Chapter 113: The Duke’s Way of Supporting  

I had no idea, and instead, I just felt upset, thinking he was too busy.  

I stared at Xavier with my mouth slightly open in surprise.  

“So, saying you were going to the Macaron Café was just an excuse?”  

“Not exactly an excuse, more like killing two birds with one stone. After hearing what you told me about the Crown Prince and Princess, I had a hunch.”  

“So that’s why Albert said you went to call Viscount Rexton.”  

“That’s correct. To be precise, that night, he even dragged me out after work to bring me to this mansion.”  

Suddenly, Rexton’s voice interjected. He entered the room carrying a tray with three drinks on it.  

“Viscount Rexton?”  

“His Grace insisted on conducting an inquiry among the people of the Pins region, so I couldn’t even rest.”  

Even Rexton, who usually carried out his duties silently, seemed quite worn out from the ordeal. He began complaining the moment he saw me.  

“Rexton, if you put it that way, it sounds like you did it all alone. I also wore a robe and went around conducting inquiries with you.”  

“…Yes, you did.”  

With tired eyes, Rexton glanced at me briefly before setting the tray down beside the chessboard.  

“I’ll go fetch another drink.”  

“Why are you doing this yourself instead of leaving it to the maids?”  

“My lady, isn’t this something you’ve seen before?”  

I stared blankly as Rexton left the study with precise movements, then turned my gaze back. The atmosphere among the three—not including me—was warm and harmonious.  

My mother gently pushed a cup on the table toward Xavier. He picked it up politely with both hands and brought it to his lips.  

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I rubbed my eyes.  

The smiles on my parents’ faces as they watched Xavier were filled with pride and affection.  

It seemed they had grown quite fond of each other during the time I didn’t know about.  

At first, I was baffled, but soon a soft smile crept onto my face.  

I let out a small sigh, shook my head, and said, 

“It seems Xavier has scored a lot of points.”  

“Does that mean you’re forgiving me?”  

“What is there to forgive? If anything, I should be the one apologizing.”  

“Thank you for thinking that way.”  

As Xavier placed his drink back on the table, his large hand rested beneath it. I noticed scars on the knuckles of his hand. It was the same hand that had been bandaged before.  

The thought of how I hadn’t been able to properly treat him because of all the things happening lately made my heart ache.  

‘He was so busy that he didn’t even have time to breathe, yet he personally went around conducting inquiries for my parents…’  

Thinking about Xavier wandering through Pins during all those nights I spent feeling lonely, I felt a pang of guilt.  

I gently held the tips of his fingers and locked eyes with his teal gaze.  

Thank you. And I’m sorry.  

I conveyed my feelings through my eyes. His widened slightly before softening into a tender expression.  

I smiled at him, then turned to my parents.  

“Now, tell me everything. What’s going on? Is everything really okay?”  

Xavier answered immediately.  

“The tax documents for the trading company and the Graham family were impeccably clean. All I did was set aside confidential business documents and client lists. And from the inquiries I conducted among the people, I could see why your father is so well-respected.”  

“Ahem.”  

My father lifted his chin proudly.  

The original story’s description of him as a beloved lord of Pins wasn’t an exaggeration.  

“Why did you conduct inquiries?”  

“The newspapers will soon publish whatever they want about the audit of the Graham family.”  

“I suppose they will.”  

My mother suddenly began praising Xavier.  

“Yuria, that was Xavier’s brilliant idea! He asked those who had been helped by Douglas to testify. It was truly impressive!”  

My father nodded vigorously in agreement with my mother’s words.  

“And that’s not all. Xavier placed the ledger on his knee and made Cornwell squirm! You should’ve seen how desperate Cornwell looked chasing after your husband to snatch the ledger. Hahaha!”  

Ah, so that’s why the study ended up in such a state.  

“But why did you do that? You could’ve just handed the ledger over to Cornwell right away.”  

At my father’s question, Xavier replied, 

“If I handed it over too easily, he might have suspected our plan… Besides, I felt a little sorry for the count.”  

“Huh? What do you mean?”  

A faint smirk appeared on Xavier’s lips.  

“Father-in-law, Mother-in-law. Even for an enemy, it’s only fair to let them dream of a rosy future for a moment. That way, the despair they feel afterward will be all the greater.”  

“You’re quite mischievous, aren’t you? Hahaha!”  

＊  

After the audit, Count Cornwell returned to his office at the Ministry of Finance in the capital. He lounged with his legs propped up on the desk, exuding arrogance.  

Although he had the misfortune of encountering Duke Auguste at the Graham mansion and enduring some humiliation, he had still managed to secure the ledger.  

