NIYTR 40

Chapter 40

Rüer Villa

“So that’s how she used the slush fund to pay off the gambling debt.”

“Yes…

“I don’t know exactly where, but there’s also a double ledger in Lady Rosemary’s room.

I saw her hurriedly hide it once.”

A double ledger.

It would detail exactly how Rosemary had spent all the slush funds she had accumulated.

“Find it and bring it to me.”

“…Pardon? H-How am I supposed to—”

“That’s something you need to figure out. You already know, don’t you? I can’t trust you just yet.”

Jane bit her lip hard, then reluctantly nodded.

“You may go now, Jane.”

Jane staggered a bit—her legs weak—glancing at Damian before leaving the alley.

“Are you planning to forgive her?”

“Of course not. She’s just a card to be used and discarded.

Besides, I’m not staying at the Stern estate right now, and without Jane, I can’t make Rosemary infertile.”

“Then that’s enough. Let’s return.”

As Edelweiss followed Damian, who was now leading the way, she suddenly thought back to his earlier actions.

Ezoic

At their first meeting, Damian had grabbed her by the throat.

It had essentially been a moment of lost control.

But that same man had released Jane’s neck at just a single word from her.

Edelweiss had seen it in that moment—

That he had been just as agitated now as he was back then.

‘I didn’t expect him to let go of Jane so quickly.’

No, she hadn’t even expected him to follow her in the first place.

From the moment at the Lunie Bakery, his actions had made her heart tingle ever so slightly.

“…..”

She returned to Lunie Bakery with Damian.

Countess Scherna and Countess Chedil, who were leaving, promised to help quiet the rumors stirred up by the Boniel newspaper.

If they helped, Edelweiss might be able to publicly reveal what Rosemary had done in high society.

But Edelweiss thought nothing came for free.

What would I need to do for those ladies in return?

“If Lady Scherna ever asks for help from Blossomweaver, please grant it.”

“Lady Chedil would simply be grateful if you remembered that she’s always on your side.”

Essentially, they were asking for a chance to grow close to her.

It must have helped that she left a good impression back at the Riche estate.

Countess Scherna, a daughter of a central noble family, and Countess Chedil.

It certainly wouldn’t hurt to get closer to them, so Edelweiss told them she would send invitations to her coming-of-age ceremony.

The two were delighted and promised they would definitely attend.

There were always plenty of people who wanted to get close to Blossomweaver. Even without the Blue Rose, the name alone carries weight.

But until now, the Marquis and Marchioness of Blossomweaver had shown no interest in mingling with other houses.

If people were going to try to get close anyway, it was better to build mutually beneficial relationships.

At least they wouldn’t pretend to be harmless while stabbing her in the back.

Edelweiss now sat in a carriage again, headed somewhere unknown.

Charlotte hadn’t revealed the destination yet, calling it a secret.

“By the way, sis, is the Baroness of Benel a bad person? Are you upset because of her?”

It seemed Charlotte had been bothered by the conversation from earlier.

“…Hmm.”

Not wanting to pass on her negative emotions, Edelweiss hesitated.

But then, Charlotte puffed up her chest and gave it a light tap.

“Don’t worry, I’ll punish her for you.”

“And how exactly would you do that?” Damian chuckled.

“Don’t you know who I am? I’m a princess! If I just say the word, Father will do anything!”

“How impressive, Your Highness.”

“Ugh, Brother, you’re teasing me again!”

Strangely enough, Edelweiss genuinely felt comforted by Charlotte’s words.

There was something about this tiny back that gave her peace.

“Oh! We’re here! Sis, get out now! But close your eyes for a bit first—quick! And Brother, hold her hand!”

Prompted by Charlotte, Edelweiss closed her eyes.

“Hold my hand.”

“…Okay.”

In the darkness, she took Damian’s large hand and stepped out of the carriage.

It felt like it was just the two of them.

“Lady Sha-Sha, may I open my eyes now?”

“Yup!”

At her reply, Edelweiss slowly lifted her eyelids.

…This place…

She saw the high stone walls in front of her.

Ezoic

Inside them was a vast and beautiful residence—Rüer Villa.

Rüer Villa.

A villa built by the Emperor for Princess Charlotte.

Cool in the summer and warm in the winter, it was well known for its comfort.

“It’s a gift, sis! When you marry Brother, you can live here!”

“…What?”

She’d wondered why Charlotte brought her here—but to give her Rüer Villa?

It was such an outrageous offer that Edelweiss immediately declined.

“Lady Sha-Sha, I appreciate the thought, but this is far too much. Rüer Villa belongs to you.”

“Hmph, I already got Father’s permission. He said since he gave it to me, I can do whatever I want with it!”

“……Even so…”

Damian gave a slight nod, as if agreeing she should accept it.

“When you two get married, we all have to live together. I told Brother I didn’t want to, but he said he couldn’t leave me alone in the palace. He felt really bad for you…”

Ezoic

Princess Charlotte fidgeted with her hands and glanced up nervously.

“There’s no need to feel sorry.”

“Can’t you just accept it as a wedding gift? You gave me Elba as a present too, didn’t you?”

Edelweiss also didn’t feel good about leaving the young and frail Charlotte alone in the imperial palace.

After all, the marriage itself was because of her.

Living together might actually be better—it wouldn’t feel awkward, and there would be more moments of laughter.

Receiving the Rüer Villa as part of that arrangement felt like too much.

She’s really been thinking about this all along…

Edelweiss opened her mouth to refuse again, but Charlotte was firm.

“The ownership of Rüer Villa has probably already been transferred to you. You can’t give it back.”

“……”

“And it’s close to Blossomweaver Manor too. If anything happens or you want to invite your parents, it’ll be easy to visit.”

She had even thought about its proximity to Edelweiss’s family, making it harder to say no.

Edelweiss had been feeling a bit down about living far away after marriage.

If she kept refusing now, it might genuinely hurt Charlotte’s feelings.

Edelweiss knelt down to meet Charlotte’s eyes.

“Thank you for thinking of me. I’ll accept it gratefully.”

“Really?”

Charlotte’s sulky face instantly lit up.

“Good, you have to take it. You’re marrying Brother, after all. Now you can’t run away.”

“…What?”

“When you have a baby, I’ll be a great aunt! I’ll read them storybooks and even share my snacks!”

Ezoic

Charlotte excitedly chatted about wanting a baby girl with eyes just like Edelweiss’s.

Even though neither Edelweiss nor Damian had any intention of having children.

“Well, I’m heading back now! You two can look around!”

Before they could stop her, Charlotte bounced back into the carriage.

“Let’s go!”

Her lively voice called out to the coachman before they could even open their mouths.

The carriage she rode in sped off before they could grab hold.

“Let’s head inside. That little rascal’s going to make a racket if she gets back too quickly.”

“……Yes.”

Edelweiss followed behind Damian, keeping a little distance.

Even from the outside, the villa had been overwhelming, but the lavish interior was beyond compare.

They passed a fountain with a sculpture of angels and entered the main hall.

It was so warm, it almost felt like spring had arrived early.

“Charlotte will be staying on the second floor, and we’ll have the master bedroom on the third.”

Master bedroom.

Even though it was a political marriage without affection, of course they’d share a bedroom as a married couple.

Still, hearing it from his mouth made it feel oddly awkward and embarrassing.