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Chapter 100

The document ordered the return of all water taxes he'd collected from other territories.

The basis was an imperial decree from several generations ago: Waterways are state property, and no noble may levy taxes on them.

That cunning Kaliana must have known about it and filed a complaint.

And her guarantor in filing the complaint was none other than the Duke of Valen.

So the Count couldn't simply use his influence to silence it.

"I told you to bring me the territory—not a headache!"

Bang!

The Count of Farizian slammed his fist on the desk.

Documents and ink bottles tumbled to the floor, making a mess.

Maurice flinched.

"I-I'm sorry!"

"Do you think an apology is enough?!"

The Count's eyes blazed with fury.

After raging for a while longer, he swallowed his anger and let out a long breath.

"Fine."

He shot a contemptuous look at his pathetic youngest son.

"Well, at least the 'water tax' can be repaid."

It seemed the compensation wouldn't go directly to Kaliana, so her family would still be strapped for cash.

Of course, they could no longer use the water tax to threaten and block the river.

"I-I'm sorry."

The Count glared at his bowing son and clicked his tongue.

He'd thought the boy was clever, running the trading company fairly well—but to screw up like this.

The Count rose from his seat.

"Wh-where are you going, Father?"

At Maurice's question, the Count gave him a cold look.

"To see Marquess Monstera."

Marquess Monstera.

A close confidant of the Empress—someone who could easily silence this kind of trouble.

The Count believed that as he left the residence.

Little did he know that the Marquess had no time to spare for his affairs.

---

Creak.

The inn door slowly opened.

"Hah..."

Cedric stumbled in, reeking of alcohol.

"Hic!"

He'd been able to drink freely without a care for the first time in a while.

If that damned Duke hadn't crushed his hand, he could have enjoyed it even more.

Damn bastard.

But he soon grinned as he headed to the bedroom.

Because from now on, only good things would come his way.

I'll get to watch that Emilia bitch fall, and I'll get rich—a perfect two-for-one.

With that thought, he flung open the bedroom door.

"...What?"

Cedric narrowed his eyes.

The room was strangely quiet.

Normally, Reina would be moaning, but today there was not a sound.

"Reina?"

He called her name, but there was no answer.

Frowning, Cedric lit the dark room.

He saw the bed—empty. The covers were neatly made.

"...What. Where'd she go?"

He checked the other rooms, but in this tiny inn, he couldn't find so much as a strand of Reina's hair.

She must have gone to buy medicine.

Cedric dismissed it and collapsed onto the bed.

He smiled contentedly.

Come to think of it, I won't have to hear Reina's annoying whining anymore.

And soon the child would be gone, so there'd be no more fussing.

Of course, she'd seemed a bit shocked when he suggested the miscarriage—

But losing one child for a lifetime of luxury is a great deal, right?

Reina had nodded in agreement.

Actually, what could she do even if she didn't agree?

If he was being honest, it was all Reina's lies that had led to this mess.

Just as Cedric was about to drift off, dreaming of the riches to come—

His eyes snapped open.

Wait, what time is it?

He'd been drinking all night, so it was the dead of dawn.

She couldn't have gone to buy medicine.

And no matter how lowly, Reina was still a noble's daughter—where could she be at this hour?

He bolted upright.

A sinister thought crossed his mind, and he flung open the wardrobe.

"..."

His face stiffened.

The wardrobe was empty—or rather, Reina's clothes were gone, leaving only his own.

"No way..."

Sensing something wrong, he pulled out the coin purse he'd kept in the corner.

"Are you insane!"

All the money was gone.

Reina hadn't just stepped out—she'd run away.

"Where the hell did she go!"

His drunkenness evaporated instantly.

Cedric frantically opened the drawer.

His face went pale.

Inside should have been the vial engraved with the Valen crest—and the poison the Empress had given him to induce a miscarriage.

But—

"No way...!"

The drawer was empty, just like the coin purse.

She'd nodded in agreement so obediently that he'd let his guard down!

"How does every woman I meet steal from me and run away?!"

Cedric screamed.

But he quickly realized this was no time for anger.

Wh-what do I do?!

His legs gave way, and he collapsed to the spot.

No matter how hard he racked his brain, he couldn't think of a solution.

He had no way to recover either the Valen-crested vial or the poison the Empress had given him.

And Reina—the most crucial piece of the plan—had vanished.

Biting his lip in agitation, Cedric scrambled to his feet.

"I-I need to inform Her Majesty the Empress at once...!"

---

The Empress leisurely tended to her nails, recalling recent events.

This hunting competition had been a special entertainment arranged for her son, who had been in low spirits.

Up until the preparations, Aron had been quite excited.

But when he returned from the competition, his face was frozen cold.

"What happened, my son?"

The Empress asked gently, but Aron had shut himself away in his palace, refusing to come out.

So she summoned those who had been present to learn the details.

And heard that the Duke of Valen had ruined the entire scheme she and Aron had prepared.

"Ha."

She'd intended to give away the Princess to solidify her ties with Marquess Monstera.

But that arrogant Duke had prevented her from selling off the Princess.

The constant interference in her and her son's path was infuriating.

But instead of raging, the Empress smiled coldly.

Just keep it up.

The Duke probably thought he could control the situation as he pleased.

But that confidence wouldn't last.

She had always been a woman who knew how to wait.

Even if it meant missing a small opportunity, in the end it would bring her something far greater.

That was how she'd become Empress after losing the previous Duke of Valen.

And how she'd finally borne the son she wanted after only having daughters.

Everything she'd gained was the result of preparation and patience.

So she would wait, without rushing.

Just as she was admiring her perfectly manicured nails—

"Your Majesty!"

Her advisor hurried in.

"What is it?"

He bowed quickly.

"Sir Romains has come to see you."

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