[December 1st, Lavatore News

First news from high society.

‘The Deranged Marquis of Tanesia.’

Marquis William Tanesia really seems to have gone mad.

Not long after his eldest daughter’s death, he is now trying to marry off his youngest daughter to Baron Harion.

That’s right.

We’re talking about a poor baron with no estate, not a royal or a duke.

Could the marquis be senile at his age?

As you all know, the Tanesia family is a founding noble family with a long and prestigious history.

In other words, they are one of the few high-ranking nobles allowed to marry at Saint Louis Cathedral, aside from royalty.

On top of that, the marquis’s children’s maternal grandfather is the King of Lemea.

Family, wealth, prestige. The Marquis of Tanesia lacks nothing. Why, then, is he so desperate to marry his daughters off to the insignificant Baron Harion?

This is undoubtedly one of the greatest mysteries since the founding of Lavatore.

Even during the engagement of Lady Elizabeth Tanesia and Baron Harion a month ago, we were puzzled.

Would the royal family allow the two to marry in the cathedral?

Second news from high society.

Duke Freddy Adellio is still missing.

After several meetings, House Adellio has decided to establish a new head of the family.

What’s interesting is that the name Jeremy Harion has come up again.

Alongside Sir Robert Adellio, the missing duke’s uncle, Baron Harion, his maternal cousin, is being considered as a candidate for the new duke.

The baron’s mother was the younger sister of the late duke and Sir Adellio. Despite family opposition, she married a commoner, Patrick Harion…

Third news from high society.

The return of Grand Duke Dumar and Duke Kenneth.

Following two grim stories, we finally bring uplifting news.

Our light and joy, Grand Duke Dumar and Duke Kenneth, will return after completing their military service, two months short of the two-year term.

They are said to have been discharged early as a reward for their remarkable service at the border, where unrest occasionally still occurs.

How admirable.

Even if they had one flaw, it would be forgivable, yet they’re so perfect they make hearts flutter.

As soon as news of their discharge broke, the most prestigious boutiques in the capital’s shopping district have been busier than ever.

Mothers and daughters preparing for the New Year’s debutante ball, just a month away, have been rushing in to order finer dresses.

It’s no wonder.

With Lavatore’s top bachelors returning, if competition doesn’t heat up, it would truly be a sign of doom for the kingdom.]

“What’s this? You’re reading that? I thought you hated gossip rags.”

Kaiden, frowning at the exaggerated story about himself, looked up.

Philip was waving at the innkeeper as he sat across from him.

They were in an inn on the outskirts of the capital.

Kaiden folded the paper he had been reading and set it down. “I’ve decided to take your advice. That rumors can reach faster than the aides’ reports.”

Philip puffed up with pride. “You shouldn’t ignore the quick-witted gossipers of high society. What they pay attention to shows the flow of affairs.”

“I admit it. You’re right.”

“You’re agreeing so easily? That’s odd.” Philip narrowed his eyes suspiciously, then asked curiously, “Did you come across something interesting?”

“It’s from a week ago, but there’s something intriguing. House Adellio is selecting a new duke.”

Philip’s face twisted as he was ordering food. “It’s only been a month since he went missing. And they’re choosing a new duke already?”

“I need to look into it. See who’s moving at the center of it.”

“His uncle, maybe?”

Kaiden tapped the flashy cover of the gossip paper with his finger and answered, “It might be Baron Harion. If he marries into House Tanesia, he’ll gain strong backing. It’s worth aiming for the title.”

“But Lady Tanesia died in an accident. What are you talking about?”

Kaiden didn’t answer and pushed the paper toward him.

At the unspoken suggestion to read, Philip lowered his head and clicked his tongue immediately.

“‘The Deranged Marquis of Tanesia’? Still as sensational as ever. What nonsense are they stirring up now…”

Philip, skimming the contents, suddenly shouted, “Marrying her to her dead sister’s fiancé? Are they insane?”

“Is the Marquis of Tanesia truly mad?”

