# 72
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There have been absolutely no troop movements from the Marquis faction's noble territories.
Eric's red eyes, as he sat by the window listening to the report, narrowed.
"I heard Ivanka Tyrien entered the Duke's castle as an inspector?"
“Yes. It seems they had been moving secretly until they entered the Duchy, at which point they revealed their identities.”
With six guards and a head maidservant serving as the Inspector General, it seems he had business traveling here and there in secret.
It seems there was a minor altercation with Crimson Isaac, but I haven't been able to confirm the details.
"How is Savankar Tyrien doing?"
“I was actually planning to tell you. A boy just passed by and delivered a note to Savankar Tyrien.”
Eric's eyes flashed with a cruel light.
Shall I secure the note?
That's how it should be.
It was right then.
dripping.
As Eric's henchmen moved into the next room in an instant, the door opened, and the lady who had been staying secretly at the workplace for the past few days peeked her head in. Her round brown eyes gleamed greedily from behind a black veil.
“I was just about to leave—”
Is something wrong?
The lady swayed gently toward Eric and stared intently at his face.
“Hehe. You should be grateful to your parents.”
I don't know what you mean.
“If it weren’t for that pretty face of yours, I wouldn’t have bothered telling you.”
“…….”
“You know who I am, right?”
Eric was just wearing an inscrutable smile.
Behind the veil, the round face with plump cheekbones, brown eyes just like his, and curly brown hair were surprisingly identical to Ivanka Tyrien, who was having an audience with the Duke as an inspector.
Ivanka's twin, Savanka Tyrien, chuckled and shook her head.
“Fine, well. It’s no use for a nobody like you to recognize me. Hmm, listen carefully. I’m going to save your life starting now. In return, never dare to stand up on your own accord during any future deal with me. Understand?”
“I will listen to it first and then decide. Wouldn’t I only know if it is worth sparing my life after hearing it?”
“You ill-mannered brat. You will die a miserable death someday.”
Savanka spun around and whispered softly.
“Leave Richmond while it’s quiet. If possible, right now.”
What does that mean?
Sabanka's round brown eyes behind the veil narrowed. Shivering as if she had goosebumps, she shook her head and spoke.
"Someone came here to set fire to it."
* * *
Jessie, looking out the window, curled up as if she were cold.
“The maids said it looks like it might snow tonight. The sun was out earlier, though faint. Have you ever seen a sky that color?”
“…….”
When Jessie turned around, Grace was looking down at the paper as if she hadn't heard her.
It seems you are still thinking.
As Andrew spoke in a low voice, Jesse nodded.
Grace slowly articulated the words written on the paper.
Inspector...
Over the course of a few days, quite a few people switched their allegiance from the Marquis's faction to the Duke and the Grand Madam. The Duke and the Grand Madam also embraced them, taking into account the severity of their offenses. This was because the Duchy, also known as a Principality, required a large workforce.
However, there were a few families that could never be forgiven, and the problem was the military force they possessed. War must not break out on the land of Richmond. Richmond had to remain intact and unscathed to fight the next battle.
However, that was merely the thinking of those for whom this was not the final destination; from Marquis Rinko's standpoint, it was a situation where he had to stake his life immediately. Naturally, one would have assumed he would mobilize his troops, but...
“Why was it quiet?”
He couldn't have been unaware that the noose was tightening around my neck, so why was Marquis Rinko so quiet? He should have been desperate to get out of this castle by any means necessary, so why?
Ultimately, the Inspectorate that has appeared in times like these must undoubtedly be a game changer devised by the Marquis faction.
“Game changer…….”
Grace slowly raised her eyes and looked around.
The space was still piled high with documents. Those who had been working had all moved alone to greet the inspector. The only people remaining were her, Jesse, and Andrew, who had stayed behind on Ares's orders.
Suddenly, like a flash of light, my master's voice came to mind.
"When hunting, you must predict its movements, but you must not be overconfident. That is because your predictions could easily blind you."
A shiver ran down her spine. Grace sprang to her feet and hurriedly grabbed the important documents.
"miss?!"
As a surprised Andrew and Jesse rushed over, Grace handed them the documents she was holding and ran to the vassals' seats. Then, she quickly began to sift through the documents the vassals were looking at, selecting only the important ones.
