Capitulo 131
Episode 131
No, I never did it for Raymond.
The reason I’ve been involved in the Cassel family’s affairs all this time is because their evil deeds have plagued innocent people.
If this had only happened to Raymond, I would not have come forward.
So I don’t have to attach meaning to every single thing I do.
«I’m done talking.» As I was about to leave the terrace, he grabbed my arm.
That’s not what I mean.
Miss!
At that moment, Lily pushed open the door to the terrace and walked in.
The meeting will start soon.
Raymond burst out laughing when he saw Lily staring at him.
I said, pulling my arm out of her hand.
And don’t touch my body. We’re not that friendly, are we?
For some reason, Raymond had an astonished look on his face.
He must have thought he became quite close to me as he went over the Cassel family affairs.
«Why the hell is everyone doing that?»
I wondered if Raymond and Daniel ate something wrong.
If it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t be able to think about what they did to me and be so brazen.
I clicked my tongue briefly as I walked off the terrace.
I seemed to have misunderstood.
* * *
The meeting was much later than expected.
It was all because Andrew was late.
The people who waited quietly at first began to complain more and more.
Why isn’t the Grand Duke coming!
Ethan couldn’t take it anymore.
But at the stinging looks of those around him, he shrugged again.
Let’s think he’s coming soon, so let’s wait a little longer.
What a long time it has been.
The door opened and Andrew walked into the conference room.
Apologies for the delay.
Those who were about to say something about being late shut their mouths when they saw Andrew’s demeanor.
Contrary to his usual well-groomed appearance, his condition was not very good.
His hair in disarray, his clothes and his face sweaty.
However, not everyone who waited long understood.
Did she have a fight before she came?
Raymond spat.
Andrew ignored Raymond as if he didn’t need to listen.
On the way there was only a little commotion.
A little commotion? Ah, it seems the angry people of the Empire have blocked the Grand Duke’s path.
As he spoke, his gaze turned to me.
The dark purple eyes shone with a dazzling brilliance.
Now the Empire was infested with accusations against the nobles who agreed with the Archduke.
It was none other than I who informed them of Andrew’s route.
And it was Filia who spread the word.
To be precise, it was Filia’s store.
In her coffee shop, visited by both the middle class and the common people, she hired someone to sit in a corner and talk loudly.
Since it was a hot topic of discussion, the rumor spread quickly.
And today, Andrew must have felt the public sentiment.
They would soon understand.
Rather, he smiled as if he was happy to have spoken to him.
When I saw that smile, I instantly felt bad.
Soon the room cleared and the meeting began.
First, the aristocrats who sued began to speak.
First of all, I want you to know that there is nothing you can do if the Cassel family swindles you. The sense of betrayal is so great that most families have long believed in the Cassels and worked with the people they recommended.
The amount of damages they claimed was higher than expected. It was an amount calculated as I thought it had long been misappropriated.
«Disregarding that.»
Everyone seated listened to Andrew’s argument with expressionless faces.
It was the first time I had been with him for so long after breaking up.
Maybe that’s why, somehow, I felt uncomfortable with Andrew.
«Maybe I was wrong.»
When I first met Andrew, I was far from the imperial realm.
As a marginal, he was pessimistic and nervous.
A man who went about alone as if he were in asylum, not hanging out with other people.
As a young man, I felt sympathy for Andrew.
Maybe it was a relationship that started with sympathy.
But the man in front of me was completely different now.
I don’t know if it’s because of Tatiana’s help, or if the Duke’s seat made him this kind of person.
The frail, upright figure I knew had completely disappeared.
He seemed to have become a member of the perfect nobility, so my mouth felt bitter.
Well, then, I’d like the Cassels to suggest how to solve this problem first.
Ethan looked at me.
He could not unilaterally reveal the details of the contract he made with the imperial family.
This was because the terms of the contract also included a commitment to confidentiality.
I raised my hand and asked my opinion.
Princess Pioneer, I will accept your request.
Copies of the contract, excerpts of the content of the mediation chairman’s comments, were returned to the attendees.
The copies indicated that the confiscated Cassel family property should be used as a priority for victim relief.
After confirming the contents, Martin’s and Raymond’s faces were covered with a color of fire and darkness fell over Andrew.
If this happens, how are they going to compensate us for the damage we suffered?
At Andrew’s words, I smiled and opened my mouth.
I can only tell you to wait. It seems to me that the atmosphere of the people of the Empire is also in a situation where it is impossible to give certainty.
Did you remember the reactions of the people you saw on the road?
Andrew’s body trembled.
I didn’t lose my momentum and stopped pretending.
I’m sorry to have to reveal this only today. However, understand that we had no choice but to be careful as this was an unprecedented case.
Andrew’s lips trembled.
In fact, this was supposed to be done behind the scenes.
Isn’t an aristocratic society connected by networks?
But Andrew and the other nobles did this as a means to attack Aster.
So there’s no reason for us to be merciful to them.
There was silence in the conference room.
The nobles who shared their will with the Archduke lost the hearts of the audience and had no choice but to return alone in shame.
I listened well to the story of the princess.
After a while, Andrew opened his mouth.
It was a strangely calm face.
If it’s because of the people of the Empire, there’s nothing we can do about it. I will introduce myself and convince the other nobles.
I appreciate your understanding, Grand Duke.
But the opponent is the Cassel family. We want to see for ourselves if the business they are doing is working, even if they defer repairs to us.
I hardened my face at his words.
I was only acting as an agent, but in reality the business was being run by the Imperial family.
Now Andrew was saying he wanted to monitor Aster’s work.
I’m sorry, but that seems difficult.
Why, I don’t think His Majesty would be such a small person to turn down such a job.
I looked at him with narrowed eyes.
I felt like I was falling into a trap.
If that’s difficult, how about this? Every quarter, the princess explains the business directly to me.
Seeing Andrew’s smile, he looked serious.
«I’ll just accept it and turn it down in moderation.»
I thought so and shook my head.
But an unexpected man intervened.
Is there any need for the princess to make such a report?
Raymond continued in a forceful voice.
If you want to receive such a report, I will.
Sir Raymond!
Martin looked at Raymond with a surprised expression.
It struck me as odd that he, who is famously uninterested in other people, would come out of the closet for me.
«Him too.»
Andrew was puzzled because he didn’t know Raymond would intervene like that.
Why, do you hate what I do? I don’t think the Grand Duke, who is a married man, would necessarily want to receive a report from the unmarried princess.
At Raymond’s words, Andrew slowly opened his mouth.
It’s just a delicate matter related to the imperial family, so I just wanted to get a report from someone I can trust. I don’t mind if you report it, but His Majesty will allow it.
The two continued to argue fiercely.
I and the others who saw it stiffened more and more.
Because it seemed like they were fighting over me.
«Why on earth are these humans doing that?»
Slowly, just as their fight felt dull, someone knocked on the door and entered.
A court official appeared with a pale face.
The Emperor had come.
It was the appearance of my hidden letter that would put an end to this troublesome debate.