Chapter 224 224. Crisis, Part IV
Julietta's Dressup
Translator: Khan
Editor: Aelryinth
Killian called the waiting Valerian after a long silence. "Valerian, you have to go to Tilia Territory."
"Yes, Your Highness. Just give me your order."
"The Duke should be sick of Blue Blood Disease."
"Iâll proceed right away." Valerian quickly understood, though Killian did not give him details.
"The Duke heard about the epidemic and found out that it was like a symptom from the poison of the Kiellini family, he killed himself, being pessimistic after losing the secret recipe for the poison."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Itâs a poison he made, so he might notice. Take care so he wonât notice."
"What are you going to do with his will? There is no case of a great noble dying without a will."
"Iâm sure there will be a will that heâs already prepared: a will to his daughter. Thatâs enough. So you need to make sure the Duke doesnât notice. We donât know what heâs going to write in his will when he finds out heâs going to die. But to be sure, youâd better secure his will before you kill him."
"The Duke wonât easily show it. Heâll start with a doubt." Oswald shook his head.
"Before you kill the Duke, take the Duke and his daughter to the Vicern Temple so that the illegitimate daughter can be recognized as of the Dukeâs blood. Get him a certificate of an adopted daughter. Now that the name on the family register has been changed, he will try to revise the will. Take it away then and check it out.
"Youâre trying to proceed with the case of the will before the Duke dies. But... I know you actually want Regina killed."
"How long will she last when her father dies? And I asked you to get a certificate of being an adopted daughter. I didnât say I would let the world know that she was a bastard of the Duke. Just in case, Iâm preparing it to prevent the Dukeâs suspicions. Her father has kicked the chance I gave him, so my benevolence that I had tried to make her an illegitimate child, and the future that I had guaranteed her has gone away. She will live her whole life in hiding. But her mouth needs to be covered, so after the Duke changes the family register, put the magic of silence on her."
"I didnât know the Duke of Kiellini was this stupid. I canât believe he threw his life away like casting away dirt. It would have been better for him to stay calm for his daughter."
"He had more self-esteem and anger than his daughter. The fatherly love that he begged for in front of me was taken away and disappeared without a trace when he lived as a scarecrow. If it hadnât, he would not have done this, ever."
"So now much of the Duke of Kielliniâs property is going to Sir Raven? This is very bitter. Iâm also worried about what will happen to Mrs. Raban."
"No, I wonât let that be done. I made an illegitimate child who did not exist, and does it matter who the bastard is? Letâs just think slowly about who weâre going to turn into an illegitimate child by getting a "blood proof" from his living biological daughter."
"Iâve met Sir Raven often at parties these days, and heâs been acting like the Duke already. I donât know if heâs going to get into trouble before we think about it. Heâs talking about moving to the Kiellini mansion soon..."
Killianâs brow furrowed at Oswaldâs words. "Letâs leave him for now. Now, the first thing to do is so Julietta doesnât get hurt. Iâll think about him after things are settled."
"Well, what shall I name the Dukeâs illegitimate child in the family registry?" Valerian asked him the most important part.
"Would the name be any trouble?"
The door was opened at the same time Oswald spoke. Julietta followed Ian, who came in with the tea and said, "Phoebe Stella Josephine Kiellini, please."
"Julietta? I heard that you went to the treatment center." Killian jumped up and reached out to escort Julietta.
"Iâve been there since the morning. Iâm going to tell you that I found a suspicious person."
With her hands naturally resting on Killianâs hands, Julietta sat down on the chair he led her to.
"Did you find the person who poisoned you?"
"Yes, it was Jane. She followed me for volunteer work and ran away as soon as she got a chance. Maribelâs men are after her."
"How should I kill her?"
"You canât kill her. We need to find out whoâs behind her. I told them to follow her for a while."
Killian nodded, as she had done well. "But why did you go to the treatment center while hiding your identity?"
"Iâll tell you that later. Instead, put it on the Kiellini family register under the name I gave you earlier."
"You must have been thinking about this before." Killian made a disagreeable impression.
"Yes, Iâve been thinking about it ever since I went to Tilia Territory and met Regina. But my last bit of conscience refused to do that, so I couldnât ask you. But I am blocked by nothing because of the incident this time."
"But, the princess, Iâm sorry to say this, but Miss Phoebeâs past could seize your ankle. There must be someone who can recognize her."
Despite Oswaldâs concerns, Juliettaâs resolve remained unshakable.
"Maribel will transform her. Sheâs the one who brought up so many actors. If she changes her speech, gait, behavior, and habits, no one will recognize her."
"But what if someone finds out? You could be in danger."
Against Killianâs opposition, Julietta looked straight at him. "Who are you going to make a bastard of the family of the Duke? Can you trust her? Are you going to use magic power again? No matter how many restrictions you put on it with the magical power, thereâs no way it shouldnât happen. I donât want to live my whole life with that time bomb. But I also hate it because Iâm nervous about Sir Raven becoming the Duke and wielding power. Who will be responsible for my auntâs safety?"
"How can you be sure that she wonât betray you? If Sir Raven does anything that goes too far, Iâll put my hands on it."
Killian also knew Phoebe was not a woman to betray anyone. As Julietta said, she was the best fit for the job, if it wasnât for her past. However, he could not take the risk, because he did not know how many people she was exposed to in the brothel of Lebatum and the capital.
Julietta closed her eyes tightly and opened her eyes to beg for forgiveness. To persuade Killian, she had to say cruel things. "She wonât betray me because of that troubled past. Itâll work if I make a bigger weakness for the person who has my weakness, the seat of the Dukeâs bastard. If she hides her identity from the brothel and takes over everything as the illegitimate child of the Duke of Kiellini, she wonât betray me to protect it."
When Killian still didnât answer, Julietta brought up the next solution. It was the safest method at the same time, though she didnât want to use it if possible. "Please find Phoebeâs bridegroom among your trusted men. If he were to act as an agent for the Kiellini family, there would be very little need for Phoebe to show up."
Not attending a meeting or party was a matter of excuses. It troubled her mind if she had to get Phoebe into an unwanted marriage, but it would be safer and more protected than living in the Imperial Castle as her maid.
Julietta added after thinking for a moment, "It may be dangerous to fix a family registry under the name Phoebe. Iâd rather use a different name."
Sensing Juliettaâs strong will, Killian finally nodded.
"Can I give you an opinion then?" Oswald raised his hand cautiously as the argument seemed to have finally reached a dramatic conclusion.
"Tell me."
When Killianâs permission fell, Oswald opened his mouth excitedly. "Please include my cousin, Reynold, as a candidate for Miss Phoebeâs bridegroom. I think he has a soft spot for Miss Phoebe."
At Oswaldâs words, Julietta exclaimed in a fit of excitement. "Really? Really?"
She thought of Phoebe, who blushed slightly whenever she came into contact with Reynold by accident in class. However, Phoebe seemed to think that she could never dream of that, because he was a relative of one of Killianâs most beloved aides, the Marquis of Oswald.