Chapter 47
44
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The voice mixed with a vile laugh trickled into Grace's ears, and she, who had been stubbornly looking ahead, turned to the man. 'Metal Foot' craned his neck from side to side, scrutinizing Grace's face.
"Both parents had decent looks. The mother was blonde like you, probably? The eyes resemble the father. But, both were being chased by the Imperial Army. Thieves, weren't they?"
Grace's green eyes sank even more coldly. 'Metal Foot' licked his chapped lips and wagged his tongue.
"If parents are criminals due to the guilt-by-association system, aren't the children also criminals? So, there are quite a few villages near the Wall of Death where escaped criminals live in hiding. If caught, even the children become criminals. In such cases, they never mention their parents' surnames."
He clicked his tongue and widened his eyes as if acting in a play.
"But what are they going to eat around there? Magical beasts appear all the time, and nothing sprouts even if you plant something because of the damn cold! Even if they are criminals, they still need to eat something, right?"
'Metal Foot' looked at the nobles and spoke in a subtle tone.
"Beyond the Wall of Death, there are many plants that you've never heard of, probably because no one lives there. Most are poisonous herbs, but poisonous herbs and medicinal herbs are actually the same thing. You have to risk your life to cross the wall, but if you're lucky enough to find something, the income is good."
"So, this woman's parents also went back and forth across the Wall of Death, is that it?"
"Yes, yes. Vicky's parents were also among those who went back and forth across the Wall of Death. Well, in the process, they might have interacted with the 'Unseen Ones' or whatever they're called, who live beyond the wall. Anyway, I think both of this girl's parents are dead. Right, Vicky?"
"……."
"You should answer when an adult asks a question, you rude thing. Tsk, tsk! That's all I know."
As 'Metal Foot's testimony ended, the Marquis faction nobles deliberately made noise and led the atmosphere.
"Then it's almost certain that that woman's parents joined hands with the rebel group!"
"It's possible that the woman herself joined hands with them!"
The Marquis placed his hand on his chest with a solemn expression and spoke in a strong tone.
"Your Excellency! The maid that this woman brought is nowhere to be found. Immediately after the incident, all the gates of Richmond were locked, and a thorough search was conducted, but she could not be found. Isn't that maid proof of the 'Unseen Ones'? Furthermore, this woman's identity is also very suspicious."
Meanwhile, 'Metal Foot' limped around Grace once.
Thump, thud, ―thump, thud.
"Ugh, you! You really look just like your mother, even when you were young? So pretty, exactly the same."
The Marquis didn't like his interruption of his speech. However, the more vile 'Metal Foot' acted, the more the Duke's honor would be tarnished along with the woman, so he tried to ignore it and continue speaking.
"That's wrong."
He would have done so if he hadn't heard a low voice from behind.
Thump, thud.
'Metal Foot's loud footsteps stopped abruptly, and the Marquis also stopped speaking and turned around.
"What?"
'Metal Foot', who was leaning precariously to support his weight with his good leg, frowned and looked at Grace. Unlike his pale face, his fierce eyes looked as if he would tear him apart at any moment.
"……."
The moment he met her eyes that seemed to hold a knife, he sensed that something was wrong.
Fraud, theft, and sometimes even murder. 'Metal Foot', who had done anything to survive, had lived by only one rule.
'Never directly touch those who live with the determination to burn their own bodies.'
That's why he didn't want to get involved in anything related to the Duke. The Duke was also that kind of person.
But the amount of money was too great to give up. It was unsettling, but since he wasn't directly touching the Duke anyway, he decided to do it.
But…….
"I said that's wrong."
"……Yes?"
Grace spoke as if spitting out each syllable.
"My hair comes from my father, and my eyes come from my mother. And I resemble my father more than my mother."
"……."
"As my ancestors usually did."
There was an incomprehensible power in her low voice. 'Metal Foot' was pushed back by the woman who was less than half his size, and only blinked.
Grace closed her eyes and slowly let out a long sigh.
"Haa……."
It felt as if hot blood, like molten iron from a furnace, was flowing from her chest and spreading throughout her body.
"I don't know you. You don't know me either."
There is only one person here who knows her.
