Chapter 53: CH 53

Cesare tapped the desk with his finger.

Tuk, tuk…

The constant ringing sound is full of irritation. Joseph swallowed his saliva in an atmosphere that was about to explode.

Just yesterday, Daphne, who had been visiting Count Peliard, returned with a slightly swollen cheek.

It was not visibly swollen, but Cesare, who had experience rolling in the field with the knights, couldn’t help but know.

Besides, is that all? Daphne burst into tears as soon as she saw him.

Cesare had never seen Daphne cry before.

Even when a brief misunderstanding forced Daphne to live in the spire, she did not shed any tears. But her wife, who had visited her parents’ house, burst into tears.

The moment he saw Daphne’s tears, he felt his hands tremble and the blood welled up.

Clearly, something bad had to happen to Count Peliard.

The reason Cesare pretended not to know was because Daphne had the look on her face. Besides, she even burst into tears before she could say anything.

How dare you slap my wife?

Cesare sharpened his teeth.

Daphne’s father, Peliard, came from a greedy family. I heard you are expanding your business by force these days.

Last night Daphne had also asked him to take back her mother’s legacy.

The Count Peliar dared to do business with Daphne’s inheritance. Shameless enough.

Cesare wanted to do more for Daphne. Daphne rejected everything else, but…

I felt like I could do anything if I had a day to stop Daphne’s tears.

Cesare was not the type of person who looked down on someone who touched his own.

Cesare murmured in a simmering voice.

“Did you send someone to Peliard?”

“Yes, sir. The belongings of the Duchess, which remain at Count Peliard, are to be brought back today.”

“An investigation into Count Peliard?”

“Recently, as they expanded their business, they seem to have used debentures here and there. Complex debt relationships are intertwined. Here is the report.”

Indeed, Joseph is a capable assistant. Last night, he immediately found out what Cesare had urgently ordered and submitted a report.

Of course, it was thanks to Joseph’s tearful effort, who didn’t want to break Cesare’s heart for nothing.

Cesare frowned as he read the report Joseph had handed him.

Is this really why he coveted Daphne’s share of the inheritance?

“If I leave it as it is, he will destroy himself.”

“I think so, sir.”

“But Daphne wanted her inheritance back… I have to get my hands on it before that.”

In order to do that, it was good for Peliard to fall once. Do you really need to buy something that will fall in price when it is expensive?

No matter how messed up Peliard was, it was where Daphne spent her childhood.

I wanted to give Daphne the mansion of Count Peliard. Peliard belongs to Daphne, Peliard’s only successor.

Even Daphne will be relieved if that is enough.

“And, Shannet says, the Duchess has no affection for Count Peliard at all. It is unlikely that the Duchess will be offended by what Your Excellency will do.”

Joseph said, examining Cesare’s mood.

Cesare grinned.

“You seem to have gotten very close to Shannet.”

“Yes? It’s not that….”

“You will continue to do that. Daphne comes first.”

“Yes, sir.”

Cesare paused.

‘Daphne comes first…?’

I pondered over what I had said.

‘Sir Duke! Isn’t that love!’

I don’t know why I’m thinking of the words Joseph cried out at that moment. It’s just that he’s faithful to his role as his husband…

It was the husband’s duty to protect his wife and be on her side.

One thing was certain: he didn’t want to see Daphne cry anymore.

Cesare shook his head, shaking his head.

“Did you know about Gabriel’s actions?”

Cesare asked about Gabriel’s progress. Now he had to use his title for Crown Prince, but to Cesare, he was just Gabriel. An ungrateful man who covets his wife.

It was clear that Gabriel had completely forgotten that Cesare had saved Cesare from a humiliation in the first place.

Joseph replied, pretending he didn’t see Cesare clenching his fists, as if his teeth were trembling just by putting his name in his mouth.

“Yes. It is said that he has been actively participating in the meeting to decide the agenda of the imperial family since he personally hosted the congress two weeks ago. We are also conducting social activities with nobles.”

“It’s a conference….”

