Anna recalled the troubled expression on Franzel’s face, as if he was in a difficult situation. Even though she had tried to meet him many times and contacted him repeatedly, he never responded. Only after Anna threatened to expose their cooperation to Diego and made a semi-threat did she manage to arrange a meeting.

In fact, Anna had confidence that she could manipulate Franzel as she wished once she met him. After all, he was a drug addict. With the financial support from her and her husband gone, his condition would undoubtedly worsen.

Anna was well aware of Franzel’s circumstances. He wouldn’t have acquired enough drugs to satisfy his craving with his abilities alone. He had already hit rock bottom. Anna had planned to manipulate Franzel by using the excuse of providing him with drugs and making him a pawn to kill Diego.

But the man before her wasn’t trembling with withdrawal. His complexion was darker with deepening addiction, but he was not desperate. His drug-addled brain wanted only the pleasure it could provide, and the one thing he needed most was already in ample supply from Anna’s enemies. Franzel had no more urgency to take risks.

And he even warned Anna with a relaxed attitude.

“I haven’t been idly playing around while you were here, Madam. You’d better fully confess the plans you and I shared about Diego. Since there is no evidence left, you’re probably the only one twisting the crime, Madam.”

Franzel continued, his voice dripping with scorn as he faced Anna, who was seething with humiliation.

“Still, isn’t spanking your children as a form of discipline milder than being accused of trying to kill your stepson?”

Anna, recalling Franzel’s relaxed smile, hesitantly sank into the chair without enthusiasm, her face pale as a fly. Anna stared blankly into the air with bloodshot eyes. A metallic sound escaped her dry lips.

“I’ve lost everything. Everything…”

Anna couldn’t believe the tremendous misfortune that had befallen her. Her husband, who had just been breathing next to her during the New Year’s celebration, had suddenly become a corpse. As if that wasn’t enough, this world was telling her to die as well.

It wasn’t a groundless delusion. Anna already knew how Diego would ultimately want to handle this. And she had no strength left to protect herself.

“He will kill me.”

Anna spoke the words like a prophecy, and covered her face with a gesture of exhaustion. Baron Wells didn’t deny it, his expression was grim. He, too, was in immediate danger of losing his life. If he voluntarily stepped back from the front lines, he might have a chance, but regardless, it would be at Diego’s discretion. 

For a brief moment, Anna pondered over everything she had lost. No matter how much she wracked her brain, she couldn’t think of a place to seek help anymore. She didn’t even have relatives to rely on, like other noblewomen. Anna’s parents were weak commoners, and even they had been discreetly dealt with at her command, erasing every trace of their existence.

Even Camilla, who was the one person she could somewhat rely on, found herself in a difficult position. Camilla promised Anna the last remaining support, which was financial assistance. After the verdict, Anna wondered if she would actually receive the money from Camilla.

An eerie light flickered in Anna’s eyes. She resolutely spoke into space,

“I should write a will.”

Baron Wells turned and looked at her with a surprised expression. It was true that they had no escape, but Anna’s decision was as extreme as it was bold. Baron Wells asked with a disturbed expression.

“Madam, what do you mean?”

“Do you think I have a chance of survival? I never knew you were such a positive person.”

“……”

“I am about to die. I will do the same for Diego. I don’t want to leave any loose ends.”

Anna muttered angrily. She continued.

“I can’t stand seeing him live well after what he did to me. Even if it’s after I cross over to the other side.”

“Madam, think again. No matter what….”

“You are the one who needs to think again. If Diego wavers, you will have a chance to survive. It is your duty to sacrifice me to bring him down.”

Anna’s eyes were filled with nothing but hatred. Baron Wells fell silent. He realized that her position as Berta’s mistress was achieved not only through her beauty. Unless he was an intensely venomous person, he wouldn’t even dare to dream of attaining the status she had obtained. Baron Wells asked, somewhat resigned.

“Do you have any plans?”

“First, I will make it clear that I am not a person who will die by my own hand. I will accuse Diego of his threats and reveal the truth about my husband’s death. I must write the will as soon as possible and have it authenticated by a lawyer.”

If both the Duke of Berta and his wife were to die in an accident, there would be a high probability that someone planned their murder. Diego would probably want to make it look like Anna followed her husband in shock. Even if the situation seemed to go according to Diego’s plan, Anna wanted to make it clear that she was not the kind of person who would do such a thing in her lifetime.

“When my husband died, there were several circumstances that didn’t match the suspect’s statement. It would be good if we could pull up the investigator’s financial situation and expenditure history.”

“I will look into it.”

“If I ever leave the capital, make a list of all the people involved in the process. We need to identify the potential candidates for being targeted.”

She tried to accept her impending fate rationally. With a deep breath, Anna barely raised the corner of her mouth. Then she murmured a curse in a melancholic tone.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing what that bastard will face after trampling over my corpse.”

* * *

“Do you happen to know that our engagement ceremony is just a few days away?”

“Isn’t that why I’m writing down cards to be included in the gifts?”

