If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 115
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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The unexpected threat from John Calvino had, in a way, awakened her.
Agatha first sought out Vaclav, who had been the steward of the Duke’s household in the past. He was one of the many loyal employees unjustly dismissed by Stella, despite having served the former Duke and Duchess closely.
Even though Stella was the Ducal Lady’s guardian, she had no authority to dismiss the retainers on her own. Most of the household staff, including Vaclav, refused to obey her orders. However, with the Duke’s council firmly in Stella’s grip, they had no choice but to leave.
After securing a promise that the nanny, Charlotte, and a few trusted maids would remain with the Ducal Lady, Vaclav departed from the Duke’s estate.
So much time had passed that Agatha wasn’t sure if she could find him again. Fortunately, he had not left the capital, quietly waiting for the day when the household would be freed from Stella Calvino’s control and restored to its rightful state.
Agatha secretly called him and proposed that he resume his role as the steward of the Duke’s household. Vaclav swore to serve the Duchess with unwavering loyalty until the day he died.
With someone reliable to manage her affairs, Agatha then set about tracking down the knights who had once served the Kristin Order. Excluding those who had grown too old or were incapacitated by illness, she focused on those who had left the Order for personal reasons.
Most of the knights of the Kristin Order had been absorbed into the Vernat Knights upon her marriage, but a small number had refused, claiming lifelong loyalty to only one master. These were the people Agatha now looking for.
“I’ve compiled a list of knights who held ranks of at least a common knight and who did not join the Vernat Order. All are trustworthy.”
As Agatha reviewed the list, she couldn’t help but feel disappointed at how few names there were.
But whom could she blame? It had been her own decision to support the absorption of the Kristin Order’s forces into the Vernat Knights when she married.
As Agatha quietly prepared for her departure from the Marquis’ estate and continued to reorganize the Duke’s household, she received startling news through Vaclav’s contacts.
It was related to recent movements within the Calvino family, but unexpectedly, the name of Vernat had surfaced alongside theirs.
“Sir Cain met with Count Calvino?”
“Yes. Word has it that Marquis Vernat and Count Calvino had a secret meeting.”
“Why? For what reason?”
“Apparently, after the previous incident, most of the Calvino lands were seized by the Imperial family, leaving them with substantial debt. It seems they lacked the means to repay it themselves and filed for bankruptcy with the Imperial treasury. However, someone stepped forward, offering to pay their debts on their behalf.”
“And you’re saying… that someone was Sir Cain?”
“Officially, the name of the benefactor hasn’t been revealed. However, anyone willing to shoulder the Calvino family’s debt would, in essence, be declaring themselves an enemy of both the Kristin and Vernat families. Even for the wealthiest nobles, that’s a risky move. If we narrow it down to those with the financial power to cover such a debt and who wouldn’t fear crossing the Marquis, the only plausible candidates would be members of the royal family. And if it’s not a royal…”
“If not royalty, then it could only be the Marquis himself.”
“Exactly.”
“After all, he wouldn’t need to worry about his own reputation.”
“That would certainly explain the secret meeting between the Marquis and the Count.”
A wave of betrayal washed over her. It had only been four years since Cain vowed to protect her and personally delivered a crushing blow to the Calvino family.
She hadn’t even asked him to. He had acted on his own, declaring that he would not forgive those who tarnished the legacy of the late Duke. And now, to think that the same man had joined hands with those he once vowed to destroy—it was unbelievable.
Suddenly, she remembered his voice, saying how looking at her reminded him of the late Duke and how it horrified him. Agatha shivered.
“For the Calvinos, this must have been a lifeline. It’s better to deal with a single creditor than face demands from many.”
“So, he purchased the debt.”
“Yes, which means he now holds the right to control all of the Calvino family’s finances and affairs. But why would he do such a thing?”
“That’s exactly what I’d like to know. No one would want an answer to that more than me.”
“Excuse me?”
“Is there any information on the Count’s sons?”
“By sons, do you mean John Calvino?”
There was only one son of the Count that Agatha would be interested in. The astute Vaclav had quickly picked up on her thoughts.
“Nothing has been confirmed yet, but I have already sent someone to the south just in case. They will soon check on the situation at the labor camp and return to the capital. I’ve instructed them to report to you first upon their return, so please be patient.”
After delivering a few more updates, Vaclav excused himself. There was much to do if the Ducal estate, long without a proper master, was to be restored.
Once Vaclav had left, Agatha remained seated, lost in thought for a long time. She had lost track of how many cups of tea she had emptied.
