DDSWTB 44

Chapter 44

After the tea party ended — inside the Duke’s study.

“Dino, this is a summary of the reports from Nicholas. I’ll leave it here, so please take a look when you have time.”

Vice placed a neatly summarized report — based on the testimonies from Dino and Nicholas — beside the Duke’s desk.

“I see. You’ve done well.”

Saying that, the Duke paused his current work and began reading through the tea party report.

Tea Party Report from the Quincel Estate

Compiled by: Dino, Nicholas

Lady Tiana Astaire was subjected to malicious remarks, insults, and emotional distress.

The contents included statements such as “she is shunned by her own family” and “she lacks education.”

It was discovered that the words spoken by Lady Ivy, daughter of Count Quincel, were based on slander whispered to her by the current Count Quincel himself. Lady Ivy merely repeated them to Lady Tiana.

Moreover, Lady Anna (daughter of a Viscount) and Lady Rika (daughter of a Count), who were also present, joined Ivy in mocking and insulting Lady Tiana.

Upon hearing this, Lady Tiana responded by demonstrating her own knowledge and intellect. However, this only made Lady Ivy visibly angry.

Unable to endure it any longer, Lady Ellie threw the tea she had been drinking onto Lady Ivy and scolded her.

At that moment, Lord Michel Agrion — who had been present — stepped in to defend Lady Tiana.

End of report.

“What shall we do, Your Grace?”

“If I recall correctly, Count Quincel’s business involves trade with the neighboring kingdom. Recently, there have been rumors of misconduct. If we start digging, something will turn up.”

“I’ll begin the investigation immediately.”

“Also, if word spreads that Ellie threw tea at her, that could put us at a disadvantage.”

“I’ll make sure it’s handled discreetly.”

“I’m counting on you.”

Using the vast intelligence network controlled by the Duke’s household, evidence of corruption was obtained within a week.

Fortunately, the incident involving Ellie pouring tea was successfully kept out of public knowledge.

The investigation revealed that the Count had accepted bribes using his noble status, falsified profits from his trade business, and embezzled an enormous sum — an amount so vast that an ordinary commoner could never repay it in a lifetime.

Half a month later.

As expected, the Duke seized this evidence and had the Count arrested on charges of corruption.

During the trial, he was found guilty of both bribery and embezzlement.

Once his crimes were exposed, the Count admitted to them and appeared utterly dejected.

Because his actions had caused great losses to a neighboring country, he was stripped of his title and demoted to commoner status.

It was an unprecedented ruling — a noble reduced to a commoner.

Even among the common people, the downfall of the former Count Quincel became major news, and the imperial capital buzzed with excitement over the scandal.