# 46
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“Miss, Lucia Elmore is here, what do we do?”
Hirose asked me with a slightly cold expression.
His face seemed to say that he would fire her on the spot if she refused, but I accepted indifferently.
“Insert it.”
“Yes, miss.”
After a moment, the office door opened and a blonde woman entered, placing her hands on her waist with a decisive step.
Her beautiful face and bright dress confirmed her identity – Lucia Ellimore, my cousin Vadelmon.
After everything that happened at the party, have you really forgotten? And now she was standing in front of me again.
Lucia began to stare at me with sharp eyes, and she immediately began her protest.
"Catherine! Drop the charge now! All the family's property has been confiscated, and my father has been ordered to come in for questioning! You ungrateful bastard!"
“ungrateful?”
“Yes, after the death of the Duke and Duchess, how much did my father help you?”
I curled my lips slightly and looked at her.
“You think he was doing all this out of kindness, while trying to steal his niece's inheritance?”
When I said that, Lucia's eyebrows twitched.
“And also...”
She stood up and turned to Lucia.
The echo of my footsteps accompanies me as I approach.
I stopped right in front of her and spoke with a fierce look in my eyes.
“In the end, after failing to steal the inheritance, he even tried to kill his niece for it.”
Lucia trembled, but she furrowed her eyebrows and responded angrily.
“It was just to punish you, my father must have been frustrated seeing you squandering Uncle Fadelmon’s hard-earned wealth on trivial things like charity.”
Although she couldn't deny the charges completely because of the witnesses, Lucia seemed to be making it her own way.
“But then, to frame up a charge of treason against my father by using the private car as evidence? Really...”
“I'm smart, aren't I?”
"What?"
“I am smart, cunning, and professional.”
Lucia's eyes rolled in disbelief at my compliment.
“Once I get rid of your uncle, he will never be able to reach me again, and I will be free from this annoying problem. Why should I turn down this opportunity?”
“Even if you're lying like that...”
“My uncle was a liar even when he gave my father his will. Even if everything you say is part of a conspiracy, do you think I will feel guilty?”
Oh, poor Catherine.
Your father left a will asking me to administer his inheritance if anything happened to him.
Lucia's lips trembled.
When my father, Luciano Elmore, was alive, even when my mother's cold and evil gaze hovered over me, Lucia did not even dare to stare at me.
How much joy did she feel while relying on Vadelmon's dreams?
The sweet dream of becoming the princess of Elmore instead of me.
“Count Vadelmon will fall into the mud.”
“You...you little one...”
“Wake up, Lucia Elmore.”
I reached out and grabbed Lucia by the collar of her dress.
I saw her wrinkles deepen.
“Did you think I would tremble when you came to threaten me? If you came to beg, you should start by kneeling first.”
“How dare you...!”
“No matter how much you beg, your house and clothes will end up at auction, and nothing will change in your future.”
Lucia gasped for breath, her face pale.
I saw her closed fist trembling.
“If you continue like this, I won't go easy on you...”
“...Oh, are you getting annoying now?”
When I said that, Lucia's eyebrows twitched again.
I leaned closer, staring into her eyes as I spoke.
“If I pardon you...”
I slowly watched as fear spread across her face.
Finally, she seemed to realize something.
She has no control over this situation.
“Your property has been confiscated, do you think anyone will protect you now? On the other hand, with the interest of my overflowing credit, I can easily hire some assassins to strangle you.”
Lucia took a step back, then another.
I brushed my hair behind my ears carelessly and continued.
“Yes, maybe it's better to deal with this now, even if I pardon you...”
“I...I'm sorry, sorry!!”
Lucia immediately knelt down, her eyes trembling.
She put her hands together and ed me.
“I...I made a mistake, I will live as if I were dead, just please, let me live.”
She smiled evilly at her, like a villain's smile.
* * *
“You handled it brilliantly, miss.”
After Lucia left, she handed her handwritten statement to Hirose, who spoke admiringly.
The handwriting of Lucia, who had confessed that her father was a traitor, was trembling with fear.
“Stupid prey comes to herf and confesses, there is no reason not to accept it.”
I only brought her to threaten her, not to help her.
“What are we going to do with Miss Lucia?”
A murderous look flashed in Hirose's eyes.
“Write another charge. Let her stay in prison for a while to be my uncle’s company.”
“And the content of the charge?”
“Participation in the crime. This statement shows that she knew her uncle was committing illegal acts and did nothing about it. It is passive participation.”
“Yes, miss.”
“Also, make a copy of this statement and send it to Prince Ethios, it will help him in the investigation.”
“I will carry out your orders.”
After handing the statement to Hirose, I extended my arm.
The revolution... That moment was slowly approaching.
'Now that I think about it. …’
“Hirose, there is something I want to buy today.”
* * *
“You look beautiful, miss.”
In the crowded shoe salon downtown, I twirled in front of the mirror in a shiny silver dress.
Under the flowing edges of the dress, my blue shoes sparkled.
It was a bit uncomfortable to walk, so I hesitated for a moment.
“Do you have something a little more comfortable?”
“Design may be...”
Having always sought out only the most beautiful, the salon owner asked cautiously.
“They're all a little heavy, is that okay?”
I had a history of complaining and throwing tantrums when something didn't suit me, so it made sense for the salon owner to be careful.
“Mm, let me see what's most comfortable.”
When I said that, the salon owner hesitated for a moment before bringing over a pair of leather shoes.
It had a chic side profile, but the design definitely didn't match the elegant dress.
I didn't mind and tried it.
The shoes fit perfectly and were comfortable.
“I'll take this.”
When I said that, the salon owner leaned over with a shocked face.
"Yes, of course."
I looked at my new shoes with a satisfied expression and thought to myf.
'These are perfect for a midnight escape.'
But then, I felt a strange look on me.
I looked back, saw Hirose's face, and flinched as my eyes widened.
Hirose's eyes were cold and shiny.
His gaze alternated between the comfortable shoes you had bought and the bag he was carrying, which contained the clothes you had purchased earlier – a plain outfit of his shirt pants.
His eyes, full of doubt at my unusual choice, met mine as I quietly ignored him.
“Let's get ready to go back.”
Hirose took my new shoes from the salon owner.
“Yes, miss.”
“Oh, and...”
I gave Hirose another order.
“Check the shoe sizes of the maids and butlers, and have them order from this store again. I just realized they might need new shoes. Oh, and the soldiers too.”
“Soldiers' combat boots set for a makeover this month.”
Hirose's direct comment hit the mark, but I ignored him and coldly gave him my orders.
“I don't like the design, I can't allow combat boots like this, devoid of any sense of aesthetics, to be worn by members of the House of Elmore.”
“I see, as for the stock...”
“I'll deal with it myf.”
The idea of combat boots with an “aesthetic sense” was laughable, but Hirose, somewhat understanding my intention, nodded.
'Everything has a use.'