C95
Liena asked the duke without understanding.
"Dad, what do you mean by stopping doing business?"
Duke Cassius put down his utensils and looked at Liena.
"Exactly that. I think it would be better for you not to do business anymore."
"Why?"
"It's only been a few days since the corruption of the Iver Guild was revealed and disintegrated. Why do you want to start a business again?"
"I can do better this time! I wasn't so lucky back then."
"Liena."
"Elliot Rudd is currently in custody, and Cecil Ivert is deliberately staying away from me. I'm still not sure which of the two is the traitor, but either way, neither of them can interfere with me anymore."
That was a problem that had been bothering Liena for the past few days.
It was clear that Elliot or Cecil was the traitor, but it wasn't clear who.
Until Elliot took all the blame for Liena, she thought Cecil was the traitor. But after that, Elliot's attitude was strange.
"Elliot Rudd didn't say anything more. He just said it would be better for him and for you to stay away."
Mikhail, who used his power to meet Elliot, who currently couldn't see anyone, at Liena's request, said this.
He couldn't understand it. Why did Elliot, who followed Liena with so much passion, say that? Once she had doubts, her faith in Elliot wavered.
There was one more circumstance that made her suspicious.
"But in his prison, there was cornbread, something that wasn't seen as official food."
Mikhail, who suspected this, examined the situation in detail.
This was because Elliot was a major national criminal, so it was impossible to borrow money privately.
Moreover, as far as Liena knew, Elliot had no relatives or friends to take care of him.
"The prisoners say that Terence personally brought bread and ordered them to give it to Elliot. Why did he take Elliot's convenience into consideration?"
Although he didn't express it verbally, Mikhail seemed to think that Elliot was Terence's collaborator.
In that case, even though she thought there was no reason to sacrifice himself for her, Liena didn't fully trust Elliot.
Because she knew very well that Elliot was basically a selfish person.
So Liena decided to exclude Elliot and Cecil from her side.
Tara, whom Elliot had once suspected, was on hold for now. Although there were some doubts, losing her would be a painful loss.
Duke Cassius did not give up his decision despite Liena's coherent explanation.
"Still, there is no benefit in starting a business in the current situation. It's better to remain silent for the moment."
"Then you can appoint a representative! I'll take care of everything. Dad, please."
"Representatives also have limitations. You went too far in directing Iver. It would have been a big problem if a guy named Elliot hadn't shown up."
"... Is Dad blaming me?"
"It's not about blaming; it's about teaching. I can't say you have a strong law-abiding spirit, but you went too far."
"Dad, do you know you've changed a bit these days?"
Liena bit her lip and teared up.
"Is it because of Uncle Kayden? After you reconciled with him, you became cold to me."
The former butler of Cassius frequently visited this mansion. There were times when the duke went to visit him first.
"What did he tell Dad?"
"Kayden is not involved. I just decided that you have too much burden on your shoulders right now."
Duke Cassius spoke with a kind expression, as if to console Liena.
"Liena, you've worked hard to take care of this place and the property. In addition to that, it must have been a great burden since you operated up to the highest level. I think because it was so difficult, you made a judgment error and ended up doing the wrong thing."
"Dad?"
"Now, leave the territory to Leandro and leave this place to me. It would be better not to do business and live a normal life like other noble ladies. I won't just cover it up and oppose it, so you can have a little romance with His Highness Mikhail."
Liena's eyes widened.
The duke, who was so dissatisfied with her relationship with Mikhail, urged her to date him first.
"Dad, you've definitely changed. Right, brother?"
Liena looked at Leheim, as if seeking consent, but he avoided his younger sister's gaze.
"No, what father said also makes sense... How worried were we about you when you were imprisoned in the palace prison?"
"Brother!"
"I can hear everything even if you don't shout so loud. Honestly, I hope you don't do anything risky, especially in business."
A strong shock seized Liena. The two had changed.
In the past, they were people who believed in her no matter the situation and worked hard to make what she wanted happen.
"Since when? When did it start to change?"
Liena could remember it precisely.
