Iyana vehemently refused to believe that her father and brother could commit such a despicable act.
It seemed utterly impossible. Someone else must be framing them.
Inspecting the trunk, she found it devoid of a single gold coin. This solidified her belief that it had been planted there solely to incriminate her family. However, she knew the count wouldn't buy the excuse that the trunk magically appeared, considering the magical restrictions on vaults in Haynes.
Marlo would likely assume her father had hidden the money elsewhere and forgotten to remove the trunk.
I need to hide it, she realized urgently.
If the count discovered it, her family would be dragged to the imperial court, their reputation ruined. They would become a laughingstock.
Glancing at the magical pouch still secured to her wrist, meant for spare swords and armor, she knew it wouldn't accommodate the large box.
But she did have other weapons at her disposal.
Should she destroy the box then?
She chewed on her bottom lip, contemplating her options, when Marlo's voice interrupted her thoughts.
"I'm coming in," he called out.
Acting on instinct, Iyana swiftly drew a sword with explosive power and struck the trunk.
"What in the world was that?" Marlo exclaimed as he entered. "What have you done?"
"There was a mouse!" Iyana feigned fear. "I panicked and... I struck it with all my might."
"You brought that massive sword for a tiny mouse?" Marlo raised an incredulous eyebrow. "How did a mouse even get in here?"
"I'm not sure," she maintained her façade of innocence. "Perhaps it snuck in when our treasurer was busy pocketing our wealth, bit by bit, every day."
Marlo shook his head disdainfully as he examined the vault, finding no trace of his gold coins. "Unbelievable. A marquess reduced to such a destitute state," he sneered, and Iyana was offended.
Oh, how she longed to slice that sneer off his face. Unfortunately, decapitating an annoying aristocrat wasn't on her to-do list for the day.
Suppressing her anger and withdrawing her sword, Iyana replied evenly, "As I just said, our treasurer ran away with our riches."
"And your businesses are crumbling, I hear," he taunted.
Yes, I should probably kill this man— No, Iyana, control. You have been managing your anger for months, so don't lose control now. Be patient, she told herself in her head.
"Regardless, we should leave this place now," she interjected, struggling to maintain her composure.
Upon returning to the hall, Iyana addressed Marlo, "Lord Clipton, since you have seen that our treasury didn't contain your gold coins—"
"I still don't buy it. The coins must be hidden elsewhere. I mean, who would even be stupid enough to keep it in their own vault?" he interrupted with a shrug. "Regardless, I am convinced your family is behind my daughter's kidnapping. They had the audacity to target my precious child." He glared at Edward and Lyon. "They will pay."
"But—" Iyana began.
"However," he interrupted again, locking eyes with Iyana and smirking, "you are the bride of our crown prince—the future empress-consort. Even if you and your family deceived me, it's advantageous to be in the good graces of royalty, don't you agree? So, for your sake, I will offer them a chance."
Relief washed over Iyana. "Thank you so much—"
"—a chance to repay me," he finished. "Your family must repay double of the debt owed, along with the 50,000 gold coins they basically stole from me, within two weeks."
Iyana's eyes widened in shock. "Lord Clipton, that's impossible. Our businesses are struggling, and you have seen our treasury. It's—"
"I do not care, Lady Iyana," he cut in.
"I am giving you three options: number one, pay me the amount I asked for; number two, let your father and brother go to jail; and number three, prove their innocence and only pay back what they originally owe me. You can choose any of them, and I am giving you two weeks' worth of time. See how generous I am?"
Iyana set her lips in a thin line and glanced at her family—the family that has been treating her like the apple of their eyes. How could she let them be humiliated like that?
Without no other choice, she nodded. "Alright, Lord Clipton. I will do everything in my power to prove their innocence."
"So, you choose option three?" he chuckled. "Good luck. Let's hope Prince Easton remains unaware, or your dreams of becoming Empress will remain just dreams." With a smirk, he departed with his men.
Once they were gone, Iyana approached her father. "Did you really do this?"
"Absolutely not! Why would I sabotage our biggest benefactor?" Edward exclaimed. "Do you think I'd entrust Lyon with such a crucial task?"
Iyana sighed. "It's okay, there is a chance I can prove your innocence. I managed to collect some hair strands of the actual master of the kidnapping. I have submitted it to the Tower of Magic to find out whose it is, and the result should be arriving in a week. So you just worry about gathering the original money."
Edward took her hand gratefully and shook them. "What did I do to deserve a daughter like you?"
Pulling her into a hug, he enveloped her in his comforting embrace.
"Don't worry, Father. I will definitely clear your name," she vowed, her violet eyes shining with resolution. "And I have a suspicion about who might be behind all this."
