Ch.9696. Would Someone Who Cares About Procedure Do Such a Thing?

“No, why can’t I see him?”

“Because Leonard is serving the punishment I imposed on him until the marriage.”

“Pu-punishment?”

“Even though it turned out well in the end, he acted in a manner unbefitting a nobleman. It was also extremely disrespectful to Baron René.”

Seri Familia’s jaw dropped in shock.

She had heard that Baron Byron was strict, but how could he punish his son when marriage negotiations were underway?

This was a setback to her plan.

“Then, Father, where is Leonard now?”

“I’m sorry, but I cannot tell you. It’s a disciplinary measure passed down secretly in the Alphonse family.”

Just how terrifying was this punishment that he wouldn’t even reveal it…?

Seri Familia anxiously pleaded with Baron Byron.

“I’ve come such a long way. Couldn’t I see Leonard even for a moment?”

“You’ll be seeing him for the rest of your life once the marriage proceeds. Think of it as supporting your future husband in advance and be patient a little longer.”

“B-but…”

“Consider it basic courtesy toward your father. Imagine how angry he must have been witnessing that scene… If Leonard weren’t my son, he would have drawn his sword immediately.”

Faced with Baron Byron’s firm stance, Seri Familia gestured frantically as she continued.

“My father doesn’t think that way at all. On the contrary, he’s delighted that I’m becoming a member of the Alphonse family.”

“Of course he wouldn’t show it in front of you. As a father with a daughter myself, I understand Baron René’s feelings well.”

Seri Familia was not one to back down so easily.

She sniffled as she continued speaking.

“I wanted to apologize to you for my rudeness then, but I also came expecting to meet Leonard…”

“I’m sorry. If I had sent a letter to the Familia household a bit earlier, you wouldn’t have made this disappointing trip.”

“So my father already knows about this.”

“Naturally, your father opposed it. However, Leonard voluntarily submitted himself to punishment.”

“Voluntarily?”

When Seri Familia expressed surprise, Baron Byron gave a faint smile.

“I suppose that’s proof of how much he loves you. Even I didn’t expect that cunning boy to willingly accept punishment.”

“Father, shouldn’t we meet at least once before the marriage proceeds?”

“The approval from both families has already been given, so why do you think that?”

“Because there are proper procedures to follow.”

Baron Byron’s voice dropped low enough to make Seri Familia flinch.

“Is someone who insists on procedures the same person who caused such an incident?”

There was nothing she could say, even with ten mouths.

For nobles, the fact that an unmarried man and woman were in the same bed—with one of them naked—was simply unacceptable.

Moreover.

Time was running short.

If it weren’t for the rumors, she could have proceeded slowly and made various plans.

However, Seri Familia had no way to stop the rapidly advancing marriage talks caused by the uncontrollable rumors.

She was caught in a trap of her own making.

“…I’m sorry.”

“What’s done is done. Go back to your family and prepare for the wedding.”

An ordinary woman might have hesitated and retreated in the face of Baron Byron’s stern attitude, but she was one of the notorious madwomen from “The Youngest Son of the Brilliant Family.”

Seri Familia smiled softly.

There’s a saying about using a chicken when a pheasant isn’t available, isn’t there?

If she couldn’t kill Leonard, she would start by killing his father, Baron Byron.

If that happened.

The wedding would be postponed amid the confusion, and she would naturally meet Leonard at the funeral.

She could kill him then—it wouldn’t be too late.

Ultimately, what Seri Familia wanted was for the marriage to fizzle out.

She didn’t particularly care who died or who died first.

Having calculated everything in her mind, Seri Familia curled up the corners of her eyes.

“Then I’ll just have dinner with you today before leaving, Father.”

Baron Byron slowly rose to his feet.

And once again, a completely unexpected response came from his lips.

“As a father with an unworthy son, I too intend to receive punishment until the wedding day. Since it naturally involves fasting, I regrettably cannot dine with you, so please return to your family.”

After delivering these rigid words, Baron Byron strode out of the reception room.

Seri Familia could only stare at the door with an incredulous expression.

*

“Riden Solis, I have successfully completed my mission and returned.”

