Obviously, It’s My Child - Chapter 119

For the past five years, Grand Prince Arren’s Palace had been exceptionally peaceful. There was no reason for any events or people to cause disturbance.

Indeed, the number of visitors had decreased. However, this fact, in itself, was not surprising.

After the death of the Crown Prince, Grand Prince Arren had almost closed the doors of his palace. He didn’t outright refuse those who sought an audience, and he willingly extended help to any Arren in need, just as before.

However, private interactions had completely vanished. He had distanced himself, especially from the nobles he used to associate with frequently.

It was due to disappointment in people. Grand Prince Arren hadn’t vocalized it, but he regretted arranging his daughter’s marriage to the Emperor. He was even captivated by the thought that things would have been better if he hadn’t been part of the Arren royal family.

For the Arren nobles who aimed to spread Arren’s glory centered around the Crown Prince was unacceptable.

With the Crown Prince’s death, those who had hoped Grand Prince Arren would become the focal point for revenge and simultaneously unify their influence were all disappointed and dispersed.

Even those who approached with genuine kindness couldn’t stay for long. They couldn’t linger indefinitely by the side of the old man immersed in grief.

However, Duke Moore spoke about it with tact.

“His Highness has retired and lives quietly, as if in seclusion. At most, I come and go only to ask various things. It’s only natural that his visitors have decreased.”

“I’m well aware that Duke Moore often takes care and represents His Highness’ intentions.”

“….”

Duke Moore didn’t bother mentioning that the number of visitors to her had also decreased. There was no need to give a polite response to an impolite question. Claire probably had already investigated and come prepared.

The question was merely to confirm whether she and Grand Prince Arren were aware of it.

Claire took a light breath. She had already prepared herself, but starting this conversation wasn’t an easy task.

“There is someone intentionally spreading drugs among the Arren nobility.”

Duke Moore, who wasn’t prone to show emotional fluctuations, couldn’t help but pause at this statement.

She forgot to refill the empty cup as she looked at Claire.

Claire had clear eyes. The emotions in her eyes, which she had thought were yellow, now seemed red, shimmering like the sun.

“A few weeks ago, I almost got kidnapped, and I believe Duke Moore is aware of that fact.”

“…I’ve heard rumors.”

“I can’t provide specific evidence. However, about six or seven years ago, there was someone experimenting with various opiate formulations, starting with opera enthusiasts.”

This was inferred by tracking the financial relationships and actions of regional lords recorded in the ledgers.

It wasn’t all uncovered, but fortunately, Claire already knew several people among them.

Delford’s influence was much larger than Claire had evaluated.

The Weaving Guild and the fabric stores had expanded into various areas in the Arren region. Influential nobles were entwined with the Weaving Guild in terms of industrial complexes and freight transport interests, and many territories were suppliers of raw materials.

For nobles, such connections directly translated into political influence.

Claire, who thought of this like modern business relationships, had misjudged the situation. She now realized what the Empress had been concerned about.

Anyway, she could discover quite a few things just by writing several letters and sending messengers. This was possible because there were fewer people than she thought who considered it shameful and tried to conceal it.

“Most of the Arren nobles staying in the capital are enthusiasts of lotus leaf cigarettes. Sleep aids and sedatives are also spreading. Even among those staying in their own territories, a considerable number have experienced this.”

“I see.”

Duke Moore responded indifferently. She also regarded this as nothing more than a somewhat undesirable type of luxury item.

Claire let out a small sigh.

“Most serious addicts have given up attending the House of Lords.”

“…?”

“People like me are fine. I wasn’t interested in the first place, so I never attended. But among the nobles who were trying to form the so-called ‘Arren faction,’ over 60% have stopped attending after they quit smoking lotus leaf cigarettes.”

Stopping smoking meant switching to a stronger drug.

Claire didn’t bother bringing a list. It was information that Duke Moore could easily find out if she tried.

“And the majority of them sent completely different opinions to the House of Representatives members they support. For example, the policy of allocating a national budget to create a fishing port in the Ludendorff Marquisate passed without any particular opposition.”

And Ludendorff Marquisate was the parental house of Augusta, the Empress’s chief lady-in-waiting.

Duke Moore’s gaze deepened.

It was certainly strange. Ludendorff Marquisate wasn’t particularly famous for fisheries, nor did it have a renowned port.

No, even if it were the optimal location, the story of pouring national funds would have met opposition from Arren nobles.

“There must have been compromises behind the scenes. Klausener always moves in that way.”

“It’s not a one-time thing. And since then, there has never been a large-scale allocation of the national budget to Arren. On the other hand, Rommel, especially towards the Empress’s side, has received concentrated investments.”

This was not a guess but just information that could be known.

“The dependence of addicts is much more serious than what you might know. I think this was done by addicting the Arren nobles with drugs, and then blackmailing them to control the supply.”

An addict in withdrawal will listen to anything to get the drug.

With a bewildered expression, Duke Moore asked.

“Do you realize that you’re saying something dangerous right now?”

“Fortunately, I will be Duchess Klausener soon, so I think I’ll be fine.”

Claire smiled slightly.

Creating a highly potent drug through experiments on dependence and side effects is not something a simple criminal organization does. If it were just spreading like a trend in social circles, there would be no way to explain why Rommel nobles are not supplied with lotus leaf cigarettes.

“Perhaps the Baron just doesn’t know?”

“I may not know, but there’s no way my fiance doesn’t know.”

Claire said firmly.

Duke Moore tried to refute her several times, but in reality, she didn’t think Claire’s words were completely groundless.

Arren nobles’ visits had clearly decreased, and it was true that Arren’s political influence was dispersing.

She thought it was because they had lost their focal point and goal after the Crown Prince’s death, but even so, there should have been a group opposing them in every aspect for things to be normal.

The fact that it wasn’t like that was abnormal. There was a conspiracy in the background.

Duke Moore took a slow breath and let her chest sink.

The Empress was trying to eliminate the influence of Arren nobles. Grand Prince Arren had already worn himself out with anger and sorrow, to think about it individually.

It was bound to happen. Arren had held on for a hundred years, but in the end, it would be absorbed by Rommel.

“I don’t understand the Baron’s intention. So why are you telling me such a story unless you want to burden that child?”

Duke Moore looked towards the terrace. Elliott’s excited shouts could be heard. There were several fruit trees in the garden, and Grand Prince Arren was helping him pick them up by lifting him.

Claire also glanced at that scene for a moment before turning her gaze back to Duke Moore.

“As for me, Duke, to be honest I’m very afraid to interfere in the power struggle of the imperial family.”

“I see.”

“But I believe that I cannot tolerate someone spreading drugs for political purposes and using them as a means of intimidation.”

Claire absentmindedly clenched and then relaxed her fist.