Chapter 51…
The Resolve of the Mirage Princess.
“I am deeply ashamed that a matter concerning my own family has developed into such a grave incident. This is entirely the result of my own failings,”
Christoph confessed, grimacing in anguish.
“I have been investigating all this time, believing that I must resolve this matter with my own hands. I’ve learned that Yvette’s father, Baron Raymond, had an illegitimate child — a daughter who married a wealthy merchant from Chalcedony. Their son, it seems, has caught the fancy of that nobleman’s daughter. However, I have yet to obtain any conclusive proof… If this is all I could manage, then I should have been by Felicia’s side from the beginning. To have continued letting her suffer as I did — I am a foolish father.”
“Father… The fact that you’ve always thought of me and done all this for my sake — that alone is enough for me,”
Felicia said, her eyes filling with tears.
At that moment, Alexis, who had been silently listening the whole time, finally spoke.
“I’ve heard a bit about that from Céline,” he said. “She told me she has a cousin in Chalcedony who is about to become the son-in-law of an earl’s family. It seems the Marchioness Dupla has long kept her half-sister under her control — and that hasn’t changed even now.”
Everyone gasped and turned their eyes toward Alexis.
It was painful enough for Christoph to expose his own family’s sins — but how much worse must it be for Alexis, knowing that his fiancée’s mother had once tried to take the life of her stepson’s former betrothed?
Feeling the weight of everyone’s gaze, Alexis gave a wry smile.
“Please, everyone, don’t worry about me. The truth is, ever since Céline was chosen as my new fiancée, I’ve felt something was off. The support for her at that time was strangely overwhelming. Think about it — my sister’s engagement had just been broken off, and yet they wanted to replace her with her half-sister? Under normal circumstances, that would never happen. What’s more, Céline had always lived in Felicia’s shadow and barely attracted any attention. I couldn’t help but suspect something.
I heard that the Marchioness Dupla had been lobbying the ministers and making strong appeals on Céline’s behalf. Yet, I had no choice but to comply with the decision. So, at the very least, I decided to observe — to watch Céline closely, using my position as her fiancé.”
Felicia’s eyes widened in shock.
She never imagined that Alexis had been thinking — and acting — in such a way.
