“I feel like I’m constantly causing you trouble.”
“It’s alright. I also wish for Olivier and Hannelore to live days without having to fear for their safety.”
“I appreciate you saying that, but… is there anything I can do to help you?”
“No, not particularly…”
Jared was at a loss when suddenly asked if there was anything he could do. He was grateful for the Duke’s concern, but he had managed on his own for everything he could so far, and there was nothing he was particularly struggling with.
However, there was one thing Jared thought the Duke Alway might be able to resolve for him.
It was—the truth behind his mother’s death.
From the incident of his engagement with Olivier, he had learned the vastness and depth of the Alway Ducal Family’s information network, and he thought that perhaps the truth of his mother’s death could also be revealed.
“Seeing your face, it seems there is something. Don’t hesitate, tell me. Of course, I promise not to speak of it to anyone.”
Though the Duke was likely speaking out of goodwill, his words felt tempting and sweet.
Jared felt a dryness in his throat. Just uttering a single word made his tension rise naturally.
“My m—”
His voice came out shaky, so he cleared his throat and spoke again.
“Is it possible to have the truth of my mother’s death revealed?”
Jared’s determined words surprised the Duke Alway. However, he nodded in understanding.
“I see, the truth of Liz Murphy’s death…”
“Yes. I thought perhaps with the Ducal Family’s information network, it might be possible.”
“I feel bad for you, but when you became Olivier’s fiancé, I had a general investigation done. Baron Daum is a trustworthy person, and I wish to trust you, his grandson. However, due to my position and the problems I face, I cannot easily trust people. I apologize if this has offended you.”
“I don’t mind. Rather, I think it’s the right judgment.”
“Thank you. And, through that investigation, I knew you were looking into your mother’s affairs.”
“—!” Jared gasped in surprise.
He was astonished that the Duke knew this, something he had kept hidden for so long.
Perhaps the Alway Ducal Family’s information network was wider and deeper than Jared had imagined.
“—The truth of my mother’s death… By any chance, do you know it, Your Grace?”
Jared had been searching for the truth behind his mother’s death by poisoning for a long time. Everyone he asked said they didn’t know. Even his grandparents didn’t know the truth, and whenever he brought it up, they would wear a bitter expression, so Jared had unconsciously stopped asking anyone.
However, he had not given up. As the years passed, his investigations had become repetitive, and though he was on the verge of giving up, he desperately wanted to know why his mother had to die, why she was targeted, and most of all, who killed her.
“I certainly don’t know the truth, but I remember Liz Murphy’s death caused quite a shock at the time. I was acquainted with her myself, so it was very unfortunate. Baron Daum also investigated the cause of her death but was disheartened by the lack of results, I recall.”
“You believe the Ducal Family’s information network can find it?”
“It might. I cannot say for certain, and I apologize. However, now that I know the trouble you are in, I wish to help. Just as you fought for our family, I want to do something for you.”
“Duke Alway…”
Jared had never imagined the Duke would think of him so highly.
At the same time, he was reminded of how astonishing the Ducal Family’s information was. He never expected them to know he was still searching for the truth of his mother’s death. Perhaps his grandparents also knew but chose not to say anything.
Jared was a magician, not particularly skilled in espionage. His investigations had flaws and mistakes.
“Due to Baron Daum, I couldn’t investigate on my own, but if you wish for it, Jared, I will gladly investigate.”
“Thank you.”
“However, there is one thing I must ask. Jared, what do you intend to do if you find the culprit who murdered your mother?”
It was already decided, without him even needing to ask.
“—I will kill them.”
He had decided that the price for his mother’s death would be paid with the killer’s life.
The Duke’s eyes widened slightly at Jared’s immediate answer. He had likely sensed that Jared was searching for the culprit for revenge, but the unwavering words must have surprised him to some extent.
Jared wasn’t looking for the culprit out of a sense of justice. He simply wanted to know the truth. And, after knowing the truth, he had decided to kill them regardless of the reason.
