Translator and Editor: Lea
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Chapter 42
After her carriage arrived at Ian’s mansion, April hurried down the garden. The clicking of her shoes sped up as Ian came out to greet her.
“I left as soon as the dance began, to have the most spectacular time with you.”
Ian stated as he took her hand. As the door opened, the lights turned on one by one illuminating them both.
“I was about to lose my mind when someone said they had someone in mind for a long time.”“That’s why you’re here?”“Yes.”
It seemed the tension they received from the ceremony melted away.
“I’m happy that she’s right in front of me.”
He pulled her in, wrapping the other arm around her waist. There was no space left between them.
“Have you ever danced?”“I have received lessons when I was young, but I’ve never done this before.”“I promise it won’t be hard.”
In the quiet hall – with no colorful and flashing lights or magnificent music – they slowly moved their feet. They danced to their own music.
“Come to think of it, you arrived a little late.”“I ran into Lady Fiora Rose in the detached building. I guess I was careless.”“Oh, please don’t always blame yourself.”“It was probably because she found it difficult to mix into the group.”“That’s right. No matter how much you try to bring up the truth, you can’t control the false rumors that were spread before it. Therefore, she wanted to avoid them.”
Both Ian and April had experienced it before. Moreover, Fiora – who was rumored to be involved with Ian – was living with a more severe misunderstanding. April felt bad for her. Whenever April saw her like that, she was reminded of what she went through in Carleva 10 years ago.
“You seem worried.”“It’s complicated. Even I, who herself is in a similar situation, doubted and tried to avoid her.”
April tried to concentrate elsewhere, but she kept wiggling her hands and focusing on her shoes below.
Ian only pulled her in by her waist. Their premature ball continued for a while longer.
***
Ethan Hale, an advisor to the family of Reykis, thought that the young master of the Reykis family might have gone crazy.
It was because he proposed an increase in down payment, even though all that needed to be handled right now was work related to the North-eastern mining region.
It was lucky for the ransom to rise even though he stayed still, but Ethan had his doubts because he knew Ian wouldn’t do anything in vain.
“Let’s wrap up the story of the land first. We’ve gone through all the purchase procedures, am I correct?”
Whether he knew about Ethan’s curiosity or not, Ian flipped through the documents carelessly. Ethan put on his glasses and carefully examined the documents signed by Ian. There was a lot to deal with because the land came in such a complicated manner.
“There’s nothing wrong. The Marquis can proceed like this.”“It’s my first time buying land, but thanks to you, I settled it well.”“I’m flattered.”“So then, I’d like to entrust you with a job where you can make more use of your outstanding talents. You said you were interested in such events when you were in the academy.”
“Pardon? Well, that’s true….. But are you trying to raise the down payment for that?”
At Ethan’s question, he grinned. It was the first time Ian had such a goofy smile. Ethan squinted his eyes suspiciously at the document he handed out.
“What’s wrong with you? Why am I getting paid so much?”“It’s to prove someone’s innocence.”
Ethan tried to think. None of the Reykis family had such a story, so it must have been someone Ian cared about. Ethan wondered who it was for Ian to help them so much.
“But, isn’t this amount a little too much?”“It was a case 10 years ago, and I think the local court was involved. We need to start collecting evidence now.”“Then, it sounds appropriate.”
Ian chuckled when Ethan murmured. Just in time, a knock was heard on the door of the office. It was Klaus who was ordered to call April.
“Bring her in and come in.”
April entered when Klaus gently gestured her to come inside.
Ethan – who saw a woman of his age at Ian’s house for the first time – couldn’t take his eyes off April. The whole time she walked toward Ian, his eyes followed her figure with a shocked look on his face.
“April, this is Ethan Hale, our family advisor.”“N-Nice to meet you.”
Ethan hesitated, while April looked surprised because she met a helper much faster than she expected. Ian stood up from his seat and walked to her.
“This is my wife, April.”
At Ian’s words, both April and Ethan whipped their heads to look at him. Their eyes were wide in surprise. Ethan – who had not been reported of the marriage – was surprised that Ian suddenly introduced a woman as his wife, while April was surprised he called her wife when they weren’t married yet.
“I-Ian.”
April looked up at Ian. He gently lowered his head to whisper in a voice that was deafening to April’s ears.
“This would be much more comfortable.”
Because it wouldn’t require additional explanation.
“I can’t hold a ceremony because of the circumstances, but let me tell you that we’ll soon be legally married.”“Yes, I mean, may I know what the false accusation was……”“April will explain the details herself.”
Ian guided them to the guest table. Then, he placed a bunch of files he received from April on the table and recommended Ethan to read them.
“Hmm.”
Ethan began to turn them over one by one. The first file of the miscellaneous data stated that judgement was assured by the court of Carleva by burning the Marquis alive.
The next document contained the court’s ruling, witnesses, arguments, Elise’s rebuttal, and at the end, an accusation against Elise.
“This is……”
Ethan was speechless.
The claim that a woman slaughtered dozens of village women alone was absurd, and the time given to prove her accusation was too short.
Elise, who strongly resisted at first, seemed to have given up at once at some point.
“I’m sorry to hear this, but it seems it was a setup.”
Ethan put down the files. It was the story of a woman staged as a villain, or rather as a witch found in precedents a long time ago. Her crime was claimed to be murder, and it was also said that she seduced men.
Of course, murder deserved a heavy sentence, but there were cases of minor crimes where a witch was burned or buried to death.
“Is there any other basis for claiming that your mother was innocent?”“My mother was never like that, so let me tell you the truth. She devoted her entire life to research and taking care of her family. She had no time to commit such an incident. She also lost her physical strength because of the hard time she had.”“Was there anything suspicious besides personal reasons?”“Even though so many people have been slaughtered, there has been no report of such disappearance in Carleva. The scene of the incident has never been disclosed.”“I agree with you, but I need more evidence.”“Evidence that she wasn’t guilty?”“I need more evidence of her innocence, evidence that doesn’t constitute the alleged crime.”
The key was to find something that could prove her innocence.
“I’m sure your mother would have left a small clue. I want to start from there.”“Do you remember anything?”“Yes. My mother’s study. There should be a clue there.”
Her study – which was shut closed since 10 years ago – might contain numerous secrets.
“So please help me. Sir Hale.”
It wasn’t strange to judge that Ethan – who studied law for a long time – had no chance of winning. April joined her hands earnestly. He remained silent for a while, switching his gaze between the documents and April, before he raised his glasses as a habit.
“I will do my best as the Marquis’ legal advisor.”“Thank you. Thank you so much!”
April bowed her head repeatedly. Ian picked up the files and reached out to Ethan as he was getting up from his seat.
Ethan hesitated for a moment before he shook Ian’s hands.
“I look forward to working with you. I’m counting on you.”
It was quite a big deal for April that her ally increased by one. She bowed politely to him leaving the mansion. She raised her head only when he disappeared beyond the gates.
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