Chapter 56
56
The next day, Andrei immediately returned his police badge.
Royal Police Headquarters was more relaxed than he'd expected. Even if Viktor found out about the full details of Scarlett's interrogation, it didn't change the fact that the Crown Prince was behind them.
Hugh Gunther looked regretful as he examined the police badge Andrei returned.
"Is this the only way, Hiram?"
"What else can I do? Viktor Dumpfelt will only let me live if I quit the Royal Police. It's a miracle I even made it back alive in the first place. Besides, you have to accept it anyway."
Andrei continued nonchalantly.
"How do you know I won't become Viktor's double agent?"
"What are you planning to do after quitting?"
Hugh Gunther accepted the police badge as if there was no other option and handed over a confidentiality agreement.
Andrei signed it and said, "I'll keep working at the watch shop. I'm more used to being a watch shop employee than a cop now."
At that, Hugh Gunther laughed as if he found it amusing.
"How ironic. If you hadn't been drugged during the interrogation, the watch shop wouldn't even exist, would it?"
"I guess so."
Andrei was simply amazed by Hugh Gunther's cheerful laughter.
He can laugh? After ruining someone like that?
He had received relatively humane treatment in that supposedly demonic Naval Residence. Of course, it wasn't great, but it was nothing compared to how the Royal Police had cornered Scarlett Crimson, assuming she wouldn't remember.
When he was inside, he didn't realize how rotten the stagnant water was. Now that he was outside looking in, the stench was rising.
Andrei finished signing and asked, "What are you going to do about Viktor Dumpfelt? He seemed ready to start a war with the Royal Police after finding out you planted me."
"That's become a real headache too."
Hugh Gunther said, "Viktor Dumpfelt has no weaknesses."
"Yes, I know that well, having seen it up close."
Hugh Gunther leaned back in his chair, looking troubled.
"My sister says she'll step in if necessary, but the Crown Prince is against it. It seems that reckless girl looks pretty to others."
"Viktor Dumpfelt's only weakness can never step forward."
Hugh Gunther nodded at Andrei's words.
Viktor Dumpfelt had chosen to marry another woman as soon as he found out Nina was meeting with Yuli Irene, so many believed the marriage was a rash decision.
The marriage that started in a fit of pique lasted longer than expected. Hugh Gunther was dumbfounded as he watched his sister suffer over the marriage.
"My sister abandoned him, but she acts like she's the heroine of some sad drama."
"But I can understand it, given the circumstances."
"Can you?"
After sharing a few more casual words, Andrei bowed slightly.
"Then I'll be on my way. I guess I won't be coming here anymore. It's a shame."
"I'm the one who's disappointed. Thanks for your hard work."
Hugh Gunther got up and opened the door for him, and Andrei bowed once more before leaving. After Andrei left the police station, Hugh Gunther told his subordinate, "If we kill him right after he leaves the Royal Police, it'll be obvious we did it, so take care of him slowly."
"Yes, sir."
"He's not an easy guy to deal with. Don't underestimate him."
"Yes."
After the subordinate left, Hugh Gunther looked out the window, watching Andrei leave. Andrei couldn't possibly be unaware that the Royal Police would try to kill him. A careful strategy was needed.
Isaac had heard from Andrei that Scarlett had been listless lately. When he entered Scarlett's studio, she greeted him more brightly than he expected.
"Oh, you're here?"
But Scarlett was the child who would come to Isaac's side and smile bashfully even after being hit by her uncle. You couldn't tell her mood at all just by the fact that she was smiling.
Isaac put down the luggage he had brought and asked kindly, "Did anything happen?"
"No, nothing at all. Oh, more importantly, what about the Crimson Family? My uncle said he'd prove I was lying, right?"
"Yeah. I don't know what he's thinking."
"Don't worry. I'm confident."
Isaac smiled at Scarlett's words. Then, he took out the box he had brought and said, "It might be a boring story, but after hearing your story last time, I realized my sense of smell has become incredibly sensitive. So I was thinking of becoming a perfumer."
