# 53
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The sound was an empty laugh.
“Fuck you, you son of a bitch.”
The box that should be full was completely empty. Duke Spellman closed the lid of the box violently.
Was the week too long?
Or was this damned person quick-witted? Duke Spellman gritted his teeth.
What was inside was gunpowder capable of blowing up the entire space of this museum.
In the Empire, gunpowder is treated as a prohibited commodity that only the state can possess. Even if it was Duke Spellman, if they found out he had gunpowder, he would be killed immediately.
Even if he was from the royal family, gunpowder could not be brought in or taken out freely, and if he was caught, he would be struck from the imperial records.
But nothing could hide Veronica's death so effectively as this. It was an ill-considered move to hide the death of a member of the royal family.
Duke Spellman slowly ran his hand over his head. The Crown Prince had taken Duke Spelman's gunpowder.
"the curse."
He was anticipating how that snake would use this command. He dealt with the evidence and witnesses proving the smuggling of gunpowder cleanly.
“There is no chance of being detected.”
What is regrettable is that the gunpowder, which has no eye or owner, was in the hands of the Crown Prince. After I handed over Augustin, I was unable to maintain anything.
I can't believe I was betrayed in this way by Sirtain.
“It feels like you were bitten by the dog you raised.”
I released him on the battlefield and I think he just learned how to bite his owner.
The box twisted in Duke Spelman's hands.
Only few know about this. Duke Spellman looked around with his cold eyes. Except for the museum director, everyone was here.
Did the dying museum director regain consciousness? He could be a witness. Whether he is alive or dead, he must die.
It bothered me that I had put off dealing with the matter.
“My lord the duke.”
“We must deal with the matter within the Imperial Palace.”
Wait for help commands.
“We must kill the museum director. By any means, we must get rid of him.”
Duke Spellman gritted his teeth and left. It was a defeat without any gains.
While Duke Spelmann was looking around the museum, a warehouse built outside caught his eye.
This was supposed to be where Princess Veronica was to be buried according to the original plan.
But the person arrested that day was not Princess Veronica but Evelyn, that girl.
Duke Spellman thought slowly. He was thinking about how Augustin's bad actions had ruined him, and even how his own plan had ruined him.
The thing that he had never suspected until now began to occupy his mind.
"Daddy, daddy, save me! Aah!"
How was Evelyn that day? Was she different from the girl he knew?
Duke Spellman closed his eyes slightly.
He thought she was just a stupid girl who couldn't do anything, so he excluded her from everything. He thought it was all just a coincidence. And that Evelyn would not have made decisions or moved on her own.
What if it was all just an act?
“No, it can't be.”
He's raised her all these years. He had checked her illness carefully.
Doctors confirmed several times that she would never return to her normal state.
How many doctors has Evelyn seen?
Based on the assessment of the doctors, who said she was in a state where she could not make decisions on her own, he managed to seize all of her possessions.
These were all the possessions she had accessed from her mother's family.
“She was diagnosed that her brain had been damaged and she could not recover.”
Duke Spellman closed his lips roughly.
“I didn't have to think long. I just had to be sure.”
Duke Spelman grabbed his cane and started walking.
* * *
“…Thanks to you, we got something fun.”
said Certin in a low voice, turning the cup in his hand.
The drink was strong.
Certain had been through many wars. Therefore, he drank strong liquor like water.
Even as he drank such a powerful poison, his face was calm.
Since we've been open, we've occasionally spent time alone together.
Only Julia and her people were left in the Crown Princess' palace, and Julia was moving from the palace to the Duke's house.
Maybe that's why I felt more free.
“What fun did you get?”
Did he get something from the Natural Museum?
His face was full of doubts.
Are they treasures of gold and silver? Or perhaps another body? Perhaps because of dealing with someone like Duke Spellman, my thoughts began to branch out in all directions.
“It was gunpowder.”
Cyrtain smiled sideways.
“Gunpowder is something that even I cannot possess easily. Duke Spellman is a great person.”
gunpowder? Was he going to blow up the museum now? What a huge thing. Isn't this a psychopath? Isn't he a person who deserves social isolation?
I felt goosebumps. Evelyn who lived with someone like this was truly extraordinary.
“Has everything been confiscated? So what will happen to the gunpowder?”
“There is no ownership or owner label on it, so it belongs to me.”
“Can't we file a case against Duke Spelman using that?”
“It is not possible because there are no witnesses.”
sigh.
If this were modern times, the Scientific Investigation Department would have uncovered everything. The police would use fingerprints and trace credit cards and bank accounts.
This is the feeling when everything is laid out in front of you and there is nothing you can do.
“I will think about how to use this paper.”
“You look like you're having fun, Sirtain.”
While I was helpless to do anything, he was laughing the whole time. Cyrtain nodded gently.
“I should have seen his face when he found out it was empty.”
Oh, that was something I could agree to.
Duke Spellman was always in a calm state, as if he knew everything in this world. That was very annoying.
But I imagined how his facial expressions would change, and that was very interesting.
I received a severe beating from that cruel king who was dominating Evelyn. I felt honored to be involved in that.
“But you have to be careful, Evelyn.”
I blinked.
“Duke Spelman is a sensitive person. He might suspect you because of this.”
Would he suspect...?
I didn't know.
Duke Spelmann's eyes had this look full of joy.
He had this look that he thought he had complete control over me. He was proud of the relationship he and Evelin had built up over these years.
“It may be the other way around.”
I was sure I wouldn't be found out.
“Maybe he's trying to use you. Like he did before.”
He will become more cunning, more subtle.
Maybe I wouldn't be able to discourage him when he left me without noticing.
“Don't do anything dangerous.”
Sertin set the cup aside.
His blue eyes were watching me steadily, and his feelings were very serious. Then he clasped his penis with my fingers.
Sertin pulled me towards him, so that my face was very close to his. Sertain's breaths became closer.
I felt like an electric current was running through my body.
"I won't do anything dangerous. I promised."
I answered him in a low voice. Then Sertin turned his face and gently grabbed my cheek.
Both cheeks were gently pressed.
When he looked at me again, his eyes were slightly narrowed.
“Julia will be your ally. She is more careful than you think.”
“Did you talk to her?”
“Yes, things are going well.”
He started looking at me with a thoughtful look.
When that happens, our secrets will be shared between me, Julia, and Sertin.
I felt eagerness mixed with fear. What if I let my guard down? What if Julia let her guard down?
What if my secret leaks from somewhere?
Certin had cast doubt on me. But my future is still unclear. And so is his future.
Sertin added:
“Don't worry. I will protect you.”
Cyrtain smiled softly. It seems that I have now entered Sirtin's protection circle.
For someone to say they would protect you, it was sweeter than I expected.