TVGS 46

Chapter 46

“Miss, Miss Lucia Elemoer is here. What should we do?”

Heros asked me with a slightly cold expression.

His face seemed to say he would send her back immediately if I refused, but I nonchalantly accepted.

“Let her in.”

“Yes, Miss.”

A moment later, the office door opened, and a blonde woman, hands on her waist, entered with a determined stride.

Her pretty face and dazzling dress made it clear—Lucia Elemoer, the daughter of my uncle, Fadelmon.

After everything that happened at the ball, had she really forgotten? And now, here she was, standing in front of me again.

Lucia began glaring at me with sharp eyes, immediately starting her protest.

“Katrin! Cancel the accusations immediately! All of the household’s assets have been seized, and my father has been ordered to appear for questioning! You ungrateful wretch!”

“Ungrateful?”

“Yes. After the death of the Duke and Duchess, how much did my father do for you?”

I twisted my lips slightly and looked at her.

“You think he was doing all that out of kindness, just because he tried to steal my nephew’s inheritance?”

At my words, Lucia’s eyebrows twitched.

“And…”

I stood up and walked toward Lucia.

The sound of my footsteps echoed as I approached.

Stopping right in front of her, I spoke with a fierce look in my eyes.

“In the end, after failing to steal the inheritance, he even tried to kill my nephew for it.”

Lucia flinched, but then she hardened her eyebrows and retorted.

“That was just to punish you. My father must have been frustrated seeing how you squandered the fortune that Uncle Fadelmon worked so hard to amass on such useless things, like charity.”

Though she couldn’t fully deny the accusations due to witnesses, it seemed Lucia was making excuses in her own way.

“But then, to frame my father with a ridiculous charge of treason, using the private carriage as evidence? You really…”

“Clever, aren’t I?”

“What?”

“I’m smart, crafty, and clever.”

Lucia’s eyes flickered with disbelief at my self-praise.

“Once your father is purged, he will never be able to reach out to me again, and I’ll be free from this troublesome matter. Why would I refuse this opportunity?”

“Even if you’re telling lies like that…”

“My uncle was a liar even when he gave my father his will. Even if everything you say is part of a conspiracy, do you think I’ll feel guilty?”

Oh, poor Katrin. Your father left a will asking me to manage his inheritance if anything were to happen to him.

Lucia’s lip muscles trembled.

When my father, Luciano Elemoer, was alive, and even when my mother’s cold and fierce gaze lingered around me, Lucia never dared to glare at me.

How much joy had she felt, relying on Fadelmon’s dreams?

The sweet dream of becoming an Elemoer princess instead of me.

“Count Fadelmon will fall into the muck.”

“You, you little…”

“Wake up, Lucia Elemoer.”

I reached out and grabbed Lucia by the collar.

I could see her frown deepening.

“Did you think I’d tremble when you came to threaten me? If you’ve come to beg, you should start by kneeling.”

“How dare you…!”

“No matter how much you beg, your house and those clothes will end up at auction, and nothing will change about your future.”

Lucia sucked in a breath, her face pale.

I could see her clenched fist trembling.

“If you keep this up, I won’t let you off easy…”

“…Oh, are you becoming troublesome now?”

At my words, Lucia’s eyebrows twitched again.

I leaned in closer, looking into her eyes as I spoke.

“If I spare you…”

“…!”

I watched leisurely as the fear slowly spread across her face.

Finally, it seemed like she was realizing something.

That she had no control over this situation.

“Your assets have been seized, so do you think anyone will protect you now? On the other hand, with the interest from my overflowing balance, I could easily hire a few assassins to choke you.”

Lucia took a step back, then another.

I casually brushed my hair behind my ear and continued.

“Yes, perhaps it’s better to deal with this now. Even if I spare you…”

“I… I’m sorry, I’m sorry!!”

Lucia immediately knelt, her eyes trembling.

She clasped her hands together and pleaded with me.

“I… I’ve done wrong. I’ll live as if I’m dead. Just please, spare my life.”

I grinned at her, a wicked smile like that of a villain.

“You handled that cleanly, Miss.”

After Lucia left, I handed her handwritten statement to Heros, who spoke in admiration.

Lucia’s handwriting, confessing that her father was a traitor, trembled with fear.

“A foolish prey walks right in and confesses. There’s no reason not to accept it.”

I had only brought her in to threaten her, not to help.

“What will we do with Miss Lucia?”

A sharp, murderous glint flashed in Heros’s eyes.

“Write another accusation. Let her stay in prison for a while to keep my uncle company.”

“And the contents of the accusation?”

“Accomplice. This statement clearly shows that she knew her uncle was committing illegal acts and chose to do nothing about it. It’s passive involvement.”

“Understood, Miss.”

“Also, make a copy of this statement and send it to Prince Etias. It will help with his investigation.”

“I will follow your orders.”

After handing the statement to Heros, I stretched my arms.

The revolution… that moment was slowly approaching.

‘Now that I think about it…’

“Heros. There’s something I want to buy today.”

“You look beautiful, Miss.”

In the bustling city center’s shoe salon, I spun around in front of the mirror, wearing a dazzling silver dress.

Beneath the flowing hem of the dress, my blue shoes sparkled.

They were a bit uncomfortable for walking, so I hesitated for a moment.

“Do you have something a bit more comfortable?”

“The design might be….”

Having always pursued only the most beautiful things, the salon owner cautiously asked for my understanding.

“They are all rather clunky. Would that be acceptable?”

I had a history of wrinkling my nose and throwing a fit whenever something didn’t match my tastes, so it made sense for the owner to be cautious.

“Mm. Let me see the most comfortable pair.”

At my words, the owner hesitated for a moment before bringing out a pair of leather shoes.

They had a sleek side profile, but the design definitely felt out of place with the elegant dress.

I didn’t mind and tried them on.

The shoes fit perfectly, offering a comfortable feel.

“I’ll take these.”

At my words, the salon owner lowered his head with a stunned expression.

“Yes, of course.”

I looked at my new shoes with a satisfied expression and thought to myself.

‘These are perfect for a midnight escape.’

But then, I felt an odd gaze on me.

Turning around, I saw Heros’s face, and I flinched as my eyes widened.

Heros’s eyes were cold and glinting.

His gaze alternated between the comfortable shoes I had bought and the bag he was holding, which contained the clothes I had purchased earlier—a casual outfit of pants and a shirt.

His eyes, filled with suspicion at my uncharacteristic choice, met mine as I calmly ignored his gaze.

“Let’s get ready to head back.”

Heros took my new shoes from the salon owner.

“Yes, Miss.”

“Oh, and…”

I gave Heros another order.

“Investigate the shoe sizes of the maids and servants, and have them order from this shop again. I just realized they might need new shoes. Oh, and the soldiers too.”

“The soldiers’ combat boots are scheduled for resupply this month.”

Heros’s pointed remark hit the mark, but I paid him no mind and coldly gave my command.

“I don’t like the design. I can’t allow such crude combat boots, devoid of any aesthetic sense, to be worn by the Elemoer household.”

“Understood. As for the stock…”

“I’ll handle it myself.”

The notion of combat boots with “aesthetic sense” was laughable, but Heros, having somewhat caught onto my intention, nodded.

‘There’s a use for everything.’