I Won’t Accept Your Regrets

"No, Milady. I was just doing my duty. Such a pile of gold, how dare I?"

"No amount of money will pay off the loyalty the butler showed to the Duke. Don't refuse it. And keep working hard."

I slapped pocket lightly, and the embarrassed butler finally resigned himself.

"Thank you, Milady."

"Have you and your father already eaten?"

"I brought supper to his bedroom."

"Is Harpen finished with the inspection?"

"Yes. He said not to worry. Recovery is just a matter of time."

"This is relief. I'll be very busy soon. Oh, and don't tell my father. He will be worried."

"There's more, young lady."

"Say it."

"And when will these knights from the Imperial Palace leave us?"

"Knights?"

I narrowed my eyes.

"Are they still here?"

"The knights are still guarding the Duke's gates…"

I thought that after the trial was over, everything would return to normal.

"Ah, of course."

There was only one excuse for that.

After that I got up and left the room.

And when I left the mansion, several knights in black armor immediately jumped up to me.

I stared at one.

"Why are you hanging around here?"

"His Majesty has ordered to guard the young lady."

From the outside, everything looked beautiful.

As if the Emperor highly appreciated the loyalty of Duke Croft, and singled out trusted people from his personal knights to escort him.

But, of course, their purpose wasn’t our safety.

"You are not an escort, you are a spy."

The knight was silent. As if he had something to object.

Raymond left the knights on guard in case I escaped again.

Why are you so stubborn?

Really, I can’t understand this.

"I don't need an escort. There is no need to follow me on the heels."

As I made my way to my carriage, two knights followed me with a cold grin.

"Ha…"

"Get out to Your Majesty. If you try to spy on me again, I will leave the Empire tomorrow. "

The knights exchanged embarrassed looks.

"You didn’t understand me? Follow me and I am sailing out of the Empire right now."

I felt the knights froze. I forgot about them and got into the carriage.

Farneo Street, the largest business district in the capital of the Agrita Empire.

The crew stood in front of the tallest building in the area.

This building with a phoenix on a sign was our branch in the Agrita Empire.

The sun was setting and there weren't many people outside. I entered the building, avoiding unnecessary attention.

"Oh sorry. We are closed for today. Better come back tomorrow."

"I need your boss."

The girl responded with an awkward smile, playfully touching her pink hair.

I walked up to her point-blank and showed her a silver card, which only the highest ranks could have.

"This is indeed…"

"I need the head of the branch. Tell him Ellie is here."

When I took off my hat, the girl hatched at me.

My silver hair and purple eyes.

It seemed that it dawned on her.

Silver hair was an unusual occurrence in the Empire and was also known as the symbol of Duke Croft.

"O-oh! Yes!"

Soon after, a magic circle shone, revealing the silhouette of Lumont to me.

"You all have a day off today."

Lumont immediately ushered the staff out when he saw me.

The staff, who had hitherto looked at me with curious eyes, turned to leave the building, and I went upstairs with Lumont.

Lumont's office on the top floor was the size of Jed's office at our headquarters.

And its decoration was luxurious.

It was more like the office of a high-ranking nobleman.

A whole chandelier of magic stones and an expensive mahogany table. Carpets on the floor and a soft leather sofa.

Somehow this place looked even better than Jed's study.

"I have long dreamed of such an office, and put all my soul into the design. Isn't that…?"

Lumont laughed awkwardly, as if he were embarrassed by me.

"No, I like it."

Although it was a branch, not a headquarters, this branch brought us huge profits.

This is how we were able to collect 4 000 gold in just a few days.

"Can I have a cup of tea?"

Lumont sat down opposite me.

"But why haven't we heard from you for the last couple of days? I was surprised to hear that you are still here."

"Initially, I was going to disappear from the Empire, but suddenly something changed… And we need to talk about it."

"How can I help you?"

"The investigation against Count Barten is about to begin, but before it is completed, I’d like you to bring me any evidence of his connection with the Marquis Sios."

The trial ended, but the real criminal couldn’t be brought to justice.

The reason is that Count Barten blamed everything on Metas.

I suddenly thought of Count Barten, who was rolling on the floor and shedding crocodile tears.

Such methods are despicable, but at that time I could only be content with my father's excuse.

But until Marquis Sios is punished, and moreover, he holds the post of prime minister, my father is in great danger.

"Hmm… Judging by the way Count Barten blamed all the flaws on Metas, they probably cleaned up all ties with the Marquis Sios."

"First of all, find me all the ins and outs on Sios. And all to know, with which he often crossed in recent years…"

It seems that first I needed to find out why exactly Marquis Sios went on intrigues against my father.

Something he can get by destroying Duke Croft.

"Yes."

"And I have one more request."

"What?"

"Send about 100 gold to the estate. I need some money here and there while the Duke's fortune is frozen."

"Oh, I see. I'll send the money tomorrow morning."

"Carlisle… Is he safe?"

"Don't worry, he and Helen are in a safe place. I'll be there tomorrow and give you a letter from Helen."

"Thanks. Until then, please follow Carlisle."

"Don’t worry about it. I'll take it personally."

Lumont put on a playful smile.

If I saw this for the first time, I would have doubted his abilities, but not now.

I already know from experience how well Lumont works.

"Is it quiet at your branch today?"

Since Lumont appeared in court with huge bags of money, the curious may soon appear.

Maybe tomorrow we will cover all the front pages of newspapers.

Intelligent reporters and nobles may have already noticed that Lumont is a person from the Phoenix organization.

He came to the court without hiding his face.

"The newsmen haven’t come yet… The knights were the first."

"Knights of the Imperial Palace?"

"Yeah. But they didn’t come to find out the source of the money. Not because of the show at the trial."

Looks like Raymond sent knights to look for me.

"People must have gotten scared."

"Well, not really, just a little hype."

However, everything went well. The organization was not harmed.

"They asked my name and said they would come back later. And they never came back."

"I'm glad nothing happened. People will probably establish my connection with the Phoenix organization soon, so please take action as I said last time."