Chapter 64
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The Male and Female Leads Broke Up - Episode 64
The Emperor had told us not to mind his presence, but which noble here would dare speak freely in his company?
Since the three Duke Families were revered more than the Emperor himself throughout the Empire, everyone simply held their tongues.
"Your Majesty, might I offer a word?"
"Duke Heitz, speak."
"This carriage incident placed the Byon Duke's daughter in danger, but it is abundantly clear that someone intended to frame the Heitz Family using incendiary devices. Therefore, I cannot simply stand idle. I wish for the Heitz Family to join in pursuing the perpetrator."
"Duke Heitz, what are you saying? Our Byon Family will handle this investigation."
The Byon Duke, normally composed, raised his voice as he spoke.
"Would not two families working together apprehend the culprit more swiftly?"
"Absolutely not."
"Then I cannot consent to the Byon Family conducting this investigation alone."
Duke Heitz and the Byon Duke glared at each other, their words bristling with tension.
"I too wish to speak."
Cain Maxius then requested the floor.
The two dukes, who had been staring daggers at each other, simultaneously turned their murderous gazes upon Cain.
He was the common enemy who had wounded both their daughters.
"Duke Maxius, speak."
"What if all three Duke Families conducted a joint investigation into this matter?"
"The Maxius Duchy as well?"
"Yes, for I wish to apprehend the perpetrator more than anyone."
Cain Maxius stated his position with measured composure.
"Three families, you say...."
"Your Majesty, that would be grossly unfair. What is certain in this incident is that my daughter was injured. Everything else is mere speculation. And why should the Maxius Duchy, uninvolved in this matter, interfere? Please reconsider."
The Byon Duke had already convinced himself that Belita was the culprit.
If the Heitz Family joined the investigation, he would undoubtedly resort to any means necessary to remove Belita from suspicion.
Therefore, he could not allow this situation to proceed.
"Your Majesty, the Heitz Family is innocent. Yet the Byon Duke recklessly suspects the Heitz Family as the perpetrator without proper evidence or circumstantial grounds."
"What are you saying, Duke Heitz?"
"I have already heard what you said to my daughter."
"Ha! I suspect because there is reason to! Do you think I do so without evidence?"
"What evidence! The use of incendiary devices is evidence!"
"There is more besides that!"
"Whatever else you claim will be equally worthless. Hmph!"
"Enough."
The Emperor, who rarely intervened, could bear it no longer and cut short their exchange.
The Council Chamber fell silent in an instant.
The Emperor wore a contemplative expression as he surveyed the three Dukes in turn, then opened his mouth to speak.
"What are the thoughts of the other Dukes?"
The nobles began observing the three Dukes' reactions once more.
They soon realized that Maxius and Heitz shared similar opinions while only Byon Duke differed, making it a two-to-one split.
No matter how formidable the Byon Duchy was, they could not escape the disadvantage of being outnumbered.
"If three families renowned as the greatest across the entire Continent beyond the Empire take action, I believe the culprit will be apprehended all the sooner."
"I share that opinion."
"I agree as well."
Thus, the other nobles, excluding the three Dukes, rushed to voice their support for Cain Maxius's proposal.
"Your Majesty!"
Byon Duke called out to the Emperor with an expression that refused to accept this outcome, barely suppressing his indignation.
However, the Emperor, having already made his decision, raised his hand to silence Byon Duke before he could say more.
"The final agenda shall be decided as follows: the three Ducal Houses will jointly establish the Carriage Bombing Investigation Team."
As the Emperor disregarded his opinion, Byon Duke's face twisted in anguish.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Now then, the investigation team requires a commander. Whom would you recommend?"
"Your Majesty, would it not be fitting for each of the three Ducal Houses to contribute one representative?"
Estira Marquis, who held the next greatest influence after the three Dukes, offered this suggestion.
"Ah, Estira Marquis, that is an excellent proposal. What do the Dukes think of the Marquis's suggestion?"
"I believe it to be a reasonable idea."
