as time passed, his feelings became more and more confused.
Both Sirtain and Evelin were acting unexpectedly.
Mortega asked cautiously
“Is Your Highness well?”
"I'm fine."
Certain replied indifferently.
“But... could it be Your Highness...”
Mortega hesitated for a moment. He was not a fool.
It was not difficult to find out the truth behind the events that occurred at the party.
There was no reason for Duke Spelman and Lord Augustine to deliberately kidnap Evelyn.
Evelin was relatively cooperative with her family, so if they wanted her, she would have followed them willingly.
There was no need to set a trap like yesterday.
Veronica, who was wearing the same clothes as Evelyn.
Veronica, who left the place at the right moment.
All these details proved only one fact.
“Could it be that Her Highness… saved Princess Veronica yesterday?”
Certain turned his eyes and looked at Mortega.
Most people thought that what happened yesterday was just a coincidence.
How could a foolish and crazy person like her do such an act?
This was a no-brainer.
Breaking firm convictions in minds is not an easy matter.
"Impossible, right? It can't be like that, Your Highness."
said Mortega, shaking his head with a pale face.
“This doesn't make sense... how is that possible?”
“What makes it impossible?”
“Your Highness...”
Sertin smiled wryly.
The world's biases were strong enough to obscure the truth even if it appeared clearly.
Just like it's happening now.
Mortega knew his suspicions were reasonable, but he refused to believe them.
“In this world, sometimes irrational things happen.”
“I really don't understand...”
“You don’t have to understand. Evelin doesn’t have to convince anyone. No matter what you think, or what doubts you have, stay silent.”
Mortega held back his questions and nodded. He didn't want to overwork Sertain, who already looked overwhelmed with fatigue.
The day, without a doubt, will be long.
“I will inform the Imperial Palace in advance.”
Cyrtain nodded in agreement.
He looked tired as he fastened the cufflinks of his shirt.
Mortega pressed his lips tightly.
Veronica stared at Sirtain with a tired face.
“How is my mother?”
“She's fine. But where were you all day yesterday? What about Evelyn? I heard she's back, but what exactly happened?”
Veronica asked in a tired voice, not stopping to inquire.
“Do you know how much my mother searched for you?”
“So?”
"What?"
Sertin sighed deeply.
How could she know what happened yesterday? He succeeded in hiding the matter from everyone.
But even so, he couldn't help the feeling of resentment creeping up on him.
Veronica knew nothing about what Evelyn had sacrificed to save her.
She didn't know anything at all.
“…Where was Evelyn? I heard from some that she got lost.”
This was arranged by Mortega.
He covered up Evelyn's tracks and obliterated any accomplishment she had.
He had to do it, with the Spellmans' threats, acting discreetly was the best option.
And Augustin's presence until the end made it difficult for Veronica to fully comprehend the situation.
However, just asking her that question was exhausting and unfair.
"She was too far away, and she lost her way. But she's fine now."
“Ah, we should have been more careful. Maybe we should have hired more guards. So, have you been looking for Evelin all day?”
Cyrtain nodded curtly.
Veronica had no doubts about Evelyn.
Or perhaps she simply chose to ignore any doubts.
"But why did you delay so long? What will happen to Lord Augustine? My mother panicked and…"
“Enough, Veronica.”
"my brother…?"
“I know everything, so there is no need to continue.”
Sertin stared at her with a cold look.
Veronica shuddered and her mind stopped for a moment.
Cyrtain's gaze held slight contempt.
Why...?
“Sirten, brother, wait a minute, what’s going on? Did something happen? I heard that Evelin’s mansion was evacuated yesterday...”
“I know that you and my mother are weak and need protection. So you don’t have to continue showing your helplessness and ignorance like this.”
She never tried to find out anything. She never tried to act herf.
This is more stressful than ever.
Especially today.
He wanted to see Evelyn.