Chapter 126

 

* * *

 

The story of Ronny and Isaiah thoroughly beating up a man at a party quickly became a hot topic in the capital’s social circles.

No one knew exactly how it happened.

Because of this, upon returning from the party, the two had to sit in the drawing room and amiably write a report on the incident.

However, they did not seem the least bit remorseful.

On the contrary, they even expressed regret that the other party was still able to walk on two legs, indicating they hadn’t done enough damage.

While exchanging regretful remarks amicably, they hurriedly bowed their heads at the appearance of Melody holding a rolled-up catalog.

“What on earth happened here?”

She immediately frowned upon seeing them.

Their appearances were utterly disheveled, largely because Ronny and Isaiah had been gripping and not letting go of each other’s scruff.

“What kind of duel did you two engage in that you both returned in such a dreadful state? Was the opponent that formidable?”

At her words, the two, as if on cue, jumped up from their seats shouting, “No!”

“The other guy is in a worse state. He’s probably shivering under his blankets right now.”

“Lord Ronny is right. We won perfectly.”

The two fist-bumped, giggling together.

It seemed like they were in complete accord.

“Why did you throw the gloves?”

Melody’s subsequent question caused them to simultaneously seal their lips.

“Everyone’s worried because you haven’t told anyone the reason.”

Especially the duke was concerned.

There had to be a significant reason for them to have beaten the heir of a baronial family so severely.

“…Hmm.”

Despite Melody’s concerned look, they remained silent.

They hadn’t been truthful in the report requested by the duke either.

“Ronny. Won’t you really tell me?”

At Melody’s question, he flinched momentarily but then shook his head.

“Gossiping about the details of a duel is not something a gentleman does.”

“What about you, Isaiah? You’re not hiding anything from me, right?”

“Uh…?”

“I’d like you to tell me what happened. The duke is worried too.”

Despite her earnest plea, Isaiah shook his head. He didn’t want to share such a story with Melody.

The mere existence of a dirty misunderstanding was sure to upset her.

“I can’t say.”

He barely responded and turned away. Ronny quietly commended him with a ‘good job’ and patted his shoulder.

“…I see.”

Watching this, Melody stood up with a slightly gloomy expression.

“I thought I could tell Isaiah anything.”

“Uh?”

“And I’ve always been honest with Ronny too.”

“Uh?”

“But you two to me….”

Melody, with a face swallowing sorrow, picked up the report they had written.

“Okay. I won’t ask any more.”

As she turned away with her head down, Ronny hurriedly tried to explain.

“No, no! That’s not it! We were just worried that you’d be upset if you heard the story… uh.”

He accidentally blurted this out and quickly bit his lip.

“Upset?”

Melody turned around sharply, her eyes piercing.

She clearly thought she had caught them in their tracks.

“No, it’s nothing.”

As Ronny dodged the question, Melody turned back to Isaiah.

“What is the story, Isaiah?”

“Uh, well, that’s…”

They shriveled up helplessly in front of the small-statured Melody, eventually finding themselves in a situation where they had no choice but to honestly spill everything.

 

* * *

 

After hearing their entire story, Melody immediately headed to the duke’s room.

“Your Grace.”

She entered with a light knock, and he paused his work to offer her a seat.

“I’ve brought the reports from the two.”

“You’ve had a hard time. Thank you.”

The duke took the paper she handed over and quickly skimmed through it.

Unfortunately, the only thing written was, “We hit him because he deserved it. He really is a bad guy.”

The duke’s expression darkened.

The Baldwin ducal family, possessing high honor and enjoying many benefits, had the obligation to adhere strictly to moral norms.

“…To think they got into a dispute with the heir of a baronial family.”

“I think Your Grace is right. Please scold Isaiah a lot.”

She wanted to say, ‘Please scold Lord Ronny as well.’

However, she couldn’t dare to say so, given her status, and could only mention Isaiah.

“Of course, that’s necessary.”

The duke nodded.

“I have no idea what this is all about.”

“If it’s about that, I found out just a little while ago. It’s unbelievable what they fought over….”

Melody shook her head solemnly.

“Over what?”

“It seems they didn’t like what that man said at the party.”

“What did he say?”

“That I had passed the written exam by dishonest means.”

“…Hmm?”

“But who would believe such a thing? The officers are fair people, and the Higgins family values principles, following the wishes of the Baldwin family.”

Melody thought no one would seriously nod along to such absurd rumors. Without their intervention, that man would naturally have been marginalized among the nobility.

“So that happened.”

“Yes, and now they regret not having hit him more.”

“That’s definitely…”

As he muttered ‘That’s regrettable,’ Melody looked back at the duke in surprise.

“…Excuse me?”

“Never mind.”

The duke shook his head and placed their reports on the table.

To think the phrase “We hit him because he deserved it” was initially considered disrespectful and lacking sincerity, but now his opinion had changed.

It was entirely correct.

Had they merely listened to those stupid words and returned, the duke would have been even more disappointed in them.

“Your Grace, you’re not actually condoning their actions, are you?”

Faced with Melody’s words, filled with concern, he couldn’t bring himself to give a straightforward answer.

What was he to do?

Before he was a duke, he was just an ordinary adult.

And every adult finds any dirt laid before their child’s path to be an eyesore.

“You don’t need to worry about them, I’ll have a separate talk with the two.”

The duke said in a roundabout way.

Of course, that meant he intended to spend time praising them, but Melody did not catch on.

“Thank you. And I’m sorry for causing concern over my matter.”

“That’s alright. But it seems you have something else to say to me?”

“Me?”

“You brought the report I asked the butler for.”

“Ah…”

Melody smiled awkwardly.

“It seems Your Grace knows too much about me.”

“Not that much. So, what’s the matter?”

“I came to tell you first and foremost that I am very healthy.”

“…?”

The duke looked at her with a puzzled expression. Of course, she would be healthy.

The Higgins couple prioritized her health above all else in her upbringing.

“But Lord Claude won’t share the results of his investigation with me, saying I need rest.”

“Ah.”

Now the duke nodded.

That was Claude’s way of being kind, but it seemed Melody was dissatisfied. The tension in her eyes as she broached the topic indicated as much.

“Lord Claude told me he would find ‘the mother.'”

“Yes. That would put pressure on Prince Samuel.”

“But he hasn’t informed me of anything since then.”

“Hmm.”

“Moreover, recently Lord Claude’s expression has been peculiarly dark… I was worried he might be struggling to find her.”

That’s why Melody had offered to help him several times. She could manage sifting through documents well.

But each time, he declined, saying, “You might still be tired.”

“I’m still the daughter of a baronial family without a proper job. I can help without drawing attention from that person.”

Melody notably lowered her voice when she mentioned “that person,” careful not to let anyone realize she meant the emperor.

“Melody.”

Suddenly, the duke called her with a heavy voice.

“Yes?”

“Actually, Claude didn’t have a hard time finding her. All the maids serving Prince Samuel were sent by the royal family.”

“Then… are you saying he found the mother?”

“Yes. He found her.”