The investigation's findings are strewn across the table.
Still, with a tap of a finger in the background, Edgar's black pupils scanned the evidence of the events of the afternoon one by one. Everything leads to Yvette Rowe, the third princess.
"It's no surprise this woman is brave... that man from the empire supported her." Edgar mumbled in hushed tones, his tone tinged with obvious contempt.
Harold had brought some papers with him, which Edgar flipped through. The Marquess nodded faintly, expressing gratitude for the personal servant's thorough investigation.
Harold worked well despite his clumsiness. While conducting an investigation, as soon as he discovered evidence pointing to Yvette, he took the initiative to find out what the Princess's motivations were and why the only arrogant woman on the outside dared to act in such a way. Even the target was unmistakable, with her finger pointing at a powerful figure like Eugene Laverty.
Then Cheryl, who was already the Marquess's wife, became involved. Offending the Marchioness was equivalent to offending the Marquess. Yvette may have intended to kill two people with a single shot.
Her suspicions were aroused by Yvette's actions. Further investigation reveals that she has a strong supporter in Marius Laverty.
Everything is now clear. Marius Laverty arrived in Zizvania not only to be the royal son-in-law, but also to support the royal family's power. The king most likely intended to use Marius to depose the powerful nobles of Zizvania.
This is a major issue. If there was a commotion in the palace, Edgar, as a powerful noble, would be involved as well.
"How come everything happened exactly as Cheryl predicted back then?" Edgar raised an eyebrow.
Edgar, thinking of his little wife, didn't understand either. He sensed something special about the young woman from the start. Something he couldn't grasp with a single thought.
Edgar's thoughts shifted from the palace's problems to the mystery that his wife had brought her.
Unbeknownst to me, it was already dark outside. Edgar realised this and immediately stopped his thoughts, which were drifting somewhere.
"We must not act hastily. So you can go now."
After the order was given, Harold and the others dispersed. The Marquess didn't stay in his studies much longer either. The man emerged after cleaning up some crucial evidence.
First, he went into the room. However, the room was empty.
The big man then entered the dining room. He noticed Cheryl eating with her back to him.
Before Edgar could go any further, Cheryl, who had been sitting quietly, unexpectedly stood up and ran past Edgar to the laundry room next to the mansion's kitchen, which was not far from the dining room.
"Marchioness!" Beth screamed as she chased Cheryl.
Edgar, perplexed by the unexpected turn of events, followed her into the laundry room. He could hear Cheryl vomiting loudly through the door.
The marquis tensed. He assumed his wife's behaviour was due to the effects of the filthy medicine she had taken that afternoon.
"Servant! Go right now and call the doctor's family!" The man yelled angrily, ordering the guards to call the Baldwin family's personal doctor.
"Very soon, Marquess."
While the Baldwin Mansion was in a state of panic, Eugene's home was no less oppressive.
Not without reason, all because the situation had deteriorated in favour of the crown prince.
Simon went into a special room that was used to store important documents. Eugene Laverty was standing in front of a large ceiling-high window.
"How?" Eugene inquired.
"Our division of guards on the southern axle has been replaced by Prince Marius' guards. Furthermore, they are falsely accused of a crime they did not commit. They are all currently being held in a special guard prison." Simon reports from behind the scenes. He didn't kneel; instead, he stood motionless in the dark shadows to the side of the room.
"That quick?" Eugene smirked. He went on, "Then what about our military personnel? I'm hoping the great general doesn't let me down."
"My lord, the great general has no reason to betray you. Of course, he understands his own situation."
"It had better be because his shoulders are where our greatest strength lies. Their fingers are crawling all over the place right now, completely eating away at our side. If something happens to the great general, it will be difficult to predict how we will proceed."
Eugene's reference to "them" was to the opposing party. Whether it was the king or Marius, both were equally dangerous.
"My lord, yes. In fact, the great general was the target from the start of Prince Marius' arrival."
