CWMBR 82

Chapter 82

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Declan was inwardly laughing at Ain's foolishness when Fergus approached Ain and spoke.

"The royal investigators have arrived."

Moments later, Sanne and Gilum opened the office door and entered.

Ain had rarely had to deal with the investigators directly before. Declan could usually handle everything for him. Had this visit been a routine request for documents or other business, contact would have gone through Declan. The fact they came directly to the office meant this was a matter important enough to convey personally.

Or perhaps something they wished to deliver face-to-face. Given Sanne’s temperament, the latter possibility couldn't be dismissed.

"Lord Wise. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule."

Guided by Fergus, Sanne took a seat and handed over the documents she had brought.

"Before we announce our investigation findings, I want to inform you that a judge has been assigned to handle this case.”

Ain tilted his head at the cover of the documents Sanna presented.

"I haven't filed anything."

Rumors swirled about him accusing his wife, about pursuing a public annulment lawsuit. While gossip was rife, such proceedings weren't merely matters of words. It was true Ain had begun preparing for litigation, but he hadn't yet taken any legal steps. How could a judge be assigned to his case when he hadn't filed anything?

Sanne calmly explained in response to Ain’s words.

"It's true no documents have been submitted to the court. However, in this case, since the royal family has officially intervened, certain procedural steps are being omitted. We are involved in completing the investigation and transferring the relevant materials to the Royal Tribunal. The subsequent schedule will be managed by the Royal Tribunal."

The Royal Court was no ordinary court. It handled only cases involving royalty; anyone descended from the royal bloodline, even distant collateral relatives, had to be tried there.

Ain wore an annoyed expression.

"When will the investigation results be announced?"

"They'll be finalized within a week."

"So to conclude the proceedings without issue, this marriage must go through the Royal Tribunal?"

"If that is the wish of both parties."

Ain tapped his index finger lightly on the armrest. Lost in thought for a moment, he suddenly spoke.

"But doesn't the royal household have a duty to protect the subject of investigation during the inquiry period?"

It was incomprehensible. Ain's words, completely diverging from their previous topic, drew a puzzled expression from Sanne.

"Pardon?"

Declan, who had moved to sit beside Ain, sighed involuntarily and turned away from him. Unaware of Declan's embarrassment, Ain spoke again with a brazen expression.

"If someone under royal investigation faces threats to their safety, isn't that the royal family's responsibility? It's a blatant disregard for royal authority. There couldn't be a greater insult."

"......I heard the Glynford Police Department recently announced a period of increased patrols to create safer streets."

"That's nothing but ineffective, showy publicity."

As far as Sanne knew, the enhanced patrol period had only just begun. It was too early to judge its effectiveness.

Declan now turned his back completely on Ain, deliberately avoiding eye contact. He couldn't bring himself to curse in front of the royal investigators, but his desire to signal with his entire body that he was unconnected to him was plain to see.

"Above all, the police department's duties and the royal family's responsibilities are separate matters, aren't they?"

"Ah, yes."

"If someone tried to smuggle out a subject under investigation, that constitutes obstruction of royal official duties. It must be punished severely. Right?"

Sanne, who had been listening to Ain's words with a sour expression, smiled faintly and said.

"Royal personnel are not Lord Wise's private soldiers."

"I'm just stating the principle. Isn't that right, Declan?"

Ain retorted brazenly, his face asking what the problem was. Declan, who had kept his face covered the whole time, suddenly straightened up and added politely.

"Technically, you're not wrong, Ain."

Sanne's expression turned bewildered. She glanced between Ain and Declan, wearing a peculiar look, then muttered as if to herself.

"You two have always been a perfect match."

Declan, who had subtly sided with Ain, immediately stiffened and protested.

"Who's getting along with who...!"

"I'll take the issue you raised into consideration."

Ignoring Declan's protest, Sanne addressed Ain.

It wasn't a satisfying answer, but if it was something that wouldn't fly, she would have drawn a line and refused outright. This outcome wasn't bad. Still, an inexplicable sense of unease remained unresolved.

Ain leaned back, chin resting on his hand. Though piles of documents still awaited him, his mind had long since bolted from the office. He rubbed his eyes, pushing away the fatigue.

Once again, sediment swirled chaotically. Nothing had settled properly.

***

The weather in Glynford was truly as capricious as could be.

Glancing up at the heavily clouded sky just as he was about to climb into the carriage, Ain clicked his tongue.

He didn't like this place. Not one bit. Not the gloomy weather, not the oppressive fog, not the streets filled with old buildings, nor the secretive atmosphere of the local elites huddled together.

It was a place with no potential for progress. The mayor was busy lining his own pockets, while the powerful devoured everything around him, building their own fortresses.

Central influence rarely reached this remote region anyway. Unless a major problem arose, the central government tended to turn a blind eye to their modest self-serving schemes. Ain, who understood the system well, watched Finn eyeing Glynford and thought they were a perfect match. He also finally understood precisely what Finn valued most when selecting a building for his coffee house.

Finn's ambition was greater than he had imagined. He had no intention of remaining under the influence of his patron, Mrs. Callaway.

Should he tell Mrs. Callaway? Or not? Which would benefit him more?

During his stay in Glynford, he seemed to indulge in such idle musings. Eventually, he concluded he should wait and see. After all, this was merely his own speculation.

He could have simply left someone to keep an eye on Finn and returned to the office. At that time, he hadn't even considered leaving Glynford himself.

Truthfully, he'd concluded on his first day that this was a rather unremarkable town.

Yet, he extended his stay and eventually rented a grand mansion, filling it with his own servants—all because he couldn't bring himself to leave.

And that was...

"That building hides a very sad story."

It had been like that since the very first day he visited Glynford, guided by a woman with a fresh face and a calm voice.

The woman, who introduced him to various parts of the city like an entertaining storyteller, looked like she should be sitting elegantly sipping tea or gracefully fanning herself. Yet, surprisingly, she had a hearty gait and a sharp wit that responded without hesitation.

Her explanations were unexpectedly trivial and insignificant, yet simultaneously fascinating. And they were layered with the familiarity and affection of someone who had lived here a long time. This reached its peak when she gazed at the Grand Theater.

Her feelings toward her parents' legacy seemed to Ain to be an almost pitiful level of obsession. He understood that was why he couldn't tear his eyes away from her.

Because it was pitiful.

From that moment, unable to even consider leaving, he pondered how to spend his time in Glynford in a way that might bring him some satisfaction.

Then he decided that since he was already here, he might as well thoroughly explore every corner of the place. With luck, he might find something worthwhile. And conveniently, there was an excellent guide nearby to lead him.

"Since it's a private hire, I'll pay five times the usual daily rate."

He hadn't actually intended to offer that much extra. A tip later on would have been one thing, but seeing Bridget hesitating and about to refuse, his mouth blurted out five times the daily rate before he could even think.

As he did, he wondered whether she'd refuse this offer, and if so, whether he should raise it to six times or even ten times the daily rate. Had she been able to read his mind, she would have been terribly disappointed at missing out on ten times the daily wage.

“……………What exactly are you curious about?”

Anyway, once he started looking around, Glynford found not a single spot to his liking.

Only the guide's commentary held any interest, and later on, he paid more attention to the guide than to the city itself.