Chapter 346
Marquis Crewe shook his head inwardly.
‘…He won’t be able to present proof that I did it, nor proof that it wasn’t that wench’s staged act.’
The Imperial Family’s surveillance network was tighter than expected, he was unable to fabricate decisive evidence targeting Duchess Bayern.
If neither side could find evidence to prove their claims, then it was no different from a draw.
He might not be able to save his granddaughter perfectly, but he should be able to protect his knees.
But why was he this uneasy?
Marquis Crewe glared with bloodshot eyes at Ash’s back as he disappeared after leaving behind a sneer whose meaning could not be read.
* * *
Within the grounds of the Nesman Imperial Palace of, at the Daisy Palace—
The Daisy Palace was a sort of place of confinement where members of the Imperial Family who had been pushed out of power or committed crimes resided.
The one who had come to stay temporarily in this place, which had been an empty palace until a few days ago, was Rebecca.
In this place so barren that it was hard to believe it was a palace where members of the Imperial Family had resided in name, Rebecca was having a secret conversation.
No, could this really be called a secret conversation?
SLAP!
Rebecca’s head turned sharply to the left.
“…Grandfather. What is the meaning of…!”
Rebecca’s eyes shook aimlessly.
Never once in her life had she been punished through corporeal means.
That had always been someone else filling in the role of the child who was beaten.
But now, as a fully grown adult, she had been slapped?!
“Did I not clearly tell you to stay still and not cause an incident?”
She tried to argue back because of the anger that surged up in her, but she flinched at the murderous look flickering in her grandfather’s eyes and the veins bulging on the back of his hand.
But she had to make an excuse.
This was not her fault.
“…It was clearly a good opportunity!”
If things had gone as planned, Duchess Bayern should have been held responsible for releasing the rioters who disturbed the capital and ruining the event.
The one who should have been confined in this shabby palace was not her, but Nina Bayern.
“Yes, if it had succeeded, it would have been a good plan. But because you stepped forward needlessly, what happened?”
“……”
“You were confined, and I became a person under the Imperial Family’s surveillance.”
Rebecca bit down on her lip and clenched her fists.
“To begin with, if only you had not foolishly stepped forward, everything would have gone according to plan.”
Rebecca denied those words inwardly.
She had seen with her own eyes the sight of Nina easily controlling the commotion her grandfather had induced.
She had not been injured, and she had not been criticized either.
“…Grandfather, isn’t it strange that the messenger arrived just in time? That side may have already noticed.”
“Do you think I would not have looked into that? I hear the person who submitted the petition to His Majesty was Marquis Belmore.”
“Marquis Belmore is close to Duchess Bayern…”
Marquis Crewe let out a hollow laugh.
“How foolish. Do you think Marquis Belmore refrains from appearing in high society under the pretext of recuperating in the countryside for no reason?”
Everyone who knew enough knew that it was to stay away from solicitations or requests asking her to sway the Emperor’s will.
In other words, this was a result created by coincidence.
At this point, it would be fair to say that Duchess Bayern had heavenly luck, while his granddaughter had hellish misfortune.
“Anyway, everything you touch brings about the worst result, so absolutely do not move and stay still.”
“But if I stay still like this…”
Marquis Crewe’s eyes sharpened fiercely.
He knew his granddaughter’s violent and impatient nature better than anyone.
Could she not cause an incident because she found the confinement stifling?
“…Well.”
Recalling Ash’s suspicious smirk, Marquis Crewe warned Rebecca once again.
“…It means this grandfather will handle it, so you are to stay still. His Majesty the Emperor will be watching, so you must never act rashly.”
The reason he had deliberately come to see his granddaughter despite knowing about the surveillance was precisely to warn her.
As long as there was no clear evidence, they would not block a meeting between family members.
If Rebecca were to do something foolish and let slip even a clue that the cause of this uproar lay with their side…
He might have to kneel before that insolent Duke Bayern in front of everyone.
“…Yes, I will trust only you, Grandfather.”
Rebecca answered meekly with her head lowered.
However, Marquis Crewe had failed to consider one thing.
Just as he knew his granddaughter’s rashness, his granddaughter also knew his cold-blooded nature.
His cold-blooded nature, which could cut off even his own granddaughter at any time.
