The Voiceless Duchess - Chapter 16

Chapter 16

The ravens referred to the intelligence organization under Carlisle. Michael added in a low voice, “Apart from the six people with access, if anyone even looks at her bedroom or the private study, Sir Werner will personally…”

He made a cutting motion across his neck. Carlisle flipped the papers over to check who the six people were, and clicked his tongue.

“It seems there’s nothing gained from them. What about their movements?”

“The records from the week before her appearance in Bern are suspiciously detailed and precise compared to normal. However, it’s just a guess. Also…”

As he hesitated, looking at the ceiling, Carlisle nodded as if to tell him to speak. Michael groaned and asked, “Do we really need concrete evidence? It would be different if it were any other family. However, Sidus would investigate Nordvant without hesitation if you testified.”

“Michael, what do I need most right now?”

“…Sidus’ recognition and notarization.”

“That’s right. Why would I accuse Nordvant to Sidus?”

Michael, still looking confused, stared at him.

“You’ve become dull-witted from doing chores, Moyer.”

“But why? We could just request notarization on the condition that we hand over Nordvant’s secrets and testify.”

“If I do that and become a duke, who will be behind me?”

Michael, who had been thinking about who to bring up, swallowed.

“The powerless Ansgar? The traitor Harnoncourt? The Imperial dogs? How could they be trustworthy? Compared to them, how is Nordvant? What about the forces that will naturally follow if I put a leash around their neck?”

Carlisle leaned back in his chair with a grin.

“Whoever it is, we can wrap Nordvant up nicely and hand her over to the priests. I need to keep her firmly in my hands and use her as much as I can.”

“Archbishop Concerto is a close relative of Nordvant, so he could also notarize it. That would definitely be more beneficial, but…”

Michael frowned, flipped the documents in his hand, and muttered, “With such thorough caution, it will be difficult to find evidence.”

“….”

Carlisle, who was deeply buried in his chair, closed his eyes and fell into silence. He tapped his foot as he organized his thoughts, then opened his eyes and rested his chin on his hand, which was on the armrest.

“Expand the scope. Focus on the six people who have access to Lady Lohengrin, their families, the Nordvant Knights, the servants at their home and in the Bern mansion, also anyone else they’ve made contact with and places they’ve visited…”

As Carlisle gave his instructions, he suddenly thought of something and looked up and asked, “Didn’t you say there were three people who came to Bern? Lady Lohengrin, her maid, and the escort knight?”

Michael nodded in agreement, and his amber eyes narrowed, and his lips formed a faint smile.

“Investigate the escort knight and the captain of the knights even more thoroughly. The maid is with her all day, so there’s not much to gain, and I’m sure she would made a mistake while the knights escorted her.”

* * *

Lohengrin had been bedridden since the day she manipulated her journey from Nordvant to Bern with Herta and Ulrich. The spirits she had summoned that morning remained in her sickbed after receiving news of the broken ring. Archbishop Concerto, who had come to reproach her sharply, was worried about her condition instead.

When she finally managed to get out of bed, a week had already passed. It was the first time she had been so seriously ill since the summer of her 19th year.

After opening her eyes, she was busy for another week without a moment’s rest.

She instructed the cleaning and tidying of the mansion, sent letters to her noble acquaintances, and prepared for the annulment proceedings with the help of Herta and Ulrich.

I heard about the general situation from Gunther. (You must’ve strictly forbid anyone to speak about it, but please don’t reprimand him.) He said that the young Duke Dietrich had come and gone suddenly while I was away, and the atmosphere was not good. Gunther said he couldn’t recall anything else in particular. Did Gideon happen to say something that hurt your feelings? Anyway, I’m glad you’ve recovered your health. I’ll hear the whole story when I arrived in Bern. You’ll probably receive this letter the day after tomorrow…

Lohengrin was reclining on the sofa, belatedly reading her father’s letter.

A knock that broke the silence and the sound of the door being flung open made her frown slightly.

“My lady Lohengrin, I apologize for my rudeness. It’s urgent.”

It was Herta’s voice. Lohengrin straightened up and turned around.

Herta’s face was unusually flustered. Her cheeks were flushed, as if she had been running. Herta’s hand, which was clutching her chest, held a crumpled letter envelope.

“This is, well…”

Before Herta could finish speaking, Lohengrin snatched the envelope from her. The name Ulrich Lennart was written on the outside.

He was currently monitoring the movements of Dietrich’s lover and her child at the mansion.