“If not, there’s no way he’d do this. Saying it’s because of the chance to become a duke doesn’t even make sense.”

Kaiden leaned back in his chair, arms crossed and legs folded.

Seeing that, anticipation flashed in Philip’s eyes.

Kaiden Astea Lavatore Dumar.

A noble of royal blood, privileged to bear the name of the kingdom.

A flawless example of nobility, always composed and proper to avoid scrutiny.

For such a man to appear unguarded meant something suspicious or intriguing had caught his attention.

“When they said Elizabeth Tanesia died on House Adellio’s hunting grounds, I thought it was strange. That hunting tournament had been canceled after the former Duke Adellio died.”

“Right. It had. When they announced it would be held again just a month and a half later to celebrate the inheritance of the title, Freddy had complained it was too soon in a letter.”

“They even said they’d use the previously sent invitations to receive guests as is.”

Philip tilted his head. He couldn’t understand why Kaiden was bringing up an incident from a month ago, rather than the marquis’s eccentric behavior.

“Yeah. Why?”

“The Duchess of Adellio is known for her strict guest selection for parties and gatherings. Receiving an invitation from Adellio or Ramos is a mark of success in high society.”

“True. She prefers everything to be perfectly arranged months in advance. Even the party we’re attending tonight had confirmation sent out months ago.”

Though he didn’t openly say it, Philip’s face showed clear annoyance—it was his friend’s mother, after all.

“Would the duchess, who values perfection, have sent a hunting party invitation to a debutante from the day before? Especially when she didn’t even attend the debut ball herself?”

“Huh?”

Finally catching on to what Kaiden meant, Philip’s expression stiffened.

“So, the invitation must have been sent before coming up to the capital.”

“That’s how it seems. As far as we know, the two families had no prior connection.”

“Then Elizabeth Tanesia’s debut in high society the day before the hunting party wasn’t just coincidence? There was a lot of talk about it. About her debuting at twenty-two, and announcing her engagement to Baron Harion on the first day.”

“Not the kind of thing a prestigious family like Tanesia would normally do.”

“That’s odd.”

“What’s more suspicious is this.” Kaiden pulled an envelope from his inner pocket and handed it over.

“What’s this?”

“A letter Freddy hid.”

“What? Where did you find it?”

“It was hidden in a secret spot.”

This inn was a place Kaiden, Philip, and Freddy had always stopped at after hunting or inspecting the territory.

Since childhood, Freddy had always insisted someone was trying to kill him.

Though they’d laughed it off as nonsense, he had remained firm in his belief, and he had indeed nearly died on several occasions.

To ease his fears, they had turned this inn into their secret hideout.

They even created a hidden space beneath the floor of the VIP room.

It was meant as a contact point in case something ever happened.

And there, they found the letter Freddy had hidden before disappearing.

“He’s alive. Of course, that cautious guy wouldn’t be dead.”

Philip hurriedly began reading the letter.

“He was nearly shot to death at the hunting tournament but managed to escape and is still being pursued? He says the culprit must be among the attendees and pleads for them to be uncovered. Must’ve been urgent. His handwriting’s a mess.”

“Look at the back. Freddy listed the names of the hunting party attendees.”

Philip flipped the page.

“Baron Harion is on the list. I didn’t hear anything about him being at the party…”

“We’ll have to confirm the guest list at today’s Adellio party.”

“Can we? Their butler is notoriously picky.”

“We’ll have to confront them directly.”

“What are you going to say? Ask if Baron Harion was there because he seems suspicious?”

“Something like that. I’ll say someone claims to have seen him and ask if he’s really on the guest list.”

“Isn’t that rude? We’re basically accusing the potential next Duke Adellio of being a suspect in front of everyone.”

“If we’re going to resolve Freddy’s case, we have no choice. He’s likely still in danger. We need to catch the culprit so he can come back safely.”

Philip nodded in agreement and set the letter down.

Then, continuing to skim the paper, he suddenly widened his eyes.

“Freddy’s case is serious, but it looks like we need to deal with your situation first.”