Viscount Benjamin. It was a family name I was hearing for the first time.
Although it was said that he hadn't shown his face in social circles for quite a long time, Herald was the second son of Duke Maximilian's family, known as the Sword of the Empire. Most families knew about him, so the fact that he didn't know meant it was an insignificant family not worth paying attention to.
But Darius was digging into the Viscount Benjamin family. It was certainly strange.
"Have you investigated the Viscount Benjamin family?"
"Of course I have."
Austin leaned back on the sofa, resting one hand on the backrest and raising the other to shoulder height.
"I investigated the current Viscount Benjamin and even the deceased previous generation, but nothing came up. No matter how much I look into it, I can't figure out why Darius is digging into the Viscount Benjamin family."
Herald sat down across from Austin and asked.
"Are you sure you didn't miss anything?"
"Well, it's possible. I'm not an expert in that field."
Austin responded nonchalantly, then leaned towards Herald.
"So, could you look into it for me?"
"Why should I?"
"Because there's no one more suitable for this job than you."
Instead of answering, Herald opened the cigar box and put a cigar in his mouth.
As he was about to light it, Austin, who had moved to sit next to him, personally lit the cigar for him while adding:
"If you can figure out what Darius's dark intentions are, I'll convince Duke Maximilian to let you live freely as you are now."
"..."
Herald didn't answer this time either, but his gaze towards Austin had changed. Seeing the clearly wavering look in his eyes, Austin smiled triumphantly.
"Four years ago, you were able to go to Cardin all thanks to me. It was because I persuaded Duke Maximilian well that you could go to Cardin and return after achieving such merit."
Herald continued to say nothing and deeply inhaled his cigar.
"Although that merit has tied you down again... I can help you this time too."
Austin continued.
"So help me too. Just use your specialty to find out what Darius is up to. I'll take care of the rest."
Whoo, a long stream of smoke dissipated in the air. Herald nodded while stubbing out the barely smoked cigar in the ashtray.
"Keep your promise."
[This is the timeline separator]
It was in the afternoon, when the sun was high in the sky, that Lily cautiously left her room after being cooped up in fear of encountering Brian again.
Fortunately, Lily was able to leave the mansion safely without running into Brian. Her destination was a fairly large bookstore in the square.
Perhaps due to the influence of her father, who worked as a scribe for the imperial family, Lily had been interested in languages since she was young. She had learned not only the imperial language but also foreign languages without discrimination, and as a result, she could speak various languages.
Lily was using that ability to work on translating original texts.
"Thank you for your hard work, madam."
Since people who were proficient enough in foreign languages and reading comprehension to translate original texts were rare, the pay was quite good, but it was still far from enough to cover her mother's hospital bills.
Of course, since Freddie had agreed to take care of her mother's hospital bills in exchange for handing over the Viscount Benjamin title, she didn't need to earn the hospital fees directly.
But she didn't want to keep relying on Freddie. At first, she started the translation work thinking it might ease her burden a little, but the more she did it, the more self-loathing she felt.
Making money was such a difficult task.
Lily inwardly swallowed a deep sigh as she tucked her wallet into her inner pocket. It was a small consolation that although it wasn't enough to cover the hospital bills, it was sufficient to buy the fruits her mother liked.
"Is there nothing else to translate?"
"There's nothing more for today."
"Then I'll come back tomorrow, so if anything comes up to translate, please give it to me and not to someone else."
As Lily turned around after earnestly requesting the bookstore owner, stacks of newspapers caught her eye.
[Herald Maximilian, second son of Duke Maximilian family. Returns to the capital after annihilating the troublesome Salaman tribe!]
[Herald's glorious return. The Emperor praises his achievements endlessly!]
[Will Herald Maximilian push aside the firstborn, Hamilton Maximilian, to become the heir?]
[Herald Maximilian, a promising future. Rapidly rising as the most eligible bachelor in high society.]
The newspapers were plastered all over with stories about Herald Maximilian, the second son of the Duke Maximilian family.
I thought the streets seemed noisier than usual, so that was why.
It made sense. The Salaman tribe was a vicious barbarian tribe that not only plundered the residents living on the outskirts of the empire but also looted trade goods.
The reason the empire hadn't been able to deal with the Salaman tribe until now was because they were as quick as rats, and they only hid in terrain that was advantageous for them to fight in, with steep and treacherous mountains.
But to have annihilated the Salaman tribe. Lily thought that although she didn't know who Herald Maximilian was, he must be a truly remarkable person.
But that was all; Lily didn't pay much attention to Herald beyond that.
After all, she had no leisure to be interested in someone whose face she didn't know and might never see in her lifetime. Currently, her only concern was her ailing mother.
May mother get better soon. May she recognize who I am today.
Lily left the bookstore, fervently hoping and praying.
"Huh?"
But the carriage that should have been waiting in front of the bookstore was nowhere to be seen. Thinking it might have been moved elsewhere to avoid obstructing traffic, she looked around, but the carriage was not there.
Surely... they didn't leave without me?
"Do you happen to know where the navy carriage that was in front of this bookstore went?"
Search "lover" on redcatty(.)com to read ahead up to chapter 70.