Interesting, isn’t it?

"Evanthe Gilmore… greets the second prince, Prince Aeneas Seneca…."

Aeneas smiled broadly at Evanthe's pale face. It looks like he's about to come up with something interesting.

Aeneas already felt that someone was following him from earlier. He was also sure that the minister who felt the same way earlier. But because they thought that the one following them was not a dangerous person, the two of them decided to let it slide.

"Are you going to let it, Your Highness?"

"I will take care of the little mouse. Thank you for taking the time for me, My Lord."

"It's all my pleasure, Your Highness. You can call me if you need help dealing with the little mouse."

That's how it is. Maybe because he was busy with his own thoughts, the little mouse was unaware that Aeneas had come to it. He didn't expect the little mouse to be Evanthe. What an interesting surprise.

Well, now what should I do with her? thought Aeneas. Selah was also in the Palace, taking care of Duke Dulcia's work and preparing for tomorrow's trial.

"I believe that the Royal Palace is not a place people can just enter. What is this lady doing here?" asked Aeneas.

"I… am looking for someone," Evanthe squeaked fearfully.

"Who are you looking for?" asked Aeneas as gently as he could, but it looked as if that would frighten Evanthe. "As I recall, Viscountess Gilmore isn't here… Hmmm, so maybe it is me? Because you followed me from earlier."

"F-forgive me, Your Highness!" Evanthe said as she knelt down. "I… I didn't hear anything. Really! I-even if I heard about it, I wouldn't tell anyone."

"Stand up, Lady Evanthe." Aeneas helped her to her feet. "What you're listening to isn't a royal secret, so you don't need to be so frightened. Unless… unless, well, you mean to twist my words to some other point."

"No! I won't do anything!"

"Oh, really? But as far as I know, you don't like Lady Selah. You even said that this world fair wasn't before."

Got you, thought Aeneas when he found Evanthe's fist shaking.

With ease, Aeneas brought Evanthe to one of the deserted park benches. Evanthe still looked angry. Maybe feel unfair, as she said earlier.

"I don't understand what you mean by unfair. But haven't you heard how Duke Dulcia was about to hit Lady Selah?" Aeneas began to court her. "If it wasn't for me, my poor fiancee would have been beaten. Look, there's even a bruise left on my face."

"I'm sure… Lady Selah can easily avoid Duke Dulcia," Evanthe muttered loathingly. "After all, she's been brought up very well. Lady Selah has everything. She earned the love of Crown Prince Blair and you. And even though it looks like Duke Dulcia doesn't like her, Lady Selah still gets his money, right? Lady Selah can live comfortably and be engaged to Crown Prince Blair because of her father. Why did she… She…"

"Oh. Then why is it any of your business?"

As if realizing what he had just said, Evanthe immediately covered her mouth.

Aeneas' unexpected reaction. Any woman is naturally jealous of Selah because of her status and wealth. But why did Evanthe worry about her family? She had also succeeded in getting the complete Blair without having to intervene in kicking out Selah. After this anyway, Duke Dulcia's reputation would plummet. None of her business, unless...

Except…

"Wouldn't it be to your advantage if the Dulcia family fell? You can step forward as crown princess and please Viscountess Gilmore," continued Aeneas.

"W-what?"

"Lady Evanthe." Aeneas chuckles. "I know you had an affair with Blair and tried to take him away from Lady Selah."

Evanthe blushed in embarrassment. "I… don't understand what you're talking about."

"Ouch, you want to play innocent, huh?" asked Aeneas, amused. "I've seen you in and out of the Prince's Palace quite often. After all, you being able to sneak into this Royal Palace proves you know the ins and outs of the Palace."

"Th-then you are the same, right?!" Evanthe didn't want to lose. "You… you played behind Crown Prince Blair and took Lady Selah away from him."

"Well, haven't you been saying all this time in salons that Lady Selah seduced me with her money?"

"Your Highness!" Evanthe scolded. It looked like she was trying to defend herself. "It's enough. Please… don't continue any further…."

"And about you worrying about Dulcia's family… It must be because you're worried that your family will suffer if Duke Dulcia is punished, right?" Aeneas drew closer and whispered, "Because you are Duke Dulcia's bastard child. Viscountess Gilmore and Duke Dulcia had an affair. You are the child of that relationship…"

Evanthe stood up quickly. Her eyes watered, and her face flushed. Evanthe looked angry.

"P-please excuse me to go first, Your Highness. My apologies for my impoliteness," she said and left.

Aeneas laughed at Evanthe's leaving. He was sure she heard his laughter. Her steps seemed so rushed.

Apart from that, Aeneas knows one thing.

Viscountess Gilmore did indeed marry, but her husband died a few months later. Surprisingly, at such moments, she admitted that she was pregnant. Many did not believe that Viscountess Gilmore was pregnant with the late Viscount Gilmore. But somehow, she managed to convince everyone. In the end, Viscountess Gilmore was entitled to the Gilmore family's vacant seat.

To be honest, the Gilmore family wasn't that rich. The Viscountess did work for the Palace, but she was just an ordinary ministerial staff. Her income is not commensurate with the lifestyle she has.

So Aeneas comes to one conclusion: other money is coming into Viscountess Gilmore's pocket.

At first, Aeneas only guessed. Duke Dulcia who was rumored to have an affair and an illegitimate child, Viscountess Gilmore who had a daughter born unexpectedly, and the way Evanthe spoke. That meant one thing, and Evanthe herself just confirmed it herself.

"Interesting, isn't it, Sir Azel?"

Azel came out of hiding. Since then, he has been keeping an eye on his master. "I find it inappropriate to comment on your partner's family circumstances, Your Highness," said Azel.

"Ah, you are no fun," Aeneas cackled. "Well, even so, it remains to be confirmed. Judging from the situation, it seems that Lady Selah doesn't know that her half-sister is actually her ex-fiancé's lover."

"You want me to find proof of Lady Gilmore's birth?" guessed Azel.

"Yes," Aeneas told Azel to come closer, then he smiled broadly. "Then find out what attempt Gilmore is making to gain Dulcia's power–well, even if the best they can do is get Lady Evanthe to seduce Blair."

"Very well, Your Highness."

"Well, now only my fiancee remains. I don't think it would be wise to tell her about this now…"

Because right now, there are many things that Selah still has to do.

Let the Gilmore family be poor because their income is reduced.