chapter 186 - This Is Enough For Now (1/2)
Ch. 186 This Is Enough For Now
The Selby mansion was in chaos after Helen was arrested for attempting to murder the Crown Prince. Marquis Oswald, her father, burst to the mansion in the middle of the night, and roared at the butler that was waiting for him at the entrance.
“What the hell happened!”
“I-I’m sorry, My Lord. There seemed to have been a major incident.”
“Helen has caused trouble more than once, so just tell me what happened.”
“Well…it appears that she purchased an aphrodisiac and slipped it in the Crown Prince’s tea. I have heard from the maids recently that the Empress would support Lady Selby to become the Crown Prince’s second wife. She was excited about the arrangement.”
“She should’ve waited patiently for the Empress’ move. What’s the hurry to act on her own?”
At Oswald’s reprimand, the butler gave a low bow.
“I-I’m sorry. I should have kept a closer eye.”
“It doesn’t matter. It already happened, and placing blame won’t help now. First, we must make sure the palace interrogator is on our side.”
The butler’s face darkened at his words.
“I tried to arrange it before you came, but…it’s too late.”
“Too late?”
“Yes. The Crown Princess had already designated an interrogator in advance.”
“…Damn it.”
Oswald’s face crumpled. Normally the presence of an interrogator was insignificant, but in such a situation, they became a person of incredible importance. Depending on who they were, evidence could be manipulated and the treatment the accused received in prison could be completely changed. Oswald spoke with increasing irritation.
“Are the evidence and witnesses already secured?”
“I’m still trying to find out all the details, but the young Lady Jenner, who often socialized with Helen, has turned traitor and become a witness.”
“Tsk. That is why I taught her not to trust anyone. You can’t rely on people with lower status, even if they are a noble.”
Oswald turned his heel and boarded his carriage. He needed more information, but it was already clear that the circumstances were unfavorable to Helen. He couldn’t waste more time yelling at people in the mansion, and he urgently needed those who could lend him their power. Oswald was not an influential power in the south for nothing. He excelled in his ability to judge the situation.
“First, find out the total value of all the family’s assets. If things go wrong, I may have to pour out all the wealth I have.”
The butler answered with a look of dismay.
“Yes, My Lord.”
As soon as Oswald heard his answer, he gave a low order to the driver waiting.
“The Empress’ palace, immediately.”
The carriage started again, and Oswald left one last message to the butler.
“Cut off everything related to Viscount Jenner. Once this case is finished, I’ll make them pay dearly for this betrayal.”
“Yes, My Lord.”
The butler bowed deeply in answer, and the carriage rode away from the mansion again.
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Elena was embarrassed that after receiving such a passionate confession from Carlisle, she had to sleep in the same space as him. Their arrangement had become routine to her, and whatever happened in the day, they would see each other in the evening. The same was true after sharing not-so-chaste kisses with him. She could no longer avoid the feelings in her heart.
‘I still look red.’
She looked in the mirror in the powder room and touched her flushed cheeks. She didn’t know how she survived kissing him to returning to the Crown Prince’s palace. Carlisle had wordlessly taken Elena’s hand in the carriage, and her heart beat wildly at his touch.
Dugeun, dugeun.
Just remembering the scene made her heart tremble as if she were back in time. Even without any conversation, she enjoyed sitting by his side and studying his profile as his warm hands enveloped hers.
Was this alright? She was still scared of these new feelings.
‘He liked me from the very beginning.’
The thought alone made her face turn even redder. Elena leaned over on the counter, covering her face with both her hands.
‘What can I do? I’m so happy I’m going crazy.’
She didn’t know if she could allow herself to feel this way. She still had so much work to do…her family was not yet secure, and Paveluc hadn’t been removed. However, she couldn’t control the emotions bursting in her, and her heart reacted before her head.
Elena looked up and studied her crimson face in the mirror.
“…How can I look at him with this face?”
The words Carlisle spoke earlier echoed in her ears.
—Everything about you is incredible. Your eyes, nose, lips are all so beautiful that I can’t take my eyes off them.
Elena collapsed over the counter again. She was going to die. She was so happy.
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