ITAYA 55

~Chapter 55~

Meanwhile—

Baldwin trusted Anais when she said she would handle things. She was smart and had enough ability to solve these kinds of problems.

The only things Anais struggled with were things completely out of her control.

Like social status.

But now Anais was a Grand Duchess. She was the highest woman after the Empress. Who could even challenge her?

The only ones who dared were those foolish enough not to realize how dangerous it was.

Of course, there were still people whispering and spreading rumors, trying to pull Anais down to raise themselves up.

But those pathetic people couldn’t really hurt Anais. When needed, they would just come wagging their tails.

But what about the ones who barged in through the open door, barking without knowing their place?

Baldwin wondered what Anais would do about them.

He decided to do what he could. All power and money are connected like a spider’s web.

Count Crenbell’s family, Lady Gwenndolyn’s Horace family, and lastly, his own mother.

He focused on their connections. If powerless people were attacking Anais together, breaking them up would be enough.

Baldwin tapped the table, thinking.

Those kinds of people were nothing without their families. So he had to deal with them as families.

Baldwin rang the bell.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Lutheric answered.

[There’s something I need you to do.]

“Besides the trip to Lakecia and the cruise ship? There are no other new tasks that I know of. Is there something else?”

[Not exactly.]

Baldwin spun his pen around in his hand.

[The Horace and Crenbell families crossed the line. What can we do?]

Lutheric’s eyes widened. He didn’t think they would make a mistake with Baldwin himself. If they had, Lutheric would already know.

So it must be about someone else. Recently, the only one Baldwin cared about was—

‘…Her Grace, the Grand Duchess?’

If it were about someone else, Baldwin wouldn’t bother.

Lutheric spoke nervously.

“The Marquis of Horace is having trouble with his son these days.”

Baldwin’s eyebrow twitched.

The Horace family only had Gwenndolyn. No official son. But there was one illegitimate son, who wasn’t accepted into the family record because the Marchioness refused.

The marquis was supporting the son behind the scenes.

And now, it looked like this son, who just turned twenty, had caused trouble.

“The son drank and got into a fight. The other person is badly hurt, maybe even close to dying.”

Baldwin narrowed his eyes.

[Is the other person a noble?]

In the empire, social status still mattered a lot. If the victim was a commoner, it could be covered up with money.

Unless they ran into a very honest police chief, but that was rare.

Baldwin saw an opportunity.

“Yes. He’s a local noble, but his family is well-known. He’s the youngest son of the Count of Benevin.”

Count of Benevin.

Nobles from the capital and the provinces were like heaven and earth, but a noble was still a noble. You couldn’t just hurt someone and pay to get away with it.

“The Count of Benevin is protesting to the Emperor. He’s even set up in the capital now.”

Baldwin gave a cold smile.

[You’ll need to handle this. Pay off the police. I want the Marquis of Horace to have a really hard time.]

“Yes, Your Grace.”

[And let it be known, quietly, that I’m behind it.]

Lutheric nodded.

“And the Count of Crenbell… the count himself is a problem. He lost more land to gambling. There’s nothing left to sell.”

Gambling.

Baldwin gave a short laugh. He should just take care of her husband.

The current Emperor Castro hated gambling. He believed it ruined lives and had banned it for all citizens. Only tourists could visit casinos now.

But when people are told not to, they want to even more.

Baldwin knew there were illegal gambling houses everywhere.

The Count of Crenbell, a high government official, had gotten involved.

“I don’t think the Emperor knows yet.”

[Let’s keep it that way. Go pay off his debt for him. But now he’ll owe me his life. While you’re giving out money to the police, be generous. Find a police chief willing to squeeze the Count and put pressure on him.]

“And make sure the Count knows who’s doing this.”

Baldwin nodded. He wouldn’t call them in to kneel before him.

These things had to be handled quietly, especially if Anais didn’t want to know.

[The Grand Duchess must not know.]

“I’ll take care of it quietly.”

Baldwin nodded again.

It was easy to spread rumors, but just as easy to make a problem disappear. Baldwin was going to teach Horace and Crenbell their place.

‘How dare they.’

Those who dared talk about Anais’s “manners” and “grace.”

The last one left was his own mother.

It would be even easier to pressure her.

[How much budget is assigned to Mother right now?]

Lutheric’s eyes got wide.

He could see the whole picture. Mother, Gwenndolyn, and Madam Crenbell were plotting something together.

[Cut her budget in half, starting next month.]

“Yes, Your Grace. I’ll tell the head butler, too.”

Rosemarlin was spending much more than other ladies of noble houses. She used all that money to keep up her image. She acted like she would die without it.

She believed shopping and luxury made her feel better and important.

If the money dried up, so would her nonsense.

“Her Grace, the Grand Duchess, won’t know about this either.”

Baldwin nodded. His mother was proud and wouldn’t tell Anais anyway.

[What about the Graham Marquis’s lawsuit?]

“It’s been resolved. Lawyer Lorexer was very reasonable. You’ll get good news soon.”

Baldwin’s eyes flashed coldly.

The next day.

Gwenndolyn was in the salon, picking out dresses, when she grabbed the gossip paper on the table like an eagle.

“What is this?”

“It came out this morning, My Lady.”

Gwenndolyn glared at the innocent worker and read the article. It was about Baldwin and Anais.

There was even a photo of them standing together at the bookstore.

‘Baldwin?’

Gwenndolyn scoffed. Baldwin wouldn’t show up at a place like a bookstore, would he?

There were so many people he could send to run errands for him.

The only one who would do something so “vulgar” was Anais. Baldwin was starting to change because of her.

Baldwin should never be seen in places like this. He belonged high above, where no one could dream of reaching him.

He was Gwenndolyn’s perfect ideal.

‘This is why people say one muddy fish spoils the whole pond.’

Her Baldwin was being ruined. She could never let this happen.

‘I’ll have to push harder.’

She thought she had pressured Anais enough, but it wasn’t working.

Gwenndolyn curled her lips.

There were dozens of elegant ways to bully someone. If shoes didn’t work—

Gwenndolyn glanced around the salon. There were other ways here, too.

“Is there time open for Friday this week?”

“Yes, My Lady. If you want it, we’ll keep it open for you.”

“Good. You’ll have the honor of fitting the Grand Duchess’s dress, so be ready.”

She gave her instructions to the bright-eyed worker.

“Yes, My Lady. I’ll tell Madame right away.”

“This is an advance.”

Gwenndolyn paid those who would help with her schemes.

“Tell Madame I’ll pay double if it’s done right.”

“Yes, My Lady! I won’t make a mistake!”

Gwenndolyn smiled coldly. Even trying on one dress was exhausting. No wonder brides got sick after fitting their wedding gowns.

The weight of the dress, the corset, and the under-skirts all made it hard.

It took a long time and used up all your strength.

Gwenndolyn planned to show Anais just how hard it was to be a real noblewoman.

This was proper “education.”

Gwenndolyn elegantly ripped up the gossip article. Her hands were full of malice.