When she opened her closed eyes, she saw Ares watching from afar. Perhaps because he was tired, everything in the world seemed to be in black and white, but only the man sitting on the platform was clear as if he had color.
Grace walked towards him. Then, she stopped in front of the circular stairs leading to the platform, and politely bent her knees to greet him.
It was a perfect and flawless greeting, as if seeing the essence of Dekan noble etiquette.
"That... there's no way she could do that after learning it for a few days..."
When a voice, lowered as much as possible, was heard from somewhere, the Marchioness glared at the nobles with her eyes wide open. 'Metal Foot', who had a bad feeling, obsessively picked at the hangnail on his thumb and kept wetting his lips.
At that moment, Grace, who had straightened her posture, looked up at Ares and opened her mouth.
"Your Excellency, I am not the 'Vicky' that the man called 'Metal Foot' is talking about. My name is Grace."
"Are you going to cloud His Excellency's wisdom with another lie! Don't wag your wicked tongue and get out of here!"
"Marquise Lincot."
Ares called the Marchioness, not hiding his disgusted expression.
"It was said that the issue of this council is to confirm Grace's identity. We have heard your opinions so far, so shouldn't we also hear the opposing opinion now?"
The Marchioness bit her lip hard as if she was angry, but she closed her mouth as if she had nothing to say. When she became quiet, Grace opened her mouth again in a calm tone.
"There is someone in Richmond Duke's Main Castle who knows me. Please call that person to confirm my identity."
"Who is that person?"
The Marchioness secretly laughed at Grace and the Duke. Who would be here now to testify after being quiet all this time? Joseph Rexton hasn't been seen for a few days, so he must have urgently found someone who needed money among the insignificant servants.
But the name that came out of Grace's mouth was not some insignificant servant.
"Edward Rinko."
The Marchioness's confidence, which she thought was as solid as an ice castle, began to melt with the name she cherished most in the world.
"...What?"
My son?
The Marquis couple only blinked, not knowing what to do when their son's name, which they had never expected, was mentioned. Not only them, but also the Marquis faction nobles looked at each other's faces, not knowing if they had heard correctly or what this meant.
Grace hid her emerging cynicism and confidently demanded to Ares.
"Please call Edward Rinko, Marquis Rinko. He will confirm my identity."
＊ ＊ ＊
The Duke's summons was delivered to Edward Rinko just as he entered the Main Castle's grand garden.
"Is that so? I was going to visit and greet you after the Grand Council, but that's good. Hmm……."
As Edward checked his attire, the servant asked.
"Shall I bring a new cloak?"
"No, this cloak is fine. Just polish my boots."
Edward pointed to his boots, which were dirty from the long journey, and the servant quickly knelt down and polished his boots. Soon after the boots regained their color, Edward moved towards the blue eagle hall.
Autumn was in full swing in Richmond Duke's Main Castle.
When autumn came, the huge oak tree in the middle of the courtyard was covered with thumbnail-sized fruits, and the leaves with jagged edges like gears were dyed red. Standing in the corridor surrounding the courtyard, you could feel the wind passing through the tree caressing him and flowing away.
And the library in the back garden is also beautiful at this time of year. Well, is there any place in this historic castle that is not beautiful? He loved this castle.
Edward glanced at the oak tree as he passed through the corridor. As always, it was full of small acorns this year as well. His lips twitched upwards for a moment, but the moment he entered the hallway, his hazel eyes sank deeply.
In the distance, the soldiers who found him were seen pulling open the tightly closed door of the hall. The closer he got to the door, the more Edward calmed his breathing.
Under the huge fabric banner of the first Duke, his father once said this.
'Eddie, you know, I feel like this place is home, but it's not. When I'm here, I always feel like I'm floating in the clouds. I think it's good, but sometimes I feel uncomfortable because my feet are empty.'
'…….'
'I want this place to be my home. What about you?'
Edward did not answer.
At that time, his gaze was on the huge eagle banner hanging behind his father. Although he was young, he knew that his father was saying that he wanted to become the owner of that banner.
But was it because the banner was much larger than his father? His wish felt like a vague desire.
From then on, Edward would often think whenever he saw the banner of the first Duke.
Is there anyone bigger than that, someone who can make that look like a background?
…No, I hope not.