"I concur."
While the three Dukes remained silent, the other nobles voiced their agreement.
The Emperor then turned his gaze toward the three Dukes and posed his question to them.
"What do you think, Dukes?"
"Your Majesty, I too believe it to be a sound proposal. Should one of the three families assume command of the investigation team, that would itself constitute an inequitable arrangement."
By merely joining the investigation team for this incident, Duke Heitz had already achieved his objective.
Thus, he responded with a deeply satisfied smile.
"What say you, Duke Maxius?"
"I share Duke Heitz's opinion as well."
"Very well. And you, Duke Byon?"
"...I shall abide by the decision."
Byon Duke answered through gritted teeth, barely swallowing his fury.
Duke Heitz caught sight of his expression and stifled a quiet smirk.
"Excellent. Then it is decided—the investigation team shall have one commander contributed by each of the three Ducal Houses. With that, we shall conclude today's council."
At the Emperor's words concluding the meeting, all the nobles bowed their heads toward him.
The Emperor swept his gaze across the assembled nobles before rising from his seat of honor.
He retraced his steps and departed from the Council Chamber.
As the chamber doors closed, the atmosphere froze over in an instant.
Duke Heitz and Byon Duke were holding their heads high toward each other, radiating a murderous atmosphere.
"Duke Heitz, you will surely come to regret this."
"Regret? What are you talking about? I merely wish to find the culprit together with everyone."
"A criminal searching for a criminal—how absurd."
After snorting derisively at Duke Heitz's words, Byon Duke swiftly departed the Council Chamber.
"That, that, that fool! What utter nonsense!"
Duke Heitz pointed accusingly toward the door through which Byon Duke had exited, his fury pouring forth.
"Duke Heitz."
Behind him, Cain Maxius called out to Duke Heitz in a measured voice.
Duke Heitz turned around and regarded Cain with a displeased gaze.
"What business does the Maxius Duke have interfering here?"
"Because I too believe the culprit behind this incident must be apprehended."
The tension that had been gripping Duke Heitz's eyes eased slightly.
"I anticipated that Byon Duke would attempt to frame the Heitz Duchess as the culprit. Therefore, I cannot stand idly by while she is subjected to such treatment."
"I appreciate your words. I trust that you, Maxius Duke, also know that Belita is not the sort of person to commit such an act."
"That is correct. The Heitz Duchess is absolutely not capable of such a thing."
"Then let us work together well this time."
Duke Heitz extended his hand toward Cain.
"Yes, I look forward to our cooperation."
Cain, who rarely smiled, appeared to be in such good spirits that a smile graced his features as he clasped Duke Heitz's hand.
* * *
After Father returned from his meeting, he delivered unexpected news.
An investigation team had been established to apprehend the culprit behind the carriage bombing.
And through Father's recommendation, I had become one of the team leaders of the investigation unit as the representative of the Heitz Family.
I had intended to dedicate separate time to investigating the incident, but somehow I found myself part of an official organization.
Upon reflection, it wasn't a bad development.
I considered it quite a promising beginning and resolved with determination to find the culprit without fail.
Two days later, the first meeting of the investigation team was scheduled.
The investigation unit consisted of fifteen members, including three team leaders from each Duke's House.
I arrived at the meeting venue with countless thoughts about how to proceed moving forward.
The meeting place was a small Imperial Residence located near the Imperial Palace.
It had been designated as neutral ground where members of the investigation team could move freely.
The carriage came to a halt in front of the residence.
I waited for Lian to open the door as I prepared to disembark.
Knock, knock.
I heard the knock and the door opened.
Expecting it to be Lian, I looked up with a smile, only to find an unexpected person standing before me.
"Aiden Byon?"
He narrowed his eyes pleasantly and extended his hand to me in a courteous gesture.
I grasped his hand readily.
As I always felt, his hand was remarkably large and firm.
"So Aiden Byon was chosen as the representative of House Byon?"
"That is correct."
"I see."
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