# 25
**Chapter Twenty-Five**
Ella looked seriously.
“Inheritance?”
Did he go crazy? She almost swallowed the words that rose from her throat, but she couldn't hide her nervousness.
“How on earth did you end up with something so valuable? How did this happen?”
"I thought I could get him back! Oh! I must have lost my mind! Something must have possessed me!"
At first, it was just a light game with a pocket watch. But as he continued to win, everyone praised his luck, and his confidence grew, fueling his greed.
That was the turning point.
Vincent became more confident and mortgaged everything he had, only to lose.
Then, when people said he could take it back next time, he went to the pawn shop.
He repeated this several times, and by the time he realized it, it was too late to back out.
“Ella, please help me! Please! If my father finds out, I’m really dead!”
"Oh, let go! It hurts!"
“Say you'll help me! Quick!”
“How can I have that kind of money!”
Ella shouted, her shoulder hurting.
Why would he ask her to help with the mess he created? If she had known this would happen, she would never have come here.
At that moment, a shadow fell behind her. A deep, cold voice called to Vincent.
“Vincent, you little bastard.”
“N-yes, daddy?”
Count Garcia's brow was furrowed and his cold gaze was directed at Vincent. Vincent stood upright, letting go of Ella.
“What is this matter...?”
Vincent prayed his father hadn't heard anything.
"I received a report from the Land of Nice or somewhere. I told you to stop gambling, and yet you brought the heirloom into a game?"
“A-dad...”
But Count Garcia had already heard everything.
“Because you are my son, I have put up with it until now.”
Vincent's mind went blank, and he swayed. He immediately fell to his knees, begging for forgiveness.
“I'm sorry! Please forgive me... I swear I will never gamble again!”
"You're disgusting. I don't need parasites in my family."
"my dad!"
Vincent shouted to his father in despair.
But Count Garcia looked at his son with the same disgust he shows to an insect. Then he gently called out to Ella, who was to be his adopted daughter.
“Ella, let's go.”
"Yes."
Ella swallowed nervously.
It was Count Garcia who built the once poor Garcia family into a powerful family. He always prioritized the interests of the family, even if it meant turning his back on his children.
For this reason, he treated Ella, who had won over his own daughter, as if she were his biological daughter.
'I will never lose his favor.'
Ella ignored Vincent's desperate cries and followed Count Garcia.
* * *
I attended the regular gathering hosted by Mrs. Mayer.
“By the way, everyone, have you heard the news?”
A gentlewoman, sipping her tea, raised a topic in passing.
“Vincent Garcia, the youngest son of the Count, was stripped of his inheritance last night and hastily sent abroad.”
“Oh, I heard about that! They say it was more like being banished than going to study. I heard it was because of gambling...”
“Oh my God.”
Ah…
'It seems Harold has done something.'
I wasn't sure what exactly happened, but one thing was certain, it was his doing,
No wonder he seemed in such a good mood since this morning.
The noblewomen's eyes turned gently towards me.
A few months ago, I was also using the name Garcia, so it was natural.
'They must be curious about what happened after you abandoned me.'
However, since I did not intend to speak, I settled for a slight smile.
Realizing they wouldn't get the response they were hoping for, they quickly moved on to another topic.
“There has been a lot of talk about how we could wipe out slave traders overnight. The Imperial Family has been in turmoil lately.”
“It's good news, but… it's a bit complicated.”
The noblewomen hesitated, looking at each other and flapping their fans.
The nobles administered their lands, but the capital was under the supervision of the royal family, in charge of security and other matters. If a third party intervenes in cleaning up the human trafficking ring, it may be seen as a violation of the royal family's rights, and they may be drawn into trouble.
'I don't really understand why this would be a problem.'
Who catches human traffickers, isn't that a good thing? The lower classes, without homes, live in constant fear of being kidnapped by human traffickers!
I clenched my fists, thinking of the past that I couldn't forget.
I absentmindedly sipped my tea, but then I felt a look on me. I looked over and saw a middle-aged woman with violet eyes giving me a sly smile.
* * *
As time passed, the gathering was coming to an end.
I stayed until the last minute and then approached Mrs. Mayer.
“Mrs. Mayer, would it be okay if I joined you at your next temple service?”
“Oh, right. You mentioned you were interested in volunteering.”
Mrs. Mayer paused for a moment, seeming to think, and then asked,
"I'd love for you to join me, but are you sure? Volunteering is very demanding. I'm worried it might be too much for you, given your status as a duchess."
“Don't worry. I'm confident in my physical strength.”
"…Is this correct?"
She narrowed her eyes slightly as she looked at my arms.
'You're probably thinking, "With such skinny arms?" '
I squeezed my arm muscle. It felt soft.
“If you say so, I understand. I will send you a message soon, Duchess.”
Oh yes.
After I got what I wanted, I smiled brightly internally as I left the palace.
As I was heading towards the carriage, my eyes crossed with the woman with violet eyes who was standing in front of a statue.
'She was the one who was watching me all tea time, wasn't she?'
She was a woman, like me, who joined the gathering for the first time today.
She seemed to have a purpose as she approached me.
“Duchess, you know who I am, don’t you?”
“Of course. Ms. Audrey. We exchanged greetings during the gathering.”
“No, not that. I mean, do you know what kind of relationship my family has with Duke Harold Wesen?”
Lady Audrey's full name was Audrey Russell.
And the Russell family, as far as I know...
“I know that the Russell family is Duke Harold’s family on the mother’s side.”
It seemed that Mrs. Audrey was waiting for this answer, as she smiled, satisfied. Then she took a large box from the maid behind her.
“I was always worried about when the Duke would get married, and I was very surprised by the news of your wedding.”
No member of the Russell family was invited to the wedding.
Was she about to ask why they weren't invited?
“If you are late, congratulations on your marriage.”
But Lady Audrey looked really happy.
I looked at her in confusion, wondering why she seemed so pleased.
'Didn't she have a bad relationship with Harold?'
According to Diana's recollections and the novel, there was no mention of any special relationship between Harold and the Russell family. I assumed they weren't on good terms since Harold didn't invite anyone from his mother's side.
“Thanks for the congratulations.”
I swallowed my doubts and nodded.
“This is a small gift from the Russell family, Duchess.”
Mrs. Audrey handed me a luxury box.
“Thank you, I will accept it gratefully.”
I hesitated for a moment before taking the gift.
Smell, what is this smell?
The box I held in my arms had a strong smell of hay.
“Can I ask what's in it?”
“Haha, of course.”
Lady Audrey fluttered her fan.
“These are rare herbs that are particularly effective for pregnancy in women.”
“….”
“I'm sure you also want to see the Wesen heir before the Duke dies, right? I wanted to offer this as a little help.”
I stopped waving the fan and continued.
"I hope you are able to produce an heir soon. Just remember, the Russell family will always be by the Duchess' side."
Her bent eyes sparkled with greed.
“I will never forget, Lady Audrey.”
“I look forward to seeing you very much. By the way, don’t mention today’s conversation to Duke Harold.”
She gave me a furtive look. I nodded in response.
“I won't.”
As soon as I get back, I'll tell Harold.