It was personal vendetta, and mere revenge.
He didn’t care whether his mother would be sad or happy about the outcome. Jared himself knew best that it was purely for his own satisfaction.
“…I cannot presume to tell you to stop seeking revenge. I myself do not know what I would do if I discovered who was trying to harm Hanne. However, I ask that you promise me this one thing—do not make Olivier sad.”
“I promise. I will not make Olivier sad.”
“Thank you. Then, I will offer my full cooperation.”
“I am grateful.”
Jared bowed deeply to the Duke.
He had wanted to find the truth of his mother’s death, but thought he might have to give up. Now, he felt he might be getting closer.
Even just being given a glimmer of hope lightened his heart.
“It will take time, but I will do my best. Now, that was a rather somber topic. Right, actually, there is someone I would like you to meet, Jared. It’s my son, though.”
“Your son, Your Grace?”
“Fortunately, my son has magic power. He isn’t specifically aiming to become a magician, but he seems to have heard of you and idolizes you, Jared. If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like you to meet him. What do you say?”
“Of course, I would be delighted.”
Jared was intrigued to learn there was someone with magic power in the Alway family.
Perhaps the Duke was trying to find a brighter topic after their somber conversation, but the fact that there was someone with magic power in the Ducal family’s lineage increased the possibility of future magic users being born, which was a joyous prospect.
At the same time, he assumed they were being careful with information disclosure to avoid envy from other families.
Whether the Duke’s son truly admired Jared or not was beside the point; revealing such valuable information, even just because Jared was Olivier’s fiancé, was a testament to the Duke’s trust in Jared, in his own way.
Jared, too, felt a sense of trust from the revelation of a valuable magic power holder. Moreover, he was curious about what kind of people Olivier’s siblings were.
However, he couldn’t help but hope they weren’t children of a consort who targeted Hannelore.
“Then, shall we meet him right away? Jared also has limited time, so it will likely just be a greeting. Is that alright?”
“It is fine.”
“And then, if Jared likes my son after meeting him, I would be grateful if you could look after him, even if just a little.”
“Me?”
“As far as I know, you are an accomplished magician. Above all, you know how to fight. If possible, I want my son to live strongly. Not to fight, but to survive. For that purpose, since he is blessed with magic power, I would like him to be mentored by an excellent person like you.”
Jared understood what the Duke meant, but he lacked confidence.
He was not good at teaching others, and he knew how difficult it was to teach someone of a higher status.
“Of course, you don’t need to worry about status. You can treat him as less than a disciple. Could I ask this of you?”
With his reasons for refusal preemptively dismantled, Jared found himself speechless.
If the Duke said so, he likely wouldn’t be criticized for treating him as less than a disciple, but he couldn’t be optimistic that things would proceed so smoothly.
“Of course, that is, if my son has talent and meets your approval. Well then, let’s just meet first—”
The Duke, likely thinking of his son, was about to move to arrange the meeting when—
“Father, excuse me.”
A young girl entered the room with a knock.
“Emilia, can’t you see we have a guest?”
“I apologize. However, it is precisely because you have a guest that I came to greet you.”
The girl the Duke called Emilia was a petite young woman with a wavy blonde bob, wearing thin-rimmed glasses. She looked about Jared’s age.
She didn’t resemble the Duke much, and not at all like Olivier.
However, she shared their well-defined features.
While Olivier, Hannelore, and Duke Alway gave an impression of warmth, Emilia appeared somewhat cold.
“I truly wished to greet you, Jared Murphy, with whom I attend Weathered Royal Academy. Please forgive me, Father.”
“…Very well. Since you’ve shown your face, greet him properly.”
“Thank you. This is our first time meeting face-to-face, but I know of you. My name is Emilia Alway. Though you may not know it, I also attend Weathered Royal Academy. It is a pleasure to meet you, Jared Murphy.”
