You Said You Wanted Us to Break Up - Chapter 44

Within the castle, there were many who mocked his betrayal—or his failures. Most of them were friends of Lerox, who wished for him to marry Merwen and still hadn’t given up on that desire.

“It seems the family head is too young and made a poor judgment.”

Some elders said it to his face.

“The younger one is, the easier it is to trust women.”

To be honest, their taunts didn’t hit him that hard.

Because there was a much bigger problem than a few words.

If he had eyes to see, he couldn’t have been lenient in his punishment.

It would have been better if Iella hadn’t been involved, but things didn’t go that way.

During the interrogation, the maid who had committed the embezzlement confessed.

“The young lady knew everything.”

Even in the midst of it all, the term “young lady” grated on him. Even though Iella had been married for quite some time, her maids still called her that.

As if living as Rowen’s lady suited Iella more than being his wife.

It was a trivial thought considering the situation, so Sioden didn’t dwell on it.

He didn’t fully trust the maid’s words either.

From his perspective, Iella had no reason to condone the embezzlement.

The maid said she needed money because of gambling, but the same reason couldn’t be applied to Iella. Wasn’t she a young lady who had grown up without lacking?

If she needed money, she could have solved it by simply writing a letter to her family home instead of embezzling. No, even without going to Rowen, if she had hinted to him, he would have taken care of it.

Sioden gestured to the knight conducting the interrogation. Reading his superior’s intentions, the knight said,

“If the Lady knew everything, why did she leave you alone?”

The maid answered,

“She said it didn’t matter.”

Sioden, who had been listening to the interrogation, hesitated.

“Do as you wish, I don’t care anyway…”

And the maid, as evidence of her statement, named those who had helped her commit the crime. All of them were those who served Iella closely.

If they all moved, it was impossible for Iella not to have known.

Later, Sioden had the opportunity to meet Iella. He had the chance to tell her what the maid had said and question her. Did she really say that behind his back, while showing no dissatisfaction in front of him?

But he couldn’t speak.

He was afraid that Iella would abandon even the slight mask she wore in front of him and admit it.

In the end, Sioden concluded the matter by having the involved maid repay double the amount and sending her back to Rowen.

At that time, the one who helped the public opinion flow as he wished was…

“Since Your Grace has decided, I will follow with faith.”

Sezna.

A flash of inspiration struck him. Perhaps… those involved in that incident two years ago might not only be Rowen.

At that moment, someone knocked on the door from outside. Sioden turned his gaze to the doorway. The knight beyond reported to him.

“The Lady said it would be alright if you come this evening.”

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

Sioden is coming to see me.

“Your Grace asked if you were available this evening.”

After he barged in and dragged Sezna away, a knight from the main building asked not a few hours later.

I didn’t hear the exact reason, but I had a hunch. Since he had unilaterally taken Sezna away during our conversation earlier, I figured he was coming to explain why.

It wasn’t something that required a separate meeting, but…

Since the only time that fit Sioden’s schedule was during dinner, we met in the annex’s dining hall.

Sitting opposite me, Sioden began with an apology.

“I’m sorry for startling you earlier. I simply judged that it was better to arrest the culprit immediately; there was no malice.”

“Yes.”

I hadn’t thought there was any malice in the first place.

A brief silence followed. I stared blankly at the colorful dishes on the table. They were beautiful, but my appetite wasn’t there.

Sioden asked me,

“Don’t you like the food?”

“No.”

I didn’t have any particularly preferred foods, but I didn’t dislike many either.

Sioden, who had asked me the question, didn’t seem particularly enthusiastic about the meal either. He cut and arranged the food according to procedure, but there were no signs of him actually eating.

It was a method I often used when I wanted to appear to be participating in a meal, so I easily recognized it.

Just as silence was about to settle again, Sioden spoke.

“Actually, I asked for your time because I have something to say.”

It was an obvious fact, as he wouldn’t visit me without reason.

“Please listen while we eat.”

I put a fruit-based appetizer in my mouth as Sioden spoke. It was sweet and soft, yet strangely, my appetite waned.

The man continued while I chewed the fruit.

“I apologize for Rodalton’s rudeness. It’s my fault for not managing the household properly.”

I swallowed the food in my mouth and answered him.

“It’s alright.”

After all, if you consider it broadly, everything that happens in this house can be considered Sioden’s doing.

He’s the family head.

It was something I knew, as my father was also the head of the Rowen family.

In a family, the words of the head are like law. For example, Paiden, who didn’t even pretend to be cautious in front of me, couldn’t even lift his head properly in front of my father.

Sioden said his father was dead, but…

Why did Iswen betray my father? What was the meaning of the letter he sent? What is Iswen trying to get from me? Like Sioden, he too…

If he had nothing to gain, he wouldn’t change his actions.

My thoughts about Iswen were interrupted by Sioden’s voice.

“It wasn’t intentional, but I heard what Rodalton said to you.”

Ah, so he heard.

Well, it was quite possible. Sezna didn’t seem inclined to lower her voice.

“Did she say such things before? In such a rude manner…?”

He didn’t finish his sentence and called my name.

“Iella.”

Since I had lowered my gaze, he seemed unsure if I was listening attentively.

It was just that I was uncomfortable looking at him, but I wasn’t ignoring the situation. So, before Sioden could misinterpret, I said,

“I’m listening.”

“That’s not what I meant…”

Sioden swallowed his words.