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Clink, clink.
Each time the carriage moved, the sound of gold coins clinking together echoed from within my pouch.
The rhythmic sound could have been irritating, but far from disliking it, I even found myself humming.
Moreover.
'Hehe, the scandal broke perfectly.'
I looked at the newspaper Wigg had bought me earlier and smiled with satisfaction.
The scandal between Idris and me that had broken yesterday was still emblazoned on the front page of the newspaper today.
The thought of attracting the attention of the entire empire was tiring, but.
The thought of Peydan grinding his teeth as he read the scandal article made me laugh involuntarily.
"I should have done this in my previous life."
Is this what it feels like to have a long-suffering tooth pulled?
Just as I felt a slight regret for the past that had already passed.
The clinking of gold coins broke my train of thought.
'Anyway, if things continue like today, I'll be able to buy my mother's land when it comes up for auction.'
No, at this rate, I might be able to buy a house as well as the land.
'But it'll be difficult to buy a house right away.'
Not only because of the cost, but also because I need to find a good property, and then hire servants to fill the house with.
'For the time being, I'll have to rely on the Grand Duke's residence.'
I was definitely nervous when I first entered the Grand Duke's residence last night, but after spending the night without incident, my wariness has subsided a bit.
At the same time, I belatedly realized that I hadn't thanked Idris.
'Actually, it wouldn't have been easy for him to let a stranger into his house.'
I should thank him when I return to the mansion.
As I made up my mind, the gold coins in my pouch clinked again.
The sound gave me a good idea.
"Your Highness, the Emperor has sent a personal letter."
Butler Borman, who entered the study, handed Idris the Emperor's letter.
Idris looked at it with a nonchalant gaze.
'…It's come.'
The Emperor's personal letter arrived the day after the scandal with Leticia broke.
It was obvious what would be written there without even looking.
Is the scandal true? Come to the palace immediately.
Something like that would be written there.
'Brother, you worry too much about your grown-up brother.'
Idrian sighed softly.
"Leave it there and go."
Borman bowed and left.
But Idris didn't even bother to open Azef's personal letter, and instead became lost in other thoughts.
"I wonder how the casino went…"
Last night, Leticia left the mansion to go to the casino.
Gambling is the last hope for those driven to the end of their lives, and at the same time, a swamp of despair from which they cannot escape.
Idris said he would rather lend her the money if she needed funds right away, but Leticia refused.
"You said you wouldn't be a knight in shining armor, right?"
"That's―"
"I can do it myself, me."
I wonder if she's smiling or crying, after going to the casino so boldly.
Well, I don't really want to see her crying face.
"…I'm curious."
He hummed softly and stroked his chin.
He hoped that she, who had become a new source of amusement in his boring daily life, would continue to be a source of joy for a long, long time.
Just as he was getting tired of waiting.
"Idris, if you have time, can I come in for a moment?"
A voice he had been waiting for was heard with a knock.
"Come in."
As soon as permission was given, Leticia entered the study.
Idris paused for a moment when he saw her.
Leticia was wearing a flamboyant red dress, not her usual plain clothes.
It seemed that she had deliberately dressed up flamboyantly, as it was an unspoken rule to dress up when going to a casino.
'Certainly… this suits her better.'
She was a woman who was born to be surrounded by wealth and splendor.
It was a pity that she had been hiding her gorgeous face until now.
After a brief moment of thought, Idris asked Leticia, who had already approached the desk.
"How was the casino?"
"How do you think it went?"
It was always me who answered questions with questions, but Leticia seemed to have learned that from me in the meantime.
Idris chuckled and replied.
"You must have won. I don't talk to morons who keep going until they lose everything."
Whether his answer was correct or not, Leticia smiled.
Then, she placed a small, palm-sized box on his desk.
"It's a gift."
Idris looked back and forth between the box and her with a questioning look.
"I don't think I've done anything to deserve a gift."
"You let me stay in this house. No matter how big the house is, it couldn't have been an easy decision to let a stranger into your private space. Thank you."
Idris opened the small box.
Inside was a butterfly-shaped tie pin.
"It's not as good as what you have, but I wanted to thank you in this way, at least."
Seeing Idris's eyes darken, Leticia added awkwardly.
"Um, if you don't like butterfly-shaped accessories, I'll go get something else―"
Just as she was about to take back the gift, Idris spoke.
"No, I like it. I'll use it well."
Only then did a smile of relief spread across Leticia's face.
Idris stared at her.
Why? Why does Aria keep coming to mind whenever I see her?
Even though I know that the two of them have nothing to do with each other, I keep being drawn to her.
'Why that look?'
Does she have something she wants to say?
Just as Leticia, who was confused by Idris's strange gaze, was wondering, a knock broke the silence between the two.
"Your Highness, I'll come in."
It was Heather.
At the same time, Idris returned to his usual relaxed self, as if nothing had happened.
Leticia sighed softly, but took Idris's mood lightly.
Well, it wasn't the first time that she couldn't understand the man.
"I'll be going now. I'm a little tired from staying up all night."
"Okay, rest well."
After Leticia left, Heather entered.
His gaze was hesitant as he saw Leticia off with a light bow.
It wasn't as if Idris wouldn't notice that.
"What's with that disrespectful look?"
"Ah, it's nothing."
Because of his orders, he didn't express his antipathy towards Leticia in words or actions, but he couldn't even hide his expression.
Idris decided to let it go this time.
"You had an appointment with the airship designer at lunch, right?"
He asked, getting up from his seat.
"Yes."
"Let's go now. There's somewhere I want to stop by."
"Th-That's, just a moment, Your Highness."
Heather's gaze was directed at Azef's unopened personal letter.
"Aren't you going to check the letter…? It was sent by His Majesty the Emperor."
"Later."
Idris casually walked past Heather and headed for the door, but Heather couldn't take his uneasy gaze away from the Emperor's personal letter.
'If His Majesty sent a personal letter, it must be a pretty serious matter.'
Idris would be the only person in this entire empire who could leave the Emperor's personal letter unattended like that.
Just as Heather, who was feeling uneasy, was about to follow him a beat late.
Idris, who was leaving the door, suddenly returned to the desk.
'Is he going to check the personal letter?'
Heather watched Idris with anticipation.
But what Idris picked up was the butterfly-shaped tie pin that Leticia had given him.
He pinned the pin to his tie and took the lead.
"What are you doing? Let's go."
Heather followed Idris, unable to shake off his anxiety.
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