It's you, isn't it? You are the mastermind, Vyan Blake Ashstone.
———
Vyan and Clyde observed the Estelle estate from a distance, perched on the branches of a towering tree.
"Why didn't Count Clipton emerge with the marquess and his son? Why did he come out without them?" Clyde wondered aloud.
"Iyana might have persuaded him somehow," Vyan speculated. "We'll know for certain when Anthony updates us."
Anthony, a butler bribed by Vyan, always provided information about what was going on within the Estelle Manor.
"Lady Iyana truly is remarkable," Clyde remarked with pride. "She would make an exceptional grand duchess."
"Oh, spare me," Vyan scoffed, rolling his eyes.
"I will spare you when you find a bride," Clyde teased.
Vyan shook his head in exasperation. "I have no interest."
"Since you are opposed to Lady Iyana becoming your bride, why don't we explore other options? I have compiled a list of eligible women for you. Shall I arrange a date with one of them?" Clyde suggested eagerly.
"No, thank you," Vyan replied firmly.
"Oh, come on. You can't let the Ashstone bloodline end with you," Clyde persisted.
"I have had my fill of your pestering. I am leaving," Vyan declared, vanishing from sight.
"Even if you disappear, I won't give up on finding a bride for you," Clyde vowed with unwavering determination.
———
The following day, Iyana decided it was sensible to investigate Lyon's whereabouts first before marching off to accuse Vyan. Finding a witness who could verify Lyon's location would help clear his name, at least to some extent.
After completing her tasks at the base in the evening, she made her way out when she was interrupted by a voice calling her name.
"Lady Iyana!" Easton's voice halted her smooth exit, and she turned to face her fiancé, her annoyance evident. "Yes, Your Imperial Highness? How may I assist you?" she inquired with a cool demeanor.
As Easton approached, there was a hint of hesitation in his voice as he spoke. "Iyana, I wanted to talk to you. Actually, I wanted to apologize for... our conversation after the award ceremony. So, I was wondering if you would be free for dinner with me tonight?"
Iyana found his behavior peculiar. Royalty typically didn't offer apologies, especially with such hesitance. It was a stark contrast to the ruthless demeanor she had heard Easton possessed.
"My apologies, Your Imperial Highness, but I must decline your invitation. I have some business to attend to tonight," she replied flatly, making no effort to mask her lack of interest.
"Alright, dinner may be out of the question, but can't you spare me even ten minutes?" Easton tried.
"No," she stated bluntly. "I have to visit the brothel."
"I understand, but—wait, what?" he sputtered, his eyes widening.
Iyana realized her mistake too late. "Oh, I mean... I have to go to the brothel for an investigation," she somberly corrected herself.
Oh," Easton breathed a sigh of relief. "You had me worried for a moment there."
"Well then, if you will excuse me," Iyana began to depart, but Easton halted her once more.
"Wait a minute. Are you planning to visit the brothel alone?" he asked with genuine concern.
"Yes," she replied casually.
"No one else is accompanying you?" he pressed further.
"We are short-staffed. Many soldiers have taken leave since the end of the Ganlop war to be with their families. So, I will be going alone," she fabricated since it was a personal case that she didn't want others to be involved in.
"Alright, then. I will come with you," Easton offered. "It's not safe for you to go alone to such places."
Iyana shot him a flat look. "With all due respect, Your Imperial Highness, I am more than capable of protecting myself."
"I understand, but I will feel uneasy letting you go alone—"
"I am sorry, but I prefer to go alone," she interjected firmly.
The last thing she wanted was Easton accompanying her. If he discovered the miserable state of her family, it could spell disaster. She was aware of the importance of her marriage to Easton, and she couldn't risk him learning the truth at any cost.
"But Iyana—"
"I must be on my way now, Your Imperial Highness. Goodbye." With that, she briskly departed.
As Easton watched her leave, a tumult of emotions swirled within him, his expression clouded.
"Why do I feel this way?" Easton murmured to himself. "You have always been cold to me since childhood. But lately… it stings more when you treat me like this. Why is it happening, Iyana? Is it because you don't remember me at all?"
Glancing in the direction she had gone, he forced a smile onto his face.
He walked out of the walkway and entered the garden as he thought, and yet, I hope your memories never return. I pray you never recall the person you once loved like crazy.
He picked up an extremely rare purple rose from its shrub, caressing it gently, but it ended up stinging him with its thorn.
"If only I could uncover the identity of that man," he uprooted that rose shrub and crushed it underneath his feet as he uttered slowly, "I could eradicate the issue at its root by erasing his existence from this world."