Translator: Nox

Chapter 16

Crown Prince Aldensis, with his blond hair and blue eyes, strode confidently through the wide-open door.

His uniform, adorned with golden epaulettes, made him look exceptionally tall and striking.

A face more sculpted than a statue, long white fingers. Textbook-perfect, restrained demeanor.

All of this made him feel like a "beautiful person." Everyone would surely lose themselves in his dazzling appearance.

'That's why he's so dangerous.'

I glanced at Aldensis while thinking that.

He was just like Luellian, the number one suspect I'd met earlier.

Muscles honed by martial prowess hidden beneath his uniform. Veins bulging on the back of his hands. Light yet powerful footsteps.

All the traits others found attractive were, to me, merely features advantageous for murder.

"Duke Karnel."

Aldensis first exchanged greetings with my father before turning.

"Duchess Aristina."

I met his gaze.

This was our first meeting since the incident.

If Aldensis was the murderer?

This would be the moment he first directly confirmed his victim alive and moving. Wouldn't there be even the slightest hint of agitation?

Could I detect something in Aldensis's eyes? I stared intently into them.

"......"

But I read nothing in his blue eyes. Just faint feigned kindness and a touch of annoyance.

'Is that really all?'

I bowed my head as ingrained in my body.

"I see Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Then, as Duke Karnel had ordered, I kept my mouth firmly shut and followed them to our seats.

Aldensis immediately turned to the duke.

"Duke Karnel, I don't even know how to broach this. The imperial family nearly committed a grave error this time. If the truth had only emerged after something irreversible happened—what then? My heart still races at the thought."

You knew that already.

With no right to speak, I muttered it inwardly.

"No, no."

Duke Karnel shook his head.

"Even our house believed our daughter's crime without doubt, so outsiders go without saying. We're simply grateful the imperial family granted a reprieve instead of immediate punishment. I heard you were furious upon hearing the news."

"I was shocked assuming the poisoning charge was true. But upon hearing Duchess Aristina insist on her innocence, I calmed down. Luellian and I had already discussed the lack of conclusive evidence proving her guilt."

"I see."

The topic was clearly me, yet they conversed as if I weren't there.

It was deliberate disregard, but it actually benefited me, allowing me to observe the Crown Prince freely.

"Yes, Duke. Still, I never imagined such an inside story. Committing a crime with a secret foreign item smuggled through the black market."

Aldensis furrowed his white brow slightly, as if deeply regretful.

But was that sincere?

From memories in my head, he was inept at human emotions. He didn't react naturally but acted according to what he'd learned.

For example.

A child staring emotionlessly at a chick he'd cared for day and night after it died, then mimicking tears perfectly after seeing a friend cry.

People would shudder if they knew the Crown Prince's true nature.

Thanks to his transcendent abilities concealing it cleverly, no one noticed.

"We'll immediately strengthen investigations on that front. More work, but it ended well considering the incident's scale."

"Indeed. I'm satisfied too. The sinners received severe punishment, and Duchess Hyperion recovered safely. Clearing the misunderstanding and even receiving a tea party reply from my daughter—what more could there be."

"Serene did? That's truly fortunate."

How harmonious.

I watched them completely as a third party.

Duke Karnel occasionally shot hawk-like glances my way, but Aldensis didn't spare me a single look.

I could keenly feel how tiresome he found me.

As I quietly kept my mouth shut beside them, they continued their intimate conversation.

"Speaking of which, I haven't seen much of Second Prince lately. I heard he was injured—is it serious?"

"Not at all. Luellian came personally, and he recovered right away. He's busy now. I gave him a discreet task."

"Ah. Makes sense—you're both occupied. Especially with the upcoming Imperial Palace Grand Ball."

"Yes. Well......"

Aldensis nodded.

"You'll decline attendance again, Duke? Everyone would welcome you gracing us with your presence."

"Haha."

Duke Karnel shrugged, grasping the implication in the Crown Prince's words.