"Oh? You mentioned it a while ago, but I hadn't noticed any progress. What exactly did they do to him?"
"There are some rumours going around, nothing major, only among our soldiers. Some people appear to want to dethrone the great general. By smuggling weapons into the enemy country, they are slandering the great general."
"Totally ruthless. Serious accusations like that, if proven true, will have an impact on me as well."
"You're correct, my lord."
Eugene snorted angrily "The enemy is becoming increasingly ignorant and is constantly attempting to outperform them. Even attempting to frame me with such dirty tricks!" He grumbled.
"How are we going to deal with this Third Princess?"
"Her courage must have grown because of Marius' support since the last time she killed the person I sent to watch over her. In the meantime, just ignore her."
"Ah, I see."
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, urgent news!" Another subordinate barged in, forcing Simon, who was about to say something, to pause.
Eugene spun around. "What are you in such a rush for?"
"The great General's residence... has been destroyed by fire!"
"What?!"
Eugene's calm expression instantly broke.
He showed a panicked expression for the first time. His chest rumbled and felt like it was about to explode.
Simon, too, couldn't hide his surprise.
"What about the great general's family? Is it secure?" Simon was curious.
"Nobody from the General's family has left the house. I don't think... all of them made it."
Eugene's emotions welled up this time. On punching the table and spilling everything on it. On the marble floor, some of his favourite documents and antiques were scattered and smashed into pieces.
Eugene screamed angrily, "Damn it!" The blow had bruised and bled his knuckles. He appeared to be unable to restrain himself.
"My Lord …," Simon wanted to comfort the master but was at a loss for words.
"I complied by leaving the imperial palace to be exiled to this small kingdom. So, what's the deal with my calm now?" Eugene half-shouted, frustrated.
Nobody in the room could respond casually.
The man took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, attempting to alleviate the sharp pain in his head caused by the mounting emotions.
"Simon, sent emissaries to the empire. Inquire about what all of this means, and make sure they provide clear answers and reasons!"
"All right, my lord."
Simon was the first to leave, followed by the other subordinates.
Eugene was alone in the dimly lit room now. He extended his bloodied hand to touch the window pane. A chill ran through his fingers and into his bones.
For some reason, the desire to smash his head against the window pane became overwhelming.
His empty heart screamed at him to "just do it," while replaying bitter memories of people who never appreciated him. His father, mother, brothers, empire nobles, and even the servants looked down on him behind his back.
Until he arrived in Zizvania. He assumed that everything would remain the same. But then he met the girl, who looked at him with admiration and genuine admiration.
"You are, after all, the Crown Prince. How cool is that?"
The young girl's warm, childish smile gradually warmed her face. Her image was reflected in the glass window directly in front of him.
Eugene touches the girl's reflection in the mirror. He traced the shape of the girl's lips with his thumb. He knew it was all an illusion, which is why he wanted to touch everything he could.
"Right now, my heart is a mess," Eugene laments.
The reflected girl smiled but did not respond to his words.
Eugene goes on, "Everyone, including you, does not want me. Why is it so cruel? Even if I could relive my life and have all of my memories, I would still be helpless...."
-
Eugene's love for two lives was lying on a large bed far away. A female doctor in her 60s sat next to her, examining the young lady.
Several people, including Edgar Baldwin, were standing close to the bed, waiting for the doctor to say that Cheryl was fine.
The old doctor stood up after what seemed like an eternity of checking. She smiled happily at Edgar, despite her wrinkled face.
"There's no reason to be concerned. The Marchioness is in good health."
Everyone was relieved by the old doctor's words. Edgar, in particular, exhaled a sigh of relief, as if a heavy stone had been lifted from his heart.
However, before the Marquess of Northland could express his gratitude, the old doctor continued, "but, Marquess, I must convey one important piece of news to you."
"What's that?" Edgar inquired, his face tense.
The old doctor's smile widened.
"The Marchioness is pregnant."
.