TS Duchess Eliza’s Internal Affairs

Chapter 9

Talents Of A Woman Of Rare Beauty

Translated by KaiesV
Edited by KaiesV

A few days after the instructions were given to the chief ministers, a letter from an unexpected person arrived at Amyn’s estate.

「Countess Jungk to me……?」

「Yes. She said the man who brought the letter was her valet.」

「And she have got the wax sealed properly.」

While in my office in my room, I observe the curled parchment offered to Emily. It had a wax seal on it, which was rolled up with a string and fastened with wax.

The wax seal, which cracks when opened, not only indicates that the letter is unopened, but also proves that it is not a fake letter. The purpose was to stamp on it a difficult-to-replicate seal engraved with the intricate coat of arms of the family. Indeed, it seemed to be no less than the emblem of the count’s family, with two large black dogs facing each other across a shield.

「Let me show it to my father before you open the package. Has that messenger returned yet?」

「Yes. I have been told that you have asked me to respond, and I will be standing at the gate waiting for your reply.」

「It’s a pity to leave him standing in August. Show him to the reception room.」

「Yes, ma’am.」

Even though the summers in Rynegard are somewhat more pleasant than back home, this is the hottest time of year in the country. As long as I don’t know what is written, it wouldn’t hurt to do a little something to make a good impression.

Father was sitting at his desk in his study, writing. When I show him the wax seal of the letter for confirmation, he wrinkles his brow, which is unusual for my mild-mannered father.

「Certainly this belongs to Count Jungk’s family. But what would that family want with it after all these years?」

「We must check the inside first. Then we can make a decision.」

I crack the wax in front of my father, who nods, and unfolds the parchment. Facing each other across the desk, we look it over for a moment and,

「Out of the country, Carrhs?, was it? As expected. If I submit this evidence, it will all be cleared up in one fell swoop.」

「No. Eliza, this is probably a trap.」

It was no wonder that my father said so. There are things written there that are hard to believe.

『I will testify and present evidence at the hearing that the Jungks are in league with the Carrhs. I want the Jungk family taken down with it.』

Such suicidal things are written by the wife of the house. It was followed by a statement pleading for lenient treatment of her family, the Oberle, who are jointly named in the accusation, in return.

「We cannot take her at her word and put her on the stand to testify. She is the person at the heart of the Jungk family. We don’t know what kind of testimony she will give at the hearing, and the evidence could be spurious. Besides, look at it.」

Father points to the text on the parchment.

「The letter is signed by Obert, but nowhere is the signature of the Countess written on it. Now that the wax has been broken, she can no longer prove that this is her own letter. Even if we submit this, it will not be a strong piece of evidence, and on the contrary, it will deepen the suspicion against us for bringing something questionable to the table.」

「I think she’s just trying to protect her home, and she’s going to hand over the evidence after she gets assurances that her parents will be relieved of their home, you know?」

「Even if she herself thought so, I doubt her parents would.」

While agreeing with my prediction, Father voiced his concern while stroking his carefully shaved chin.

「If the foster parent falls, the foster child will never survive in an aristocratic society. It is quite conceivable that the Oberle family would even protect the parochial parents at the expense of their daughter. If they claim that they were actually pressured by Clanetta to give false testimony and that the daughter did something premature to protect the family home, we will be in a tight spot.」

The material to refute the accusations is complete. Father was opposed to accepting the offer, saying that there was no need to dare to take in something so uncertain. His opinion was calm itself, and normally I would have nodded as it was. But I shake my head and ask Father what this strange letter is trying to do to me.

「By the way, Father. I wonder if the Countess has ever met the Prime Minister.」

「Of course. There is not a noble in the world who does not wish to be seen by His Excellency. I didn’t see her the other day, but she once attended a ball at the Prime Minister’s residence, accompanied by Jungk.」

Surprised by the abrupt question, Father answered ritually.

「Then there is no way to miss this opportunity. Father, could you please grant a stroke of approval to the Prime Minister? It is time to take advantage of the connections we have made.」

「…I understand. Can we take in Obert then?」

「I will leave that to you. Emily, prepare a letter for me as well」

「Affirmative!」

Leaving the handling of the messenger to others, I call out to Emily, who has been waiting in front of the door since a while ago. She immediately took my quill and parchment from the shelves in the study and reverently offered them.

「Thank you.」

「This looks like fun.」

Borrowing the edge of the desk, Father looks at me with soft eyes as I stand and write a letter. Yes, I replied and presented the letter I had finished writing to Father.

「I will see the face of the brilliant woman who moved Clanetta in the royal capital.」

◆

Two weeks later, late at night, a humble carriage with no coat of arms stopped at the residence of Duke Clanetta in the royal city of Rynegard. A beautiful girl with long red hair also stepped out of the room, dressed in a simple navy blue dress. Then a beautiful dark-haired maid appeared from inside the mansion, approached the girl soundlessly, and bowed to her.

「We have been waiting for you. Please come this way…」

The girl is led by the maid down a passageway that is empty except for the two of them. They must have already been persuaded by their master. She did not recognize the servant. The girl followed meekly, her brown skin illuminated by the lights placed in vain in the passageway.

The maid stops in front of a room that looks like a reception room and knocks lightly on the door. Then, a voice from inside said, “Please come in,” and a voice with a mixture of childishness, but with a clear core, rang out.

「Excuse me.」

After saying no, she passed through the door that the maid had opened for her, and when she saw the girl with the golden eyes who had probably uttered the voice earlier and the person she remembered being present sitting on the sofa, Cecille, a brilliant red-haired girl, was convinced that she had made the right decision.

It was only the next day that the royal court announced that an inquisition would be held against Eliza.