Chapter 130: Their War 4

At Estelle’s mention of having a request, Durst listened attentively.

Since the disagreeable Cazeros had departed, Estelle had officially become Santana’s fiancée.

Unlike Durst’s concerns about Cazeros’s lingering influence causing her to waver, Santana and Estelle had maintained a close relationship since becoming engaged.

Particularly recently, Santana had personally visited Estelle, and now Estelle had directly come to Bohemia.

Were it not for the incident of her missing elder sister Queen, this would have been a cause for delight for Durst, allowing her to allay her brother’s marital concerns.

However, at this moment, Estelle broached a matter Durst had not anticipated.

“So… you mean Brother seems to have feelings for another woman… that maidservant Polena?”

“Yes… While I have no definitive proof, that is the impression I get.”

“That can’t be… Not when Elder Sister Estelle is present, how could he…”

Durst spoke with bewilderment.

However, her reaction stemmed not solely from Estelle’s words.

‘Polena, huh… That red-haired maid? No… I had just begun to feel relieved after that wretched Cazeros disappeared obediently. Why is she suddenly…’

Naturally, Durst had not breathed a word to Estelle about the past between Cazeros and Santana.

Among those officially engaged and maintaining a positive atmosphere, there was no need for a sister-in-law to bring up tales of an ex-lover.

It could only sow unnecessary discord and drive a wedge between the increasingly close couple.

However, separate from that formerly resolved matter, this new development posed a risk of potentially reopening what Durst had carefully concealed.

As a result, despite hearing Estelle’s words, Durst felt a burning sensation within…

Unaware of her inner turmoil, Estelle continued:

“Of course, as you say, it seems unlikely for Lord Santana to behave that way towards me. However, I’ve heard that Polena has been by his side for a very long time… And matters between men and women are often opaque until the curtain is lifted.”

“Well… that is true, but…”

Although Durst did not know precisely how long Santana and Polena had been together, Polena’s proficient work and comfortable demeanor around Santana naturally suggested a longstanding relationship.

Considering this background, Estelle’s words, and the previous affair between Cazeros and Santana, Durst began to suspect that Santana harbored deep feelings for Polena.

‘Come to think of it, ever since that wretched Cazeros disappeared, Polena has been constantly by Brother’s side. Although Brother has grown close with Elder Sister Estelle, the one who has spent the most time with him is none other than Polena… Could it be… truly…’

Durst naturally began to agree with Estelle’s suspicions.

Simultaneously, the feelings of attachment towards Santana that she had suppressed since their engagement resurfaced within her.

‘Brother… I thought you had come to your senses after the engagement… But to backstab me like this once more…’

While Cazeros’s affair could perhaps be dismissed as a momentary lapse, engaging with another woman, Polena, despite having a fiancée, was unacceptable to Durst as Santana’s sister and Estelle’s self-proclaimed sister.

Thus, Durst began to feel disappointment towards Santana and hatred towards Polena.

Seeing her state, Estelle voiced her request with a semblance of sorrow:

“Of course, it may be mere hearsay. Perhaps I’m simply overreacting…”

“…No, it does not seem that way. I too am starting to think there is something between the two of them, as Elder Sister suggests.”

Durst spoke her mind candidly.

At her response, Estelle’s eyes glinted slightly as she continued in a sorrowful tone:

“So you truly think so, Durst?”

“Yes, based on the circumstances, there is sufficient reason to be suspicious of their relationship, as you say, Elder Sister.”

Durst spoke with conviction.

Realizing she had fully embraced her perspective, Estelle inwardly smiled with satisfaction as she continued:

“If they truly are involved… we cannot simply remain idle. While I may let some things slide with Lord Santana, I feel I must have a word with this Polena woman, at the very least.”

“That seems advisable. Such matters should be nipped in the bud as early as possible.”

Having developed hostility towards Polena, the two cautiously discussed their plans.

“For now, I do not wish to cause a major uproar here in Bohemia. I would like to handle this matter as discreetly as possible.”

“I understand. Conveniently, I have people I can mobilize, so we can proceed covertly through them.”

“Others… especially Lord Santana, must not catch wind of this, understood?”

“Of course. Leave it to me.”

Reiterating their caution, the two began discussing specific arrangements – methods to secretly extract Polena, and how to deal with her afterwards.

“Phew…”

“Well done, My Lord.”

Heaving a heavy sigh, I affixed my seal to the last remaining document.

The workload had already been considerable, but it had increased even further after the secret pact with the Dragonian Empire.

As a result, I had been forced to concentrate on work until well after sundown, as was the case today.

If not for Polena’s familiarity with Dragonian affairs, the situation would have been even more dire – I might have been buried alive by the sheer volume of work.

Having diligently labored through another day, feeling both a sense of accomplishment and a desire to expedite these matters as soon as possible, I rose from my seat, overcome by profound fatigue.

“Then let us call it a day and retire to rest.”

“Yes, My Lord. Allow me to guide you.”

At my words, Polena led the way, carrying a lantern.

Initially, her presence illuminating the path ahead had felt awkward, but over time, I had grown accustomed to it.

For a brief moment, we walked the corridors in silence.

Then, Polena broke the silence first.

“By the way, My Lord, there is something I’ve been curious about.”

“What is it?”

“Truthfully, I fail to comprehend the purpose behind this transaction with the Dragonian Empire. The sheer volume of military supplies imported seems excessive, even at discounted rates… Do you perhaps have another plan in mind?”

“Yes, I do have another plan.”

“Hoh… And what might that be? Something akin to the method you used to corner those heretic hunters from before?”

“Well… you could say it’s similar. But you will witness the details firsthand soon enough.”

In response to Polena’s query, I replied with a smile.

Truthfully, Polena was someone to whom I could explain the specifics, but separate from that, I was feeling rather fatigued to delve into the details. Moreover, being an executor rather than the deviser, she would understand more quickly by witnessing it directly.

“Then have a good night’s rest, My Lord.”

“Yes, I shall see you tomorrow.”

After bidding farewell to Polena, I collapsed onto the bed, overcome by weariness, and drifted off to sleep.

The last thing I failed to hear was her muttering something under her breath:

“…Visitors at this hour. Truly ill-mannered folk.”