‘They must’ve had something to hide, given how difficult they made it.’  

Now all he had to do was wait idly for the investigation results. Several newspapers lay scattered across his desk, half-read.  

[Graham Family and their Trading Company Audited for Tax Evasion Allegations.]  

[What’s Next for the Graham Baronial Family? Prison?]  

[Unusual Weather Hits the Empire: Summer Temperatures Continue Into Late Autumn.]  

He didn’t mind the wait. After all, no household or trading company could be completely clean.  

‘If I can uncover even a single false invoice and prove tax evasion, there’ll be a massive tax penalty. Add interest on top of that, and even the Grahams will suffer a huge blow. If things go well, my uncle might end up in prison… And the Graham Trading Company could fall into my hands! If not, I could at least ask Her Highness the Crown Princess to grant me a trading company as a reward for obtaining confidential documents.’  

Becoming filthy rich was just a matter of time.  

“Hehehe.”  

As he envisioned his rosy future, his bony cheekbones flushed red, and a crooked grin spread across his face.  

“Inspector! Count Cornwell!”  

Startled awake from his daydream, Cornwell saw Ministry of Finance employees rushing toward him. He wiped his eyes and straightened up in his chair.  

“Well? Did you find anything? Is there something worth reporting to the Finance Minister? How much tax evasion was there?”  

“Th-that’s the thing… There’s nothing.”  

“Nothing?”  

“There was no tax evasion.”  

“Is that what you call a report?”  

The chair he had been sitting on toppled backward as Cornwell leaped to his feet. He snatched the report from the employee’s hands.  

“The trading company’s financial status is transparent, and there are no omissions in their revenue reports.”  

As the employee explained, Cornwell’s expression soured.  

“That can’t be right! Then what about the Graham family?”  

“The taxes collected from the Pins territory, including land taxes, tribute taxes, and military taxes, are more than double those of other territories with comparable populations.”  

“Exactly! That means they’re underpaying! They must be diverting funds somewhere!”  

“N-no, they’re actually paying more in taxes.”  

“What?”  

Paying more?  

Cornwell couldn’t believe the investigation results. But the report in his hands told the truth.  

“Th-this poll tax! The poll tax is being undercollected!”  

The amount of tax collected per person was significantly lower.  

“The poll tax was replaced by a household tax years ago. It’s now collected per household, not per individual. You know that, don’t you? You’re a lord, after all…”  

What?  

As Cornwell’s face turned pale, the employee asked, 

“You didn’t know?”  

“Of-of course I knew. My finance officer told me.”  

“If Baron Graham files a complaint about this, we may have to refund the excess taxes he paid. What should we do? We need to report this to the Finance Minister.”  

“Damn it. I-I’ll report it later. Just stay put.”  

‘I need to see Her Highness the Crown Princess!’  

Panicked, Cornwell grabbed the report and rushed out of his office, heading straight for the Butterfly Palace.  

Meanwhile, at the emperor’s office, Count Willem was facing the wrath of Emperor Charles.  

The emperor, standing before a desk piled high with letters and reports, glared at Willem with fury.  

“Count Willem! Have you lost your mind?”  

Even the refined emperor had resorted to such harsh words.  

“Your Majesty, what has caused this outrage?”  

“As Finance Minister, how could you not be aware of this matter? If you’re so incompetent, perhaps it’s time for you to retire and recuperate in a provincial estate!”  

“What?”  

The emperor’s fiery gaze bore down on Willem as he pointed to the desk. Willem hesitantly picked up a report and began to read. His usually squinty eyes widened in shock.  

“…This is the tax investigation report on the Graham family.”  

“Do you see how much gold we may have to refund?”  

“I apologize.”  

“Why would you disturb a golden goose that lays eggs every year? Do you even know how much revenue comes from the Pins territory annually?”  

“I-I’m sorry.”  

“And that’s not all!”  

The emperor knocked over the pile of letters, scattering them across the desk, and roared, 

“Do you think I should be dealing with these petitions during such turbulent times? Public sentiment is already unstable due to the unusual weather!”  

“Please, Your Majesty, calm yourself.”  

Willem bent down to pick up one of the old, tattered letters and read its contents with trembling fingers.  

[To His Majesty the Emperor, Baron Graham is a good man. He pays part of our military and well taxes on our behalf. Please, help us.]  

[We humbly petition Your Majesty. The baron does not impose marriage taxes or bread taxes like other lords. Please, forgive him.]  

Each letter revealed stories of Baron Graham’s generosity.  

There were even countless stories of people thanking him for covering their medical expenses, lending money without interest, and more.  

The emperor asked again,  

“Was it you? The great fool who caused this mess?”