Chapter 114
Although not everything had turned out for the better, Iona had already realized many of her previous wishes.
Iona now had a name, a birthday to celebrate, and above all, was soon to be married to the person she wanted.
She didn’t want to dismiss their relationship as trivial just because it lacked love, that lofty sentiment.
Iona truly believed that they could build a life together after marriage, just as well as any other couple.
Leroy showed a satisfied expression at Iona’s confident demeanor and said, “Now that you’re ready to be married, we should start preparing for the wedding in earnest. Do you have a particular venue in mind?”
“I think it would be best to have the ceremony in the estate. We’ll just submit the paperwork in the capital.”
Iona replied as if she had been waiting for the question.
This was a matter Iona had decided on long ago in her heart.
She planned to leave the capital under the guise of mourning Viviana’s death, and the sooner, the better.
There was no time to waste on unnecessary formalities.
However, Leroy seemed displeased with Iona’s economical decision, opposing it by saying, “It would be odd to have made such a grand proposal only to have a modest ceremony.”
“It won’t matter. There will soon be a reason we must hold a simple celebration.”
Iona asserted confidently, looking at Leroy with unwavering eyes.
Unlike her younger days when she was solely reliant on others, Iona now had the confidence to navigate through the current challenges on her own.
***
Richard had been in a foul mood since morning, still seething from the unpleasant encounter with Leroy at the royal ball two days prior.
‘That presumptuous man.’
From their very first private meeting, Richard had taken an immediate dislike to him.
Despite his family’s diminished standing, the sight of Leroy attempting to maintain his dignity and refusing to bow down before the royal authority was particularly irksome.
His defiant retort when questioned about conceding the position of the duchess to Iona was outright rebellious.
Although Leroy’s arrogance was grating, Richard had been able to keep his animosity towards the duke at bay, up to that point.
Richard had an ace up his sleeve to unsettle Leroy and, more importantly, it wasn’t long before the duke himself began to show a keen interest in the marriage negotiations.
‘But was it all just an intention to annoy me?’
Richard couldn’t help but let out a sardonic laugh.
He couldn’t shake off the memory of his opponent’s arrogant claims, as if he was someone of great importance.
“Why are you so worried? If you trust her, you shouldn’t need to be so concerned about me.”
That was the duke’s retort after Richard had sent Iona home and warned him when they were alone.
Richard was convinced that Leroy had made a personal approach to Iona with the intention of putting him in a difficult position.
Ironically, as soon as Richard became aware of this, his petty sense of competition melted away like snow.
No matter what tricks the duke played, he would ultimately not get what he wanted.
Iona was not the type of woman to be swayed by such deceitful seductions, so there was no need for Richard to fret unnecessarily.
Nonetheless, the anger towards the duke’s audacious actions remained vividly alive, separate from everything else.
‘How should I make him understand his place? I’m not keen on revealing the existence of a former fiancée just yet...’
It was when Richard, with a look of deep contemplation, gazed down at his now cold cup of tea.
Just as a maid approached to refill it with warm tea, a knock sounded at the door.
Giving permission to enter, an attendant walked in with a tense expression, someone Richard often entrusted with confidential matters.
Instantly, Richard sensed something was amiss from his expression.
“Your Highness, I have an urgent report.”
“What is it?”
“A message has come from our informant at the Count Diesler’s house. The person under surveillance has died.”
Richard paused his motion to dismiss the approaching maid, freezing in place.
Anticipating the prince’s wrath, the attendant clenched his eyes shut.
He had been warned of the prince’s already sour mood upon his arrival.
It was uncertain what kind of severe reprimand they might face today.
Rumors had already spread throughout the palace that the guards on duty for a lapse in security following the ball two nights ago had all been dismissed.
Only the captain of the guards, who had been absent due to family matters, had narrowly retained the position by a stroke of luck.
Though the prince’s anger might subside and the personnel decisions reversed, no one could predict when.
Perhaps he might even be dismissed for merely delivering unpleasant news.
“She’s dead?”
Richard turned his gaze to the attendant, his expression eerily calm, yet those who had served him long enough could detect the restrained fury within.
Swallowing hard, the attendant responded, “It seems she heard the news of her former fiancé proposing to another woman at the royal ball. Despairing, she left a note and threw herself into the river last night...”
The signs had been there for a while.
Ever since the marriage talks between Leroy and Iona began, there had been multiple reports of the surveillance target becoming increasingly despondent.
Considering the circumstances of the person involved, it seemed like a natural reaction, so Richard didn’t pay much mind and brushed it off, never expecting it to lead to such an outcome.
The attendant wished he could go back a few weeks and give his past self a good thrashing, if only it were possible.
While internally berating himself, the attendant noted that Richard continued with his questions.
“Where is the body?”
“We are conducting a search, but have not found it yet.”
“Is there a chance she noticed the surveillance and escaped?”
“The target was not a good swimmer and always avoided water activities. Her acquaintances from her lifetime shared similar sentiments. If she had planned to escape and enlisted the help of a professional, it would have incurred a significant cost, but we haven’t noticed any substantial anomalies in her financial activities.”
Richard fell into a thoughtful silence for a moment.
The attendant glanced at Richard nervously, time and again.
After hesitating, the attendant cautiously asked.
“We’ve collected all her personal belongings. Should we dispose of them, or would you like them stored?”
Barely after the attendant finished his question, Richard issued an order with an air of nonchalance.
“Sort out anything useful and store it. And bring the heads of the surveillance team as well.”
“…As you command.”
The attendant answered, trying to calm his racing heart, relieved that his head wasn’t the one at risk.
With an inward sigh of relief, the attendant bowed respectfully to Richard and quickly left the room.
Richard watched the attendant’s retreating figure in silence for a long while after he had completely disappeared.
With a casual flick of his hand, Richard signaled, and the observant maid approached to exchange his cup.
Holding the teacup, Richard savored the rising aroma along with the steam and asked.
“How long has that one been working under me?”
“…It’s been about five years in total.”
“That’s quite some time. Long enough to become complacent.”
The maid wisely kept her mouth shut, knowing that Richard wasn’t seeking agreement with his statement.
Instead, she sought clarification on another matter.
“Shall we dispose of everything once the situation is settled?”
“Start by narrowing down a successor. Maybe…”
A sudden thought caused Richard to trail off.
After a brief contemplation, he added with an amused smile.
“It might not be a bad idea to entrust it to Iona.”
Given her meticulous nature, she might well live up to his expectations.
Of course, this wasn’t a matter light enough to be decided on a whim.
It wasn’t as if he had only ever assigned her respectable tasks, but the idea of dragging her down to the very depths was something he hesitated over, even himself.
Though the thought of them both tumbling into the abyss, ensuring she could never leave him, wasn’t entirely unappealing.
“I’ll start by selecting some people and report back.”
The maid spoke evenly, as if she hadn’t heard Richard’s earlier dilemma.
At this, Richard couldn’t help but let out a chuckle. Though not one of his knights, she was quite popular among the ladies.
After sending the maid out, wishing to be alone, Richard moved to the sofa and relaxed his body against it.
It wasn’t for no reason; he was truly in dire need of rest.
With the emperor semi-retired and leaving the state affairs to him, his schedule was hectic enough, and his surroundings were filled with nothing but exhausting matters.
The thought of having to reconsider his means of controlling the duke from scratch was already giving him a headache.
It was just then, as he was massaging his temples, that someone knocked on the door, signaling their presence.
Richard’s response was instinctively irritable.
“I thought I said no one should enter.”
“Should I leave then?”
It was Iona’s voice.
At her words, a ripple of emotion disturbed Richard’s previously annoyed expression.
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