Scarlett's eyes widened at Isaac's words.
"Wow, really?"
"Yeah. I'm going to do it small. Not too..."
Isaac quickly added, "I'm not going to ruin the family by starting a big business or anything."
Scarlett burst out laughing at those words.
"I haven't said anything yet?"
"Oh, is that so...? What do you think?"
"What do I think? I think it's incredibly cool, of course."
"Really?"
"Yeah. It's such a wonderful idea. I'm already proud of you, and you haven't even done anything yet."
Isaac smiled bashfully at Scarlett's words.
Scarlett continued, "The fact that you're thinking of doing something is so admirable. You've gone through such a big change. I was even worried that you might be going through a late rebellious phase?"
Isaac, who had been laughing while listening to Scarlett's words, paused and frowned slightly.
"You forgot I'm your older brother again, didn't you? What do you mean by rebellious phase?"
"Who was it that caused trouble just a few days ago and made me go to the police station?"
"W-Well, that was me, but..."
Scarlett laughed cheerfully at Isaac's flustered appearance. Isaac, feeling a little relieved by her laughter, soon opened the box and showed her the various fragrances he had brought, taking out one perfume with both hands and handing it to her.
"Sorry for giving you the first one I made. But when I was studying perfume and trying to make the first one, I couldn't stop thinking about you."
"Wow..."
Scarlett accepted the perfume. When she opened the lid and smelled it, there was a subtle woody scent.
"Oh my gosh, this is so good. A woody scent and... um... rose?"
"Yeah, that's right."
"Does this kind of scent suit me?"
"It feels like it to me."
Scarlett smelled the fragrance once more. It was a scent she wished would never disappear. She said happily, "Thank you. I'll use it well. I'm already happy."
Isaac was relieved and smiled bashfully as Scarlett was overjoyed.
A terribly dark energy had been lingering in the Dumpelt Family for days.
"Another invitation has arrived from the Royal Family."
Blight said worriedly, "Wouldn't it be okay to show your face soon...?"
"I don't know."
Viktor didn't seem to have any intention of doing so.
Blight was troubled by Viktor's attitude since Andrei Hamilton's interrogation, an attitude that couldn't be fully explained by the word "lax." With no pirates to hunt down and kill, he seemed to have lost his way.
Viktor was sitting on the windowsill with a soft cushion, constantly drinking. He had been drinking excessively every day, but no one could stop him.
Blight spoke with more emotion than usual.
"It would be good to accept this invitation."
"Why bother?"
Viktor said, turning his head to look out the window.
Blight urged him, "Why bother? This is what you've been wanting all along..."
Viktor leaned against the wall, closing his eyes as if he were annoyed. Blight rushed over urgently.
"A-At least close the window. You'll fall!"
"It's not high enough to die from a fall."
"I don't know why you think that. You could die from the fifth floor. Even if you fall onto the third-floor balcony, it's all marble."
"If I could die from that, I wouldn't be here."
Evan, who was standing outside the door, nodded in agreement with Viktor's words.
"That's true, Blight."
Honestly, these naval officers...
Blight often thought that these naval officers, who were all from prestigious families, were incredibly barbaric.
At that moment, Viktor fortunately opened his mouth.
"Tell them I'll go if they invite me around next month."
Blight was satisfied that he had at least some news to deliver, and he hurried off to deliver it. Not long after, Blight returned. He hesitated to speak right away, so Viktor asked, "What is it?"
"His Majesty... has gone to the Monastery."
Viktor chuckled at those words.
Blight continued, "He went to see Marina."
Viktor chuckled in disbelief at those words.
"Leave it alone."
"Excuse me?"
"Let him do what he wants."
As he spoke, he noticed a carriage entering the garden and narrowed his brows. When someone got out of the carriage, Blight, who was looking outside with him, said with a worried expression, "It seems he's confused again."
"Greet him. I'll be down soon."
At Viktor's words, Blight and Evan bowed their heads and left.
