Chapter 32

“If I somehow get the house back, I plan to visit my mother’s lab first. She was preoccupied with something there until the trial. I’m sure she left something behind.”

She said while fiddling with the bracelet given by her mother. It was never removed since the day her mother left it to her.

Perhaps her mother gave it to her for her self-defense.

“Is there anything that could help exonerate the Marchioness?”
“I hope there is. It’s a matter of one way or the other.”

Chances of those odds were very slim. April could hardly guess what a person, returning after 10 years, could convince those who had already taken countless lies as the truth for a long time.

Ian could also anticipate her idea. As soon as she sets foot on Carleva, she would be treated like a stranger. It would be difficult for a person with nothing to collect evidence, find witnesses, and win the battle. That is, if she was alone.

“April, you’re a clever person. But if there’s anything you can’t solve with that extraordinary head of yours, I’ll gladly stand behind you.”
“Even though it’s just a matter of the family of Witzer?”
“How is your duty just a matter for me?”
“But the down payment costs so large, how can….”
“That’s the right amount for your ability. And speaking of the contract, didn’t I say it was my duty to protect my employees from threats?”
“What, but… that’s just a usual term of a contract.”

Ian, who wrote the contract, could never be taken lightly because he was always serious, be it as an employer or a man.

“April, the water’s getting cold.”
“Ah, yes. I’ll go wash up.”

She quickly stood up, picked up her change of clothes, and walked to the bathroom. As she opened the door hallway and glanced back, Ian hurriedly turned his head. He seemed nervous.

“See you later.”

April said, gazing briefly at him before closing the door shut. Hot steam hit her face.

The room, used only by Ian every day, seemingly smelled strongly of him.

Maybe the thought of Ian was overshadowed by the heavy atmosphere until a while ago.

“Whew.”

She pressed her hand against her chest, as if telling her heart to stop beating fast.

***

The next morning, April woke up in an empty bed. She definitely had fallen asleep in Ian’s arms, but when she opened her eyes, she found herself covered by a large, fluffy blanket.

She checked the time when her vision became clear. She quickly put on her outerwear and went outside. There was only one place where she could find Ian early in the morning.

“Ian?”

As she entered Ian’s retreating place in the morning, she carefully called out his name.

Standing in the middle of the training field, Ian was holding a gun instead of the usual sword. The wooden handle was held by Ian, and the iron barrel of the gun was aimed at somewhere beyond him.

“Ian.”

When April called him, he took his eyes off his target and looked back.

Perhaps because he was wearing the same clothes as when he had a confrontation with Carl, April vividly recalled the memory of the day.

Somewhere on the ground Ian was stepping on, there would be faint bloodstains that he had shed that day.

“You woke up early, April.”
“Maybe it’s because I went to bed early yesterday.”

He approached April, carefully hanging the gun on one side. His sleeves were rolled up even though the weather was quite chilly.

“I’ve never seen anyone holding a gun.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. I guess a lot has changed with time. It seems the days of swords have become very distant.”

April reached out and swept her hand along the gun he was holding. The cold texture of iron made her fingertips run cold.

“Do you want to try shooting?”
“No. I’m fine.”

Ian held it out to her but she shook her head, causing him to put it back.

A scar from the duel with Carl still sat on his arm. The cut was deeper and its scar was darker than she thought.

“It left a scar.”
“Does it bother you?”
“There’s no way it won’t.”

She gave a gentle stroke on the scar with her finger.

April hated that Ian had such past traces left. The first thing she wanted to do was to get rid of it. To make a medicine that would eliminate the scar.

But Ian didn’t seem to care.

“These kinds of scars are common in a fight.”
“Still, this happened because of me. You were bleeding…..”

The memory returned to her. His hand stained with blood, blood dripping on the floor, and even his stained sleeve.

When he noticed her staring at the wound, he gently lifted up her chin with his hand. He stooped a little to have a better look at her.

“And then, you got all mad at me.”

He grinned. He slowly stepped forward and gently pushed April, gradually making her back touch the wall.

Far from his usual seriousness, April met his playful smirk.

“Well, of course. I misread it.”
“I know. I haven’t said anything.”

As he said those words, he bent down to capture her lips with his. The kiss was slow and warm compared to the morning breeze. Both his hands were caressing her hair.

She closed her eyes as she felt him slowly and forcefully invading her mouth. It felt like it was endless.

“Were you worried about me then?”
“How could I not worry when you were losing so much blood? These clothes were stained with blood …..Ah!”

She was speaking quietly, but she suddenly shouted as a thought crossed her mind. Ian blinked his eyes in surprise.

“What is it?”
“Blood!”
“Hm?”
“The said murder! They said there were people missing, but there was no scene of the massacre. Not even a single little animal could die in that place.”
“Strange. A few dozen women were reported to be dead in a short period of time, and if there was no sign of murder anywhere…….”

He murmured while she was in thought. She was foolish to only think about it now. There was nothing she could do right away with this speculation alone.

It’d be enough if she could find a witness from them. She wouldn’t be able to prove anything without them, and it’d be all over if she couldn’t prove her mother’s innocence.

“Aren’t you curious as to why they didn’t investigate this simple matter?”
“Because no one had to.”

His answer was simple and too straight. With nothing else to say, April sighed.

“Yes. Everyone else was involved in the same plan. That would have been the case.”

Anger against those individuals rose in her again. She had not forgotten about them.

She clenched her fist tightly. Her nails were digging into her palm, and she was shaking in anger. Ian reached out and wrapped his large hand around April’s.

“April. You still remember what we talked about last night, don’t you?”
“…….Yes, Ian.”

He asked her, meeting her eyes, as if to soothe her. She nodded in response.

Knowing about a well-organized group leading an aristocratic society and court, she knew what was needed to break down an overwhelmingly large opponent.

And that was exactly what Ian proposed. Of course, the fact made her hesitate.

“I’ll think about it.”

When April answered in a cracking voice, Ian pulled her into a tight hug with his arms around her. Tightly holding his waist with both hands, she took a deep breath. His energy had already changed as something that gives her a sense of security. Just like April’s did to Ian.

“April. Do you really want to travel to the East with me?”

He peered down at her, and she nodded instead of answering.

“It’s cold out here, April. Let’s head inside.”

Without bringing up anything else about the East, Ian reached out his hand which April clasped tightly.

***

A week later, Ian stopped by his usual tailor shop on his way back from the Grand Duke’s house to inform of his absence. It was to get what he ordered three days ago.

It was generally delivered to the Marquis’ house, but Ian wanted to see the new clothes and take them personally.

“Where’s the order?”
“I’ll bring it.”

While the tailor retired to the inner room, Ian’s eyes fell on a long row of clothes. Maybe because of the early arrival of the cold season, the clothes hanging there were made of different fabrics. While he was looking at the different patterns, the tailor brought a large box and put it down in front of Ian.

“I have prepared one set of top and bottom, one dress, two outer garments, and as you’ve said, not too much of a bright fabric was used. You’ve never ordered this many women’s clothes, sir.”
“They were needed.”

Ian scrutinized the clothes the tailor spread out on the large table.

The blouse was plain white and black, and the sleeves were narrowed to the end so that April wouldn’t feel uncomfortable in whatever work she would do.

The skirt was burgundy and gray, and in the same style that April liked to wear. It was long enough to reach her ankles, and perfect to sit tight on her waist. Easy to unravel.