Not Knowing The Betrayal Of That Day

After the two servants had gone back, Jean, who was sitting on the sofa, got up and started walking towards her half-painted portrait. With gorgeous jewels draped over her hair and body, almost buried in the profuse skirt, the girl looked more like an innocent princess than a noble queen of a country.

Jean clicked her tongue at the sight of herself in the portrait.

“No matter how innocuous it may be… Isn’t this really too much? I am not a clown.”

Jean muttered as she looked at her other self, who was smiling broadly. Contrary to her words, however, she did not want to retouch or change the portrait again. Because she agreed that she should look like an innocent princess—someone harmless. This had to be shown to the public.

Because she had to disappear from this place someday, there was nothing good about being noticed.

“Still, Sister…”

Jean grumbled with pouting lips. She did not like the choice of her only blood relative, Beatrice, and her behavior. Still, her sister should be able to give her a little hint. She let out a small complaint, then let out a light sigh and shrugged her shoulders.

In the end, she knew that Beatrice’s behavior was reasonable.

“Yes, it would have been easier for Sister to control and manipulate law if she kept it a secret from everyone. No matter how much the secret was hidden, it will eventually leak out.”

Jean was well aware that her sister had been preparing to bring down Duke Callias for a long time. The reason Duke Callias was still able to walk around on his own two legs was because there was no good cause to bring him down yet.

Besides, timing was also important. It would not be possible to push him just because she had power. The side effects would return like a boomerang someday, so she had to be careful about timing. If the timing wasn’t right, things that would work out well get messed up.

‘There is a limit to force. And it’s already been used so it’s not very effective. That’s why the cause and timing are important. It makes idiots think it’s just and reasonable.’

They didn’t even know they were playing in the palm of her hand. Jean hummed and turned her head. Later, she came out thinking that the corners of her mouth should be corrected by the painter.

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Outside the room, the maids who had gone out on her orders were waiting. She said briefly to the ladies-in-waiting.

“I need to see His Majesty.”

* * *

For several days, dark clouds covered the sky. A strong wind shook the trees and bushes in disarray, and the crows that flew in from time to time croaked and made ominous sounds. A gloomy and subdued atmosphere seemed to pervade the entire estate.

Hert climbed up the watchtower and peered over the horizon through his telescope. Suspicious movements were detected from the day before, and things that were not very pleasant were seen from the morning. There were countless soldiers above the swaying waves of the bush.

‘Here they come again.’

The army that had appeared from before had grown larger and was encamped outside the territory. Hert knew what that meant. They were blatantly preparing to invade the territory, sending him a warning in this way. To be precise, it should be called a ‘recapture’ of the territory.

‘Then, was it just a reconnaissance last time?’

Hert looked closely at the composition of the army, but he did not find anything out of the ordinary and took his eyes off the telescope. He thought something might happen, but he never thought it would come this way. Hert nervously tossed the telescope to the knight next to him.

“What should we do, sir?”

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“They had camped, but it would be difficult for the other side to attack first. For the time being, they’ll send scouts out to see us. But don’t be discouraged. Strengthen the guards on the outer wall from now on. Close the gate and restrict the movements of the villagers for the time being.”

“Understood. We will implement it right away.”

Leaving the rest to the knight, Hert came down from the watchtower and jumped on his waiting horse. In the event of an emergency, he would have to fight the territory, so he had to hurry back and prepare for the war. He quickly swung the reins and started his horse.

Returning to the castle, the first place Hert headed was the annex. After passing through the quiet hallway, standing in front of a room, Hert gave instructions to open the door with a gesture to the soldiers standing in front of it. When he entered the room, Janet sat down on the sofa and greeted Hert as she had been waiting for him.

“I thought it was Sir Shine. You are the only one who can come here freely. Why did you suddenly come to visit me? Are you finally willing to let me go? Please sit down.”

Janet moved gracefully and invited Hert to sit across from her. When Hert sat down, he opened his mouth this time as if to let out a complaint.

“Oh, please understand the poor hospitality. Because of someone, I had to separate with the child who was like my hands and feet.”

“I’m not in the mood to joke.”

“Neither am I, Sir Shine.”

Hert raised his eyebrows slightly at the rather sharp answer. He couldn’t figure out why this woman was so imposing when she was only locked up. Because she had Marquis Borwen’s support? Or, did she know he couldn’t hurt her because of Tessa? Well, it could have been both. As she was from Marquis, she seemed quick when it came to working her brain.

“I have a favor.”

Hert went straight to the point.

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“…For me?”

Janet stared at Hert with an incomprehensible face. Thinking that face was quite mean, Hert continued his words.

“I want you to take care of Tessa when something happens in the estate and the situation gets worse.”

“That means… something will happen to this estate soon.”

Hert nodded his head obediently at Janet’s precise point.

“Yes, it may or may not happen soon. So, be prepared for any situation. If I ever get into a situation where I can’t return to the castle, take Tessa and evacuate.”

Hearing Hert’s words, Janet gave a slightly helpless look. She didn’t like being too confident for a person asking for it, but there was something even more absurd than that.

“Sir, I am also trapped here.”

“I’ll let you go if it gets urgent.”

“But why do you trust me?”

“At the very least, I know you won’t hurt Tessa.”

Hert didn’t fully trust Janet, but at worst she was a useful hand in her own way. After all, Janet was from the Marquis, and since she seemed to have quite the intelligence of her own, Tessa could have escaped outside with her.

Above all, Janet was not the kind of person who would hurt Tessa. He could tell by the attitude she had shown. And if Hert was right, Janet shut her mouth and gave a sign of positivity.

“Then, I’ll leave it to you.”

“I haven’t told you my condition yet.”

Janet added a quick comment to Hert, who was about to get up.

“Condition?”

“The child with me. Can you release her as well? It will be easier to escape with that child.”

“…Do you really need her?”

“Sir doesn’t even know, but she’s my safety device.”

Her answer was not to his liking, but at Hert’s behest the knight handed over one key to Janet. Even Janet could tell that it was the key to the prison where Jean was imprisoned, without having to listen to her explanation.

“You can use it only in case of emergency. If nothing happens, I won’t let you out of here either.”

“Yes, I understand, sir. You are very kind.”

“Then, I’ll be on my way.”

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This time, Hert, who had fully gotten up from his seat, was approaching the door. Suddenly, Janet called him and stopped him.

“Sir, do you know why I came here two years ago? Until I became the old man’s seventh wife through a sham marriage.”

Hert looked back at Janet. She was looking at the window, Janet’s eyes were still. She seemed to be recalling something.