# 64
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“I know your decision to come here was not easy.”
“Just your coming is a great gift to me, so I thought I would give the lady a gift as well.”
Hazel blinked slowly.
There was no doubt that he was a man who easily attracted the attention of women.
When Cirtain married Evelyn, there were many girls who secretly sighed with sorrow without the Duke of Spelman knowing.
But Hazel realized that there were no real feelings behind that attractive aura.
Sertin was like an empty box, looking complete on the outside but completely empty on the inside.
But now, it's different.
It wasn't completely full, but it was definitely not as empty as it used to be.
He had a kind of light warmth, like a machine starting to turn into a human.
But, to Hazel, this had no significance. She only came here for work, nothing more.
“…I wonder what kind of gift you mean.”
Sertin placed his hand on a black envelope that was on the table, then pushed it towards her.
Hazel stared at him in confusion.
“Open it, I hope it will be satisfactory to you.”
“…Thank you, Your Highness.”
Hazel thanked him quietly and then opened the envelope.
"… this."
She said sharply without realizing it.
“This is ridiculous!”
Hazel's voice trembled, and her dry eyes filled with tears.
It didn't take long for the tears to flow. Hazel bit her lip.
"No, this can't be true! This...why?!"
“My little girl, what’s wrong with you?”
Marquis Raymond asked her anxiously, while Cyrtain smiled smoothly, as if he was watching her reaction neutrally.
It's as if the decision is in her hands now.
Hazel screamed in a choked voice
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, tell me! Is this real?!”
“I see no reason why it wouldn't be real.”
“Is it reasonable for nobles to kill each other?! Why has no one known about this yet?!”
The papers contained the truth behind Damon's death.
He did not die of illness as was said.
Plague?
These things can be easily manipulated.
Sertin spoke in a calm tone
"Duke Spelman always gets what he wants, no matter the means. Perhaps he wanted to control Raymond, so he targeted the lady."
Sertin continued calmly
“All the evidence I have is just circumstantial. The Duke is very cautious.”
Sertin looked at both Marquis Raymond and Hazel, who were pale in shock.
Did he never complain about it?
Everything was fitting in a very suspicious way—Damon's illness, the family's collapse, and finally the appearance of a new fiancé, Augustin.
Cyrtain sighed softly.
“…His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Marquis Raymond spoke in a halting voice
“Damon was like my son. I had seen him since he was young, and I considered him an ideal partner for Hazel.”
“If this is true, I will never be able to forgive Duke Spellman.”
Even if this was just a mastermind plan by Sirin to trap the Duke, it didn't matter.
The papers he presented to Hazel at this time were not a coincidence.
Hazel was crying silently, her pale face drowning in tears.
“Tell me how I can destroy Duke Spellman. I will help you, Your Highness. I will do anything for Daimon, for his honor that was mercilessly destroyed.”
Marquis Raymond announced coldly, while Hazel lowered her head, unable to contain her emotions.
Damon left in a very cruel way.
Alone, without anyone knowing about his suffering.
Hazel felt as if her air had been cut out.
She trusted Duke Spellman, believing that she was choosing the right path…
But it was all just a trick, even for Damon.
“This is too much”
Duke Spelman was terrible.
“Me too, me too… I will do anything. My soul and Daimon’s will be yours, Your Highness, until Duke Spellman meets a miserable fate.”
Cyrtain sighed again, it was not entirely pleasant for him.
Everyone here had lost something because of him, including himf.
“Marquis Raymond, there is a task I need you to perform. Something necessary to cut off Duke Spellman’s arms.”
“Please tell me, I will do anything.”
Cyrtain nodded heavily.
***
This was the last concert I would participate in before I left with Sirtin.
She agreed to attend at Julia's insistence, and the party was held at the Raymond family mansion.
It was the wedding of the family's eldest daughter.
“His Highness the Crown Prince has allied himf with the Raymond family. His presence in person might be too much, so it is best that you come instead.”
This was an appropriate event to show their alliance with the Raymond family.
In addition, neither Duke Spelmann nor Augustin were present today.
Augustine had already been exiled to the West.
Originally, Augustin was supposed to marry the youngest daughter of the Raymond family. But because of my interference, his plan was ruined and he ended up being exiled.
The museum director is still unconscious, no one knows what happened, and Veronica remains isolated in her mansion.
On the wedding day, I attended only Julia.
Amidst a tense atmosphere, the ceremony was proceeding in a formal and silent atmosphere, as if everyone was walking on thin ice.
“Thank you for coming, Your Highness.”
Marquis Raymond received me
“Good to see you! I heard from Julia that you are a friend of my husband? Congratulations!”
It's been a long time since I spoke like this as a child. I've been pretty comfortable in an enclosed space so far.
Without facing anyone.
She smiled brightly and presented the gift she had brought. It was a gift prepared on Julia's recommendation.
It wasn't anything special, but it was enough to show the strong relationship between Raymond and the Crown Prince.
“Yes, I am actually a friend of His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Marquis Raymond smiled sadly. Even though it was his daughter's wedding, he looked emaciated and depressed.
The same applies to Raymond's second daughter.
“I believe I will be able to see you often at the Imperial Palace in the future, Your Highness. Please take care of me as well.”
“Great! The more friends the better! Let's have fun from now on!”
I nodded loudly.
The sad look looking at me, the sunken eyes, and the pathetically thin body. That was my first meeting with Hazel Raymond.
***
After a week
Sertin and I began my journey to the Kingdom of Joris, while Marquis Raymond was implementing his plan in the capital.
In the past, Raymond had purchased securities from nobles who supported Sertine, by order of the Duke of Spelman
It was part of a plan to weaken the Crown Prince.
It succeeded to some extent in undermining his influence.
But now, things have turned upside down. The same weapon was pointed at the Spielman family.
I was wondering how things would change during our two-month absence.
A few people, including Julia and Mortega, came out to say goodbye to Sertin and me.
The goal was not to highlight Sertin's absence. Julia gave me her maids, like her limbs.
Julia's three maids will help me for two months. I exchanged greetings with Julia through our eyes. Many words have already been exchanged.
Before leaving, Julia took on the responsibility of tracking down my lost fortune and uncovering the truth behind my mother's death.
As for Sertin, he turned to Mortega and said to him coldly
“Take care of the Empire while I'm gone, Mortega.”
“I will work hard day and night, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Sertin's gaze at Mortega was emotionless.
I was wondering what our trip would be like, and what would change when we returned.
Now the ship of fate that carries us has sailed.
The butterfly effect was caused by the little balls that I shot.