KFBRV Ch 103

He raised his voice deliberately so the Count would hear him.

Ulrich focused on the sounds from the West Wing door.

[Johan] "I came to offer a prayer."

[Ferdinand] "This place is cramped and damp, Your Highness. I recommend a different prayer room. This space is far too narrow for someone as great as yourself."

[Johan] "There are many faithful souls in Barzeha. It is a good thing, but it means every prayer room is crowded. Because of that, there is nowhere to speak quietly with God. This room suits me perfectly."

[Ferdinand] "Still, it would be better if you went to the East Wing—"

[Johan] "Before I am a Crown Prince, am I not a divine beast of God? God does not favor servants who seek excessive comfort. I wish to offer my prayers here."

As he spoke, Johan pushed past Ferdinand, shoving his shoulder with one arm.

It was a light, effortless motion, yet no matter how hard Ferdinand clenched his teeth and braced himself, he was no match for Johan's strength.

[Ferdinand] "Ugh-!"

Though he was only pushed for a split second, Ferdinand grimaced in agony as if his shoulder had been crushed. It looked as though Johan had applied force intentionally.

But Johan's expression remained serene, making such malice seem impossible. A man foolish enough to change into ceremonial military dress to pray would hardly stoop to bullying a subordinate.

Listening to the exchange, the Count quietly clenched his fist. Johan was more stubborn than expected.

Ulrich opened the side door and interjected with a polished, social tone.

[Ulrich] "Oh, Your Highness. I am terribly sorry that my daughter has occupied the prayer room for so long. I beg your pardon, but could you possibly use another quiet room in the West Wing?"

[Johan] "Whenever I offer prayers on Athena Island, I always use this room. I already sensed Lady Odette was here by the scent of a Purifier, so do not worry. I only need to wait a moment."

[Ulrich] "Your Highness, your time is precious......"

[Johan] "The Saintess, called the daughter of God, is a far more precious existence in a prayer room. I am quite good at waiting. Tell her to take her time."

Dragging out the interrogation was no longer an option. Ulrich decided to vacate the premises rather than review his wild hypotheses.

He knocked—knock, knock—and spoke in a tender voice meant for Odette's ears.

[Ulrich] "My beloved daughter. His Highness has arrived. Could you perhaps empty the prayer room for a moment? I am sorry."

Perhaps his emphasis on "His Highness" had worked; Odette walked out of the prayer room with her usual cold, haughty expression.

[Odette] "There are plenty of other rooms, yet His Highness acts so tiresome."

Seeing her perfect performance, Ulrich scoffed inwardly at his earlier suspicion that something about her had changed.

She is still the same submissive wench desperate for my approval. What was I thinking earlier?

He laughed at his own foolishness.

[Johan] "I apologize. It was in this room that I offered my first prayer after awakening. Perhaps that is why I insist on it. Are firsts not special to everyone?"

He spoke calmly, removing his naval cap.

Odette naturally ignored his greeting. Exactly as the Count had instructed.

Watching the scene, Ulrich felt certain his command still bound her.

If she had any will to rebel, she would have asked the Crown Prince to save her.

It would have been far easier to cry to the Crown Prince about her father's abuse than to scheme to obtain Karl.

Ulrich, too, was exhausted after scolding her for two hours following the hunting competition.

It was a waste of energy.

He shook off the last remnants of his anxiety. The suspicious events were clearly nothing more than unfounded worries.

If that were the case, he could easily resolve the situation.

He needed to ruin Karl's reputation—who was now outside his control—and tarnish Odette's image, which had improved due to recent events.

I just need to destroy her reputation before the silver coins are minted.

He had a plan for that, too.

As soon as they returned to the capital, he would force her to kill Karl with her own hands.

It's a waste of him, but it can't be helped. My arm comes first.

Even if it was the Emperor, the constraint of the bracelet was intolerable. The Count had to be the one in control, not the one controlled.

If she killed Karl, her reputation would plummet back to the bottom. Once she murdered the man who had dedicated the laurel wreath to her, she would lose any right to have her face minted on a coin.

Besides, with all my criminal enterprises ruined, I lost the means to spread rumors about Odette anyway.

He had intentionally hired thugs to boast about "trading with Lady Odette," but they had all died suddenly. Thanks to that, the stories of "Lady Albrecht's criminal business" were now dismissed as mere conspiracy theories.