“Good work. The security at the Alphonse mansion must have been tight. You did well?”

At my praise, Riden scratched his head and smiled brightly.

“Infiltration is my specialty, isn’t it? I would have been fine even if it were the Imperial Palace, not just the Alphonse family.”

“How did the additional mission go?”

“You mean delivering the letter and observing the Alphonse family’s movements for a week?”

“Yes, that.”

“Well, young master Leonard hasn’t been seen since then—they’ve hidden him somewhere.”

“Oh, so the letter worked well.”

I clapped my hands while sitting in my chair, and Riden adjusted his posture before continuing.

“And exactly two days after sending the letter, Lady Seri Familia visited the Alphonse mansion.”

“How did it go?”

“She had a conversation with Baron Byron in the reception room.”

“Did you hear their conversation?”

“I couldn’t. However, Lady Seri Familia left the Alphonse mansion immediately after their talk.”

I slapped my knee upon hearing Riden’s report.

The contents of the letter I had left in Baron Byron’s bedroom had worked perfectly.

“As someone who loves Seri Familia, I will kill both Leonard Alphonse and you who arranged this marriage. I will poison all food and tea, and especially if Seri Familia visits the Alphonse mansion, I will not miss that opportunity.”

Baron Byron must have been extremely troubled after receiving the letter.

The content was too explicit to be taken lightly.

Given Baron Byron’s personality, he likely didn’t even mention the assassination letter to Seri Familia.

After all, I had crafted the letter to make him act that way.

Someone loves Seri Familia?

It was a plausible action driven by jealousy over the marriage talks.

Moreover.

The phrase “especially if Seri Familia visits the Alphonse mansion, I will not miss that opportunity.”

Though it was a threatening message, it contained many implied meanings.

Why specifically mention that timing?

It was designed to make the letter sender appear to be someone close to Seri Familia—perhaps like a knight who always accompanies her.

Therefore, it was my own warning message to be especially careful when she visited the Alphonse mansion.

She would surely try to kill Leonard or Baron Byron to prevent the marriage from proceeding.

It wasn’t hard to predict.

Why?

It’s simple—she has no way to stop the marriage herself because of the mess she created.

For someone who would never feel guilt for achieving her goals, this was her only option.

I leaned back in my chair and tilted my chin.

“Did you see Seri Familia’s expression when she returned to her family?”

“Yes, it seems the conversation didn’t go well.”

“I wish I could have seen it myself. What a shame.”

“…Is that so?”

Riden’s expression was complex.

Having seen the letter’s contents himself, it’s understandable—I had sent an assassination warning to my father and brother.

“Are you curious why I sent such a letter?”

“If I’m curious, will you tell me?”

“There’s no reason I can’t.”

Riden swallowed hard before speaking.

“Then please tell me. I’ve been dying of curiosity.”

“I have information that someone is trying to assassinate my father and brother. So I sent a warning to be careful.”

“W-who would dare try to assassinate Baron Byron and Young Master Leonard Alphonse?”

“I sent the letter precisely because I don’t know exactly who it is. If I knew, wouldn’t I have killed them already?”

I had to mix in a bit of a lie.

Riden is currently my informant, but he will eventually become a companion to the protagonist, Serion Rykus.

He will inevitably meet her anyway.

The imperial scenario already seems to be deviating from the original story, so I can’t interfere with Seri Familia as well.

“Then couldn’t you have been honest rather than sending an assassination letter?”

“Come on, would they have properly understood that way? Especially my brother Leonard—wouldn’t he have easily dismissed what I said?”

Riden’s face lit up with understanding as he exclaimed repeatedly.

“Ah… so that was your deeper intention.”

“You didn’t actually think I was really going to assassinate my father and brother, did you?”

“W-well…”

“What kind of madman would warn someone before killing them?”

“I actually thought you might assassinate them. But I believed you had good reason.”

Now that I’ve tied up Seri Familia, shall I start moving?

I put on heavy leather gloves and rose from my chair, causing Riden to tilt his head in confusion.

“Where are you going with just leather gloves and no coat?”

I sighed bitterly at Riden’s puzzled expression.

“Haa… I’m going to gather information about the Forest of Death.”