“What’s wrong?!”
“Andrew, where is the secret room where you just have to guard the entrance?”
“Uh… uh… ah! It’s an underground prison!”
Grace quickly gathered the necessary documents from the next person's seat as well. She wished she could take everything, but she couldn't guarantee there would be enough time.
Even though they had selected only what was necessary, it was still too heavy for Andrew and Jesse to carry. Grace tied the documents with a string and gave Andrew an order.
Take it there and guard it.
“Yes? Oh, what about the young lady? Your Excellency, the young lady,”
“There are still many documents to sort through. Jesse, take the documents to the basement and then enter Eagle Hall. It will be difficult to approach His Excellency and the Grand Madam as they are on the platform, but you should be able to reach the Grand Madam’s ladies-in-waiting. Go and tell them to keep a close watch on this place. Then return.”
As Grace began gathering her documents, Andrew followed her and spoke urgently.
I would rather have the soldiers do it.
"No."
“……?”
These are documents that would cause a major disaster if they were to go missing, even by the slightest chance.
"miss."
"miss!"
Grace stopped moving when both Andrew and Jesse called out to her in worried voices. Then, she turned calmly toward the two of them.
“If someone is planning to do something secretive while everyone’s eyes are on Eagle Hall, the target is probably these documents, not me.”
“…….”
So obey my command.
Andrew and Jesse were overwhelmed by Grace's calm gaze.
“Andrew, tell the soldiers to cover this room.”
Andrew, who had been hesitating, finally stood still.
“Understood. Don’t worry, I will make sure not a single ant comes near.”
Jessie also nodded as she put on the hood of her cape.
I'll be right back.
My heart was pounding. Grace told the soldiers directly.
"Say it from the outside, but do not open the door without my permission."
"All right."
Grace sorted through the documents with quick movements.
I had been putting important documents into an iron cabinet for quite some time, just in case, when I heard a sudden noise from the hallway. Had Jesse spoken to His Excellency and sent reinforcements? The moment I stopped what I was doing and stood up, the door burst open without warning, and a soldier's panicked voice mingled with a shrill voice.
Ah, no.
“Do you think the person inside is the Grand Madam or something?! Or is even a mere soldier like you looking down on the Marquis Rinko family now? How many times have I told you from the entrance until now! Can't you see the teacup?!”
Flora, who had forced her way through the door, had eyes full of malice.
“Miss, um…”
The soldier who had failed to stop Flora Rinko stood at the doorway and mumbled with a troubled expression. At this, Flora scoffed instead and gave an order to the maid holding the teacup.
Leave it over there and get out.
Grace watched Flora with a stern expression, and the perplexed soldier didn't know what to do.
"Oh dear... I simply couldn't stop it. I'm sorry."
However, on the other hand, Lady Flora Rinko, who had arrived without a single soldier, did not seem like a significant threat, so he thought nothing bad would happen. Besides, as a mere soldier, there was no benefit in him provoking the Marquis's daughter. When a comrade patted his back as if to call him out, he scratched his head and turned around.
Meanwhile, the maid also put down her teacup and stepped back. Flora glanced at Grace, who was standing there motionless, and wore a cruel smile.
“Why are you standing there? By the way, where is Sir Andrew Isaac? I don't see him.”
Andrew Isaac is probably with that woman. As the third son, he wouldn't need to go out of his way to come to Eagle Hall. You must get that man out. If you really have no excuse, you must get him out even if you have to pour tea on yourself.
That’s good. I didn’t want to.
Flora muttered softly and called out to Grace as she poured tea into her teacup.
Come sit here. Let's have a cup of tea. It's a perfect time for a cup of tea.
Don't be surprised even if you die suddenly.
Just then, Grace, who had been standing there as if she were lost in thought, suddenly moved.
Alright, come. I will pour you the last tea of your life.
I was smiling as I watched the reddish tea, bathed in the light of the stove, trickle into the teacup, when Grace approached and snatched the teapot away.
“What the hell, ah!”
The moment Flora immediately recoiled and tried to lift her head, a strong force pressed down on her upper body, and the sound of something breaking was heard. At the same time, Grace shouted sharply from above her head.
Is anyone there!!!