MHM 62

Deep into the night, Charles descended from the Spire. He felt a gaze watching him from afar. He suspected it was someone Count Dietrian had planted to monitor his movements. Charles headed towards the main castle, lost in thought. In truth, he hadn't intended to throw a punch at Carrion from the start. It was an uncharacteristic emotional response, and harming the head of the investigation team would only work against him. But Carrion's words had moved him. "Iana, you'll be abandoned soon. By Grand Duke Ervin. Men's hearts cool quickly once they've taken a woman's body." His crude words overlapped with the image of Iana weeping in that place. "Everyone... abandoned me." Carrion's words weren't true. But he knew they would painfully dig into Iana. He had to tell her firmly that it wasn't true. Wasn't she a person clinging to the hope of becoming a mage and a Petal Rabbit that gave her affection? As he looked up at the Spire, the light in Iana's room went out. He hoped her night would be peaceful. That the harsh words her ex-husband had thrown at her wouldn't return as heavy thoughts... ✦ ✦ ✦ Past midnight, in the darkened detached palace of the Ducal Palace. Carrion sat on the sofa, drinking. His right hand was thickly bandaged. The moment he saw Iana in the Ducal Palace, he felt an unbearable rage. Seeing Grand Duke Ervin's intense reaction in the investigation room, his suspicion turned into certainty. His wife's affair. The thought of having something stolen from him twisted his insides. "If Your Highness desires it, I want to give you my body and soul. I don't care if I'm abandoned." Having experienced enough women, he could easily grasp the true meaning of their words. Of course, many of Iana's words were incomprehensible. But those words were sincere. "Ha...!" Carrion leaned back deeply on the sofa. He believed Iana was a naive woman who only knew him. The thought that she had deceived him with that innocent facade made him seethe with betrayal. He kept recalling Iana's face as she was drawn to the Grand Duke. Her fair skin, reddened eyes. That alluring face that looked at him with cold eyes... Then, Riel's voice came from the bed. "Can't you sleep?" Carrion turned to see Riel getting out of bed and putting on a dressing gown. A strange resentment stabbed at Riel. Embracing Riel had become the cause of their divorce. Carrion said irritably. "Shut up and go to sleep." "If I were just going to shut up and sleep, I wouldn't have come to Ervin." Riel smiled and sat next to him. She slowly stroked Carrion's eyes. "I've seen this look before." "Don't bother me." Carrion warned in a low voice. But Riel didn't care and stroked his eyes. "Chloe in the costume room had this exact look. A look full of lingering feelings, even while seething with betrayal." "Lingering feelings? What nonsense are you talking about?" Thwack. Carrion roughly grabbed Riel's wrist. "Don't you know how pathetic that looks? Showing lingering feelings for someone who betrayed you." "Stop it." Riel lowered her gaze and looked at Carrion's injured hand. "It will be difficult for Count to investigate Iana because of what happened today. Grand Duke Ervin will stop it by any means if it's about Iana." "Do you think I'll just stand by?" Riel said as if throwing it out there. "Use me." "What?" "The head of the investigation team can designate investigators, right? Say I came here not as Count's mistress, but as an investigator qualified to investigate women." The Emperor's investigation team consisted of five nobles designated by the Emperor. The noble with the highest status among them became the head of the investigation team, and that head could designate investigators as needed. "That won't work. There's no precedent for using a woman as an investigator." Carrion replied firmly. Riel pulled her hand away and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Isn't the outcome more important than the procedure?" "..." "I'm the right person to investigate Iana. No one knows Iana as well as I do." Carrion pondered and slowly stroked Riel's head as she leaned against him. "I hate that you're cunning, but that's why I like you." ✦ ✦ ✦ Early the next morning, Iana washed and sat in front of the vanity. Looking in the mirror, she kept thinking about what Charles had said last night. "You are a very beautiful person." Charles' words of comfort tickled her heart. Iana shook her head violently. "Let's not have useless thoughts." Iana quickly changed into her training clothes, picked up Ru, and headed to the stables. "Ha...!" As always, Andre's stall was filthy enough to make her sigh. 