Estella responded without taking her eyes off the letters. Diego lifted his chin and glanced over the table. There were stacks and stacks of cards, starting with Dear Someone and ending with Thank You. They were the handwritten cards prepared by Estella to be included in the wedding gifts.

Estella attended a couple more social gatherings after Maria’s tea party. Other than Lady Ellen, there was no influential figure present in those meetings, but fortunately, Estella managed to select a few acquaintances who could be invited to the engagement ceremony. Everyone was delighted when she extended the invitation, but when it came time to make the proposal, Estella felt nervous. It was a purposeful fellowship, and she felt a little indebted for taking up their time. She’d gone to the trouble of writing a handwritten card, even though she didn’t expect anything in return.

And Diego didn’t seem to appreciate that effort. He tapped the table in frustration.

“So my point is, this is not the time for us to be idle like this.”

“The venue is completely ready, and the dress I wore yesterday fit perfectly. Is there anything else I should do?”

Estella pointed at Diego with her pen.

“And I don’t think it’s me who has nothing to do now, it’s the Duke.”

Then, from a distance, Celia yelled, “Teecher!” She was holding an unknown thing over her head. Estella smiled and waved her hand toward the children.

Diego, who had been quietly sitting in his chair, caught Estella’s eye and she lightly hit the back of his hand. Diego finally raised his hand and snapped out of it. Maintaining eye contact with the children, Diego leaned towards Estella and asked.

“Since the topic of the venue has come up, do you happen to know if the platform where we’re going to pledge our love is being dug up right now?”

“We’ll call some people to cover it up again, I suppose.”

Estella replied calmly. Diego closed his mouth and returned his posture to its original position. Estella was willing to side with the children no matter what mischief they did.

They had gone outside because they’d been invited to inspect the completion of the outdoor venue construction. It was supposed to be a final check, but it seemed that they would need to summon the workers again to tidy everything up. On their way out, they ran into the kids and decided to join them, which was a mistake. Once they started running around and playing among the structures, Estella took a seat at the table, and the place started to fall apart at a rapid pace.

Diego shifted his gaze away from the now chaotic garden. It was time to give up. He got up from his seat and spoke.

“I should go now. This is not good for my mental health.”

“If that’s the case, please take them somewhere else to play.”

“…Me?”

“You should get closer to the children.”

Estella blinked calmly as she spoke. It seemed as if she was making the suggestion so naturally that it made Diego wonder if she had ulterior motives. Of course, Diego politely declined.

“I don’t have a hobby of jumping around on dirt floors.”

“Children usually play on dirt floors. It helps boost their immune system and contributes to their health.”

“I’m already grown up, so I don’t think I need to worry about my immune system.”

“If you don’t play with them, how do you expect to get close to the kids?”

Estella pulled out her last resort. However, even with Estella’s argument, Diego didn’t bat an eye. He stood, leaning on the table, and countered.

“The butler once said that the easiest way to win people’s favor is through gifts.”

“So, are you going to build another gift tower?”

Estella asked, scolding him with a stern tone.

“My lord, relationships between people are like farming, and it takes time and effort to yield results.”

Diego burst into laughter, finding it absurd. He spoke as if mocking her.

“Where did you hear such a didactic saying?”

“From my hometown. In the northern regions, even in the fall, crops can be ruined by frost at night, making farming difficult.”

Estella shrugged and replied. In the current situation, the origin of what I said doesn’t matter. Estella quickly redirected the conversation back to its original topic.

“Anyway, I’m against the gifts. Relationships between people develop when they meet continuously, have conscious conversations, and see each other’s faces. How can a relationship be maintained without communication?”

Just then, Cecilia started running towards the table. Diego tried to step back, leaving it to Estella, but Estella deliberately started focusing on writing her thank-you notes again. Cecilia, with a somewhat displeased expression, approached Diego directly. But for some reason, her expression didn’t seem very pleasant. When Cecilia reached Diego, she puffed up her cheeks and shouted,

“I want a piggyback ride too, Brother!”

“What?”

“Brother always says, ‘Diego will give me a piggyback ride!'”

Behind Cecilia, Cedric shouted loudly,

“When did I say that!”

“Why am I the only one who doesn’t get piggyback rides? Am I not lovable?”

With these words, Cecilia stomped her feet. It was a truly angry face. Even though it was probably just a child’s tantrum, there was an odd sense of intimidation.

If someone were to say that her personality was becoming more like her real mother’s as she grew up, would that be an insult to Cecilia? Diego took a step back without thinking. Estella, who was behind him, passed by and intervened.

“Miss, that’s because you didn’t ask him to take a ride. Please ask the Duke once. He’ll play with you just the same, okay?”

Diego instinctively turned to look at Estella. Although she must have felt his movement, Estella perfectly avoided Diego’s gaze. In contrast, Cecilia’s persistent gaze was fixed on Diego.

“…Then, will you carry me, Tiego? Piggyback ride me too?”

Cecilia asked in a subdued voice. Diego eventually sighed. He couldn’t refuse to give Cecilia what he had given Cedric.