As he ascends to the position of emperor after the current emperor, it is a natural move, but it is impossible to erase the reluctance for some reason.

What the hell are you up to, Gabriel?

Cesare’s deep sunken red eyes gleamed gloomily.

*****

Gabriel also found out that Daphne and Count Peliard had a bad relationship.

Just by looking at the rumors, he could find out the truth about the current Countess.

People said that Daphne’s mother must have been murdered by the current Countess.

It wasn’t just that. The relationship between Count Peliard and Daphne was not good either.

Within the social circles, there were rumors that Count Peliard was indifferent and harsh to his wife and daughter.

Daphne and Cesare’s marriage was possible thanks to the closeness of their grandfathers.

They promised the marriage of their grandchildren, and in fulfillment of that promise, Count Peliard extorted large sums of money from Cesare at the time of their marriage.

With that money, he was forced to expand his business, and now he is in a precarious situation like a candle in front of a typhoon.

If Count Peliard approached Daphne in such a situation, it must have been for obvious reasons.

Trying to get help from the Duke, or trying to steal Daphne’s inheritance.

‘Don’t worry.’

Gabriel laughed coldly.

The things that made Daphne sad and sick were to die for. Such people were not even worthy of living in this world.

But…

‘I’m sorry, Daphne.’

Gabriel whispered tenderly. Gabriel’s feelings were more concentrated and muddy than sweet love.

I wanted to save Daphne from Cesare at any cost…

In the end…

‘I want you to love me.’

That was Gabriel’s last wish.

Gabriel bit his red lips with white teeth.

Gabriel’s secret meeting with Count Peliard began with such a wind.

****

Gabriel and Count Peliard met at the Imperial palace’s secret villa near the islands.

“… I’m sorry to have met you here, Count Peliare.”

Gabriel smiled.

“His Majesty the Crown Prince!”

Count Peliard swallowed his saliva.

The most important person in the capital was in front of him.

If you catch Gabriel’s string, it’s either a bummer or a jackpot.

If Gabriel seizes the throne, Peliard will share the glory with him, but what if not? it is annihilation

Count Peliard rolled his head to infer why the Crown Prince had summoned him to this place today.

However, no matter what the reasons were, he couldn’t quite figure out why they called him.

Count Peliard stared at the Crown Prince with a tense expression on his face.

“You may be wondering why I asked to see you.”

“……”

“Is the Count’s daughter the Duchess of Daphne?”

“That’s right, His Majesty the Crown Prince.”

Gabriel smiled.

“All the property of those who belong to the original family will belong to the family.”

By convention, this has been the case for the most part. Even if the owners are different, in the end they become the assets of the family.

However, the owner’s consent was required in the process.

“Yes, but….”

Count Peliard’s eyes twinkled.

It seemed that Gabriel had something to say in his favor.

As it is now, the next emperor will of course be Gabriel. Taking the inheritance from Daphne shouldn’t be a problem if he takes the side of Peliard.

“I heard that Count Peliard is in a difficult situation right now.”

Gabriel’s voice became sweet as melted sugar.

“The family is in crisis, and those who have benefited from the family will of course be willing to help.”

Desire flashed across Count Peliard’s face.

“If it goes to trial, the imperial family will support Peliard. Because that makes sense.”

Gabriel secretly encouraged Count Peliard.

“I understand the will of the Crown Prince.”

Gabriel nodded.

Soon, Cesare will be brought to trial.

Gabriel managed to persuade the nobles and set a date for the meeting. And there will be a trial the next day.

After Cesare was taken, no matter how much he suppressed Daphne and robbed her of her freedom, she would be sad.

Daphne was such a person. She takes care of the slave she met because he was injured.

What if Count Peliard did something like that in that situation? So if Daphne eventually has to hand over the assets left by her biological mother…?

Daphne’s kind heart will be shattered.

Gabriel was going to comfort and hug Daphne kindly. He wants to be Daphne’s only savior and support.

The easiest way to win people’s hearts is when you’re weak.

Gabriel suffered from Daphne’s kindness and love. Hungry loneliness was longing for Daphne.