'Okay, let's think of this as learning magic.' Iana put Ru in the next stall and moved Andre there. Now that they had become a little closer, Ru remained still even when Andre licked it. "Shall we start?" Iana covered her nose and mouth with a handkerchief and began cleaning. Unlike Iana, who was not used to chores, the stableman finished cleaning early. But she couldn't finish cleaning even while the knights and mages came and went. How much time had passed? Iana was left alone in the stables. Then, a familiar voice came from the door. "Iana, who couldn't even take care of herself, is cleaning the stables? That's amazing." Turning around, Riel stood alone in front of her. "Or is she doing this on purpose? Trying to pretend it's not an affair." Iana lowered the handkerchief covering her face and asked sharply. "How did you know to come here?" "I've been watching you in front of the Spire all along." At that moment, Ru, who had only received love from people, ran towards Riel without any wariness. "Ru, come here." Iana called Ru in surprise. Riel bent down and slowly stroked Ru. "I heard this is a precious Petal Rabbit that's only found in Ervin?" "Don't touch it!" Iana shouted, and Ru, sensing something, was about to run to her when. Riel roughly grabbed Ru by the scruff of its neck. Ru struggled, startled by the rough touch. "Is this something Your Highness gave you that you cherish so much?" "What are you doing? Put it down!" "Iana, what happens if I kill this rabbit?" "You'll die too. The Petal Rabbit is Ervin's treasure." It was only for a moment, but Iana saw Riel's eyes move to the window. A group of knights was coming to the stables in front of her. A thought flashed through Iana's mind. 'She's trying to provoke my emotions in front of people. Just like in my past life.' It was that moment. Thud! Riel slowly stood up and let go of the hand holding Ru by the scruff of its neck. Squeak. Ru, who had fallen from a high place, rolled on the floor. Ru's pure white fur was covered in dirt. "Riel, are you crazy?" Iana quickly ran and picked up Ru, who was rolling on the floor, and checked its condition. Ru was very startled and trembled, shrinking its small body. Neigh. Andre also neighed repeatedly, as if angry. "You told me to put it down, right? I just did what you told me to do." A wicked smile spread across Riel's lips. Iana tried to suppress her anger and calmed her mind. She couldn't get caught up in Riel's game, and her magical power might explode. Step, step. Instead, she focused on the sound of the knights' footsteps approaching the stables. "Iana, you need to know. What kind of repercussions your wrong words bring!" It was Riel's method. A method of controlling people at will by instilling guilt. Iana gently placed Ru where Andre was and said. "Then what kind of repercussions will this have?" As the knights' voices came closer, Iana walked towards Riel without hesitation. 'Riel, I'll do as you wish. In the image of a young lady with bad habits who abuses maids, just like the rumors you spread.' It was the moment the stable door opened. Whack! Iana strongly struck Riel's head. Riel's short hair was disheveled. "...!" Riel's eyes turned fierce at Iana's unexpected action, but soon a faint smile spread across her lips. "Oh, my..." The knights who were entering the stables stopped in surprise. Riel changed her expression and lowered her head, pretending to be pitiful. Whack! This time, Iana struck the opposite side of Riel's head. "Do you think this is a problem that can be solved with an apology?" "...!" Riel's eyes flashed with murderous intent as she was hit on the head again. "A cursed land!" "..." "What do you, a mere maid, know about Ervin that you dare to speak so carelessly? You're very arrogant as the mistress of the head of the investigation team." Iana scolded loudly, as if scolding a maid. The knights who heard those words looked at Riel with displeased faces. "Ervin is the place that took me in when I had nowhere to go. I can tolerate you insulting me, but I will not tolerate you insulting Ervin." "Ha...!" Riel let out a small laugh. But her eyes were filled with deep anger. Iana took a step closer and whispered softly. "Riel, I can do what you do." "Really?" Riel wore a twisted smile. Iana, who was quietly watching her, raised one corner of her mouth. "But you know what?" "..." "Even if you do the same thing, the person with the lower status is more disadvantaged." "Iana, I won't forget your advice. Never." Iana and Riel's eyes collided fiercely.

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