# 44
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The next morning, as Edwin left for work, Karl arrived at the palace.
Dana greeted him and led him to the guest room.
Then she brought cold tea.
“Early summer vibes. I was afraid the heat would exhaust you, so I brought cold mint tea.”
“Grateful, I will enjoy it.”
Karl's features seemed more relaxed than yesterday.
Why does she think she is more reassured because Edwin is not there?
She shook her head to dismiss the thought.
The relationship between him and Edwin was so close that the latter called him 'uncle'. She has no desire to create unnecessary illusions.
Karl took a sip and whispered.
“A fragrant drink.”
The praise was accompanied by a slight smile.
When Edwin is here, he only speaks formal words to him...
Dana hid her surprise and gave a polite smile.
As soon as he calmed down a little, he opened the papers he had brought.
“I visited Hartwyn’s house yesterday.”
“So fast?”
“Every job must be done quickly and accurately.”
His sharp tone reflected his refined nature. Even his carefully arranged attire revealed his character.
“I set the trial date for the nearest day, as you wished.”
“Thank you. It seems there is a date already soon.”
He didn't answer.
The court kept fixed empty appointments reserved for high-ranking nobles and the imperial family.
And Dana, as a princess, was getting deserved treatment... when she didn't even realize it.
She completed her speech.
“The Viscount’s family will not be able to pay such compensation. I want an appropriate punishment.”
“They will not be in prison for long. Some of it will be replaced by public service.”
“As long as they are in prison, they will not be able to pay the interest on the loans. The minors will be confiscated in a short time.”
It was all the result of their greed.
The debts registered in Dana's name accumulated until they fell upon them like a snowball.
Karl referred to recent investigations into the Hartwin family property.
“Jewelry, dresses... simple things, but they will form part of Miss Dana's compensation. I know they will be no consolation, but...”
“No, don’t give me any consolation at all.”
Karl's eyes widened.
Her tone was cold, unlike her calm voice.
“I will l it all and donate it.”
"donation?"
“I don’t need compensation from unrepentant people. I would rather it go to children who are being exploited in many places.”
“I understand.”
He looked at her for a long time.
She didn't want to make amends for the past.
What she wanted was to erase the traces of those who had hurt her... and erase the miserable image from her past.
“When this is over, I want to live happily.”
A coherent smile appeared on her face.
“I want to move forward with the people I love. Without pity or mercy towards me.”
“…Understood.”
He took his cup as if he were deliberately hiding his sight from her.
Will her future be peaceful? And if she discovered Edwin's secret... would she be able to bear it?
She stared at him as she continued.
“My brother Jimmy will soon appear at the gambling hall.”
“Under these circumstances?”
“He will make money as an excuse. He is a serious gambling addict.”
How unfortunate. Karl swallowed his statement hard.
“And when he loses everything he owns, he starts going into debt. Then he can’t pay back, and he gets kicked out of everywhere.”
“And he will miss his shelter.”
“Yes. He will have nothing left but prison to hide in.”
Karl thought: What a smart young woman, calculating the steps of others before her friends take hers.
How did her family exploit her for so many years when she was so clever?
Carl didn't usually ask himf questions about his clients... but Dana's situation was puzzling.
She raised her cup and cleared her throat.
“There's something I want to know about the trial.”
"Help yourf."
“Did I really get kidnapped? I want to know the exact circumstances.”
“And do you want to find your real parents?”
There was a short silence.
Then her words slipped out quietly.
“If they had not abandoned me voluntarily.”
He was confused.
Does he console her? Or does he seek accuracy?
“Something must have happened... something unexpected.”
Her mouth lit up with a gentle smile.
“I appreciate your words, Mr. Karl.”
“Are you going to ask the Viscount’s family about that day?”
“Yes. I want to know what happened when they first found me. And where the necklace I was wearing disappeared.”
“Will they confess easily?”
Dana laughed weakly.
“They are too weak to handle any pressure. With a hint...they will reveal everything.”
She tightened her grip on her memories.
I always spoiled them...
Dana made a cool joke.
She was the one who knew best the simplicity of the nature of the members of the Viscount family.
“I hope things go as you wish.”
At Karl's sincere words, Dana nodded. It seemed as if Edwin had connected her with a good bond.
***
Today was a luncheon for members of the immediate imperial lineage.
Although it is officially known as a meeting in which the emperor and his wife invite their three children to consult on state affairs, the truth is that it is just an excuse for the emperor to meet with his family at one table.
However, Third Prince Edwin never attended this meeting.
The reason was simple: he found it annoying.
The Emperor asked his eldest son, sitting on the other side of the table, in a friendly tone.
“My eldest son, Johannes, is everything still fine these days?”
Johannes answered with his usual pure smile and familiar kindness.
“What about our second son, Harry?”
Harry's answer was along the same lines.
The gentle and gentle disposition of the First and Second Princes was very similar to that of the Emperor.
“As for our youngest son, he won’t come today either.”
A deliberate look of sorrow appeared on the Emperor's face.
“Actually… besides Edwin, I would like to see my daughter-in-law more.”
“I'm also curious.”
“I'm the most curious.”
The two princes' eyes sparkled.
For them, Edwin was the subject of constant surveillance... surveillance carried out from behind the scenes.
Since his birth, the little boy has been sitting on the top of their heads.
Not just because of his superhuman strength, brilliant intelligence, or superior physical abilities.
Rather, because, despite his bright smiles and calm speech, he had an aura that prevented him from being approached easily.
If he liked something... or something bothered him... he would handle the matter in a way that no one would expect.
***
One day, a foreign delegation presented toys to the princes.
As a country famous for its purebred horses, they presented them with a white horse doll.
The two great princes immediately quarreled over it, and fought over possession of it... in the hall preparing for the banquet.
"Your real white horse is in the stable, brother! Leave her to me!"
"The real thing doesn't look like a doll! I want this little soft one!"
The argument was long. The servants did not dare to interfere, so they remained standing in confusion.
“The delegation will enter soon... Please take a seat...”
One of the servants pleaded with them, to no avail.
Then Edwin stood up.
He was sitting quietly reading while their quarrel raged.
He grabbed the bottle of juice that was sitting on the long table.
Inside the clear bottle, red juice rippled.
Without any hesitation... he poured it over the doll.
There was complete silence.
The two princes and servants all stared at his strange action.
The rag doll soaked up the juice until it was completely wet. Edwin smiled brightly.
“Now there is no more white horse. There is no need to quarrel.”
The doll was hanging from the two princes' hands and had turned red.
Johannes was stunned, while Harry almost screamed in tears at Edwin...
But at that moment the emperor and his wife entered with the delegation.
Edwin smiled tolerantly and said.
“It's okay, my brothers. Everyone makes mistakes.”
The two princes stared at each other in confusion. The delegation burst out laughing.
“Looks like the two princes spilled the juice! They're still young...it's okay!”
Then they heaped praise on Edwin, who stood firm.
They said that the youngest prince was wonderful because he consoled his two brothers who made a mistake and accidentally spilled the juice.
The two princes could only accept what happened silently.