Moreover, her reputation had subtly improved after the ball, but gathering information on what exactly happened that day had proven difficult.

He didn't know that Zion was using the Count's own network against him, blocking the news from reaching his ears.

The only people with her that day were Sasha and Paula, so I can hardly ask them now.

Regardless, killing Karl would solve every annoying problem.

Satisfied with his clean solution, Ulrich decided to escape the Crown Prince's presence.

[Ulrich] "My daughter. Since your prayers are finished, let us return to our quarters together."

[Johan] "Ah, Lady Odette is not going that way. Her room has been moved to the VIP suite in the main palace, reserved for the winner of the hunting competition."

Ulrich was taken aback.

The room changed now, at all times?

[Johan] "The maids have already moved her luggage, so she can go straight to the main palace. I have instructed the main palace maids to serve her well, so feel free to use the south stairs."

He pointed toward the south stairs as he spoke.

In contrast, the stairs leading to the detached palace where the Count and Ferdinand stayed were on the north side, opposite.

Following my daughter would look strange.

Though she was a minor, she was a debutante.

No matter how young, she was a noble of Barzeha, and a noble's privacy commanded respect regardless of age.

A father visiting his daughter's room late at night would surely draw criticism in social circles. It would be seen as vulgar and un-aristocratic behavior that disrespected her personal space.

Though he fumed internally, he forced a smile.

[Ulrich] "Yes. Understood, Your Highness."

He bowed politely and turned away. The most he could do was secretly attach Doly and Mrs. Becker to Odette.

[Johan] "Have a peaceful night, Lady Odette."

While the Crown Prince saw her off, Ulrich managed to whisper to Doly, the head maid.

[Ulrich] "Watch her more thoroughly from now on. If she does anything even slightly suspicious, report to me immediately."

[Doly] "Yes. I will."

Watching Odette's retreat as she ascended the south stairs with Doly and Mrs. Becker, Ulrich turned away. He gave a stiff order to Ferdinand, who trailed behind him.

[Ulrich] "As soon as we return to the capital, you must monitor Odette yourself. I can't trust the other maids anymore."

[Ferdinand] "What? If you're anxious about her, wouldn't it be better for you to watch her yourself, Father?"

Ulrich furrowed his brow.

[Ulrich] "The investment I received from Marquis Kleist this time is substantial. Since my other businesses have failed, I intend to focus on growing the casino. To use the money properly, I need to visit the casino myself for a while."

[Ferdinand] "You borrowed money from Marquis Kleist? Where did all the money from selling Mother's paintings go?"

[Ulrich] "I used it all to buy seeds. Don't you remember? Only the expensive stock burned in the laboratory fire. It's a relief we managed to secure the seeds at all."

[Ferdinand] "Yes, I understand. Then I suppose it can't be helped. I will monitor her myself when we return to the capital."

Ulrich clicked his tongue, feeling pathetic at Ferdinand's lackluster response.

I wonder if he can even run a business properly.

The only thing that damn son of his had done right was skillfully finding a farmer who dealt in expensive seeds.

Though Ulrich had paid a hefty sum on top, considering the future profits, it wasn't a bad deal.

Thanks to the farmer moving the appointment time up on the day of the trade, he had discovered Sasha's little scheme, so the money didn't feel wasted.

Thinking of the value he gained from that farmer, he swallowed the scolding he wanted to give his son.

He remained unaware that the seed seller was a con artist hired by Odette.

---

That ended much easier than I expected.

She had anticipated the Count would interrogate Mrs. Becker and Doly relentlessly right there. Thanks to Johan's intervention, the situation resolved faster than planned.

Given his personality, he would try to cross-verify through Mrs. Becker and Doly multiple times, but it would be useless. The more he tries, the deeper he'll sink into the mire.

Because the testimony will always confirm that Doly or Mrs. Becker was watching me.

Mrs. Becker might delude herself into thinking she loved the Count devotedly, but in the end, she was a person who prioritized her own safety. She wasn't the type of woman to sacrifice her own wrist for her lover's future.

Though she seemed wary due to the thread bracelet incident, she continued to lie to him. She claimed she was with Odette.

Once her pregnancy was revealed, she would lie even more. Her ambition would swell, along with the pressure that she must never be abandoned by the Count.

Since it's early in her pregnancy, I should go easy on her.

A miscarriage would be troublesome for such a precious child.

[Maid] "We have arrived, Lady Albrecht."

At that moment, the maid announced their arrival.

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