He still remembers you

Evanthe could only watch from a distance as her mother was led away after her hand was cut off.

Viscountess Gilmore, now not a viscountess anymore, looked pathetic. Her hair was matted, her eye bags were very thick, her face was dull, and her clothes were crumpled. Entirely unlike the woman Evanthe had ever remembered, even though her mother was said to be the second most beautiful woman in Balthasar after Queen Consort Catalina.

And now, her mother was just a woman with nothing. The Gilmores had kicked her out of the family in utter embarrassment. Not only that, but Evanthe was also expelled.

Now the two of them live on the miserable outskirts of the Mesina Capital, far from anything.

"At least you still have a place to live, Lady Evanthe. Be happy because even though at the last moment of Lord Archiblad's exile, he still remembers you and gave this house to you," Jeremiah said while showing the location of the small house.

The house is really small. It is only one floor with two small rooms, a bathroom, and a living room and kitchen in one. It was so different from what Evanthe had ever felt.

As if he could read her thoughts, Jeremiah added, "Don't complain too much. This is more than enough for two people to occupy. Moreover, Duchess Dulcia also handed over Lord Archibald's property to you. Just sell it to meet your needs."

"Then what about next? The jewels won't be enough for another year!" Evanthe protested.

"Then find a job to earn money. It's still a good thing Duchess Dulcia care about you."

"She is not! Those things are mine!"

"Lady Evanthe," Jeremiah chuckled. "What you want to call it is up to you. But don't ever think that Duchess Dulcia now got her title and wealth because of Lord Archibald. You don't know what effort Her Grace put into getting everything she has now."

"She can get everything after putting Dad in jail!"

Jeremiah shook his head slowly. Suddenly he looked sad. "You don't know. I saw it myself," he said. "That's why I now serve Duchess Dulcia."

With that, Jeremiah left.

Evanthe and her mom should be grateful for the little house in the suburbs, he says? Is he crazy? A noblewoman shouldn't live in a one-floor house like this!

Anyway, Evanthe doesn't accept her life now. She will return what she once had and what rightfully belonged to her.

Evanthe would do whatever it took if she could kick Selah out of her position right now.

***

[Lord Archibald ascended to become a duke shortly after Catalina's son was born. At the same time, Lord Archibald announced our wedding date.

Well, to hell with our marriage. I've been looking forward to it for a long time, but I'm much more curious about Catalina's son.

His name is Aeneas. King Tristan, without hesitation, made him the second prince.

Even though it has been over a month, the portrait has not been announced. The Royal Palace only announced that the second prince had been born safely and his mother was fine—nothing less and nothing more. But since then, there has been no further news about Catalina.

Is she really all right? How are things after giving birth?

Will Catalina be able to take good care of her child?]

"Excuse me, Your Grace. There's a letter that just arrived from Tullia," said Janette.

Selah looked up from Helena's diary, which she had purposely tucked among her work documents. With smooth movements, she hid the diary. "Bring it here, Janette. I will read it now," he said.

Janette handed the letter from Tullia to Selah. She stared at it for a while before finally opening it.

"Were there no other letters that came suddenly?" she asked. "Like anonymous letters, for example?"

"Nothing so far," Janette replied. "Are… you waiting for a letter to arrive? I can keep watch for you, Your Grace."

"No need. I mean the letter from the illegitimate child," Selah snorted. "Yesterday, the punishment for Father's accomplices was carried out. I thought he would send a letter."

"Oh, I–"

"It doesn't matter. You can go now."

"Then, excuse me, Your Grace."

A letter from Baron Tullia containing congratulations and the latest news about the Tullia Mine. According to his letter, a minor problem at the Tullia Mine had been unsatisfactorily resolved. Baron Tullia said that the perpetrator of the theft ended in suicide, making him think that the thief was not an ordinary person.

[...But so far, everything has been recovered.] So said Baron Tullia. Judging from his slightly halting writing, Selah concluded that his uncle was still worried.

Selah was also worried. It's not usually anyone to look for immediate trouble at the Tullia Mines. Usually, people will target the owner or the owner's family.

The letter from Baron Tullia then ends with a message for Selah to stay alert. The Tullia Mine problem can be solved, but it could be that the problem will move to the Dulcia family. Other people could target the throne and property that Sedah has now.

After writing a reply to Baron Tullia, Selah went to the garden of her residence. She invites Jeremiah to come along.

"You know how stubborn I am. Do you think it's wrong if I insist on not finding out who Father's mistress and illegitimate child is?" she asked.

"You don't normally show your doubts like this, Your Grace," Jeremiah commented.

"Yes, I don't usually do this," admits Selah. "I don't even know why I'm like this."

"You know it's obvious you don't have to bother figuring it out yourself, Your Grace. I can tell you."

"If you tell me now, I feel like I can kill them right now." Selah plucked one of the flowers and twirled it in her hand. "You know how much I hate them," she whispered.

"There's nothing wrong with feeling hate considering how Lord Archibald treated you and the late Lady Helena, Your Grace. Even I wouldn't be surprised if you hated me."

Selah smiled thinly. "Still thinking about that?" he taunted. "It turns out that this young lady who still has doubts was frightened by an experienced old man."

"With all due respect, Your Grace. I admit I have a grave sin on you," said Jeremiah. "I am willing to kill them to replace you."

"You don't like them too?"

"Especially the daughter. She gave the impression as if she was the one who had suffered the most. If you heard her whining yesterday, I'm sure you would have punched her right away," Jeremiah said in a tone full of hatred.

Selah couldn't help but laugh at that. "My father must have spoiled her."

"Yeah, with too many luxury items. The child is used to getting everything just by asking. But what I disliked more was… the way she said it."

"What?"

"As if she deserves the seat of Duchess Dulcia. That stupidity…" Jeremiah shook his head, "what a shame."

"Are you complimenting me? Thank you," said Selah amused. "I feel so much better."

Jeremiah was silent for a long time, then looked at Selah seriously. "I know you will make a fine duchess, but I beg you to be careful, Your Grace. The confidence she has… for some reason makes me wary."