‘Perhaps I should retire, just like Iona.’

 

If only it were possible, it seemed that the current commotion could be pleasantly resolved.

 

Of course, it was a wish difficult to put into action, so Saskia could only grimace bitterly.

 

As Saskia and Leroy exchanged barbs, Iona, who had been silently observing, finally joined the conversation.

 

“Is it for my sake or to maintain confidentiality that you would like to speak with Duke’s absence?”

 

“…It’s both, but mainly the former.”

 

“I’m okay with it.”

 

Iona answered without hesitation.

 

Seeing her composed and unshaken demeanor, it seemed that Iona truly had no reservations about sharing her family affairs with her fiancé.

 

Naturally, Saskia, who had assumed Iona would send the Duke away, was taken aback by this.

 

They were planning to openly discuss Hayden from now on, and naturally, the uncomfortable father-daughter relationship would also come to light in their conversation.

 

It wasn’t necessarily Iona’s fault that she had a bad relationship with her adoptive father, but domestic discord was often seen as a flaw in itself.

 

Iona’s decision not to keep secrets from the Duke probably stemmed from her confidence that knowing the truth wouldn’t change his attitude toward her.

 

Saskia became curious about why Iona trusted Leroy so much.

 

‘It doesn’t seem like their relationship is ordinary at all.’

 

Thinking about it, it had been strange from the start.

 

Talking about moving to the countryside with her husband immediately after getting married. Rumors flying about the Duke being head over heels in love with Iona.

 

Even more, the Duke had proposed to Iona at a ball attended by everyone, confirming the prior rumors.

 

‘Was there something special between them?’

 

No matter how much she thought about it, nothing specific came to mind.

 

And that made sense, as Iona had always lived in the capital, while the Duke had stayed within his domain to rebuild his family’s legacy.

 

As far as Saskia knew, the two had met for the first time through this arranged meeting.

 

There was simply not enough time spent together to build such deep trust.

 

“…It seems our Iona has great trust in the Duke.”

 

Saskia looked at Leroy with a skeptical eye and said,

 

Leroy, with a leisurely smile on his lips, simply nodded his head lightly.

 

Though Saskia harbored suspicions that his handsome face might have bewitched an innocent subordinate, she did not show it outwardly.

 

It was too much of a stretch, and there was nothing to be gained from rashly provoking someone of the Duke’s stature.

 

It seemed like he was showing respect due to her being Iona’s superior, but his manner of speaking kindly while still getting his point across made it clear he was no easy opponent.

 

Saskia’s gaze shifted back to Iona.

 

“Since you’re okay with it, I’ll speak freely. After the arrest of Count Modrov was decided, a secret order came from above. They designated personnel to monitor Count Modrov and his son and gave us a list. But you know what’s interesting?”

 

“What is it?”

 

“Every name on that list was of those loyal to the Empress.”

 

The health of the Emperor had been deteriorating, and the royal knights had been under the control of the Crown Prince for years now.

 

This meant that the day the Crown Prince would inherit the throne was not far off, and most knights were loyal to Richard.

 

However, those serving in the Empress’ palace were the exception; they tended to be loyal to the Empress personally, rather than to the royal family as a whole.

 

The Empress’ decision to lock the doors of her quarters had intensified the exclusivity among those associated with her.

 

Since the Empress was the mother of the Crown Prince, it was difficult to see them as a separate faction, but there was a clear distinction given their unique group identity.

 

“Even the interrogation room was guarded by knights placed by the Empress. Everything discussed during the investigation must have already reached Her Majesty the Empress’ ears.”

 

“The Count, being under Her Majesty the Empress, wouldn’t have been involved in only lawful activities. It seems Her Majesty was concerned that secrets that shouldn’t leak out might be exposed.”

 

“I agree. That’s why Her Majesty accepted the surveillance, to save face.”

 

Saskia then squinted her eyes in displeasure.

 

“But if they went beyond mere surveillance to personally deal with the criminal, that’s a different story.”

 

A peculiar silence fell between them.

 

Saskia was implying that Hayden’s death might have been orchestrated by the Empress.

 

Given the Empress’ position, it wasn’t a suspicion one could voice lightly.

 

Iona guessed that Saskia had a valid reason for such a judgment.

 

Iona placed her clasped hands on her lap and asked,

 

“...Do you suspect Her Majesty the Empress?”

 

Saskia did not answer but stared intently into Iona’s eyes.

