# 25 - 25
While the others were silent due to the Grand Duke's heavy voice, I closed my mouth for a different reason.
The fact that he didn't immediately suspect me or ask for proof first made him feel like my real grandfather for a moment.
A strange feeling made me hesitate.
“Of course there is evidence, Dad.”
Aubrey, who was still holding Tedric's hand tightly, looked at me with eyes full of pity.
As you know, Dad, I have to take care of Tulia's clothes and daily needs. But… Tullia’s maid came to me in distress and told me something.
"what was that?"
“She said Tedrick’s exam paper was hidden deep inside Tulia’s bedroom closet.”
“Is he in your hands now?”
“Of course not, Dad!”
Aubrey immediately jumped up with a pitiful expression.
How can I search Tullia's room as I please? I scolded the maid after hearing this, but when I checked Tedrick's room, I found that the exam paper was already missing.
Aubrey released Tedric's hand and pulled out a tissue to wipe away the tears in her eyes.
It's all our fault. Since Tullia is our niece, we had to take care of her as if she were our own, but we did not properly discipline the servants who were spiteful and neglectful… It is understandable that Tullia would do this heinous act to attract attention.
Aubrey's sad voice was interrupted by a single word from the Grand Duke's assistant, Fraser.
“Tedric Fraser.”
“Yes…! Grandpa…!”
The word grandfather didn't seem to come naturally to him, as the word "grandfather" came out of Tedrick's mouth instead.
Naturally, no one else present cared.
“Didn't you put the exam paper in Tullia Fraser's room yourself?”
Upon hearing these words, my eyes widened.
The same was probably true for everyone else except me.
Because I really didn't expect Grand Duke Fraser to clearly side with me instead of Viscount Lelius' side.
“It was the same in the game...”
In 1522, Viscount Lellius was appointed as the honest and kind younger son who commanded the greatest trust from the Grand Duke.
The reason he granted half of the enormous domestic power of the Grand Ducal House of Fraser – control of the money flow of lands that amounted to a third of the empire, such precious power – was based on his love for his youngest son.
Me, I was trapped, I couldn't even get out. serious! You can ask the soldiers if you want!
Maybe use relda. Aubrey and Viscount Lilius are on the same side anyway. This must be a collaboration between that family.
"dad."
Then, Viscount Lilius, who was monitoring the situation, intervened.
“Instead of doing that, why don't you go and check directly?”
After a moment of silence, Grand Duke's assistant Fraser opened his mouth.
“…Rock Kilfusher.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Go check it out directly…”
As always, Grand Duke Fraser, who was speaking in a commanding tone, suddenly stopped.
Then he suddenly called me.
“Tulia Fraser.”
"Yes?"
“Would it be a good idea to have Rock Kilfusher and his subordinate advisors check your room?”
“…”
That sound was not pleasant at all. Grand Duke Fraser had neither a gentle voice nor a gentle disposition.
But the truth is that he asked for my opinion first and cared about my feelings in some way...
The truth was that this person was none other than the Tulia family.
There seemed to be something strange stuck in my throat. I was afraid my tears would fall unconsciously if I continued coughing, so I quickly bowed my head.
“Sure. I want to prove my innocence too, Grandpa.”
"…Show."
“But please grant me one request as well.”
"Tell me."
Emotions were emotions.
But I will never forget my determination to repay that scoundrel Tedrick double.
She continued talking with the saddest expression possible.
“Because of Tedrick’s false accusation, everyone sitting in the meeting room is very suspicious of me.”
“…”
“For the fairest result, I hope that any servants who wish can go together and conduct the examination directly.”
Upon hearing my words asking them to go and watch together if they wanted to, many servants' eyes widened.
You didn't expect me to go this far, did you?
“This way, false rumors won’t spread about how Grandpa might have forgiven my immature behavior out of generosity, right?”
* * *
That Tullia knew about the plan in advance. She must have removed the hidden exam paper.
Viscount Lilius was quick-witted.
From the moment Tullia responded so calmly until she said that the servants could go directly to search her room if they wanted, he could tell that this plan had failed.
See? Look, my dear. Our son is very smart.
He had a bad feeling ever since Aubrey excitedly told him the plan, but since she said the exam paper had already been placed in Tullia's room, he figured they should move forward somehow.
“I knew this was going to happen.”
He immediately began planning his escape.
At least it was lucky that Aubrey said she was tipped off.
It would be better to consider that Aubrey was deceived on his own and given false information.
Rilda or Lala or whatever. She was supposed to be a useful maid, but she is completely useless!
Viscount Lilius wanted to glare at Aubrey angrily, but nearly half of the servants were still in this meeting room.
Moreover, his father, Grand Duke Fraser, was sitting in the center like a lion controlling the audience.
It was forbidden for his expression to be captured.
Or maybe Tullia had already bought that maid? That girl is useless, but her father must be collecting all kinds of precious antiques on the border.
Marquis Aster Fraser, who defended the frontier against countless barbarians daily, discovered ancient relics several times every year and sent them to the Imperial Palace.
Thanks to that, Marquis Aster Fraser's fame throughout the Imperial Capital and the entire empire had reached sky-high.
No matter how much he planned, it was difficult to even touch his toes.
That's why he tried so hard to raise Tullia to be stupid.
Viscount Lellius was not stupid enough to openly abuse his brother's child, and secretly hated and loathed him.
Of course, if he was determined like a rabid dog, he could kill a child by beating him, but this place was too grand a ducal home for such violent responses.
There were a huge number of watching eyes and talking mouths.
If Tulia's health had such fatal problems, he wouldn't have been able to escape either, so he used gentle but sharp methods.
Tulia is simply raised to be a stupid, wasteful and dependent child.
But what is this situation now...
And here it happened.
Yes! The main advisor will return.
“Ah, really in his hand...”
Whispering voices.
“Isn't this an exam paper?”
Hearing the voice of a small person, Viscount Lelius suddenly raised his head.
Rock Kilfusher was holding a sheaf of exam papers in his hand. It was certain.
It was Tedrick's exam paper!
Lilius was overcome with joy for a moment.
Before they came here, thanks to the stern warnings they had given to Aubrey and Tedric, these two were also able to manage their facial expressions almost perfectly.
Despite their shocked expressions and dejected looks, as a family, they could feel each other's hearts. Joy and smiles of victory fill their hearts!
“Your Highness.”
Rock Kilfaucher approached with the respectful expression he always wore while performing his duties, and extended his hand to the sheaf of papers.
Respect means calm, which made Rook Kilfusher's expression look somewhat grim.
Without realizing Lilius's joyful thoughts, Roc Kilfusher continued his speech.
Therefore, although no severe reprimand will come from her, the necklace ceremony will be canceled and she will be subjected to house arrest.
Of course, even then, Marquis Aster Fraser would remain ignorant of Tullia's situation as always.
While Lilius was hiding his smile with such pleasant thoughts.
Something strange caught his attention.
“Shall I lend you a handkerchief?”
“Ah, thank you.”
This was because many servants were wiping away their tears.
Moreover, the eyes that looked at Tullia were filled with pity.
'What?'
A terrifying feeling of suspicion came over Lilius. Belatedly, Aubrey and Tedrick seemed to realize that the atmosphere was not normal.
The intuition that something is wrong.
No, they had a strong intuition that they had fallen into a trap, and it hit them at that moment.
“Viscount Lilius Fraser.”
“Come and read this for yourself, so everyone can hear it.”
—————