The Villainess' Son is Innocent - Chapter 23
Chapter 12.1
I hastily rushed out of the room, and my nanny, who was just entering, called after me.
“My lady?”
“Ah, it’s nothing!”
Tat, tat, tat, rushing down the stairs, I reached the office where my mother was organizing the ledgers.
“I’m going to visit Marquis Raymon.”
The general butler and my mom, who were closing the ledgers for the month, both widened their eyes.
“Raymon? What’s the sudden reason?”
It might be more effective if I express a curiosity for acquiring books, rather than expressing an interest in exploring someone else’s home library. Just mentioning it could lead people from all over the capital to offer books.
Besides, the Lancasters hold a reputation. Even if she’s my mom, she would never send me to the House of Raymon just because our home library lacks resources.
I had to make it a very ordinary reason to avoid the possibility of being denied.
“Hildred invited me. Is it okay if I go?”
“That child?”
“He’s worried about Emil, too.”
That was a lie. Hil wouldn’t have much concern for Emil being taken to a different domain.
Mom stared at me with a strange look.
Does she find it odd that I came down here just because I received an invitation? Mom signed her approval and handed the papers to the butler.
“Should you arrive early? I’ll be sure to inform Millave.”
“Yes, thank you!”
The first step is done. Now that I’ve used their family name, I needed to ask for Hildred’s cooperation before my lies were exposed.
Before my mom sent the letter, I had to quickly prepare to go out.
“My lady, are you heading out?”
“Yup, staying home is making me feel suffocated. I’m taking the carriage on a light stroll and then I’ll be back.”
I signaled to Elena that I had something to tell her, and she followed closely behind me with a nod.
As we stepped out of the corridor, I handed her a note.
“This is for Hil. Please deliver it right away.”
“Would just delivering it be enough?”
“If he suggests you go together, you may follow him.”
Elena nodded in understanding, smiling.
“Are you heading towards the commercial district? You’ll find tons of cute shops if you follow the main road along to the end of the street.”
“That’s where I told Hildred to meet me.”
In my previous life, Elena had recommended a café nearby. It was where I had summoned Hildred.
Riding the carriage, I dropped Elena off and arrived at the café written in the note. I handed the owner a few coins to rent out the entire shop and waited for Hil, my throat dry.
After some time, the carriage of House Raymon stopped in front of the café. When the coachman opened the door, Hil entered, almost as if in a hurry.
“What are you up to now?”
He took off his hat and plopped down across from me.
He winced as I just stared at him, not saying a word until I finished sipping the last bit of iced chocolate.
“Do you want to order something too?”
He was conscious of the owner a couple of feet away but still flatly refused.
“I’m particular about my food.”
“Hmm.”
Picky bastard. Well, it’s understandable. Without beating around the bush, I brought up my main reason for coming here.
“I plan on visiting the Raymon residence tomorrow.”
“…I wasn’t aware of such information.”
“That’s why I called you here to tell you. If the marchioness asks if you invited me, say yes. I can provide you with some useful information if you help me out in return.”
Hildred was already chosen as the next marquis, but that’s exactly why every distant relative of the Raymon family was eyeing Hildred.
If he dies, they would have to choose a new successor again, and that’s precisely what the others in line are aiming for.
The reason Hil wouldn’t touch any food was because he was always at risk of being poisoned. The information I was about to offer him was also related to threats to his safety.
I am well aware of what happened to Hildred Raymon in my previous life.
“And if I refuse? What will you do?”
“Shouldn’t you be afraid of what information I might know, especially when I’m proposing a deal?”
“I don’t know, should I be afraid?”
“Yes.”
My straightforwardness made Hildred fall silent.
His eyes calmly swept over me, and behind that calm exterior, it was likely he was making quick calculations on what to do.
“Fine. I’ll help you.”
As I was debating over whether to order another glass of iced chocolate, he accepted my offer.
“When you come to the mansion tomorrow, I’ll make sure to be extremely courteous.”
“Thank you.”
And a day passed. Clad in a pristine white coat, I passed through the front gates of the residence of Marchioness Raymon without any issues.
* * *
The reason I remembered this place while searching for information on the small kingdom was because of one person.
Senote Millave Nia Raymon.
Like her successor Hildred, the marchioness was born a distant relative of House Raymon. In the original story, she was the one who provided information on Roveline’s childhood to my mom, the heroine. Senote Raymon was recognized as a renowned scholar and collector of numerous materials, but she was much more than that.
A woman who, from the center of high society, controlled rumors and information in the palm of her hand.
With someone like her providing reports, there was no way the information I was looking for wouldn’t be in her possession.
“Welcome, Vel.”
“Thank you for having me.”
As he came out to greet me, he lifted my hand and politely kissed the back of it. Judging by the slight tremor of his eyelashes, he seemed to dislike it.
“You children really do grow up so fast.”
Heading towards the flower garden to enjoy some refreshments, I found that a visitor… no, the head of the household was already present.
“Have a seat, you adorable young lady. You’re still too young for tea, aren’t you?”
The old-fashioned and beautiful green dress complemented Marchioness Raymon exceptionally well. Her short hair, almost like a bob cut, caressed her jaw and cheek.
T/N: that stomach bug shaved off years of my life, good lord (;;;*_*) but we are backkk
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