Chapter 38

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 38

Chapter Title: The Relatives' Scheme

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A rundown mansion lay nearly half a day's ride from the Aratus family's existing estates.

The rainy season had blanketed the sky in gloom, unleashing torrents of heavy rain.

The relatives gathered inside for their meeting wore subtly strained expressions.

"You've all heard the news, I take it?"

"Of course. We're still plugged into the capital's gossip."

"Word is, the family head and Agatha Noblesse's relationship isn't just a political marriage..."

The man who spoke last glanced cautiously around the room.

"In this situation, can we really make a comeback?"

"......"

A heavy silence swept through the meeting hall. It had been over half a year since they'd been forcibly cut off from all affairs of the main Aratus household.

Their goal was to return to the capital and reclaim their influence within the family.

To do that, they needed a rift between Agatha Noblesse and Enoch Aratus—or some way to sway him. But things were heading in a strange direction.

At that moment, one of the silent relatives raised a hand.

It was the youngest among them: the new Baron Dacher, who had been thrust into leading a branch family just a few months ago.

"This might actually be our golden opportunity."

"What do you mean by that, Baron Dacher?"

Greed and fury flashed in the baron's eyes.

"You've all heard the rumors. Things between Agatha Noblesse and Enoch Aratus are getting serious."

"We have, which is why we're sitting here like this."

"Then why not drive a wedge into that 'serious' relationship? I heard that at the recent imperial ball, when his former fiancée approached, Agatha Noblesse personally shoved her away."

"......!"

"We use that to our advantage. And conveniently, we have the perfect card up our sleeve, don't we?"

No one there missed his meaning.

Esther Portoni.

The faces of the relatives brightened as they recalled the fallen noble lady they'd all but forgotten—now Viscountess Portoni.

"That's right! How could we forget her!"

"Perfect timing. Viscount Portoni's been dead for a while now, hasn't he?"

"Exactly. No kids, so even if she becomes his mistress, there won't be any complications. Hell, just the rumor reaching Agatha Noblesse's ears will give us an opening to slip through."

"Let's draw up a plan right now!"

"Baron Dacher, you've done us a great service!"

The mood ignited with newfound hope, just when they'd thought their path back was completely blocked.

"Is Esther Portoni in the capital?"

"Rented a townhouse, from what I hear."

"Then reaching out should be easy enough."

"I'll go see her myself, just like before."

As one eager relative stepped forward, a more cautious voice intervened.

"The Noblesse family's eyes are everywhere in the capital. We can't risk giving them leverage. Better to start with a letter."

"A letter leaves evidence. Wouldn't it be smarter to send a discreet errand boy?"

Once they'd settled on contact, the next hurdle was convincing her.

"But will Esther Portoni cooperate so easily?"

One relative who claimed to know her well responded to the skeptical question.

"It wasn't just the family head who had feelings for Esther Portoni. Funny thing is, she loved him too."

Otherwise, why would the head have let her live all this time?

"It was mutual!"

True or not, the claim carried immense persuasive power.

"She betrayed him for money, and now you talk of love?"

"That's exactly why she'll still have regrets. We just poke at that sore spot."

Laughter swept the room, followed by cold analysis.

"People always romanticize love once their fortunes improve, don't they?"

"Besides, a prestigious house like Aratus doesn't come around often. She knows better than anyone how sweet it is to be part of our family."

Missed gems always look bigger in hindsight.

"First, make her believe the position Agatha Noblesse stole was rightfully hers."

The scheme, stoking desire, lingering regrets, and hope, took systematic shape in the hands of these self-serving Aratus kin.

Watching it unfold, the new Baron Dacher suppressed a smirk.

'Family head. You never imagined something like this, did you?'

Enoch Aratus had probably assumed that after purging three branch families, the relatives would fall in line.

But no. Greed doesn't vanish so easily.

'If you thought I'd back down, you're dead wrong.'

A few months ago, after Enoch's example wiped out his family, Baron Dacher had suddenly become the head—and the hardships were indescribable.

Going from an unremarkable second son to baron was fine, but he hadn't forgotten losing his father and brother in an instant.

And now, the family head he'd underestimated was thriving—married well, backed by the emperor's favor. It made his stomach churn even in his sleep.

In that sense, Esther Portoni was his ace in the hole.

If she became the head's mistress, he could exert influence through her. Even if not, just sparking conflict with Agatha Noblesse would create cracks in the head's foundation.

Who knew? That divorce-happy Agatha might even toss him aside.

A family head without solid footing couldn't last.

"I'll make contact with Esther Portoni myself."

His humble words, masking his true intentions, drew praise from the relatives.

"If you're the one who came up with this gem, we can trust you. Leave it to you, then."

"Consider it done."

Baron Dacher's eyes gleamed with malice. He'd subtly maneuvered the relatives to engineer this exact scenario.

While intrigue slithered in the remote territories,

The two-day imperial ball had concluded. Since then, the Aratus marquis and his wife had been living days unlike their usual routine.

Agatha awoke in the morning and glanced at the empty side of the bed before rising. She summoned her maids, washed up, then slipped into a light robe over her morning dress and headed to the dining hall.

"Good morning, my lady."

It was still early.

Enoch had arrived first and was eating breakfast.

'My lady.'

The intimate "Agatha" he always used in private had changed.

"Good morning, Enoch."

Agatha sat across from him without betraying any emotion. They occupied opposite ends of the long table.

Dr-r-rk—

The chef arrived with a tray and personally served the food.

"For this morning—"

"Skip the menu rundown."

"......Yes, ma'am."

Agatha quietly chewed the fresh salad and swallowed.

The dining hall, once filled with conversation, echoed only with the clink of silverware and the faint footsteps of servants.

Setting down her utensils, Agatha addressed Enoch.

"What's on your schedule today?"

Even initiating conversation yielded the same curt response as yesterday.

"Court meeting, then a social gathering."

"So you'll be late again?"

"Yes. Don't wait up—go to bed."

Agatha pierced the yolk of her soft-boiled egg, muttering inwardly.

Frustrating.

She was already in a foul mood, suspecting she'd misread his feelings.

Her appetite gone, she set down her fork and downed her juice.

"I'll be busy starting today too."

Time to handle what she'd planned to take slowly. With the ball over, it was time to inspect the Aratus household.

"I'm going to renovate the Aratus mansion."

Enoch looked up at her words.

"His Majesty promised to lend me some craftsmen."

His gray eyes, inscrutable, settled calmly.

"I'll be coming home late for a while too. Don't wait for me—sleep if it's late. If you need to reach me, send word to the Aratus mansion."

Agatha rose first and left the dining hall. The man stared after her retreating figure before slowly setting down his utensils.

His plate was just as untouched.

At the Noblesse second residence in the capital—now more famous as Agatha's newlywed home—the waiting knights turned as someone approached.

A man strode up, seized the reins of a massive warhorse. It was their lord, Enoch Aratus.

"You're here, my lord."

"Let's move."

Enoch mounted swiftly and turned his horse toward the main gates. Behind him followed his tight-lipped aide John, adjutant Ched, and the knights.

Enoch said nothing on the way to the palace.

His mind replayed that morning: the awkward air between them, despite her outward normalcy.

The soft, intimate atmosphere that defied their political marriage was gone.

It left a bitter taste.

Regrettably, Enoch had no intention of acting here. Or perhaps he was hoping this phase would pass, returning them to how things were.