It started from the day they discovered the time capsule left by the duchess.
Duke Cassius stood up and approached Liena. He gently brushed his daughter's shoulders with a smooth movement.
"Whether you're in charge of household chores or not, and whether you make a lot of money through business or not, you're still my beloved daughter."
Leheim also added a comment.
"That's right, the fact that we're family remains the same."
"So now, don't do anything unnecessary and take a rest. If you want to start a business, you can do it later, after the Iver Guild incident has faded from memory."
Liena read in her father's eyes the sincere concern he had for her.
It was a bit reassuring. Just because he changed doesn't mean he has stopped loving her.
"... Alright. I'll take my hands off household chores."
"Well thought out."
"But I have no intention of giving up on business."
"What?"
"No matter how much my father is my protector, and even if you do this because you care about me, you can't restrict my actions."
Liena confidently expressed her opinion in front of her beloved father.
"Because I am an independent and free-willed human being, a daughter of my father, not his property."
Duke Cassius was momentarily speechless and then tried to persuade his daughter.
"Consider it again. I won't help you with your business, no matter what you say."
"Even if I starve to death?"
The duke closed his eyes tightly.
"Yes, you won't starve."
"Even if I skip lunch and dinner?"
"... It might be painful, but I can't help it."
"Dad has changed too. Although it's fine. There's no need for Dad's help."
Duke Cassius was about to ask what that meant when one of the Duke's employees hurriedly entered the dining room.
"Duke, this is a big problem! Right now at the front gate...!"
After hearing the following words, the Duke left the mansion with wide-open eyes. Liena and Leheim followed suit.
When they went out, a large black carriage had crossed the main gate and was entering the Cassius residence.
It was a carriage with a black goat, the emblem of the duchy, drawn on it.
"That is...!"
While the duke was in shock, the carriage stopped moving in the courtyard.
Finally, the carriage door opened, and a lanky old man emerged from inside.
"Father!"
The old man was none other than Roland Cassius, the father of Edman Cassius and the former Duke of Cassius.
"Father, what's going on?"
Roland frowned when he saw his son.
As a person who once terrified many members of the Cassius people, the Duke's family servants who were nearby naturally lowered their heads in despair.
"Grandpa!"
However, Roland, who was once called the devil of Cassius, changed his mood in an instant and smiled cheerfully when he heard the beautiful voice calling him.
"Oh! What happened to our cute little bunny? I ran all the way here because I missed you!"
Liena ran and fell into Roland's arms.
----------------------
In a back alley of the imperial palace. A man dressed in a deep robe got on a carriage parked on the side of the road.
"Is there any problem? Did you suddenly decide to go on a trip?"
The man who took off the hood of the robe asked urgently.
The man's identity was Terence Belver Asteroth, the second prince who became known to the public for various achievements after uncovering the corruption of the Iver Guild.
And it was I who called that great person while comfortably sitting in the carriage. I patted my luggage bag beside me and smiled.
"It's just as you see. I'm leaving now."
"... Where are you going?"
"To the Andala region."
"It's quite far. Why not prepare a little more before you leave?"
"I'm too anxious. I can't wait any longer."
"That's strange. You always seem calm."
"I want to go with Vinetta, but she said I need Terence's permission."
"Of course, you can take her with you. While you're in the Empire, Vinetta will be in charge of your escort."
"Thank you."
"Well. It was thanks to Ethel that I was able to solve the Iver Guild problem."
Terence's expression darkened as he looked around the carriage.
"But if you go to the Andala region, is it okay to go with Vinetta alone? You might encounter bandits."
"Then, could you add one more escort? There's someone in particular I want."
His eyebrows arched slightly.
"Who is it? Is it among my subordinates?"
I raised my hand and pointed at him.
"... Me?"
Terence made a strange expression. He seemed relieved or sad.
"I'm looking forward to being with you, but I'm busy with other things these days."
"Hmm, maybe you should go."
"What?"
"I plan to kidnap you from now on."
Terence, who heard those words, seemed genuinely embarrassed.
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