Chapter 170

What they would have simply glossed over as eccentric habits must have been the tyranny that determined someone’s life or death or course of life. That ‘someone’ would have included Marianne’s mother and father, perhaps even the emperor’s late mother, Empress Blair.

“I will allow Lonstat’s access to my salon again, starting today. Would you please give me some time for lunch in return? ”

“Of course. Anytime!” Marianne nodded, smiling brightly. She smiled a refreshing smile that could not be dismissed as a feigned one.

“Thank you for your generous decision, ma’am. I’ll see you at the salon again. ”

Only after checking her feelings to the end did she leave the main building, escorted by Ober. She deliberately pretended not to recognize Mrs. Charlotte and Cordelli’s enormous concern about her as they waited nearby.

The two walked past several mourners and headed for the quiet back garden. On one side of the well-maintained garden, condolence flowers were piled up like a mountain. They had been sent by the nobles who received Duke Hubble’s obituary notice after scouting all the flower shops in the capital and the surrounding areas yesterday. White flowers such as lilies, daffodils, and summer chrysanthemums were piled high, boasting a sad and elegant appearance.

“Sir Ober,” said Marianne, pulling her black dress behind a pile of familiar lilies.

The shadows of the two men appeared behind the flower wall created by the afternoon sun.

“Did you make this sudden and unexpected obituary by yourself?” she asked.

“Is that rumor getting around in the capital?”

“Yes. Although you said the emperor’s decree offended Duke Hubble’s pride, it seems that everybody believes that you drove him into the extreme situation where he ended his life.”

She gave him some plain information that was moderately naive but not stupid. If she wanted to stay in touch with him, who tended to tell people apart based on the principle of necessity and needlessness, she could not pretend to know what was going on in the social clubs.

“Good. If that’s the case, even the foolish ones will be able to grasp the situation. ”

Ober shrugged and grinned at her. Marianne concealed her anger and held the fan in her hand so tightly as if to break it.

Ober didn’t show any guilt or hesitation while confessing that he fabricated someone’s death.

It seemed that murder was one of the simplest and most common weapons to him. Just like a giant didn’t feel any guilt every time he stepped on an ant, Ober would never feel guilty about taking the lives of others.

In fact, that was nothing new. Wasn’t Ober the guy who worried about her funeral to be held in the summer while attempting to drown her in the lake?

“Well, all this was for His Majesty…”

“The emperor,” Ober cut her off with a sharp voice. “You don’t have to use that annoying honorifics for the emperor who is not here?”

At first glance, he seemed to be considerate, but what he just said was a kind of treason by itself.

Marianne helplessly shut up. Ober’s eyes were too dark and gloomy for her to challenge him.

“… I just wanted to ask you if this was part of your plan to kill the emperor. ”

Only after hearing her reply the way he wanted to hear it did Ober brighten his expression slightly.

“Well, broadly speaking, yes, it’s the same thing. Right now, I’m in the process of sharpening the blade of a weapon.”

“Then, I wish you had tipped me off on this in advance. Do you know how surprised I was to hear Duke Hubble’s sudden obituary? Besides, everybody was gossiping that you were responsible for the murder of Duke Hubble…”

“Did the emperor question you about this?” Ober asked, but she shook her head slightly.

“I don’t know yet. I was so surprised to hear the news yesterday, and I was so busy preparing to go to the funeral that I couldn’t go to the palace…I’m going to go there in the afternoon or tomorrow. ”

“Because Duke Hubble is gone now, the emperor will now move directly. Just visit the palace often to keep an eye on his movements. Especially check out anything suspicious in his study or bedroom. I don’t care if it’s a tiny clue or hint, so if you have anything suspicious, please contact me immediately. ”

“Okay, got it.”

“It’s best for you to come and see me in person, but when things don’t work out, you can send someone else to me. I guess there are some useful messengers hanging around the emperor’s residence and the main palace. I mean those maids in the garden, the servants in the stables, the knights and staff at the main building…”

Marianne swallowed even though her mouth was dry. She already knew there was more than one mole planted by Chester in the emperor’s residence, including Eve, but it was the first time she heard him mentioning his moles. She felt maybe she could find out the identity of those spies even in the Imperial Palace.

“I know the garden maid once because she delivered the letter back then, but I don’t know about the rest of the people you just mentioned. Of course, I can’t stop people and ask them. How do I distinguish them? Is there an easy way for me to find them out? ”

“Hmm.They are not much different from others on the surface. The only way to find them is that they have a family sign on their back or chests…”

“That’s not possible. I can’t take off their clothes to find the signs. ”

These days Marianne was a woman about whom there was a most unscrupulous rumor going around, but she was not crazy enough to take off the clothes of the knights and servants of the Imperial Palace. If the other party was a real spy, he would show his body and follow her order even if he were embarrassed. But what if he were just an ordinary servant or knight that had nothing to do with Obers’ moles?

If that took place, Marianne’s reputation would crumble completely.

“You might feel a bit burdensome, but can you send me a list of them? I’ll destroy it right away once I figure them out. ”

“Well, I don’t think that’s a wise option.”

“Why? Do you think someone else can take from me while I’m reviewing it? Then I’ll just read and memorize it before burning it. ”

Ober laughed instead of answering. Marianne couldn’t figure out exactly what was the truth behind his laughter, so she tempered her impatience.

As she already showed her cards, she would look all the more suspicious if she withdrew now.

She tried to think she was playing poker right now. The man standing in front of her was just her partner playing poker, just like Cordelli, Evelyn, Angelica, or Iric. She felt it would be best to assume her partner right now was Iric, the worst poker player. In that case, her partner used to be easily deceived even when she pretended to change her facial expression.

She decided to make her bid for victory right away. To borrow from the theory of tutor Julia who first taught her poker, winning the game depended on one’s self-confidence. Calmness was the power to move the opponent.

“Ober, can’t you trust me? ”

Marianne moved one step back, shocked and disappointed. Then, Ober came closer to her and rolled his arms behind his back.

“Oh, how can’t I trust you? You are my only salvation.”

His low voice passed right beside her ear. She felt goosebumps at his hot breathing, but she laid her hands on his cheeks like a priest of God trying to confirm faith instead of shoving him away. Despite her very feeble grip on his face, he looked down and made eye contact with her.

She tried to make her look as pitiable and sad as possible at the moment.

‘He is being deceived. He won’t doubt. He is being pulled over. Goddess Anthea, Kader, Cardinal Helena, priests Hilde, Ciel and Hess, please pray for me. He is being deceived, yes, he is…!’

In the end, Ober said, “As there are not many, it’s easier for you to find them when you get to know their faces rather than know their names. Let me send you a person to help you to find them out. So, choose anyone that you like.”

At last, he gave her what she wanted to hear. After hesitating a little, she nodded.

Then Marianne cut out the tangled gaze, pretending to lean on his nape. The Bible’s blessing to pop out of her mouth without her knowledge swallowed with inhale. She sang in silent pleasures.

‘Brilliant glory to both goddesses and faithful priests!’

***

“Lady Marianne!”

An unfamiliar voice was heard from behind her back. Marianne, who was about to get on the carriage, stood on the ground again. Dressed in a smooth silk dress, she looked back gently.

“Miss Roxanne?”

“I wish you the blessing of the goddess!” It was Roxanne who, wearing a black veiled hat, politely bowed to her.

Marianne approached her and raised her up. She returned Miss Roxanne’s greetings by saying the same thing briefly. After exchanging pleasantries, the two were standing in silence for a while.

Marianne looked at Roxanne calmly without asking her anything.