"I'd love to attend, but with the recent major incident, there's much to handle. Taking this chance to tidy up some connections too."

"I understand."

"But worry not, Your Highness. My daughter reflected deeply on this. And I'll strictly admonish her, so she won't cause a scene at the ball like before."

As expected, they were already fretting over the disaster I'd cause at the Imperial Palace Grand Ball.

But on this matter, I had something to say too...... With no right to speak, I could only keep my mouth shut.

"A scene, Duke? Some buzz at the ball is only natural."

The Crown Prince smiled kindly while saying what he didn't mean.

"Who in the empire doesn't know the duchess's lively personality? But this Imperial Palace Grand Ball is quite important and must proceed smoothly to the end for certain reasons......"

"Understood, Your Highness. I'll firmly remind my daughter. After suffering greatly from past scandals and hearing this from you—what daughter wouldn't feel it?"

At Duke Karnel's words, the Crown Prince nodded lightly. Then, for the first time since the conversation began, he looked my way.

"Then, Duchess Aristina. See you at the Imperial Palace Grand Ball. I'm quite looking forward to seeing your unrecognizably changed self there."

He said with a bright smile.

'Answer him.'

Duke Karnel signaled me with his eyes. Finally, I had speaking rights.

"Unrecognizably changed—I'm looking forward to that too."

As if truly so, I clasped my hands before my chest and said,

"But what to do, Your Highness? I'll be too busy that day to show it. I have to go somewhere other than the Imperial Palace Grand Ball."

Aldensis asked, puzzled.

"Where to?"

"The Imperial Merchants' Conference."

"......?"

At the unexpected answer, they were both stunned speechless for a moment.

They should've asked me first before jumping to conclusions. Whether I planned to attend the ball.

An Imperial Palace Grand Ball hosted by the Crown Prince—they must've assumed I'd hike up my dress and rush there. Everyone jumped ahead too much.

"Why? Did I get it wrong?"

I asked innocently, eyes wide.

"It's in the financial papers. The third-quarter regular gathering of top merchants is soon. Where empire's merchants exchange info, network, secure new contracts with big shots, and attract investment—can't miss it."

The Crown Prince's gaze fixed on my face.

"You read the financial papers......?"

"Yes. My asset report was a mess."

"And you checked your asset report?"

"Of course. Isn't it obvious for a duchess?"

I replied nonchalantly.

Enough already. Even a chimp stepping to the blackboard to solve calculus wouldn't shock them this much.

'What scheme is this wastrel duchess up to?'

Beyond Aldensis's elegant smile, such doubt seemed visible.

His sky-blue eyes didn't leave my face.

A sharp gaze hiding intent to see through any plot.

But I had nothing to fear. Because what I was saying was 100% sincere.

"This incident made me realize: to avoid false accusations, you need power. Where does that power come from? Many ways, but the most basic is solid financial foundation. That's my current problem."

The only daughter of a great tycoon saying this? Exactly. I'm baffled too.

Truth was, my situation was extremely dire.

<Complete List of Duchess Aristina's Assets>.

Every item was crossed out with X marks.

Shining plums that were actually duds. Exactly that.

"Duchess status means luxury galore, but no real substance. Originally, real estate, foundations, all sorts were in my name...... But whenever I irked Father, he'd take them one by one. Saying I'd manage them for me since I couldn't."

"Management" was practically confiscation.

The remaining real estate and funds trickled away like sand, especially after this poisoning attempt.

Quickly transferred to branches to protect even one more ducal asset.

'And those branches are the problem.'

With direct heir Aristina lacking, branches threatened my position.

Duke Karnel always prioritized the house's overall well-being.

Thus, he could easily name a branch heir over his own child.

'Then I'd truly be penniless and cast out.'

I knew my position was precarious, but not this cliff-edge.

"In short, I'm a glamorous ship sinking with holes into the sea. A ball in that situation? Even if imperial-hosted, no."

I smiled sweetly at the Crown Prince.

"So please forgive my absence, Your Highness."