 

Realizing the silent affirmation, Iona took a deep breath to calm herself.

 

With a complicated heart, Iona asked,

 

“May I know the reason for your judgment?”

 

“There’s someone else who can explain that to you. But….”

 

Saskia trailed off, glancing sideways at Leroy.

 

“I’m not sure if he’d be as willing to have the Duke’s company as I am.”

 

Saskia shrugged after making the cryptic remark.

 

Just as Iona was about to overcome her curiosity and ask who this person was, someone knocked on the office door.

 

It seemed like a prearranged visit, as Saskia, without turning towards the source of the sound, granted permission to enter.

 

“Come in.”

 

The door opened, and the visitor walked in.

 

The person was someone Iona knew very well.

 

With a surprised voice, Iona called out the visitor’s name.

 

“Sir Erich?”

 

Upon spotting Iona, Erich stopped in his tracks as he entered.

 

His gaze was firmly fixed on Iona and Leroy, seated side by side.

 

Erich, too, seemed considerably taken aback by the unexpected encounter.

 

Erich urgently called out to Saskia,

 

“Commander.”

 

“This isn’t a private meeting, so don’t say anything strange and just come sit down.”

 

Saskia commanded with a firm voice.

 

The very essence of the military was to follow orders without question.

 

Erich immediately silenced himself and took a seat in the empty chair.

 

Watching this scene, Iona felt a slight surge of discontent.

 

Iona couldn’t understand why Erich was being particularly arrogant towards her alone.

 

‘Is he implying I’m a superior he cannot respect?’

 

If that was the case, then there was nothing much she could say in response.

 

Given Leroy’s presence, it was awkward to enforce military discipline, so Iona swallowed her grievances.

 

After all, there was a matter more pressing than the military discipline at this moment.

 

“Go over the explanation you gave earlier.”

 

Saskia nonchalantly motioned with her chin for Erich to hurry up.

 

All eyes turned to Erich.

 

Erich seemed not too pleased with the attention.

 

Though his posture was polite, maintaining the bare minimum of courtesy, his eyes betrayed a rebellious spirit.

 

After a pause, Erich turned to Saskia to raise an objection.

 

“Commander, isn’t this a different matter? The discussion we’re about to have involves military secrets. It means it’s something that shouldn’t be carelessly disclosed to outsiders.”

 

“You heard Iona is resigning, right? Are you saying it’s okay to share secrets with someone who’s about to leave?”

 

“I’m speaking of principles,”

 

Erich countered firmly.

 

At this, Saskia scratched her neck with an uncomfortable expression.

 

Logically, in this situation, it wasn’t Erich but Saskia who was on the weaker side of the argument.

 

Saskia looked at Leroy and Iona, as if asking what to do next.

 

Then, Leroy graciously stood up.

 

“If my presence makes things uncomfortable, I’ll excuse myself first.”

 

There was no reason to forcefully insist on staying here.

 

Unlike Erich, who remained openly hostile, Leroy felt no need to be wary of the young man before him.

 

Leroy looked down at Iona with a gentle smile.

 

“I’ll be waiting outside, so take your time coming out.”

 

“But...”

 

“It’s really okay, don’t worry about me.”

 

With that, Leroy reassured Iona, leaned forward, supporting his back with his hand, intending to give a light kiss on her cheek as a form of a casual goodbye.

 

Erich’s eyes widened at the sight.

 

Before Leroy’s lips could touch Iona, Erich shot up from his seat, shouting,

 

“Wait!”

 

The office seemed to echo with his outcry, causing everyone to freeze and turn toward Erich.

 

Leroy, looking puzzled, asked,

 

“What’s the matter?”

 

“That’s...”

 

Erich, unable to find the words, bit his lip.

 

Having raised his voice to stop Leroy, he now struggled to find an excuse for his outburst.

 

Leroy, looking at Erich as if he was behaving oddly, turned his attention back to Iona.

 

Iona, assisting Leroy in a way, slightly tilted her head to offer her cheek.

 

Sparks seemed to fly from Erich’s eyes again.

 

“Wait!”

 

Though he managed to grab everyone’s attention once more, he couldn’t repeat the same action three times.

 

After a moment of deep internal conflict, Erich, swallowing his sense of defeat, said with difficulty,

 

“Upon further thought... it seems it would be acceptable for the Duke to remain.”

--- End Of The Chapter ----

 

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